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Ash woke up to sunlight slipping across his face. Eyelashes fluttering, he let loose a long yawn and aimlessly felt around at the heavy weight sprawled across his bare chest. Finding it to be an arm and his girlfriend snug underneath the covers beside him, he sighed in relief and basked in the morning light. “Babe, hey,” he called out for his partner in a whisper, gently smoothing out the sheets next to him. “You awake?”
Linda groaned- a guttural sound that was a lot deeper than what she usually sounded like in the morning- and Ash began to panic. He prayed he’d see the feminine form of his girlfriend through the images of possibilities that he had laid with someone else. Lifting the bedsheets up, he saw a mane of messy, dirty blond hair and the warm, breathing body of Scott. Ash cursed and threw a hand over his face, mumbling as he moved a hand back to shake Scott awake.
“What the… what the hell, man-”
“Scott, get off!”
Scotty recoiled and put his hands up in defense as Ash swatted at him with the back of his hand. “What the fuck Ash?”
Ash sat upright and frantically loomed over Scott to look at the clock on the bedside table. His stomach dropped only further when he saw the items scattered over the table’s surface, all of which belonged to Scotty. Had he seriously been that juiced? They were around ten minutes away from that meeting with Cheryl and Shelly down at the cafeteria, God only knew where Linda was and what she was thinking. Relishing in the warmth that radiated off of Scott for a second, Ash quickly leaped out of bed and rushed straight into the bathroom.
“So, we uh, remember last night or…” Scotty drawled from the bed, Ash watching him from the bathroom’s lone mirror as he washed his face.
He splashed another handful of water to his face. “No. Get up and change, won’t you?”
“You’re naked.” Scott observed smugly.
Ash rolled his eyes and began collecting his clothes strewed across Scott’s dorm floor. Scotty only started doing the same when Ash was half-dressed, stealing a few kisses as he did. Ash could only stay quiet and frustratedly slip into his pants, face red as memories of the night before slowly began to simmer in his already racing mind. “Does Linda know where I am?”
Scott struggled to form anything coherent, as he was clearly trying to fight the first symptoms of a hangover. “She saw me haul your ass back here after you downed that keg. That’s- that’s it.”
Ash’s expression softened, and he eventually focused back on tying his shoes. As soon as they were both done and still in a hurry, Scotty decided on playing the jerk and leaned up against the wall leading to the doorway as Ash turned back to him in confusion. “No kiss goodbye?”
Nothing really stopped Ash from yanking the idiot by his collar and tugging him into a kiss right then and there.
Ash was quiet on their side of the table as Scott talked like his life depended on it. He just sort of toyed with his fork and smiled every now and then when Scott elbowed him. The guy’s primary goal was making the girls swoon, which did play out easy, and Ash started wondering where the hell the extra two girls he didn’t know had come from. Linda would shoot Ash endearing glances from the opposite side of the table and Scotty would allow Shelly five minutes to speak sometimes. This wasn’t an unfamiliar situation. Whenever Shelly did talk, however, Scott would settle back in his chair and rest a hand on Ash’s thigh underneath. He was only so thankful that the girls weren’t sitting beside them, because otherwise they’d have a reason to answer why Ash was stiffening up whenever Scott let his arm drop from the table.
When it came time to leave, Ash and Scott separated in order to tag along with their girlfriends. Scott wondered if Ash ever felt his touch linger on each spot of skin that Linda grazed over. He certainly did, but not in the same intensity that Scott felt when thinking about the other. The imbalance was something they both could sense, but if Scott had the chance to continue spending those nights with Ash, all filled with hushed voices and the quietest of kisses, he would take what he could get. In his mind, him and Ash lived in a timeline where they didn’t have to plan out excuses or prepare half-assed stories they’d feed to Linda and Shelly later on. Scott couldn’t find it in him to stray away from such wishful thinking. The guilt only made him want Ash more, as if his needs would obliterate everything that was standing between them. There was Scott, and there was sweet, sweet Ash, so perfect and so out of reach. Scott never had any doubts when it came to his position in his relationships, but Ash made him reconsider ever since they had started talking. He was always so sickly sentimental, described as the ideal boyfriend by the couple who had the chance to have him. Ash had a few relationships that his partners had taken for granted before he met Linda. Poor sweet Linda. Scott could never tell if Ash ever felt bad about it; he just sort of moved languidly throughout the days like nothing. He wondered if he ever showed a sliver of guilt to her in private.
