#method writing

The smoke burned his throat. Dave paused his breathing for a brief moment before finally exhaling, letting the smoke curl out of his mouth and wisp into the air. He gently tapped the cigarette against the edge of the ashtray, letting the bits of ash fall from the cancer stick between his index and middle fingers.

Dave’s eyes drifted over to the man next to him, sleeping soundly. Jackson Kennedy.

Dave put out his cig. Softly, he ruffled Jack’s already-messy hair. He took his sweet time taking in his partner’s sleeping form, how even his breathing was, the way the blanket was draped over his half-naked body.

Dave inhaled softly. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he forced himself to hold them back. He wanted to save those for when Jack is awake.

Dave sighed.

His fingers began to gently scratch Jack’s scalp until he flinched at the sudden sounds of knocking at the front door.

Dave’s eyes immediately darted to the bedroom door. Reluctantly, he pushed himself off the bed. He made his way outside of the room, muttering curses to himself as he zipped up his pants and readjusted his undershirt.

There shouldn’t be anyone out and about this early, Dave thought to himself. A part of him hoped he would see nobody when he opened the front door.

Tiredly rubbing his face, Dave reached for the doorknob with his other hand. “Who—”

He stilled instantly, his breathing hitched. He swore he heard his heart start to pump loudly in his ears.

Dave swallowed, but his throat felt dry. “Henry…” He murmured.

“William.” The man before him replied. He sounded as displeased as Dave was.

Henry stared at Dave, taking in the younger man’s appearance as if he were picking him apart. Dave did his damn hardest to ignore the way his stomach churned and twisted. He felt like curling into himself and hanging his head low, but he forced himself to hold up.

“I see you have been doing well.” Henry finally said, his voice breaking the silence, yet doing very little to ease the tension.

“I could say the same ‘bout you,” Dave muttered, his eyes narrowing ever-so slightly.

Henry didn’t respond to that. Not right away, anyway. He let that hang in the air, and it was enough to make Dave’s confidence start ebbing away.

“How…” Dave’s voice came out shaky, and he mentally cursed himself for it. “How’d you… Find me?”

“I’m not as stupid as you think.” Henry was about to step inside, but Dave immediately moved, putting his hand on the doorframe and his foot in front of Henry’s.

He glared daggers right into Dave’s very soul. “Word gets around.” He added, reluctantly. “…When are you coming home?”

“Wherever you live ain’t my home.” Dave said. “I may’ve considered it home before, but things change. Don’t act like I meant somethin’ to you.”

Henry’s hands curled into fists, his jaw clenching. “Who do you think you are talking to me like that?”

Before Dave could respond, he felt Henry grab him by his undershirt, pulling him close.

“You don’t know what you are talking about,” Henry said. “Whatever you’re doing right now, it’s not gonna last, and you’re gonna come crawling back to me whether you like it or not, so you might as well get it over with already.”

Dave’s hands clasped tightly over Henry’s wrist, digging his nails into the older man’s sleeve. “Get off of me.” He muttered. “I ain’t goin’ anywhere with you.”

As Henry let go of Dave’s undershirt, he shoved him, sending Dave stumbling back a little.

“You’ll regret this.”

Dave rubbed his chest, feeling the now loose fabric of his undershirt as he looked up at Henry. “I doubt I will.”

Henry took a step back, the very action making Dave almost spring forward, his hand already on the doorknob, ready to slam the door in the older man’s face.

“We will see about that,” Henry replied.

Dave wanted to say something, but he was at a loss for words. He didn’t know what to say. He always hated that.

It wasn’t until the faint sound of a doorknob twisting from behind did Dave finally made a move, and shut the front door, locking it.

“Dave…” Jack’s rough, sleepy voice was all Dave needed to hear to turn around, his uneasiness starting to dissipate. “What’re you doing?”

Dave shifted around a little. “Nothin’.” He scratched the back of his head. “Nothin’ you should worry ‘bout.”

“I worry all the time when it’s you.” Jack smiled faintly. He walked over and stood before him for a few seconds, as if he were hesitating.

Finally, he moved, wrapping his arms around Dave. “Last night was fun.”

“Sure hope it was.” Dave put his arms around Jack’s waist, holding him tight, almost suffocating. “God, I…”