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 Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 8:53 am
The kiss was different from what they usually shared. There was no heated lust behind it, no burst of emotion that could only be sated with quick, needy kisses. It was just nice. Perfect, even. A gentle promise of love.
There was something powerful in it, and Kaelan felt his heart skip a beat or two. His head felt like it was lifting from his shoulders, floating up into the clouds. It wasn’t the first time Orien had made him feel so giddy. It wouldn’t be the last. He kept the kiss modest and chose to savor the closeness instead of pushing it into anything else.
He had a notebook in his bag, and he’d always kept one next to the bed. Just in case he needed to jot anything down.
Just in case Orien did, too.
“Our life does sound pretty magical when you put it like that. And I know it’s going to get better, too.” Even if it was just little things. Nicer bedsheets. An apartment that didn’t require them to go up so many flights of stairs. Reliable heating for the winter. New clothes. Things weren’t bad right now. If he’d been alone, maybe they would have been difficult, but he had Orien, and so he felt like he had the world. Even if everything was second hand and they were running themselves ragged, he was still happy.
It was a grind, but it wasn’t unpleasant, most of the time. He kept himself busy and it felt like they had so many doors. He was overwhelmed by trying to choose the right ones, but he knew that he had Orien–he had all the support he could need.
“It sort of is a fairy tale ending, I think. To our old stories. Now we’re having new stories together. And I want them to have a happy ending, too. I mean, I know they will. I’m always going to be happy with you. You are my happy ending. In every story.”
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Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 5:35 pm
Orien smiled softly up at Kaelan. They’d come from… such a horrible experience of life to now. Anything seemed like it was an improvement. And Kaelan was right, anyway.
“You’re my happy ending in every story, too,” he promised, using his hands which were clean from burger or fry grease to gently hold Kaelan’s face between them. He used his fingers to massage his scalp and brushed his hair back, just taking a few moments to look adoringly up at him.
Normally, he would have commented on things like happy endings but even he knew when it was important not to tease or flirt.
“Let’s finish up here and go home. I want to hold you somewhere that we don’t have to worry about our boss walking in on us,” he sighed dramatically, and then glanced over at his bandaged arm.
“And let’s ask Jett for a ride, too. I think I can walk to the building, but climbing those stairs will require more energy, I think,” he grimaced.
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Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 8:46 pm
If Kaelan hadn’t already been in love with Orien, he would have fallen for him again. He could have melted against him now if he hadn’t also been so smitten by the gentle touches to his face and hair. “All right. We’ll finish up the burger and fries and save the rest for home, but that way these don’t go bad. And then I’ll ask Jett if he’s really okay with giving us a ride back.”
He had a strong suspicion that Jett had been sincere with the offer, especially since he’d also mentioned that he was going to call and see if someone wanted to come in for the day. He hadn’t seemed to be joking when he said he’d just close up for a little bit until he got back.
But then, Jett had explained to them that the storefront was nice and how he got started in all of this, but most of his business model came from auctions, estate sales, and the online storefront. Jett came here when he wanted an easy day, or to clear his head or get back to the basics. It probably wouldn’t cost him too much to be closed for fifteen minutes. Kaelan was trying to hype himself up with the logic before he asked, just because he was afraid of being an inconvenience. But this was for Orien! So he could do it.
“You’re so sweet to me, Orien.” They were almost done with the food; he took a bite of the burger and then passed it back to Orien to finish while he pulled out the last few fries. It would be nice to get to have some time to themselves back at the apartment. He’d be happy for just the little things. He could dream big, and he was going to work hard to accomplish those dreams. One day, all of their hardships would be behind them.
No matter what life threw at them, they’d always have each other.
And, as long as he had Orien, he’d be happy.
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