prelude to a first kiss
day 10/31 of my massive holiday project
for @sockich, who forever ago requested all the kisses for a completely different ship than the one I wrote today. Canât wait to talk to you more once March hits.
The moon shined bright on the water. It reflected the light perfectly, so that Deran could see Adrianâs eyes perfectly. He could see how they trailed from his eyes to his lips, always back to his lips. Deran could see Adrianâs mouth, the way he bit his lip every time his eyes flickered down. He could see how the moonlight turned his hair almost silver, could see if only he could pry his eyes off of Adrianâs mouth.
Their second night in Belize and Deran doesnât think heâs ever felt so free. He had surfed all day, had lounged and baked in the sun and hadnât had to worry about a call interrupting. He hadnât had to worry about his big brothers coming to take him home. He was free, for the first time he could remember. He was free from his motherâs gaze, her expectations. He was free to spend his time however he wanted with whomever he wanted. He wanted.
Adrian stood in front of him, countries away from home, and Deran couldnât help but feel like this was everything he never let himself dream about. He dreamed of the two of them together, of a life so unlike the rest of his own. He dreamed about his soft skin, about his mouth, about his hair and his freckles and every last inch of him. He dreamed that one day it wouldnât matter so much, that him dreaming about it at all, wouldnât matter.
The moonlight turned Adrian silver where he was normally golden and Deran couldnât think of any reason he shouldnât reach out. They were alone, on the private strip of beach in front of their rented house, the rest of their friends hidden away inside the house with whoever they found for the evening.
Adrianâs eyes never left his face. They rarely did, when they were this close. And they found reasons to be this close so often. And so often Deran would back away, would punch Adrianâs shoulder and make a joke. Adrianâs face would turn stoic, his stony expression lasting well after everyone else left.
Deran didnât want to back away now. He didnât want to make a joke, he didnât want to see Adrianâs eyes shutter. He just wanted to see how soft his cheek felt against his palm.
So he did. He lifted his hand and let his palm rest against Adrianâs cheek. It was soft yet sticky, still tacky from the dried salt water. He gently let his thumb sweep across Adrianâs cheekbone. Adrianâs eyes widened in shock, but Deran was too busy entranced by the way his skin skimmed Adrianâs.
âDeran,â Adrian whispered, voice soft as the sea. âWhatâŚâ
But Adrian didnât finish his question. Deran moved forward as he moved his hand from Adrianâs cheek to the back of his neck. He pulled him closer, brought their lips together in a soft press of the lips.
Deran understood why Baz and Craig loved this so much. Just a press of their lips and Deran was ready to stay on this beach of the rest of his life, family be damned.
Adrian made a noise, one of shock mostly but Deran thought he could hear desire in there too.
âDeran,â Adrian whispered again before he brought their lips together in a firm kiss. Adrian wrapped his arms around Deran.
They stayed on the beach through the night, and the ones after that too.
