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“Where are we going Rhys?” Tamlin asks, fighting the urge to rip off the blindfold. They left dinner 20 minutes ago and were still driving somewhere “Is your dad okay with you having the car this late? Last time you took this car out, you were grounded”
A hand slides into his where it rests on his knee “That was because we spilled the popcorn when we were making out.” Rhys replies from the drivers seat of his fathers ‘66 Mustang convertible. “Dont worry, he knows I have the car and our parents know where we are going.”
“I hate surprises”
“No, you don't. You love them. Now, relax babe. We're almost there”
Tamlin sighed dramatically, but he couldn't help the smile that came to his face as he leaned back into his seat. Today was their 6 month anniversary and Rhys had been treating him like a prince all day. He'd walked over and surprised him with flowers in the morning. His brothers had laughed at this but Tamlin thought it was sweet. Then he took him to breakfast at the newly opened coffee shop downtown, then to the record shop and Rhys bought Tamlin a rare vinyl from his favorite band. He did let Tamlin pay for tokens at the arcade but that was only after Tamlin had pouted for 2 minutes. Finally, he surprised Tamlin with a reservation at the fancy Italian place which was always booked and you had to make reservations months in advance. If the waitstaff had any issues with two teenagers coming in, they didn't show it.
Tamlin didn't know what he did to deserve to have such a thoughtful boyfriend but he thanked the stars every night. He had finally been able to give Rhys the bracelet he got for him with his allowance. It wasn't much and it definitely didn't compare to the pair of tickets to their favorite band that Rhys had got him, but the other boy had been so excited and immediately put it on before coming to Tamlin's side of the table and kissing him. The kiss continued until the waitress came by with their food and Rhys went back to his side of the table while Tamlin blushed and thanked the waitress.
After they finished their meal and dessert, they headed out to the car hand in hand. Rhys had pulled Tamlin in for another kiss before pulling a blindfold out of his pocket. Tamlin had been apprehensive but trusted his boyfriend and let him put it on before he helped him into the car.
That had been 20 minutes ago and they were still driving. They had been talking about anything and everything as usual, avoiding the topic of school and the fact that Rhys was graduating this year while Tamlin had another year. They didn't want to ruin the high they were on with reality. Could they survive next year with Rhys off at college? After Tamlin graduated?
He didn't like thinking about negative things but he knows how college goes. Hell, his own brothers always bragged about how many people they were hooking up with. Would Rhys wait for him? They hadn't gone farther than kissing and grinding against each other with the occasional handjob. They had only been together 6 months and weren't in a hurry. But what if waiting was a mistake…Rhys never pushed him and every time they did something new, he made sure it was okay. Surely he wouldn't…
“What are you thinking about, Tam?” Rhys asked, interrupting his thoughts as he squeezed his hand.
“Nothing, just wondering where we are going.” He lied.
Rhys let out a hmm “Are you sure? You got quiet on me. You know you can tell me anything”
Tamlin smiled when Rhys brought his hand up to his mouth and kissed it. He knew him too well.
“I know.”
“Good. Now stop overthinking and put on these headphones.”
“What? Why?”
“Because we are here and I want it to be a surprise”
Tamlin sighed but put on the headphones he was passed. A moment later his favorite song played and he smiled as he knew Rhys had done that one purpose.
Soon they parked and Rhys tapped him on the shoulder. Removing the headphones, Tamlin turned to Rhys “Can I take this off now?” He sniffed, smelling something delicious “Is that popcorn?”
Rhys chuckled “Take off your blindfold and see for yourself”
Tamlin took off the blindfold and looked around, letting his eyes adjust. The drive in. Turning to Rhys he saw him smiling and holding out popcorn.
“Surprise!” He said, handing the bucket to Tamlin.
“Where did you get popcorn without leaving the car?” He asked, grabbing a kernel and putting it in his mouth. He moaned “mmm I love popcorn”
“I have my sources but if you keep making those noises we are going to miss the movie”
Tilting his head to the side, Tamlin looked at Rhys questionably “Why?” He recognized the dark look in Rhys’ eyes and blushed “Oh”
“Yeah, oh.” Rhys said, leaning in “Come here”
Tamlin met him in the middle for a kiss. He would never get sick of Kissing Rhys. It just felt so right even after 6 months. He whined when Rhys pulled back slightly.
