“Are you serious?”
“I don’t want to spoil the surprise, will you just put it on, please?”
He sighs, taking the scarf and tying it around his head so he can’t see. When I’m sure it’s in place, I open the door and guide him to the center of the room.
“Wait here,” I say.
“Okay, but can you keep talking so I know you haven’t disappeared on me.”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby, don’t worry. Just a bit longer.”
I purposefully make noise as I rearrange the furniture, so he knows I’m here.
“What is even going on?” he asks.
“You’ll know soon enough,” I chuckle, looking around the room one final time.
I’ve covered the wall with our door in a large white sheet; projected on it is the opening image of one of Donovan’s favorite films. My bed has been angled towards the screen, so we basically have our own private movie theatre set up. A tray of popcorn, snacks, and drinks sits on the bed, alongside lots of extra pillows and blankets so we can get as comfy and cozy as we like.
“Okay,” I say, stepping behind Donovan and turning him towards the screen. “I’m taking off the scarf.”
I undo the knot and let it fall, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my chin on his head while he takes in the sight.
“Is that a projected screen? And The Lost Boys?”
“Yup! I borrowed the projector from Ryan, one of my teammates. It’s our own private movie date.”
“Oh my god,” he turns in my arms and kisses me. “You did all this for me?”
“Of course, I know we could go and do this as friends, but it’s kind of a rite of passage to make out on a date at the movies, so I brought the movie theatre to us.” I nod my head in the direction of the bed. “Snacks and all.”
“Stephen… this is…”
He kisses me again and lifts onto his tiptoes, so I pick him up, loving how he feels in my arms.
“You wanna go to the movies with me?” I ask.
“More than anything.”
I carry him over to the bed and set him down; comfy sweats and a T-shirt are already laid out for him to change into.
“Get comfortable, I need to make sure the projector is in focus again.”
“Yeah, we want hot vampires, not blurry vampires,” he chuckles.
“Oh, so that’s why this is your favorite film, the hot vampires?”
“Hey, this is a cult classic, but yeah, the hot vampires don’t hurt either. And you shouldn’t complain, I’ve been told this is a pan and bisexual dream—Star, Michael, and David—I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
I laugh, “Well now I’m definitely on board.”
When I’m happy with the projector, I turn off the lamps so it’s our only light source and settle in next to Donovan. He immediately snuggles under my arm, bringing one of his knees up to rest on my legs too.
“You ready?” I ask, and I press play when I feel him nod.
“Can you not see why it’s a cult classic?” he says, turning on the bedside lamp and facing me.
“I mean, it was fun,” I shrug, “but a classic?”
