Page 142 of Pretty ’n Peak

“It’s more that the theme of the rest of them is… my identity. Being gay. Figuring out that I’m… whatever I am. Non-binary? Feminine? And kinky. Submissive. It’s just… it’s very personal. I wasn’t expecting to ever show it to anyone. The closest I came was the big triptych at the library, but I don’t think that anybody but you and this gallery owner caught the references.”

“The gallery owner saw it and asked if you were a non-binary sub?”

“He didn’t even ask. Richard, that’s his name, said that his shop is located in the gayborhood and he likes to support gay artists. He used the words we and us a lot.”

“Ohhhh… So are you worried that if he’s selling your stuff that you’ll get outed to your family?”

“Yeah. And it’s just… Some of the stuff I made is really personal. Really painful. Especially the stuff before I met you. God, it’s fucking morose, but it’s… evocative, I guess? That’s what the guy said. And the stuff afterward is… some of it is pretty explicit. I don’t know if I feel comfortable sharing it.”

“Could you share just some of it? Like the things you feel more comfortable with?”

“Guess which ones he likes the most.”

“Point taken.” Of course a gallery owner would dive right toward the paintings that evoked the deepest feelings.

“So I just don’t know what to do.” Mateo sighed, his voice growing smaller. “I wish you were here right now.”

“I wish I was too, Peach.” He let that settle. The longing in his chest. The way Mateo would feel in his arms.

The silence stretched between them, full of potential.

It was only Taja’s words that held him back.

“I can’t decide for you,” he finally said, “but I’d listen to you and hold you for as long as you need. And I’d love to see your paintings if you’re comfortable showing them to me.”

“Yeah. I was actually going to. We just… got a little distracted.”

God, had they ever. “It’s all your fault for being too damn sexy.”

Mateo’s giggle—an honest to God giggle—was the cutest thing in the world.

Austin noticed that he’d been pitching his voice a little higher. Letting it swing with more emotion. Exploring what it meant to be feminine and gay.

“Not my fault. I was born this way,” he sang out.

Austin grinned. Mateo would be fierce when he truly came into himself. He couldn’t wait to see it.

Which made it even sadder that his fear of his family’s reactions was keeping him from so much.

“Seriously, though,” Mateo continued. “I’ll be bringing up some of my paintings. Maybe you’d have some time to take a look at them? If you don’t mind?”

God, this boy was killing him. He’d already shared his submission and his body. His hopes and fears. But sharing his intimate art felt like another level.

Austin had never wished for his vision to return so badly in his life.

“Of course. I’d be honored.”

“Thanks. So, uh… I feel like I’ve been monopolizing the conversation. How was your day?”

“Oh. I quit my job.” It felt crazy and wonderful to say.

“Seriously? Daddy, we have to celebrate!”

That little word, Daddy, was so distracting that for a moment he forgot to respond.

“How do you know this is a cause for celebration?” He was genuinely curious.

“Your face goes flat every time you talk about it. Like something inside you has died, but you're still lugging its carcass around.”