11. Chapter 10
11
Chapter 10
Dacias
Two drinks and four mediocre performances later, and Arlo still hadn’t arrived. Dacias rolled shreds of the show lineup into tiny balls—tempted to flick them at the affectionate couple sitting beside him.
The blue upholstered booth he sat in hurt his ass, and his shirt dug into his skin. All right, so he had overdressed for the occasion. The sleeveless chainmail top cut low at the chest was sexy, but damn was it uncomfortable.
Who am I fooling? I’m being stood up.
Dacias couldn’t shake his sadness. It seemed like it was all falling into place. Souzie’s plan for Dacias to run into Arlo at the bookshop had gone off without a hitch, and while Arlo told him he had another commitment tonight, the euphoria of “maybe” had given him hope.
The blue and purple glowing stones matched his gloomy mood. The bronze candelabras in the shape of mythical mermaids looked more like a gaggle of mocking school girls than scintillating sirens of the sea. Well, fuck you too!
Time to go. When you start picking fights with the decor, it’s time to cut your losses and lick the wounds at home. He flagged down the server and handed him a wad of money, practically bribing him. Don’t tell anyone I sat here waiting this long .
He stood up and cracked his back. They need new seats in this place. The performer played a happy melody, neither here nor there, but distracting enough to make Dacias’s awkward exit just a dash more surreptitious.
Sidestepping tipsy patrons, he raced to the exit and collided with a mop of brown curls.
Arlo fell to the ground, tossed backward by the force of the crash into Dacias. He shook his head, orienting himself to his new position as a heap on the floor, and then looked up.
His face morphed from shock to relief to embarrassment, and his cheeks glowed red. Dacias had to stop himself from diving on top of him. This boy is so adorable.
“I have to stop falling in front of you,” Arlo said with an embarrassed little grin.
Dacias could barely contain himself. “You came!” He lifted Arlo off the ground, who gasped at the suddenness of being airborne.
Arlo brushed the hair out of his eyes. “I came…”
“I didn’t think you would. I was about to leave.”
Arlo’s face fell, and he looked at the ground. “Oh, I’m sorry I’m so late. Perhaps I can walk you back to the tunnel if you have to leave? I understand if you don’t want me to, though.”
Dacias cocked his head at Arlo. “What? Of course, I’m not leaving now. You just arrived. Here. Let’s go sit.” Dacias laced their fingers together and led him to the table that was, fortunately, still vacant since Dacias’s departure. “I’m so glad you could make it!”
He led Arlo back to the booth and flagged the server. “What are you drinking? My treat.”
“No, no. Let me. I’ve kept you waiting,” Arlo protested.
Dacias shook his head. “We didn’t have a set time. I knew you had something to do. It’s fine.”
“Well, we can split it at least.” Arlo’s soft smile set Dacias’s heart ablaze.
“That’s kind of you.”
The server approached and shouted, “He came!”
Don’t ruin this for me, man! Dacias chuckled awkwardly. “Ha ha…yeah. We ’ll have—”
The server turned to Arlo and said, “He’s been waiting a very long time.”
Arlo’s eyes bulged. “What?”
“No, no. I just got here. Really.” Dacias shot the server a look.
The server coughed nervously and quickly pivoted. “What’ll it be, boys?”
“What would you like?” Dacias asked.
Arlo looked unsure, squinting at the drinks menu. “Um…whatever you are having?”
“Two blue streams. Single shot.”
The server took Dacias’s order, and then Arlo leaned closer to Dacias, whispering, “You did wait a long time. Let me pay.”
Dacias waved his hand. “He’s crazy. I just got here. Besides, it doesn’t matter. You’re here.” Without thinking, Dacias reached over and gripped Arlo’s hand.
Arlo looked at his hand, then up at Dacias through long lashes—a dusting of blush on his cheeks. “Thank you for waiting.”
Dacias shrugged, playing it smooth, hoping his pounding heart didn’t show through his skimpy shirt.
Now that they were situated, Dacias had a moment to take him in. Arlo had a black cloth wrapped around his head like a band, with some material drooping down to obscure part of his face while messy brown curls tumbled over it.
His loose white tunic hung casually, revealing glimpses of his chest, and Dacias caught the scattering of freckles along his shoulders.
A warm, tingling sensation went up his spine as he gazed at Arlo. “You look wonderful.”
Patches of red sprouted on Arlo’s neck as he fidgeted with his shirt. “No, I was in a rush. I’m a mess.”
“No, you look wonderful. Truly.”
