*Feeling a bit better after the Friday BBQ was over and with the rest of the weekend still on the horizon, Joseph checked on his arrangements for babysitters for the kids, then he finished packing up and headed for the yacht. He was looking forward to spending all of Saturday with Mat.*
@coffeespooning
*Mat smiled and he kissed the top of Carmensita’s head. She’d promised him she would go to Joseph’s house to look after the kids after she finished cleaning her room. He closed the door behind him as he started making his way to his car. He was looking forward to spending the day with Joseph.*
*Why would two men heading off for a boating day go in separate cars? Well, never know when something could happen and one or the other may need to head home first…Hopefully, of course, neither would. Joseph got to the pier first, and onto the yacht, making sure things were clean. He’d stocked up on everything over the week– food, toiletries, and even a little alcohol. He unloaded his old record player, a few choice albums, and a guitar– yes. Joseph played, even though he was a novice right now– and he stowed every last minute thing away before he changed into a light t-shirt, swim trunks, and, of course, the jacket he’d taken from his and Mat’s last date.*
*Mat parked his car near the pier and saw that Joseph had already arrived. He got out of the car and locked it, his smile widening slightly. He hummed a bit as he walked towards Joseph’s yacht.*
Hey Joseph! *Mat waved at his neighbor, a bright grin clearly on his face. He was looking forward to the entire day.*
*Joseph leaned against the railing on the deck and he waved toward Mat.*Â
Hey! Come on up! I’ve got everything ready. Just need my shipmate and we’re ready to sail.
*He went to meet Mat at the ramp leading up.*
I’m ready, let’s go.
*Mat chuckled, a hint of nervousness in it. Sure, he might have traveled a lot when he had the band with Rosa, but it had been such a long time. Then again, nowadays nearly everything made Mat nervous so he wasn’t surprised.*
*Joseph waited until Mat was on deck with him.* Leave your stuff in the main cabin. I’ve got everything in this beauty: mini bar, fridge, and other things. I’ll get us sailing! *And in very little time, he had the ship pulled away and out on the sea. Once they were a fair distance from land– not so far they couldn’t see the shore, naturally, Joseph joined Mat again.*
So… This week, huh? *Joseph honestly felt a degree of nervousness, as well. He had been looking forward to this so long, and now that they were on the boat, he was almost in the same sort of jittery state he’d been when they first began their relationship.*
*The dark male nodded and went to the main cabin, dropping the small bag he had with him on the floor with a soft sigh. He yawned and stretched, his joints popping with nearly every move he made. Dang, the week had been exhausting.*
*Mat hadn’t expected Joseph to join him so quickly (it really wasn’t, but he was zoning out for a while), and he let out a manly squeak in surprise.*
Jeez, don’t scare me like that. *He chuckled lightly.* But yeah.. It has been an exhausting week, to say the least. I’m glad I’m here with you, though.
*Joseph chuckled a bit at startling him.* Sorry. Enjoying the bed? This beauty cost a pretty penny, but I’m proud of her. I could take her just about anywhere, if I wanted. *He strolled to the mini bar, and started getting the liquor out for margaritas.* Yeah, I was ready for the week to be done around Wednesday, honestly. Sometimes it feels too long.Â
*Joseph blushed when Mat said he was glad to be there, together.* Me too.. Um… Care for a drink?Â
I was ready for it to be done Monday morning, and the weekend had barely ended. Can’t they switch weekends and weekdays around? Working two days a week and the rest is weekend. *Mat rolled his eyes lightly and laughed.*
Yeah, of course. *He nodded.* I mean why not, right? *Mat was very tempted to comment on how cute Joseph looked when he was blushing but decided against it. He didn’t want to make the other even more flustered.*
*Joseph blended up two lime margaritas, salted and all. He approached his sailing mate, and handed over the glass.* Amen to that! I’d love to knock it all out in one go.Â
*Joseph raised his glass up.* At least we’ve got a night where we can forget about it all and relax. To no responsibilities for a night!
