No, that’s just stupid.
Right?
Robert just says whatever he needs to to get his way. He doesn’t want to be trapped here any more than Matt does. He’s just relying on low blows and flattery to move the shoot along.
Still… What if?
Robert holds his phone up and asks the crew, “Do y’all mind if we play some music?”
“Whatever helps,” the photographer replies, with a strong French accent.
“Cool. So—” Robert plays an older country album Matt hasn’t heard in years. He tosses the phone just off of the whitepaper set before turning back. “I know you know this one, so let’s move a little.”
He shimmies in place, as an example, and Matt gapes.
“Why would you think I can dance? What part of me screams ‘I love to dance in front of people’? Have you everseenme dance?!”
“Maybe not dance, and maybe not in front of other people?—”
Robert’s voice drops lower as he steps closer. He rests his hands on either side of Matt’s hips, pushing and pulling until they’re rocking together in a figure 8 motion.
“—But you can move, I’ve seen it. Relax for me.”
Matt’s face burns as he exhales and relaxes into the movement. It’s easier, with Robert there, letting him take the reins. He doesn’t know what to do with his arms, so he parks his hands on Robert’s shoulders.
If anyone asks, he’s just bracing himself.
“I don’t think these will be very good pictures,” Matt grumbles, pretending to be unaffected. “You can’t even see the jacket.”
Robert smiles, teasing. “You’re right. We need a bigger action. Here?—”
He steps back before hooking his arm around Matt’s elbow and spinning, flinging the smaller man out and around in circles.
“What are youdoing?!” Matt yelps.
“It’s a do-si-do!”
“No it is not!” Matt squeezes his eyes shut and tries not to get too dizzy. “You’re going to make us fall!”
“YEE-HAW!!!”
It’s ridiculous. It’s so fucking stupid. Robert is a man child and Matt can’t contain himself. He laughs as he desperately tries to stabilize himself with every turn.
A flash surprises Matt, stilling him. Somehow he had forgotten the photography team was still there. They’re still set up, still expecting to take pictures.
“Hey,” Robert says, slowing but still circling. He unhooks his arm to cradle Matt’s face, to turn it towards himself. “Not them, ignore them. Focus here.”
Shivers creep down Matt’s spine, and his skin breaks out in goosebumps despite the warm clothing.
When has he ever not focused on Robert? Even when he hated him—Matt’s thoughts always revolved around him. His determination to push harder, his desperation to make the first points, everything Matt ever cared about was just another planet trapped in Robert’s orbit.
Another flash and a small part of Matt flares up, warning him, worrying about what someone might see in that photo. If they might find the same thing a flash in a bar could catch. Maybe even more so now, when Matt’s eyes are locked on Robert instead of turned away.
Matt licks his lips, and Robert’s eyes dip down for a blink, tracking the movement. He smiles, caught, before he twists an arm and somehow spins Matt away in a twirl.
If, hours later, he’s still a little dizzy, he’ll blame it on the twirl.
“Have you ever kissed anyone before?” Mateo asked, staring up at the night sky.