“Backseat?” Rhys asks in a sultry voice.
Staring at Rhys lips, Tamlin nods fervently. Movie be damned. He watches Rhys' lips turn up in a smirk and looks up into his eyes.
“To watch the movie, babe. Clean up your thoughts, you dirty boy”
Heat rushes to Tamlins face but he leans in to Rhys "I'm not the one whose hand is running up your thigh, so who's really the dirty boy here?”
With that he pecks Rhys lips and climbs out of the car before getting into the backseat. Seeing Rhys is still in the front he leans forward “Are you coming?”
“Im trying not to. Give me a minute” Rhys groans with his head tilted back against the headrest and Tamlin laughs sitting back. A few moments later Rhys joins him in the back, passing him the popcorn and his drink. Putting the popcorn on the floor, Tamlin turns to Rhys.
“Thank you for today, Rhys. I'm having a great time”
“Youre welcome, Tam. You deserve it” He says, stroking Tamlin's cheek.
“I promise I'm going to treat you more once my parents let me get a job”
“Dont worry about it, babe. I like treating you and bringing a smile to your face”
“Just being with you makes me happy, you don't need to buy me things.”
“I know, but I want to.” The screen lights up “Now, shhh lets watch the movie”
“Fiiiine” Tamlin says as he scooches closer to Rhys and puts his head on his shoulder. He smiles when he feels Rhys kiss his head before wrapping his arm around him.
On the screen the usual silly cartoons pop up. There's a hot dog with a black quaff on his head walking along the screen.
“This is new, we haven't seen this before” Tamlin remarks and Rhys shrugs
All of a sudden the hot dog sees a soda cup with a yellow lid playing a guitar. Hot dogs eyes do a looney tunes eye pop and he lets out an awooga! before striding over. Before he can reach him though, a bigger soda cup comes out and blocks his way with his arms crossed. The hot dog holds out a heart and points towards the smaller cup but the big cup shakes his head and pushes him away. The hot dog looked dejected until a light bulb appeared above his head with an idea.
“What is this?” Tamlin asks, sitting up now.
Next it shows the hot dog carrying groceries beside what is an obvious lady soda, then helping the lady soda in the garden before showing him in front of the big soda holding out a heart again. The big soda finally said yes and the hot dog jumped for joy.
“Rhys…Is this us?” Tamlin asked, glancing at Rhys who just said “Is it?” before pointing back at the screen.
The hot dog and the soda cup are driving in a convertible before it shows them watching a movie and the hot dog puts his arm around Soda. After it shows them sharing a kiss before going into a montage of dates.
Tamlin's eyes were welling up with tears as he watched their story play out on screen.
On screen they are back in the movies and soda has a blindfold on When he takes it off he sees the hot dog holding a sign that says Prom? Then they both turn to look at the audience.
Rhys was already looking at him when Tamlin turned away from the screen, tears in his eyes.
“So what do you say?” Rhys asked “Will you go to prom with me?
“Yes, of course I will,” Tamlin laughed, pulling him into a kiss. He pulled back and blurted out “I love you”
He froze. They hadn't said that to each other yet. Was it too soon? Did he just ruin everything? So many thoughts filled his had “I-I-”
Rhys interrupted him with a kiss before pulling back and tucking a piece of Tamlin's hair behind his ear “I love you too, Tamlin, I think I have since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Tamlin smiled brightly “Really?”
Nodding, Rhys pulled him closer “I'm so lucky to have you, babe. Happy anniversary”
“Happy anniversary, Rhys” With that he leaned in and kissed his boyfriend.
Later he would ask how he pulled this off and he would learn that Rhys had help from the arts club and Azriel who had a connection at the drive in. Some son of the owners he had an on off thing with. Tamlin would also be surprised by pictures of his reaction and kiss from Cassian who had been hiding in the bushes (also the one who snuck rhys the popcorn and pop when they pulled in). He smartly left when the kissing got more intense.
As they made out in the back of Rhys dads car, in the same place they shared their first kiss, it didn't matter what color suits they would wear, or how they would survive the next year apart. The hows, what and where's of the future would work themselves out. All that mattered was that they loved each other and they were content to just be, together and in love.