Page 119 of Septembers

They stayed on the call for dinner, the three of them talking over each other like they did at home, while Dae listened with a fond smile. Theo’s mom cried off and on, pretending she wasn’t, repeating, “It’s just so lovely!”

By the time they logged off, the light through the window was fading, casting an orange glow over the apartment and creating cozy shadows. Theo settled himself in front of the sink to do the dishes, which was the usual ritual: Dae cooked, Theo cleaned.

Putting his hands into warm, sudsy water always made him feel warm and sudsy. Before his grandma had passed away, he’d always insisted on being her kitchen assistant. He had a vague memory of her hands covering his in soapy water, letting him splash around instead of actually cleaning.

He was scrubbing a baking sheet when he felt Dae behind him, his hands sliding around his middle. His chest pressed against his back and his chin perched on his shoulder, then Theo felt a soft kiss below his ear. “Like this?”

Theo melted into him. “Yes.”

Dae turned him around and gave him a kiss that tasted like the spice from dinner. "I still can't believe I get to do that whenever I want."

Theo kissed him back, short and sweet, wiping the water from his hands on his pants so he could hug him. "Within reason.”

“Okay…” He kept his arms around him as he contemplated the possibilities. "What about at the grocery store?"

"As long as we're nowhere near the eggplants. Let's keep it classy.”

Dae huff-laughed and pulled him closer. “The gym?”

Theo screwed up his face in disgust. “When have we ever gone to the gym?”

“In case we start, I want to know if I can kiss you.”

“Wait.” Theo put a hand to Dae’s chest, holding him back from another kiss. “I’m concerned you want to go to the gym together.”

Dae shook his head, his mouth so close it brushed Theo’s. “I don’t.”

“Don’t ever make me go to the gym.”

“I won’t.” He pressed their lips together, and they leaned against the sink, kissing as if they had all the time in the world. Dae barely pulled away to speak, his breath warm on Theo’s lips. “But if we did go to the gym…”

“Yes, Dae, kiss me at the gym. In fact, I insist. The only reason I would ever set foot in a gym is to kiss you and make sure everyone knows you’re mine.”

He smiled, then stepped back, surveying the kitchen. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Laundry. Organize my notes. I have some work I’ve been putting off.”

“Can you keep putting it off for one more night?”

“What do you have in mind?”

Dae stared at the fridge. If he hadn’t just started a conversation, Theo would’ve assumed he was memorizing their word-a-day magnets.

“Dae?”

“Doyouwannagoonadate?”

Theo tried. He really did. But there weren’t real words anywhere in what Dae had said. “Um?”

He ran his hand through his hair, his cheeks once again blooming with a blush. “Do you want to go on a date with me?”

After what they’d done the night before, how was it possible he was nervous?

“Of course I want to go on a date with you, you adorable dreamboat.” Theo flicked soap bubbles at him, and he laugh-sighed in relief.

“I don’t know how to do this.”

“You’ve dated before.”