3:32 pm, august 14th, 2010
you hold my hand for the first time.
we’re sat on the floor of the apartment, legs crossed, not yet feeling the stiffness from the uncomfortable nature of wooden flooring. the afternoon sun seeps in through the window at our left, bringing out the strands of gold laced through your eyes like a jar of deep coppery honey lifted to the sunlight. we started off having a conversation about what to have for dinner, but we’ve absent-mindedly strayed further and further away from the topic until we’re half sustaining some conversation about cats, half watching an old rerun of jeopardy on the downright awful television set i got for ten bucks at a yard sale.
it’s my favourite way to spend an afternoon. sun out, tv on, and you, warm at my side, going on about some weird breed of cat i’ve never even heard of.
our conversation has lulled, and i find my eyes drifting back to the tv as the jeopardy answers flash up on the dim little screen. im about to ask you if you’ll compromise with a pizza, but in that moment, through the noise of the tv, the sunlight, your warmth against my side, it happens.
you move slowly, at first. the side of your hand brushes against mine, cautious, as if you’re testing the waters, seeing how i’ll react to your adventurous move. i stay still, letting you feel the way, skin unbelievably soft against my own. you must have taken my stillness as a good sign, because you venture further and your fingers gently, carefully, lace their way through mine until we’re entwined.
i forget what i was even going to ask. my entire train of thought is derailed, redirected to crash into a brick wall, but the wall is made of fondness, warmth, and growing love. i turn to look at you to find those golden eyes - your eyes - fixed on me, and when all i find in your face is happiness and a hint of nerves, i lean forwards and brush my lips against yours until you grow impatient and kiss me properly.
when we eventually pull away, your smile is enough to warm me long after the sun sets and i have to reluctantly get up to turn on the light. we don’t end up getting pizza, after all: we get your original idea of indian takeout, and it’s the best food i’ve eaten in a long, long time.
