“Oh yeah, I’m sure. These last few days have been amazing. But what about you, how do you feel about having me in your life?” Ben asked shyly. “Is this too soon for you? The last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable.”
Rob shook his head. “First of all, yesterday was more of a shit-show than anything else and I’m sorry about that. But it also made me realize—well, after I had my meltdown moment and cried on Sam’s virtual shoulder for a while—that I am ready to move on. And that dream, or whatever it was when Alan and I talked, well that really hit home, too. You made me realize that there’s something here between us and I’d be an idiot to ignore it. So yes, I would love to have you in my life more.”
He paused and then a thought occurred that made his eyes widen, “Oh, my God, if you do get something on Broadway, that means New York, right? You’d only be a few hours away!”
“Exactly!” Ben replied, clearly excited about the prospect. “That’s one of the things I thought about yesterday when you were having your crisis. And I’m happy to hear that you admit that even though yesterday was a tough day, something good did come out of it.”
"I am too," Rob agreed.
“I was also thinking about doing a bit more research into demisexuality,” Ben continued. “In the past, my relationships developed over time. What you and I have all happened pretty quickly, so I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t know what I am—bi, demi, something else entirely maybe.”
“I don’t really think it matters, Ben. I’m not a big fan of labels, anyway. You’re ‘you’ and I like you. Isn’t that the important thing?”
Ben reached out and took Rob’s hand. “Yes, you’re right. Labels be damned. They’re not as important as what you and I are feeling.” Ben admitted. “And I like you too. A lot. As much as I want to walk around the ship holding hands with you, I’m gonna wait until I talk to Amanda, my agent, so that she doesn’t have to find out I have a boyfriend from the tabloids. Is that okay?”
“Boyfriend, huh?” Rob grinned widely. “I like the sound of that. And yes, we can wait until you talk to Amanda. But after you tell her, I plan on holding the hell outta your hand in public, okay?”
“Absolutely.” They leaned into each other and kissed. It started slow, Ben kissing him gently on his mouth, his jaw, his neck. Then it grew hot, their tongues dueling. Rob sucked on Ben’s tongue, moaning.
“As much as I want more of you Ben,” Rob said, breathless, “can we just take this a little slowly? I really do want you, please believe that Ben. I just need to pace myself a bit. Is that okay?”Because I’d feel like a fifteen-year-old if I came in my shorts right now.
Ben panted. “Yeah, I understand. I really do want you too, but I’ll wait until you’re ready. I don’t wanna do anything to fuck this up.”
They kissed a few more times, keeping it soft and gentle. When they finally separated, they both tried to inconspicuously adjust themselves. Catching each other, they both giggled.
“When we do finally go for more, it’s gonna be an inferno, isn’t it?” Rob asked.
“You know it!”
A little while later, Ben changed and said he was going to head back to his own cabin. “I’ll pick you up for dinner around seven so we have time for a drink in the Suite Lounge before our reservation.”