Arlo’s eyelids started to droop, and Dacias caught him brushing his fingertips over his chest. Arlo snapped himself out of whatever was happening to him, shaking his head and looking away from Dacias as he said, “Thank you. You do, too. ”
They sat like that for a bit. Arlo settled into the moment. Dacias could have stared at Arlo’s sheepish gaze forever, but he knew someone had to break the silence. “How was the event? It was a family function, right?”
Arlo’s face fell, and he clutched the edge of the table. “Yes, it was a family function.” He shook his head, his lips pinched in a frown. “It was awful. I’m glad I snuck away.”
“Me too. Boring dinner?”
Arlo’s face fell. “Yes. A horribly awkward dinner. My family is not the warmest bunch, which is typical for Lapistra. We’re not pleasantly inclined, as I’m sure you know.”
“I have heard their demeanor matches the chilly temperature of the region, but you’re the first Lapistrean I’ve had a real conversation with. So far, I’m enjoying it!”
Arlo grinned and looked down once again. “You’re very sweet.”
The server dropped off the drinks, and Dacias raised his. “Well, here’s to a night away from the family!”
Arlo laughed and clinked his glass with Dacias’s. “Cheers.”
Dacias couldn’t help but comment on the head attire. “Nice headband. Strong fashion statement.”
“What? Oh! Goodness, I must look so stupid.” Arlo fidgeted with the fabric for a moment. “I didn’t want conflict. You never know who might peg me for a Lapistrean and want to start a fight or something.”
Dacias understood. The first time they laid eyes on one another was moments before his shithead of a brother punched out a Lapsitrean—no wonder Arlo disguised himself. “Most people who come to Cupidor don’t care. There are a couple of assholes, my brother for one, who do, but you’re with me. Nothing will happen.”
Arlo smiled. “My knight in shining armor.” He scrunched his face and shook his head. “That was cliché. Sorry.”
Intent on breaking this boy out of his bashful self-consciousness, Dacias said, “You could never be cliché, Arlo.”
“Why did you want to find me?” Arlo asked.
Dacias blinked at the sudden shift in topic. He didn’t know how to respond to that. “Huh?”
Arlo smirked and rolled his eyes. “What was a soldier like you doing in a bookshop today?”
Dacias decided to play a bit with Arlo. “Are you saying I’m not a reader?”
Arlo’s eyes widened, and he stuttered. “What? N-no! I mean—I don’t know. I don’t know you, really. I’m sure you…read…” Arlo squeezed his eyes shut and then plopped his head on the table. “I’m ruining this.”
Dacias laughed, loving how cute Arlo looked all flustered. “Don’t worry. I’m not being serious, and, yes, I can read.”
Arlo covered his head with his hands, his voice muffled by his arms as he said, “That’s not what I meant!”
Dacias leaned back as he chuckled. “I know, I know.” He lifted Arlo’s head with a finger under his chin, making sure Arlo was looking at him, and whispered, “Besides, why wouldn’t I want to find you?”
Dacias fell into the green pools of Arlo’s eyes. He wanted to say so much more. He wanted to tell Arlo how much he thought about him, but now wasn’t the time—not on a first date.
Arlo sounded breathless as he spoke. “Well, either way, I’m glad you found me.”
Another pause emerged, but it wasn’t awkward. It was the silence between two people as their attraction intensified. The magnetic pull strengthened, drawing them closer and closer until Arlo broke it. He coughed, and his voice trembled as he spoke. His hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Tell me about Rugiria. I’ve always wanted to know more about it.”
Dacias looked at those pink lips. Arlo’s angular features caught the glowing crystals. He could sit here and stare at this boy until the sun rose, but the image of his lean body swaying beneath the lights of the dance court entered his mind. “I’ll tell you about Rugiria, but only if you agree to dance with me again.”
Arlo’s mouth dropped open, and then the most dazzling smile crossed his face. “Deal.”
???
Dacias bit his lower lip as the silky fabric of Arlo’s shirt slipped off one shoulder. The soft glow of the stones illuminated him, creating a striking contrast between his light skin and dark curls, which swept about his face as he moved.
Arlo looked euphoric as he swayed to the music, moving like a flame caught in a gentle breeze.
He twirled into Dacias and wrapped his arms around Dacias’s neck, drawing him closer—the sensation of Arlo’s silky skin sent shivers coursing through Dacias’s body.
Dacias’s heart pounded against his chest, and he couldn’t help but wrap his arms around Arlo’s slender frame, feeling the perfect delicate curves. Arlo’s back led down to an ass that made Dacias want to get on his knees and take a bite out of it. Everything about that moment—the music, the warmth of their bodies, and Arlo’s intoxicating presence—made the air between them crackle.
The music slowed, and Arlo rested his head against Dacias’s chest. Dacias brushed his fingers along Arlo’s curls, wishing he could put him over his shoulder, smack his cute little ass, and carry him back to Rugiria.
