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“Freckles, you better be ready when I get there.”
“Hugo, where are we even going?”
“Don’t worry about it, it’ll be fun. But maybe wear something you don’t mind getting ruined. Just in case.”
“Get ruined? What are you—”
Hugo hung up before Varian could finish his sentence. Varian groaned and flopped on his bed. It was too damn early for this, but curiosity always got the better of him. He reluctantly got up, changed into his black Age of Madness band T-shirt, and threw on some jeans.
After about twenty minutes, a knock sounded from the door. Varian went to open it. As soon as he did, Hugo was leaning an arm against the doorframe. Hugo looked Varian up and down. He did a little wolf whistle and had one of his signature smirks on his face.
“Wow, you sure know how to clean yourself up, Sweetcheeks.”
Varian chuckled and punched Hugo in his arm, but not enough for it to hurt.
“Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself, Glasses.”
Hugo moved out of the doorframe so Varian could close the door. Once they heard the lock click, they descended the stairs and walked down the path to Hugo’s motorcycle.
They got on the motorcycle and headed toward the outskirts of the city. The wind was blowing through their hair as they sped down the road.
When Hugo started to pick up the speed, Varian tightened his grip on Hugo’s middle. Unbeknownst to Varian, the little action got a blush out of the blonde. After driving for a bit, Hugo pulled into a parking lot.
Once they got off the motorcycle, Varian handed Hugo the spare helmet. After fixing his hair, Varian looked over at where the line was. He saw a sign that read ‘PaintBalls!’ in bright yellow words.
He glanced over at Hugo who had an amused look on his face. He slung an arm around Varian’s shoulders and they started to walk to the ticket window. Varian raised an eyebrow and a grin spread across his face.
“What made you want to pick paintball for our date?”
“It felt like a good choice.”
Varian hummed in response.
“But I also really just wanted to smash paint in your face,” Hugo said, trying to stifle a giggle.
Varian gave him a flat look, but ended up laughing with Hugo.
Hugo moved his arm away from Varian so he could pull out his wallet. He handed some cash to the woman in the ticket booth, and she pointed to another booth with suits and paintballs.
As they were walking, Varian nudged Hugo with his shoulder. Hugo looked down with a raised eyebrow.
“I just wanted to warn you that I’m not going easy on you.”
Hugo’s eyes shimmered with the challenge between them. He stopped and Varian did as well. Hugo leaned down so he was inches from Varian’s face.
“I would hope not. When I win, I want to know I beat you at your best,” Hugo teased.
Varian’s eyes sparkled with determination. “Oh, it’s on.”
They walked up to the other booth and slipped into white jumpsuits. The worker gave them both a crossbody bag full of projectiles and some goggles to protect their eyes from the impending paint.
After a few safety warnings, the two made their way to the field, where haystacks and pipes provided cover. The two walked to opposite sides of the fields, but still within a close distance so they could signal when they’re ready.
Varian shot Hugo a thumbs up and Hugo did the same. The game began. Hugo ran toward Varian with a blue paintball in hand. Varian noticed and made a break for it. He hid behind some pipes to avoid the paintballs being thrown his way.
Once Hugo was in range, Varian launched a red paintball right in the middle of Hugo’s chest. Hugo gasped at the impact and looked down at the splatter of paint covering his chest. Hugo grinned at the mess and looked around to see where Varian went. Varian hid behind a plastic barrier and stuck his tongue out at Hugo.
As soon as Hugo spotted him, he threw his own red paintball directly at Varian’s face. If the barrier hadn’t been there, it would have been a direct hit.
Varian moved out of his hiding spot and started taunting Hugo. He proceeded to do a little dance and shot finger guns at the blonde. Hugo smiled and threw another projectile at Varian.
The paintball flew through the air and hit Varian directly in his stomach. Varian clutched his stomach and let out a small oof at the impact. He managed to recover quickly and ran away fast.
Hugo ran after him with fresh ammunition ready to throw. Varian hid behind some pipes, but it still left him pretty exposed. He managed to crouch down in time to avoid another assault of paintballs from Hugo.
The paintballs narrowly missed him. As Hugo was opening his bag to get another, Varian took the opportunity to throw his own. Varian missed and it gave Hugo the opportunity to run away. Varian chased after him with furrowed brows and a new goal in mind.
