"I'd like that," Cisco replies with a bright smile when Hartley
suggests taking Cisco to a specific shelter, one he's been to before
and, presumably, knows is reputable. Cisco's never gone to one before,
only those horrible pet stores in the mall, and he wants to be sure
that he's saving a dog that really needs a home rather than a purebred
or something that will get adopted no matter what. He knows already it
won't be a really young one, not only because Cisco doesn't feel
remotely prepared to take care of a baby of any species, but he knows
puppies get adopted a lot faster than older dogs do.
"I want to make sure I get a dog that likes you," he says, his
imagination already running away from him again, picturing the two of
them at the shelter, Hartley knelt down as a little dog balances on
his knee and licks his smiling face. "And we'll make sure he or she is
nice to your rats, too. I should do some research, see what breeds are
best for that sort of thing. I mean, just so we're prepared. In case
they ever end up living in the same place." He knows he's over
explaining, that Hartley gets it, but he doesn't want to put Hartley
off by getting so far ahead of himself already, doesn't want Hartley
to think he expects anything. He just likes the idea so much,
being Hartley's boyfriend, spending the night together, and he's not
even thinking of sex right now, just sharing space, being close, being
happy. Being happy together.
Cisco's eyes fall to their hands when Hartley moves to take Cisco's
again, watches the way Hartley's thumb strokes over Cisco's skin, the
contrast of their skin color, and he thinks about how good they
probably look together. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking, but
Hartley definitely looks good, and their hands look really nice, they
way they're touching. He turns his eyes to Hartley's face as Hartley
talks about going out with Cisco again, and not just once but lots of
times, and Cisco knows that he's putting way too much of his heart
into this already, but he can't help himself. The idea of Hartley
dating anyone else makes his chest hurt, and Cisco knows he should
probably be careful and take his time, but he also can't deny how much
he already wants Hartley to be his.
"I, uh." Cisco takes a breath, and he feels bad because the food is
really good, but he has no interest in doing anything but talking to
Hartley right now, and his stomach feels like it's full of frazzled
butterflies again. "Can we be? A thing?" he asks, his voice shaking
just a little, hoping he's not pushing the limit too much, that
Hartley won't think he's crazy. "Because I, I think... I'd like to be.
Uh. Your, uh." He's blushing hard, and his heart is hammering in his
chest, his mouth completely dry. He tries to swallow, licking at his
lips. "Your boyfriend," he manages finally, and his ears start ringing
even before he finishes speaking, nerves threatening to overwhelm him.
no subject
"I'd like that," Cisco replies with a bright smile when Hartley suggests taking Cisco to a specific shelter, one he's been to before and, presumably, knows is reputable. Cisco's never gone to one before, only those horrible pet stores in the mall, and he wants to be sure that he's saving a dog that really needs a home rather than a purebred or something that will get adopted no matter what. He knows already it won't be a really young one, not only because Cisco doesn't feel remotely prepared to take care of a baby of any species, but he knows puppies get adopted a lot faster than older dogs do.
"I want to make sure I get a dog that likes you," he says, his imagination already running away from him again, picturing the two of them at the shelter, Hartley knelt down as a little dog balances on his knee and licks his smiling face. "And we'll make sure he or she is nice to your rats, too. I should do some research, see what breeds are best for that sort of thing. I mean, just so we're prepared. In case they ever end up living in the same place." He knows he's over explaining, that Hartley gets it, but he doesn't want to put Hartley off by getting so far ahead of himself already, doesn't want Hartley to think he expects anything. He just likes the idea so much, being Hartley's boyfriend, spending the night together, and he's not even thinking of sex right now, just sharing space, being close, being happy. Being happy together.
Cisco's eyes fall to their hands when Hartley moves to take Cisco's again, watches the way Hartley's thumb strokes over Cisco's skin, the contrast of their skin color, and he thinks about how good they probably look together. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking, but Hartley definitely looks good, and their hands look really nice, they way they're touching. He turns his eyes to Hartley's face as Hartley talks about going out with Cisco again, and not just once but lots of times, and Cisco knows that he's putting way too much of his heart into this already, but he can't help himself. The idea of Hartley dating anyone else makes his chest hurt, and Cisco knows he should probably be careful and take his time, but he also can't deny how much he already wants Hartley to be his.
"I, uh." Cisco takes a breath, and he feels bad because the food is really good, but he has no interest in doing anything but talking to Hartley right now, and his stomach feels like it's full of frazzled butterflies again. "Can we be? A thing?" he asks, his voice shaking just a little, hoping he's not pushing the limit too much, that Hartley won't think he's crazy. "Because I, I think... I'd like to be. Uh. Your, uh." He's blushing hard, and his heart is hammering in his chest, his mouth completely dry. He tries to swallow, licking at his lips. "Your boyfriend," he manages finally, and his ears start ringing even before he finishes speaking, nerves threatening to overwhelm him.