The music stopped, and a bell rang, indicating that the dance court would close soon .
Arlo looked up at Dacias. “I guess we need to leave.”
Dacias couldn’t speak for a moment. He lowered his head and inhaled Arlo’s fresh, woody scent, laced with a sweetness like pine sap, savoring this moment of closeness.
He sighed, knowing they’d have to part soon. “I’ll walk you back to the tunnel.”
Cupidor glowed as they walked to Lapistra’s tunnel. The festivity was in full effect as patrons frolicked around them, trying to get one last drink before things started shutting down for the evening. They strode side-by-side amidst the frenzy.
Dacias reflected on the night. They’d talked for hours. He chatted away about his life, and Arlo pounced on every tidbit of information he could get about Rugiria. He begged Dacias to tell him his animal form, but Dacias wanted that to be a surprise. Instead, he discussed his family, the Fighting Forces, and same-sex relations in Rugiria.
Dacias couldn’t remember a date when he wasn’t the one asking all the questions. He felt selfish chatting on and on, but Arlo would end one question with another.
Arlo was vague about his own story, but he had a genuine interest in Dacias’s life, and Dacias couldn’t ignore how it made his heart swell. It’s nice not to do all the work for a change.
Dacias thought about Arlo in Rugiria. He wanted to show him his home. Could he sneak him in?
The tunnel entrance grew closer, and Dacias’s stomach bloomed. He had yearned for Arlo’s lips all night and desperately wanted to kiss him, to rip that damned scarf off Arlo’s head and see the look in his eyes just before the kiss, then rub his fingers through the soft curls while planting little kisses down his neck.
They stopped at the entrance, and Arlo turned to face him.
Dacias could see the panic in his eyes as he shifted restlessly from one foot to another. Their gazes locked for a moment before Arlo quickly looked away, a flicker of uncertainty flashing across his face. He fidgeted with his shirt, his fingers tugging at the fabric while his chest rose and fell.
Why is he so nervous? It had been such a lovely evening. Had Dacias come on too strong?
Then it clicked. Lapistra. Dacias knew it was a backward territory. Arlo might be a virgin. Wait! Arlo probably never even kissed a man before!
Dacias felt like a fool. He had underestimated how dangerous this could be for Arlo—another reason he had the headband! Yet here he was, sneaking away from a family function to see Dacias. It dawned on him how much courage it took for Arlo to meet him tonight.
This needed to be taken slow, and if this was going to be Arlo’s first kiss—or at least his first with a man—Dacias wouldn’t let it happen in a dingy tunnel. It had to be perfect; he knew exactly where to make that happen. All right, no kiss tonight. That would have to wait.
“I had a wonderful time, Arlo. Can I see you again? ”
Arlo’s eyes widened. He looked elated, then schooled his features and spoke in a low voice. “Yes. I’d love that.”
“Tell me when. Whenever it’s best for you.”
Arlo stuttered a bit. “I…how about…I’m free the evening after tomorrow. Does that work?”
“Definitely.”
“Are you sure? I know it’s a little soon—”
Dacias cut him off before he could finish. “I’m sure. Meet here? Same time?”
Arlo grinned. “Wonderful. I’m looking forward to it.”
You have no idea. “Me too.”
Arlo inched a step closer. Close enough that Dacias felt bold enough to lift the half of his scarf that covered his eye.
They stood facing one another, locked in each other’s gaze. Dacias’s body thrummed with desire. His yearning to kiss Arlo was so intense it almost hurt. All Arlo needed to do was lean in; the slightest amount would be all it took for Dacias to see it as an invitation, but Arlo didn’t do it.
“I…I should go,” Arlo said.
Dacias could see the tug-of-war raging inside Arlo but wouldn’t push it. This had to be on Arlo’s terms.
“I should, too. I can’t wait to see you again, and I hope the rest of tonight and tomorrow are as beautiful as you are. Good night, Arlo.”
Dacias’s stomach sank as Arlo’s eyes became glassy. Too much? He had moved too fast. Fuck. I’m so dumb. He had to fix this. He nearly apologized, but Arlo planted a kiss on Dacias’s cheek.
A blink and you would have missed it, faster than a shooting star, but it happened. Arlo stepped back, that adorable, bashful look on his face. Dacias lifted a hand to touch his cheek. He knew he had the biggest, goofiest smile, but nothing could stop this bliss.
Arlo smiled, too. “Good night, Dacias. I can’t wait to see you again.” He turned and rushed toward the tunnel.
Dacias’s eyes fluttered as he said, “Good night, Arlo.”
Then he turned around and floated home. He’d never felt so happy.