“I’m at a gay bar,” he shouts, over the noise of the place. “I’m at a gay bar, and I’m gay.”
Arnold nods, laughs, and pulls Kevin closer. He smells like sweat and cheap Vodka. Svedka, because Arnold couldn’t see the point in spending three times as much for Crystal Head when they’ll get drunk the same either way. “Feels good to say that out loud, huh?”
“It feels incredible.” Kevin beams, circling a finger around the rim of his glass. The perspiration is cool against his skin. “You wanna dance?”
“Uh, well, I suppose that depends,” Arnold says, finishing the last of his drink. “On whether or not you’ve actually learned how.”
Kevin laughs in Arnold’s face, takes his hand, then drags him out to the luminescent floor. It’s hot and sticky and Kevin’s shirt is adhered to his skin. People press and rub up against him as they work their way through the crowd, to the center, where everyone can see them.
“I’m having so much fun!” Kevin shouts, raising his arms as he starts to dance. Rhythm has never been Kevin’s strong suit, but the gin helps, and the music helps and Arnold really helps. He grabs onto Kevin’s belt, pulling him close as his other arm drapes over Kevin’s shoulder. Their hips press together. It is almost embarrassing how quickly Kevin gets an erection.
“Hey, Kev?” Arnold keeps his gaze down between them. “I actually really have to go to the bathroom. Wanna come with me?”
The implication is not lost on Kevin, who nods and takes Arnold’s hand, allowing himself to be led. This is not the first time Arnold has brought him into a bathroom for sex, he realizes, wondering if they’ll ever find themselves in a bed.
“This is pretty sleazy,” Kevin comments, once they are stuffed into a stall. There is writing on the tile: say perhaps to drugs. He starts to undo his belt; “Even for us.”
Arnold snorts, then turns Kevin around so he’s facing the door. “I’m not going to fuck you in here, buddy. I really gotta go, I just didn’t want anyone else to dance with you.”
Kevin grins; “You’re selfish.”
“And you’re, like, way too hot for your own good.”
Being told he’s hot is nothing new for Kevin but being told he’s hot by Arnold is. It feels good; and like something he’s been waiting to hear for a very long time. They were always bad at being honest. There was always some trepidation surrounding how they felt, because they had so much to lose, but they don’t anymore. And it is almost more freeing than coming out of the closet, he thinks, knowing the world will not collapse if you kiss another boy or want another boy or –
“I love you,” Kevin says, turning his back to the door. “Um.”
He is staring at the curve of Arnold’s back, at the sweat that has darkened his shirt. The toilet flushes and Arnold turns around, watching him pensively for a moment, before bringing a hand up to cup Kevin’s cheek. He strokes it with a thumb, leaning in a bit clumsy to kiss Kevin’s forehead.
“I know,” Arnold says, pushing his fingers into Kevin’s matted hair. “I love you, too.”
