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Drinks click, the crowd rages, it’s been a wild night. A party. Beard wasn’t used to those, but Jacket had practically dragged him in. He was having a good time though, despite the rowdyness of the people around him.
Beard had been following Jacket around this whole time, the awkward friend at the party. At least Jacket formed a protective coat around him of sorts. He was the cool guy. Soft spoken, but no one dared to mess with him. He got out another cigarette and lit it up.
“Jacket… I thought you said you’d quit!”
“...”
“At least it isn’t as bad as it used to be.” Beard thought. Only half a pack a day now. God… if Jacket’s long hours didn’t kill him, smoking surely would… “He’ll quit one day.”
Jacket looked Beard up and down. He mouthed a few words, too quiet for anyone to hear, but Beard understood nevertheless.
“Fine. I’ll quit… if only for you.”
Beard’s eyes lit up.
“You will? That’s great!”
Jacket got up from the couch, and threw the box of Marlboro Reds away.
“Thank you Jacket, thank you!”
Jacket smiled, pleased to make his long time friend happy. They sat back down.
They said nothing for a while, staring at each other warmly. The TV turned on, The Dating Game running, its loud lights and colors blinded the two for a second.
Jacket laughed softly, and stared into Beard’s eyes, and Beard stared back. They had been friends for so long, but…
Jacket softly cupped Beard’s cheek and pulled him in close. Their eyes closed as their embrace tightened. For a moment, it seemed like they were the only people there, the only people in the war. They puckered up.
*BOOM*
“Heh. Biker here, cool party yall got here. It’s too bad the- Jacket!?”
Jacket and Beard looked up simultaneously. It was Biker: Jacket’s long-time ex. They hadn’t seen each other since high school, and their breakup had not been a quiet one.
“You’re dating Beard now!?”
“Way to make a scene,” Jacket thought.
Beard and Biker had been enemies, complete polar opposites. Biker was the popular kid, always flexing. His home was parties like these, while Beard had always ignored these gatherings for more intellectual pursuits.
“Come on Jacket, leave this nerd and come with me. He doesn’t deserve you anyway.” Beard’s eyes lit up once again, but now they were filled with a different emotion: anger.
He stood up, making a barrier between him and Jacket. He had ruined their moment, and now he was trying to take him away!
“Get away from him, if you know what’s good for you!”
“So the bunny challenges the bear, alright then, let’s get it on.” Biker cracked his knuckles, readying himself for a fight.
Jacket stomped his feet, the sound was loud enough to stop the whole party, not like all eyes weren’t on them before. He nudges Beard behind him, and brings his arms up, quelling the tense situation before him with one motion.
He grabbed Beard’s cheek once again, but he blew a kiss at Biker as well, making him blush through his helmet. But they weren’t fully quelled. They needed some extra convincing to not beat each other to death in his name. Jacket knew what to do though, he was no stranger in the art of boys' hearts.
Jacket shrugs, smirking at the two men fighting for his love. He turns to face Beard, smiling. He places a hand upon his cheek, his thumb stroking gently along his chin, the scratchiness of the beard tickling him. His other hand finds its way to Biker’s face too, pinching his cheek in a teasing, but loving manner. He may not be a man of many words, but as they say, actions speak louder anyways.
He takes his hands away from their faces to dig inside of his jacket pocket. He pulls out a small polaroid: it’s yellowed with a small stain on the corner, but otherwise, it’s in near-perfect condition. He hands it over to Beard, who smiles upon receiving it. It’s the old polaroid they took together years ago, back in their days of fighting in the Special Forces. “Hawaii 1985” is written on the bottom in soft handwriting. Beard and Jacket are linked together and smiling.
As Beard admires the photo, Jacket hands a hidden cigarette to Biker. While he has nothing of value for him like he does the photo for Beard, it’s a simple act of love that makes a smile crack in the corner of Biker’s lips. He lights up the cigarette and takes a drag, passes it to Jacket who takes one too, then passes it back for Biker to enjoy.
Both men competing for love turned to face each other, a fire burning in their eyes. Biker glared at Beard, hesitant to even attempt sharing Jacket. Beard frowned back, wary of the thought too.
But maybe, even though they were enemies, they could somehow become lovers…
They shrugged, willing to give it a try.
“This party stinks, I freaking hate these people…” Biker scoffed, antsy to leave. “Why don’t we skip this party and do something more… fun?”
Biker wrapped his arm around Jacket’s shoulders as Beard held his hand, the three men slipping out the door and ditching the party. They loaded onto Biker’s motorcycle, with Biker driving and Beard and Jacket cramped behind him, holding on tightly. It was a tight fit, but it would do for the meantime. They sped away into the depths of the night, smiling as the wind hit their faces, as their hearts beat as one.