Chapter Eight #2
Laughing, they crossed 5th Avenue, holding hands, and Jason was officially in heaven. Then it occurred to him that David was steering them in a definite direction. Jason stared up at the glass frontage of FAO Schwartz.
“Why are you taking me to a toy store?”
David grinned. “Because I have something in mind to make you smile.”
“Trust me, you’ve done that already this morning.” The way the day had started filled Jason with a warm glow that radiated out from his core.
David led him into the store, and headed for the escalator. As they ascended, their way was lined with plush animals of all shapes, sizes and species. David put out his hand to pet an alligator and then snapped it back with a loud, “Ouch! It bit me!”
Jason giggled, a sound he hadn’t heard from his own lips in a very long time. When they got to the second floor, David took his hand and led him toward the rear of the floor, where there was….
Jason blinked. Blinked again. Then his heart melted into a puddle of goo.
“Oh wow.”
Before them, stretched out on the floor, was a giant piano keyboard, just like the one in the movie Big. Kids were lining up to run along it, the notes loud and discordant. Others tried to produce recognizable tunes.
David tugged him toward the line, but Jason resisted. “We can’t,” he stressed.
David stopped and stared at him. “Why on earth not? Because we’re adults?” He snorted. “Fuck that,” he said in a low voice. “Adults have as much right to have fun as the kids, believe me.” He grinned. “So let’s have some fun.”
Jason couldn’t believe he was really going to do this. As they waited their turn, surrounded by little kids, and some not so little ones, he noticed that no one paid them the slightest attention.
Okay, so maybe I can do this.
When it was their turn, David walked over to the center of the giant keyboard and waited for him. “So?” he said with an expectant air. “What are we gonna play?”
Jason grinned. There could only be one response. “Chopsticks.”
Hesitatingly, they started, picking up the pace and laughing when their efforts produced something that was definitely Chopsticks.
Around them, kids and adults alike began to applaud them, the noise swelling in volume as they jumped faster, still managing to keep in tune.
When they hit the final notes, the applause was overwhelming as quite a large crowd had gathered by that time.
David took hold of Jason’s hands and they both bowed from the waist. They walked away from the keyboard to the sound of dying applause.
As they came down the escalator, David slipped his arm around Jason’s waist and leaned closer. “Well? Was that fun?”
“That was truly awesome,” Jason admitted, still touched that David had planned such a lovely part of their day together. “I don’t think you can top that.”
David’s eyes gleamed. “You think? Just watch me, baby.” He waggled his eyebrows and let out a maniacal laugh. “I’m just getting started.”
Jason did not want this day to end.
* * * * * *
“I can’t believe we’re still here,” Jason murmured as they walked through the quiet streets.
Midnight had come and gone, but New York was still buzzing.
Their shopping was all done, safely stowed away in their bags, and David was finally starting to tire.
Jason had nailed it that morning—it had been a magical day.
Strolling past countless window displays at Macys, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Bloomingdales, where they’d pointed and oohed and ahhed like little kids.
Choosing a box of chocolate truffles at Teuscher’s and sharing them, each taking a bite.
Every single thing David could think of to make the day special, he’d pulled out of the hat.
Well, except one, and he was saving the best for last.
“Why are we still here?” Jason asked, leaning into him, their hands laced together.
They’d spent most of the day like that, and David certainly wasn’t complaining.
One look at Jason’s expression when he’d first taken Jason’s hand in his had sent a rush of warmth surging through David.
He’d never been one for romance—well, in small doses, maybe—but there was something about being with Jason that cried out for it, and something deep inside David had responded.
For the first time, he had felt a desperate need for connection and intimacy with Jason, to touch him without reserve, and David had simply gone with the flow.
He peered ahead and smiled. “We are still here because of this,” he announced, stopping to lift Jason’s scarf up over his eyes.
“What… what are you doing?” Jason asked breathlessly.
David chuckled. “I know you’ve probably seen it already, but I doubt you’ll have seen it at this time of night, when all the crowds have died down. So bear with me, all right?”
“All right.” Jason sounded amused.
David took his hand. “Okay, I’ve got you. Walk ahead slowly, and stop when I tell you.”
Jason sighed. “I get the sense that our day is about to end, so before we get to the finale, can I just say… ” He paused and swallowed. “I’ve loved every minute. Thank you.” There was no missing the sincerity in his voice.
David moved closer until he could feel Jason’s warm breath on his lips.
“You’re welcome,” he whispered, before closing the gap between them with a soft kiss.
Jason responded with a happy little him that made David’s heart soar.
When he pulled back, David knew he had an idiotic grin all over his face, but couldn’t have cared less because in that moment, he was stupid happy.
“Here we go,” he said quietly, leading Jason around the corner. He positioned him just where he wanted him and slowly removed the scarf.
Jason’s low gasp was music to his ears. “Oh my God, David. You were right. I’ve seen it before, but never… never like this.”
The Christmas tree at the Rockerfeller center loomed up before them, the way to it paved with beautiful angels, their horns raised high to the heavens. The scent of pine filled the air and the lights twinkled and danced.
“I chose now because all the tourists are mostly tucked up in bed,” David said. “So it’s quieter.” He squeezed Jason’s hand. “It feels like it could be just us here.” That was certainly how it felt to him.
Jason stared up at the towering tree, the lights catching in his eyes. “It has never looked more beautiful,” he said with a soft sigh. Slowly he turned to regard David. “And there are other people here?”
David gazed at him, taking in the shine in Jason’s eyes, his lips, glistening in the lights where he’d licked them, the warm musky scent of Jason’s cologne…
There was no way he could resist.
David shifted until Jason was in his arms for the first time, their bodies pressed up against each other, and kissed him, taking his time.
Jason closed his eyes and sighed into the kiss, his arms coming up to rest against David’s back.
The moment seemed to spin out, until David was out of breath and totally lost in the intimate fragment of time.
“Ready to go?” he asked as they parted.
Jason smiled. “A moment longer?” His gaze flickered toward the tree and his fingers tightened around David’s. “I don’t want this to end just yet.”
David could relate to that.