âI was trying to bring back the mullet in 2001, you donât have to flatter me. Though Iâm glad Iâve grown into the baby face.â Harper deadpanned. He rolled his eyes. âIt was those sundae cherries though, all you have to do is chew!â He chuckled to himself. âI know Iâm the best around and youâre the second best by association.â He teased. It was nice for a change to be flattered and he enjoyed Mickieâs company. Harper couldnât help but take note of Samuel and his attritubutes. âSounds like your type.â Harper blurted out.He took pause at the sentence.
 âI have thought about it but I was afraid it might be taking advantage of you.â Harper gave a sad smile. âIâm also the first person you saw from the facility so I wasnât sure if it would too soon-even after eight years.â He took a deep breath. âBut I was also processing a relationship I was in at the time which was very tumultous at best and distant at worst.â Harper looked at Mickie. His personal relationships werenât something he talked about often even with the other. âAfter not seeing them for a while, I had come to terms with the love we had wasnât normal, even at that age.âThatâs the most Harper can tell Mickie. He sighed. âAnd what we have felt so normal and happy. Iâve seen you grow and I have never been so proud to hear you speak with others.â He gave a small smile. âSo maybe thatâs why I didnât pursue it.â He blushed. âBesides in comparion to Samuel I have prescription sunglasses, a six on a good day, a scene kid turned teacher, a hardass, a scowl that can kill, and three shades close to translucent. Also makes tentacles from darkness and other peoples Shadows-like that one.â Harper said reaching for Mickieâs shadow. He leaned in and straighten the shadow to its normal form. âYou have a strong shadow and I hate when I bend it.â Harper admitted.Â
 âBut with that said would you want to pursue something with me?â He blushed.âBecause what If I said I want to try?.âÂ
âI donât know who I should be thanking for that to have never come back. Still, youâre gorgeous Harper, youâre one of the most beautiful men Iâve ever met.â Mickie said, a blush covering his cheeks before his features gained a frown. âWell, I didnât really chew my sundae because itâs ice cream.â he huffed. âOh, second best by association then, wow what an honor.â he giggled. âYouâre truly amazing Harper, Iâll never get tired of telling you.â At the mention of Samuel his heart stopped and his brain short circuited. âYeah, he definitely is.â he mused.
âHarper,â it was all a lot to process hearing everything the man had just confessed, and it made his heart swell up and he found himself unbelievably happy. âYou wouldâve never been taking advantage of me, and yes you were the first person I ever saw, but even then I found you beautiful. Eight years youâve had this with you and you didnât say anything, we grew into men together. I understand, I really do. The first time I ever felt love was revealed to be nothing but a scheme in a greater plot which I wasnât even considered a worthy pawn. Nothing about me is normal either, nothing about us is normal, but thatâs good. Weâre not normal, cause weâre two idiots that have been liking each other for eight years and have never even spoken about it. We are happy, very happy. Harper,â he was being left speechless again, inching closer to the male little by little, wanting to close the gap between them. âYou shouldâveâ he mused. âYou and Samuel are very different, but I like different guys for different reasons, and I like you for different things, Iâve liked you for a lot more.â he said. âMuch rather bend me over, huh?â he said finally trying to break some of the awkward tension.
âI want to give it a shot Harper, we canât really waste time here. Eight years is far too long, and I...Iâve wanted you for a long time. So, do you want to kiss me?â