“But it’s the first time I can really look,” Ry said, his voice reverent.
Alex stood before him, the lines of his face softened in the light, vulnerability etched in his features.For the first time, Ry understood exactly how young Alex was: his tall frame belied his youth.Light caught the curve of his cheek, making him breathtaking.Ry's hand lifted, fingers yearning for the warmth of skin beneath them.
“Gorgeous,” Ry said, his voice soft.
Alex squirmed under Ry’s gaze.“You really think so?”
Ry nodded.He laid his hands on Alex’s chest, feeling the heat radiate from flushed skin.His fingers traced the curves of muscle, the gentle rise and fall of ribs.Alex’s warm gaze locked with his, unwavering.
Ry closed the distance between them and kissed Alex: a whisper of a kiss, tender.In that moment, he changed forever.The world stilled; silence descended.Only Alex’s heat bloomed against him, the sole reality.The only thing that could ever be important.
Ry sighed after the kiss ended, collapsing into Alex’s arms.Alex held him close, their breathing slow and rhythmic against each other.He let his hands fall to Alex’s waist and tugged him toward the bed.He sat down, spent, and fell backwards.
“You’re telling me we missed out on how much of this?”Ry asked, looking up at Alex.
“I plan to make up for lost time.”Alex lay next to him.“Do you?”
Ry nodded.
The clock downstairs chimed eleven.Ry yawned, aware of the lethargy in his limbs now that he was horizontal.“It’s late.I don’t wanna go to class tomorrow.”
Alex groaned.“Don’t remind me.”
“Do you want to spend the night?”Ry reached out, his hands feather-light on Alex’s arm.“Like with me?”
Ry watched Alex swallow and think.“I’d like that.I’ll at least text my dad.Not that he’d care.”
They got ready for bed, with Ry giving Alex a toothbrush.Ry changed into some pajamas, offering an oversized shirt that wouldn’t fit Alex.Instead, he went to bed with his underwear on.
“We’ll have to get up early so I can get some clean underwear.”Alex pulled Ry closer.“I don’t think yours will fit.”
“Probably not.”Ry smiled.He had to ask the question burning in his mind.“What do you want us to be?Dating?”
“Would you want to date?”
“Hell yeah!”Ry said, grinning.
“Okay,” Alex said, looking pleased with himself.“Why don’t we try that out?”
“We should tell Brand and Lon,” Ry said.“I’ll be in trouble with Lon all year if I don’t tell him.”
Alex laughed.“Yeah, we probably should tell them before kissing in front of them.Tomorrow?”
“Okay,” Ry said, then his brain kicked in, reminding him of his first year out.How would everyone treat the most popular jock in school?“No pressure, of course?”
Alex gave Ry a funny look.“You think anyone is gonna mess with me?”
“No,” Ry said.“Might with me.I guess I should have thought about it more.”
Alex ran his hands through his hair, the feeling amazing for Ry.“You’ll be fine, my little princeling,” he said.“Most people know I’m not straight, and they are cool with me.”
“Are you gay or bi?”Ry asked before he could think.
Alex shrugged.“I’m still figuring it out, but I’m either bi or pan.Why all these questions though?”
“You’re like super hot.”
“And you aren’t?”Alex smiled.“I don’t care what anyone else says.You are amazing, and beautiful, and funny.”
