Van was finding it harder to breathe, like he needed more air than he could get into his lungs. It didn't help that his heart was hammering against his chest as Brendan leaned over him. He could feel the heat radiating off of Brendan's skin and smell him, his own scent, through the fresh smell of soap and wet hair.
Van wanted to kiss him very badly. Brendan was right there, not pulling away or making excuses that he had to leave. But Van showed control and continued to play their little game.
"Why do I tolerate you?" He breathed out, searching Brendan's face for something, anything that would give him an insight into the boy's mind. He leaned in closer, lifting his mouth temptingly towards Brendan's as he pulled the boy's wrists some more, putting his hands on the bench beside him. "Because you're still here. Because you keep coming back no matter how hard I try to shove you away." He smirked crookedly. "You've got moxie, kid."