"So what's the experiment, Barry?"
Barry continued to stare at Naldo, deep in thought. He had spent quite some time crafting the experiment, hypothesizing the possible outcomes and weighing the benefits against the costs. He just hadn't come up with the words to describe it.
So, he decided to forego words altogether, and he leaned in and kissed Naldo.
Naldo's lips were soft, but firm, like he had anticipated the kiss. It ended up more than the little peck Barry had planned, but nothing too passionate. It was something that could only be produced by two teenage boys fueled by hormones and curiosity.
"I… see," Naldo murmured when their lips drifted apart. Barry stayed quiet.
"So… what are the results?" Naldo added when his friend refused to react, let alone speak. Barry pursed his lips and avoided Naldo's gaze. He exhaled, reaching for the clipboard on the counter. He grabbed a pen and scribbled something down.
"The results support my hypothesis," he said curtly.
"Oh," Naldo replied, uncertain. He attempted a smile, but it only made him look more dejected. "And… what was that?"
Barry looked up from his clipboard. A smile crept across his face.
"I've… got it pretty bad for you."
Naldo felt his face grow hot, and he couldn't fight the idiotic grin he felt coming on. He looked away for a minute, embarrassed. He glanced back at Barry's clipboard, then at Barry. He was blushing just as hard.
"You know," Naldo began, slowly taking a step forward. "A great scientist told me that for an experiment to be good, you have to repeat the trials."
Now Barry was really blushing. He took a step forward. His and Naldo's noses were barely an inch apart.
"Okay," he murmured. He reached for Naldo's hand, gently taking it in his own. His skin felt warm, inviting. "Trial number two."
"Of a hundred," Naldo added, and he met Barry halfway for another kiss.