Just as Varian was about to launch another paintball at Hugo’s back, Hugo whipped around and threw one at Varian. Varian dodged it quickly and fired back with one of his own. Hugo huffed, ducking behind a pillar to grab another projectile.
“Hold still!” he shouted.
Varian let out a laugh and a big smile shone on his face. Hugo felt himself melt at that laugh. He would give anything to hear that every day for the rest of his life. With Hugo temporarily distracted, Varian chucked a paintball at Hugo’s knee.
With the impact, Hugo snapped out of his trance and focused on the game at hand. He ran over and hid behind a blue pipe. Varian followed and hid on the opposite side of the pipe. They both slowly stood to peek over the pipe to see if they could surprise the other.
Once they fully stood, they were face to face with each other and a smile wormed its way on both of their faces. Hugo held up his paintball to smack it on Varian’s head, but the other beat him to it.
Varian smushed the blue paintball on Hugo’s pale blonde hair. The paint dripped down his head and Hugo inhaled sharply at the action. Varian ran before Hugo could retaliate.
Hugo laughed. “Oh, so that’s how you want to play it. Game on, Sweetcheeks!”
He chased after Varian who glanced over his shoulder as he ran. “I told you I wouldn’t go easy!”
An amused smile spread across Hugo’s face as he sped up. His long legs helped him gain the distance that was between Varian and him. He hurled a paintball and it splashed all over Varian’s back. Varian yelped at the impact and hid behind a pipe once more.
The pipe was very exposed so Hugo knew to be ready. He quickly leaped in front of Varian's hiding spot. Hugo held it high as he was about to launch it at Varian. Before he could, Varian held his hands up in surrender with a sheepish smile on his face. Hugo smirked and slowly lowered his hand. He waved Varian to come closer.
As Varian approached him, he slung an arm around him. Varian’s shoulders relaxed at the touch and even leaned into it. The ravenette let out a sigh of relief. Hugo took the opportunity and smashed the paintball on Varian’s head. Varian startled at the coldness of the paint as it dripped through his hair.
He broke out of Hugo’s grip and ran to a haystack. Hugo followed after and hid on the opposite side. Varian decided to make a break for it since he was out of ammo. He got a few feet before Hugo wrapped his arms around Varian’s waist and sent them both tumbling into the hay.
The dry hay rustled beneath them as they landed. Hugo let out a breathless laugh, still winded from the chase. The sound sent a flutter through Varian’s chest. Varian found himself smiling at the sight before him.
They both burst out laughing. The boys took off their goggles and tossed them to the side. Hugo hovered over Varian who was lying flat on his back and smiling up at the boy on top of him.
Their laughter slowly faded, but neither of them dared to move away first. They locked eyes and Hugo brought a hand to Varian’s cheek.
He brushed his thumb over the streak of dried paint on Varian’s cheek. Neither of them spoke. Beneath them, the hay shifted softly with each breath they took.
His eyes flicked down to Varian’s lips and back up to Varian’s eyes. Varian repeated the action. Hugo leaned down slowly, giving Varian the opportunity to push him away.
Instead, Varian remained still, his gaze flicking briefly to Hugo’s lips. Once he was given silent permission, Hugo didn’t waste a second. He closed the remaining gap between them and kissed Varian gently. Varian hummed into the kiss and leaned forward slightly. He wrapped his arms around Hugo’s neck and Hugo placed an arm to cradle Varian’s shoulder.
The kiss was everything they both could have wanted. It was as if the world stopped moving. Varian knew he wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the world than right here. Varian pulled Hugo closer, and Hugo obliged. Their gentle kisses deepened, warmth spreading through both of them.
Eventually, they both pulled apart to get some air in their lungs. Varian panted and Hugo chuckled at seeing Varian’s state.
He gave Varian a smug smile as he leaned forward slightly. Their lips were not quite touching, but they were still able to feel each other’s heavy breath.
“I think I won,” Hugo teased.
Varian grinned at the playful teasing. “Pretty sure we both won.”
He gave Varian a soft smile before going right back into another kiss.
For once, neither of them moved. They simply stayed there, holding still as the world rushed on around them.