#jex does fluff

Michael followed you lead to a dry spot of grass in front of the view. The lights of the city were dimmed by the expanse of dark blue sky above you. You took a breath of warm air as you settled an old blanket between the two of you. Michael pulled pillows from the backseat when you took a peek into his bag. Too many snacks for two people, a bottle of water, his Switch, candles? bars of chocolate, and several cans of hard seltzer settled on the blanket. You laughed at an empty box of matches. They spilled, covering everything in red dust.

“What did I tell you about closing things?”

Michael sat next to you. He kissed your cheek, pulling back just enough to smile at the way you bit your lip.

“I close most things. I forgot about that thing in particular.”

You shook your head when you picked up a candle. It was a new one Michael picked out that was too expensive to remember—emitting a teakwood scent when he lit it in your hand. Candlelight was romantic and left headway for you to look for meteors and stars in peace, setting the mood when you laid back against his chest. Michael’s fingers went from the skin of your shoulder to your side. They lingered there, letting you know he was paying attention when he put pressure on the band of your shorts. Anticipation bubbled in the pit of your stomach when one of his fingertips slid under your clothes. You could feel his warmth in the smallest way. It made you restless. Michael had a way of affecting you on a microscopic level—inspiring every atom in your body to dance in the knowledge of how well he knew you.

“What are we doing tonight, babe?”

You turned to catch the end of Michael’s sentence. He kissed the top of your head, listening intently when his fingertip barely moved.

“We’re looking for meteors,”

Michael traced the top of your fingers while you continued. It was a small touch. He did it often. It was always sweet, always unassuming. Michael liked to let you know he was right there at any given time. You told him you didn’t need it when you started dating, that constant reassurance wasn’t something you needed. Michael gave it to you anyway. Holding your forearms when you were visibly frustrated, hugging you whenever he could, kissing you on the cheek to let you know he was listening. His fingertips on the back of your palm made your skin tingle with the memories of him, mirroring the fact that his love for you had grown over time.

“The Perseid meteor shower is special. They happen pretty frequently, but I figured we could watch them together. It’s kind of special, isn’t it?”

Michael blew hot air in your right ear before he kissed the edge of it.

“What makes it special?”

You held his hand in the air when he answered. Dull candlelight made the moment between the two of you smooth enough to forget about everything but his touch. You focused on how Michael’s breathing slowed in the moment, latching on to your every word.

“That we can do it together.”

Michael sighed when you moved against him.

“I hate being outside. I love you though, and that’s why I’m here.”

You felt Michael’s hands settle around your waist. They felt right—safe. You were in love with the way the world was around the two of you. The sky showcased stars that looked like they were sparkling in your line of vision. In that moment, you tried to think of a phrase that encapsulated how you felt. Blissed out, certain of everything and every desire you had. The smell of Michael’s aftershave lured you in when you shut your eyes. Laying on his chest was refuge in bad weather, a sincere reason to thank a higher power for giving you one man to depend on. You could have drowned in the swell of your adoration you had for the five o-clock shadow above your head.

Michael leaned over.

He looked at your expression before he ran his fingers across your cheek. You shrugged him off when your train of thought went elsewhere, disrupted by the pop of a can from the snack bag.