#ryder becker

They would have laughed out loud if they had known how much their thoughts resembled each other. But they held back. Stayed out of each other's minds. Giving each other the space and security they wanted for themselves.

Instead, they tried to read what the other's face revealed. A skill that felt unfamiliar to use. As unfamiliar as sitting on each other's laps. Intimately close. Tattoos and scars revealed like an extension of their souls.

They both wanted that kiss. A kiss that hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity, refusing to happen of its own accord. Waiting for the initiative that no one wanted to take for fear of destroying the moment of courage. To endanger this young, delicate plant of trust that had brought them to this point.

A simultaneous glance at the lips, back to the eyes, made them smile. A smile that erased a little distance between them and quickened their pulse with each approach.

Soon the other's smile was out of sight. Only the eyes in front of them offered a last clue to the feelings of the other. Not quite open. Not quite closed.

They felt the warmth of each other's lips. Very gently they brushed against each other. Unintentionally, not on purpose, not a kiss, not yet. Not even the slight twitching, the pressing together of one's own lips that seemed to draw in the other's. Still no kiss.

Or was it? Drawn close and lingering. Lips on lips. Frozen and frightened, but still connected. Like a shared permission.

They kissed.