“Our first kiss was just for fun;

I was playing a game and I won.

Our second kiss was more sincere;

We began to talk, you held me near.

Our third kiss – I began to feel;

No longer a game, this one was real.

Our fourth kiss, my heart was calling;

I didn’t care that I was falling.

Our fifth kiss was when you’d choose;

This was no longer a game, and I was to lose."

Shane sat down on a bench in the deserted park. It was an early morning in January, not the time you would normally see people around. Of course, Shane had known that, that’s why he had come. 

He had come here to be alone, to think. It was now a month ago Kian had broken up, and Shane still felt as much pain as he had when Kian broke the news. He felt as if he would never heal.

He pushed his mind back 5 years, to when he had first realised what he felt for his best friend...

<<Flashback # 1>>

Shane looked around at the other people in the circle. There was some giggling; an air of expectation.

He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Ok, playing ‘Truth or Dare’ when half the people were drunk never seemed an inviting idea. But he hadn’t been prepared for *this*.

He looked at Kian nervously. Jeanette’s words rang in his mind. “A dare? Ok then… kiss Kian!” She had giggled too; a drunken, girlish, giggle.

Shane wasn’t one to pull out of dares, so he crawled across the circle, trying to give Kian an apologetic look. Kian just smiled and winked slightly at him.

<<End Flashback # 1>>

That’s how they had shared their first kiss. Shane had wanted to settle for one on the cheek, but Jeanette was having none of it. So, a quick peck on the lips it had been.

If Shane was to be truthful he had realised his feelings back then. It took a few more weeks before he admitted it to himself. Then, one event would change his whole world...

<< Flashback # 2 >>

“Shay, do you wanna stay over at mine tonight?”

Shane looked at the blond boy in front of him. “What about Tom?”

Kian shrugged. “The whole family’s going to Auntie Netta’s for the night. You know how I *hate*Auntie Netta and Uncle John. Their kids are all stuck up and stuff. Well, anyway, mum said if I get a friend to stay with me I can stay at home.”

“I’ll ask mum when she gets home from shopping."

<< End Flashback # 2 >>

Of course Shane had been allowed to stay over. They had kissed while they were watching a video, then they cuddled up together and chatted ‘till they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

That was the moment Shane had started to realise his true feelings for Kian. It had been the start of the happiest time of his life. A smile spread across his face as he remembered…

<<Flashback # 3>>

It was a week after Shane had stayed at Kian’s. Neither of them had yet brought up the subject of what had happened that night.

Kian came over to Shane’s house in the evening. “Shane, we have to talk. Coming for a walk?”

“Ok…” Shane agreed, he felt he needed it to be sorted out anyway.

They walked down to the deserted park.

“Shane, I fancy you and I would love it if we could be more than friends.”

That was it, no beating around the bush. Shane realised how brave Kian was. And how much he loved him. They had shared their third kiss… and their fourth… and a few more than that, with the moon watching them from above.

<<End Flashback # 3>>

Tears started to fall down Shane’s cheeks. 5 years ago his and Kian’s relationship had started in this very park, on this very park bench. He had lost his heart that night. And Kian had kept it safe for the past 5 years; the same way he had kept Kian’s. Until that fateful night…

<<Flashback # 4>>

“Shane, I don’t know how to say this but… I’ve met someone else.”

Shane’s world came crashing down in an instant. “Wh- What do you mean?”

“I’m falling in love with someone else. I’m sorry…”

Shane nodded. “Ok, this is it then?”

Kian looked at him, and then gave in to the urge to lean forward and steal a quick goodbye kiss.

“Yes, this is it Shane. We’re still friends, right?”

“Yeah, still friends.”

<<End Flashback # 4>>

Shane wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He heard a noise behind him and turned around.

“Kian?” It was clear that he too had been crying. “What are you doing here?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing… I believe I know though.”

Their eyes met. The realisation that they were both there for the same reason hit them.

Kian sat down and opened his arms for Shane to fall into. “I’m sorry baby, I was wrong… I loved you all along. I could never love anyone else!”

Shane smiled against Kian’s chest. “You’re forgiven. Now, shut up and kiss me!”

Kian smiled back and their lips met. This time, their kiss marked a new beginning. This time, they both realised how much they needed eachother. It was the first kiss of many in a tale of neverending love…