*Mat took the glass and smiled.* A night with no worries sounds wonderful.
*He took a small sip of his drink and his eyes started sparkling almost instantly.* This is amazing, Joseph!
*Joseph sipped his own drink. God, it was so much nicer to do this with someone else.* Hm, thanks. Takes lots, and lots of practice. Let’s take these back to the deck; we can look at the view.Â
*He led Mat out again, standing outside, the wind full of that salty, relaxing smell of the ocean. The wind wasn’t harsh, but it wasn’t blistering hot, due to the fall. It was an aboslutely perfect afternoon.* Isn’t it amazing? We’re blessed to have this kind of view, Mat. And…I’m happy. Not that my life with my kids made me unhappy, but… I was missing this– someone to share stuff like this with…
*It had been a while since Mat had traveled, so going out with someone was weird. Not unpleasant, but just weird.*
It’s good that this makes you happy. I get you, I feel the same. Of course, I have a wonderful daughter and spending time with her is amazing. But I missed spending time with someone, like traveling together.. So I’m glad I can do this with you.
I’m really horrible at explaining things. *He chuckled awkwardly.* But I hope you get what I meant.
*Joseph glanced away briefly, a small amused grin on his face.* I do understand, actually. You and I … we work in a very strange, unlikely way.
*The blond man toyed a bit with his glass before he spoke again.* I said once I didn’t know how I felt about you, except that I was attracted. I still don’t know exactly what I feel, except that… I think about you. And I miss you when we don’t talk. And… I haven’t connected with anyone that way in a while. You’re… You’re special to me, Mat.
*A small smile was present on Mat’s face.* It means a lot to hear you say that. Take all the time you need to figure everything out, I think I’ve said that a few times before.
And.. You’re special to me too, Joseph. I really enjoy spending time with you and I honestly haven’t had this much fun with someone without feeling anxious all the time in a while, actually..
*It seemed this was the best time for his other surprise. No better time for it, right? Joseph finished off his drink.* Come back inside. I want to show you something.Â
*Joseph went in the cabin again, first, and set his glass on the counter of the mini-bar. He then grabbed up the guitar he’d stowed away.* I know that you don’t like to play music yourself, anymore– and I’m not going to force you. But I thought… well, I thought I could play for you. Now, I’m just a beginner, and only know a few cords for Youth meeting songs, but I just….wanted to do something nice for you.Â
*Mat smiled and followed Joseph inside. His smile widened some when Joseph grabbed the guitar.*
I can teach you some, if you’d want to? But first I’d like to hear you play some.
*A mixture of pride and nervousness overcame Joseph. He was a novice about to attempt performing for an honest to God professional, and he knew it wouldn’t be the best way to charm a man… but as the youths say: yolo! Joseph took a breath, leaned on the counter, and began strumming a few cords.*
~I wonder. I wonder how you’re doing today. I wonder. I wonder what could be the best way to make you smile, and I wonder. I wonder.~
~I wonder. I wonder what’s on your mind. I wonder. I wonder if maybe I could find a way into your heart. I wonder. I wonder.~
*Joseph’s playing was basic, but his singing was quite good. Probably his best musical attribute, a neutral baritone that could achieve some lower tenor tones.*
~And I wonder at what you think about in the early afternoon. And I wonder if I can be with you, and just how soon. I wonder. Oh, I wonder.~
*Joseph did a couple of finishing cords before he stopped. It wasn’t a chart topper and super basic. What would Mat think? His heart was hammering as he waited for a reaction.*
*Mat quietly listened with a smile on his face. Sure, Joseph might not be a professional, but it's the thought that counts. And his guitar skills might have been really basic, but his pretty amazing. After the other male had finished the song, Mat looked at him, his eyes sparkling slightly and a wide smile on his face.*
That was wonderful, Joseph. I'd love to hear you play more. *He chuckled.*