Hours after the afternoon they spent out, Ash found himself back in his dorm, hunched over his desk. Linda was passed out on the recliner nearby, sporting her boyfriend’s sweater as she managed to find some comfort on those stiff cushions. The sight left Ash content for half an hour before he had his focus hardwired back to his studies. He was already behind a few nights, so it was his priority to get everything done before it all started piling up on him again. He silently wished for a distraction to tear him away. As if someone were eavesdropping on his thoughts, it had only taken an hour before Scott called him up on the phone.
“Ashley, baby, let me take you out to the movies tonight,” Scott began, so effortlessly convincing and cool, a greeting that made it as if he was calling up his old girlfriend. “If the film’s too scary, I’ll let you hold my hand.”
Childishly, Ash giggled against the transmitter and cupped the edge of the speaker with his hand. “You buying me popcorn, Scotty?”
Scott scoffed over the line as if to answer his question plainly. “Are you coming down or do you want me to tell you to finish your damn homework?”
“Oh God no, don’t ever. Let me get up.”
Scott was parked in the student lot closest to Ash’s dorm wing, well aware of the fact that anyone could see the two of them drive away. All he could do was keep his head low and pray that Ash hadn’t called him back to change his mind. He did step out eventually, stupid patterned sweater and loose jeans all on display. Scott liked how Ash’s clothes fit on him and mostly set out to borrow every article of clothing on him when he had the chance. They had shared a room last semester, and Ash had to spend some time filling in the spots in his wardrobe where Scott had successfully ransacked some coats and shirts of his. Just as soon as Ash took his seat in the front, Scott drove out of the nearly empty lot and began their trip downtown. Ash smiled to himself and glanced over at the other, eyes trailing down to tense hands that gripped the wheel. “Hey Scotty, I don’t know if I can trust you driving in the dark.”
Scott couldn’t help but chuckle at that, reaching over to swat Ash on the shoulder with little success. Ash eventually rested back on the seat as he followed the road that drew out from behind them in the rearview mirror. The town was relatively dull day in and out, so it was only on few occasions that the two of them could go out and actually do anything. A real retreat was much needed amongst his group that even Scotty had started talk about organizing a trip in the near future. Ash had to be thankful for that, he would’ve hated to rot out in the middle of a shithole place over the summer.
Scott pulled up to the cinema’s lot after about ten minutes and waited for Ash to freshen himself up. “You look like shit. ‘S a good thing you got me to take you out,” Scott said bluntly, absentmindedly reaching over to part Ash’s abnormally neat fringe.
He flinched out of reflex. “I actually try to do some work, ya know? Feeling accomplished is nice and all.”
“Nice ‘til it drains the fun outta you. Makes you dull. Leaves your hair looking too straight.”
Ash wondered if Scott ever thought before he spoke. In all the years he’d known him, Ash knew the other had the tendency not to, and it left him wondering why he even questioned it in the first place.
Ash followed Scott when he stepped out of the car, and they linked arms before Scott started walking ahead. They got two tickets to some horror flick filled to the brim with gross comedy, and Scott already began picturing making out with Ash some fifteen minutes in because of how utterly boring it would be. Maybe that was his plan all along. He bribed the taller one with fresh popcorn as promised and some soda. Ash had a sweet tooth that Scott happily indulged him with, and he stuffed his box with sour candy and gummy bears. They nearly ran late to the film because of how distracted Scott was with boasting about some new three flavors of pop that Ash just had to try. The venue was half packed, so they took some seats nearly at the back. Ash couldn’t stop laughing after they ran up the aisle and Scott had to shut him up without getting too touchy; there was some couple in the row in front of them, but otherwise it was nothing to freak out about so Ash poked him about it. The first girl that came on screen was sultry and unsuspecting, and it didn’t take ten minutes for the plot to establish that she was the soon-to-die love interest of the geeky protagonist.
