He collects the water, and I tip my face up. “I believe the fee is payable on delivery.”
A twinkling grin splits his lips and he leans down, covering my mouth with his. I hope I never get used to how kissinghim makes me feel. I love the accelerated heart rate and the chemical dump that makes me feel good. Scientists might argue about what love is, but I’ve decided that it’s indispensable to my life regardless of whether it’s just a hormonal imbalance or a metaphysical event.
When Trent pulls away, he has a smile painted on his lips as brilliant as the yellow stripe on our house. “What are you doing?” he asks as he uncaps the water bottle.
“I’ve been working on the outline for the courses I’m teaching next semester, and I made a video and posted it.” We uploaded during the last three weeks of the semester, but we spent a couple of Saturdays making videos to schedule in advance. They’re all of me alone or of Trent working me up and over. He hasn’t been naked on camera since the abduction. Our subscribers have been asking about him, and I’ve been rather blunt about Trent being allowed to not be on camera if he doesn’t want to be.
He finishes his drink and recaps the bottle, handing it back to me. “I was thinking after I finish for the day, I’ll get cleaned up and we can go out. I’d like to go dancing, and it’s country night at the Silent P. What do you think? Want to line dance and two-step with me?”
A flutter of excitement launches in my body. “Yes! I’d love to! I’ve never been, though, so you’ll have to teach me.”
He cocks his head and then his lips turn down. “I guess you would have skipped the eighth grade gym day where the teachers taught us how to two-step. This is going to be fun.” He rubs his hands together excitedly.
“Every date with you is fun,” I admit, leaning forward and getting another kiss as my reward.
When we part again, a voice from the sidewalk calls to us. “Hey oh!”
We both turn, and walking up our driveway is a couple of guys a little older than us, maybe in their thirties. They’re smiling and wearing matching shorts with the same shirt in different colors. My instincts say they’re family, but they could be lovers or brothers.
“Hello,” Trent calls, walking to meet them.
I follow, and we meet them at the top of the driveway. Trent takes my hand, holding it in a firm grip as the shorter of the two men greets us.
“Hey! I’m Sven, and this is my fiancé, also Sven. Our friends call us The Svens, but my man here has started going by Ven because he’s tired of everyone getting confused about how to talk about us.”
“That's unusual,” I comment as we all shake hands. “It's an unusual name, so it seems unlikely that you would find each other and be compatible. I’m Magnus, and this is Trent. It’s nice to meet you.”
Sven nods enthusiastically. “We moved to the neighborhood about a year ago. Howard and Lenny were our friends. We only knew Lenny for a little while. He was already sick when we met him, but we kept Howard company when his children weren’t able to be here. We’re so glad he was able to move to be closer to them. And we’re excited to have another gay couple in the neighborhood. It’s not a bad place to live, but it’s always nice to have more rainbow flags flying.”
Trent chuckles softly. “Well, we’re going to keep the house as the flag. That was one of the selling points for us.”
“Ven and I love the audacity of it,” Sven chirps, and Ven kisses the back of his hand in agreement.
“We’re going to the country night at the Silent P this evening. If you’re into line dancing, you could join us,” Trent invites.
Ven speaks for the first time. “That’s funny.”
When we both look at him for an explanation, Sven responds. “We were coming to invite you to the Silent P for the same. We go every Thursday. There’s three lesbian couples that go regularly, but we’re the only gay couple, and we’ve been campaigning to find friends to join us. We don’t usually get more than just stared at, but it’d be nice to split the burden of the stares.”
Trent smiles widely. “We’re more than used to that, and happy to split the burden. Do you want to meet at Sheila’s for dinner at six, then we can head over to the club for the practice session at seven?”
“Yeah!” Sven enthuses. “Love Sheila's for dinner. Gonna get that fried chicken.” He wiggles his hips and shoulders in excitement and Ven laughs softly, kissing the man’s hand again affectionately.
“Perfect,” Trent says, releasing my hand and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “We’ll look forward to it.”
Sven nods, and the couple gives us their farewells before heading back down the block to their house.
Trent pulls me into a full body hug. “I hope it’s ok that I made our date a double date.”
I snug into him even though it’s too warm for too much cuddling. “I’m looking forward to making friends with another gay couple, and I like that you invited new people into our bubble. That’s a victory for you, Trent. You’ve been isolating with me for weeks. I’m so proud of you.”
Trent takes a deep breath and releases it, holding me a little tighter. “I didn’t even think about it. I just liked their energy, and it’s nice to have neighbors that you get along with. I—” He pauses in thought and restarts. “I told you that I wanted this to be a home that we build together. Part of that vision is neighbors and friends that we spend time with. I didn’t know it until The Svens showed up, but as soon as Sven started talking, I knewwhat I wanted. I want roots, Magnus. They’re part of growing those.”
Every word out of his mouth makes my smile grow wider. Trent’s vision is wonderful. “Yes. I want that too.”
Trent kisses my hair, humming happily. “You’re perfect.”
I laugh at his objectively wrong statement, and return it because it’s true. “You’re the perfect one.”
