Worth It All: Darome
When the kiss breaks behind the car, Dave laughs a little. "I'm sorry, guess I'm just a little too chick-flick for ya. I suppose we'll skip out on the skipping over to the balloon, then? And no, before you ask, there's no unmanly wine or anything in the picanick basket. Come on, Mr. Masculine."
Dave starts to walk over to the balloon handler, who is waving with arms outstretched from the basket. He is in his fifties with a wicked handlebar moustache and greets Dave and Jerome with a calloused hand and a joyful grin. "Welcome to Hot Air Balloon Tours. Today, we will go above the cloud line and see the noonday sun. You brought food? Ah good, blankets have been provided. Thank you for your purchase of our services at charity auction. Please, come in and enjoy your time in the sky."
Dave nods to the balloon instructor. "Thanks, Reichen said you were the best in the tri-state area, so I'm inclined to believe him."
Dave is suprised to find that he doesn't struggle getting in the basket, that the sound of firing gas doesn't make him nervous and that Jerome right next to him completely keeps the cold out while they're snuggled in their blanket.
The view is more than breathtaking above the cloud line. The sun is golden, the whole of the sky is almost warm, even with the thin air.
Dave takes Jerome's hand at the side of the basket as they're finishing lunch. "Happy Whatever the Hell Day it is, Jerome. After everything, you were so worth the wait. I'm so glad that I've fallen in love with you. Glad for everything. There's no one in this world who makes me happier, who I want to care for and who cares for me. If you'd have told me ten years ago that this is the man I would be today, I would have probably socked that person in the mouth since I wasn't even out yet. But you...my God...you were worth all the pain I caused myself. I just have to say it again, I love you more than the world."
Jerome chuckles as Dave pulls away from the kiss and the easy banter flows between them. "Beers and raw meat in this basket. Unless you stole it from some campers. I know you're smarter then the average bear but geesh."
Following Dave to the basket he watches as the boy he's fallen in love with takes charge on yet another amazingly planned event for him. A year ago he never thought he would be the one letting someone take the lead and care for him like Dave has but then again a year ago he also didn't know David Karofsky.
Glancing out at the sky as they finish their meal Jerome feels a warm hand slip take hold of his own. Listening to Dave as he talks about everything Jerome has done for him, Jerome squeezes the boys hand. Never wanting to let him go. "Shit Dave.. I just... You're amazing. I love you as much as the world 'cause you are my world. I'm so glad I found you." Jerome says pulling Dave into a tight hug, carefully while up so high. Leaning his head on Dave's shoulder he places a soft kiss against his neck. "You're an amazing man, David, and I'm glad I could be a part of that. I'd want nothing more in the world then for you to let me continue to try and be everything you want and everything you deserve."