“See,” Scotty mumbled to Ash, elbowing him as he tossed some popcorn in his mouth. “They always set the main guy up and have the chick as the running cause to why he goes on the whole heroic streak.”
Ash just chewed thoughtfully on a gummy bear and recalled how many horror movies they’d watched that had a similar premise. In between Scotty’s ramblings, they really only stayed quiet when the guy started prepping to saw through the zombies. At least that was one cinematic element they were both able to mutually enjoy - some classic, syrupy gore. There weren’t any scenes to particularly jump at and the excessive blood started getting boring after a bit, so Scott started some subtle movement. Wrapped an arm around Ash’s shoulders, placed a warm hand on his cold knuckles. Ash just leaned into it, placed his free hand on Scott’s and tilted his head closer to his. Ash did it so delicately that Scott couldn’t tell if he was into it since his gaze was still glued to the screen. He decided it wasn’t enough and took another look around before he intertwined his fingers with Ash’s and scooted closer in his seat. Ash knew what he was doing and just looked at him funny. The blond didn’t say anything and instead lowered his head to Ash’s exposed neck, breath ghosting over the warm skin. Ash jolted up, but Scotty was there to hold him down. The taller boy shifted in his seat as Scott started kissing along his neck, body partly turned to get better access. He kept at it until Ash nudged him gently, eyes wide and glancing at Scott’s lips. Struck by confidence, Ash pulled Scott into a kiss and raised a hand to hold Scott’s face tenderly. It went on for a minute, both taking time in between for seconds of air.
“Was this what you had in mind with taking me out?” Ash gasped, eyes still focused on Scott’s as he set down their popcorn and drinks clumsily.
Scott just grinned, kissed him after every couple of words. “Yeah, lure you in with some candy and get you all to myself for the night.”
Ash wanted to respond but proceeded to get cut off with Scott practically smashing his lips against his once more, leaving an invisible imprint that was sure to swell up. Ash smelled great and tasted even better, maybe too sweet. Scott had to peel himself off of the other boy when the movie got to a near silent and intimate scene. Ash just stayed frozen where Scott pushed him back, trying to gain control of his breathing as he gazed lovingly and absolutely dumbfounded at the other boy. He looked so spaced out that Scott couldn’t help but to feel tired when he looked back at him. Ash’s mind wandered back to their surroundings, but he kept a firm grip on Scott’s shoulder.
“How much longer of the movie?”
“We’re past halfway, man,” Scott shrugged Ash’s hand off.
“Well, c’mere then.”
Scott leaned back into Ash the best he could without breaking his spine over the armrest. Ash hesitantly kissed him on the cheek and successfully averted Scott’s attention back to him. They spent about five minutes lazing around and exchanging quick kisses before Ash had to sink down in his seat when Scott began to mark his neck. He had to suppress the feeling of it being ticklish until that burst of warmth started to stir in his chest. Ash sighed softly and ran a hand across Scott’s back, keeping watch for any wandering eyes. He bit back a whimper when Scott nipped hard at a particular spot of skin and pushed him off with little to no force.
Much to their (mostly Scott’s) chagrin, the movie began rolling out the credits and startled Ash when the dimmed lights began to flicker back to life. Scott was smooth and made it seem like he had stood up a while ago, yawning into the palm of his hand as he adjusted his jacket. The whole thing was so delightfully scandalous. Scott smiled proudly as he passed by each aisle, acting as if he had just finished having the time of his life; when Ash followed, his posture was uncertainly shy as if the whole theater had known about their antics.
Back on campus, Ash used up some makeup Shelly had forgotten about in the glove compartment. Not too much that it would draw Linda’s attention, but also enough to cover up the red that was scattered below his earlobe. Ash caught Scotty’s gaze in the rearview mirror and smiled fondly before he opened the car’s door and stepped out.
“No kiss goodnight?” Scott asked, and Ash could only promise a next time.