Page 127 of Septembers

“You’ll see.”

Dae was a dutiful student, laughing at the right times, staying quiet during the intense moments, and letting out a reverent little gasp when Carrie Fisher came on screen for the first time. He clicked his tongue at Billy Crystal almost screwing everything up and sat forwards in anticipation when his character ran to the New Year’s Eve party.

As Harry listed all the things he loved about Sally and they kissed to Auld Lang Syne, Theo studied Dae’s profile, his heart pulling a Grinch and growing three sizes at the sight. “I love your hair.”

Dae paused the epilogue, his face scrunched in amused curiosity. “Yes, you’ve mentioned.”

“And your dimples.”

He nodded. “You may have said that once or twice too.”

“And I love the way you laugh when you see a dog, like it said something funny.”

“Ah.” His smile was slow, but it built to incredible heights. “We’re doing this?”

“And I love the way your face gets really intense when you’re cooking, and your lips press together like this.” Theo pinched his mouth in his best Dae-cooking impression.

Dae rested his head on the couch, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “I love that you get mad at fictional characters and tell them what to do through the screen.”

“I love that you text your sister every time you see someone wearing her designs.” He extracted himself from their snuggle and swung his leg to straddle his waist. “And how intense your face gets when I’m close like this.”

Dae’s hands moved over Theo’s thighs, massaging. “I love that you refuse to buy pre-grated cheese. And that you hand-make birthday presents. And that you sing loudly even though you’re so bad at it.” He licked his lips as his gaze slid to Theo’s neck. “And that freckle under your jaw.”

“Just the one?”

“Hmmm, I love them all, but,” he said, leaning forward to kiss it, “this one’s my favourite.”

“Don’t let the others hear.” Theo ran his lips over Dae’s jawline. “I love how patient you are with me.”

Dae’s massage gained purpose, pulling him closer, hands moving, fingertips dipping under his shirt. “I love that it took a near-death-experience for you to admit you loved me back.”

Theo laughed into his skin. “Really?”

He nodded. “It was very you.”

“I love everything about you.”

Dae lifted Theo’s shirt over his head and kissed the centre of his chest. “I love when you get like this.”

“Shirtless?”

He looked up at him. “Gooey.”

Theo turned feral and went for his mouth like a predator, his hands in his hair, then fumbling for his clothes. Dae flipped him onto the couch and pressed into his body, his weight burning right through him. His kisses were hungry and tasted like red wine.

They never finished the last two minutes of the movie.

Nothing To Prove

Theo looked forward to Saturday all week. He got his tight-fitting grey suit dry-cleaned, got a haircut, and even did a few push-ups in anticipation. Even more than the party, he was excited for the end of it, when Dae would finally, officially, come back home.

Sure, absence made the heart grow fonder, but his heart was fond enough. It was time for this bullshit to end.

Jordan came over to ‘help him get ready’, which meant lounging on Céline and snacking. Her sweatshirt and loose jeans were crumpled and stained, and her hair was greasy, but she was present and engaged, which was a step.

She leaned back, massaging her scalp with her fingertips. “Do you think I should shave my head?”

“I absolutely do not.”