random short writing for practice below the cut
Rome looked at Dallas in such an interesting way, Dallas had finally noticed.
He looked at him from between his long, pretty eyelashes, blue behind black like watching the sky through prison windows, lips slightly parted and sometimes revealing the gap between his front teeth, head slightly tilted as if listening to something pleasant.
Had he always looked at him like this, and he never noticed? Dallas looked at the taller man thoughtfully. If he got his attention, if he spoke his name, would he do it now?
Rome was beautiful. That, Dallas had discovered on their first meeting. His hair fell to his shoulders now, cascading in small waves that weren’t there until his hair grew longer. His hair was the color of Summer to Dallas, a light brown that matched Dallas’ apple wood table surprisingly well. His skin was light and freckled and burned when he spent too much time in the sun when Dallas’ would tan.
Rome caught him staring and gave him the same look he had for years. He tilted his head slightly, parted his lips, and looked at him from between his eyelashes.
“What’re you looking at?”
Rome reached out and cupped his cheek affectionately.
“Are you thinking about something? You can tell me anything.”
Dallas blushed. “No, it’s nothing. I promise.”
And he looked back out at the ocean in front of them, resting his hand back on his knee. He perched like that often: crouched with his hands on his knees. Dallas was sitting on a bench near a ledge and Rome was on the ledge.
It was a nice day. Warm, not too hot. Seagulls cried out every now and again, children were laughing and playing. They’d attempted to make a sand castle earlier but gave up when they realized they were too close to the sea.
Dallas thumbed through the pocket of his swim shorts. He probably had enough to buy something from the boardwalk. Maybe ice cream for them both.
“Hey, uh, want ice cream? My treat.”
So they got up and left to the boardwalk.
Many small buildings were built in a row, all different colors and slightly different shapes, some with decorations outside that went along with whatever they sold. It wasn’t hard to find the ice cream shop.
Dallas got a chocolate cone, Rome got vanilla with sprinkles. They wandered back to the bench and this time, Rome sat next to Dallas.
It was quiet. Not in a rude or unpleasant way, there just wasn’t anything to be said, so nobody said anything.
Dallas was fixated on the way their legs barely touched. He felt Rome’s skin against his, and honestly, just like when he touched his face, he just wanted to kiss him. He often wanted to kiss him, but he never had.
“We should go out like this more often.”
‘I’d go anywhere with you.’ he wanted to say. ‘Name a place and time and I’ll be there.’
Rome leaned his head on Dallas’ shoulder. He was quiet, until he looked up at him.
“People in love do stuff like this. I wonder if we are.”
Dallas failed to process it.
“You know. Sit close and share ice cream. Have you ever dated someone?”
“You know I haven’t. I’ve been too busy with studying.”
“I haven’t either. I’ve been waiting for the right person.”
Quiet settled again for a while. When Rome finished his cone, he spoke again.
“I think you’re the right person, Dal.”
“Um...I think...you are too.”
(and then i got bored and stopped writing)
