The scent of blueberries wafted through the hallway, faint yet unmistakable. Pico paused mid-step, his senses sharpening as he realized it was Boyfriend's scent. He inhaled deeply, letting the familiar aroma wash over him, filling his mind with memories of the countless hours they had spent together. It was a scent that had always brought him comfort, but today, it lingered in a way that made his heart ache.

He brushed the feeling aside, telling himself it was just a scent. But as the days passed, he found himself noticing it more and more—on his clothes after they hung out, in the air long after Boyfriend had left the room. It was as if the scent had imprinted itself on Pico, a constant reminder of the person who had unknowingly captured his heart.

One afternoon, they were in the music room, strumming their guitars in harmony. The soft light of the setting sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over Boyfriend's face. Pico couldn't help but watch him, his gaze drawn to the way Boyfriend's eyes sparkled with excitement as he played. They were a bright, vibrant shade of blue, like the sky on a clear day. Pico had seen those eyes a thousand times, but today, they seemed different—deeper, more mesmerizing.

"Pico, you okay?" Boyfriend's voice broke through his thoughts, and Pico quickly averted his gaze, feeling heat rise to his cheeks.

"Yeah, just... lost in the music," Pico replied, forcing a smile. But it was more than the music that had him distracted. It was the way Boyfriend's eyes lit up when he talked about something he loved, the way his laughter filled the room with warmth. Pico realized that he was falling—slowly, helplessly falling in love with his best friend.

As the weeks went by, Pico found himself drawn to every little thing about Boyfriend. The way he always had a kind word for everyone, the way he threw himself into his music with passion and enthusiasm, the way he never gave up, no matter how tough things got. Boyfriend's optimism was contagious, and Pico couldn't help but admire him for it. He found himself smiling at the memory of their conversations long after they had ended, replaying Boyfriend's words in his mind like a favorite song.

But along with these moments of affection came a growing sense of dread. Pico knew what he was feeling, and he knew what it meant. He was in love with Boyfriend—really, truly in love. But the thought of confessing terrified him. What if Boyfriend didn't feel the same? What if it ruined everything?

Pico was an alpha, strong and brave. But when it came to his feelings for Boyfriend, he felt like a coward. The fear of rejection, of losing the friendship they had built over the years, was too much to bear. So he kept his feelings hidden, telling himself it was for the best.

One evening, as they packed up their instruments after another music session, Pico made a decision. He couldn't keep doing this—couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine when his heart was breaking inside. He had to distance himself, had to put some space between them before his feelings tore him apart.

As they walked out of the music room together, Pico told himself it was the right thing to do. Boyfriend was happy, and that was all that mattered. He was just being selfish, wanting more than he deserved. But as he said goodbye and turned to walk away, the ache in his chest felt like a knife twisting deeper with each step.

He was a coward, too afraid to confess his feelings, too afraid to risk what they had. And in that moment, Pico hated himself for it.

The next day, Pico began to pull away. He stopped hanging out with Boyfriend as much, and made excuses to avoid spending time together. Boyfriend noticed, of course, but Pico brushed off his concerns with weak explanations and forced smiles. It was easier this way, or so he told himself. Easier to keep his distance, to protect Boyfriend from the truth.

But as the days turned into weeks, Pico felt the weight of his decision pressing down on him. Every time he saw Boyfriend, the urge to confess, to tell him everything, grew stronger. But the fear was always there, lurking in the back of his mind, whispering that it was better to stay silent.

So he remained quiet, even as it tore him apart inside.

And so, the cowardly alpha who fell in love chose to suffer in silence, letting his fears and insecurities drive a wedge between him and the one person he cared about most. Pico watched from a distance as Boyfriend continued to shine, his heart aching with every unspoken word, every missed opportunity. And he wondered, with a deep, unshakable regret, what might have been if he had just been brave enough to speak the truth.