We maybe have a ghost in our house that has popped up since we’ve had work done on the walls, and random stuff keeps happening but something keeps opening my hamsters cage and leaving it open so I’ve just had to explain to thin air what a hamster is because as my sister pointed out, my house is old af and my ghost probably doesn't know what a hamster is, I’m also leaving it a note in the hopes it can read.
just to illustrate, I don’t think my ghost means my hamster harm, it’s just confused
He knows Neil’s body by heart. He knows the scars, the burns, the imperfections, he knows how his legs shake softly when he touches his skin, he knows the beauty mark right under his left nipple. He knows the shape of his lips when he laughs and the colour of his eyes when autumn’s sun is reflecting in. He knows the curl of his mouth when he whimpers and the unbearable delicacy of his body when they strip naked.
He knows the line of Neil’s body with a frightening accuracy but, when he curls up next to him in the little bed they share, with Neil’s soft hair tickling the crook of his neck and his mouth somewhere against his skin, Andrew is not quite sure where Neil begins and where he ends.
It only took Jack’s brain about three tenths of a second longer than his mouth to wake up and by that time his mouth had already gone ahead and started talking without the brain which meant that three tenths of a second later Jack quite viscerally realized that he had made a Mistake.
Bitty had been looking at a catalog in bed next to Jack on a very rare lazy Sunday morning when Jack had woken up, turned over, and opened up his big, dumb mouth. Specifically, Bitty had been looking at a women’s catalog, not terribly unusual as Bitty did in fact have a mother and cousins and female friends whom he did buy presents for throughout the year.
This particular morning, Bitty was looking for a particularly kickass and sexy yet tasteful pair of heels or possibly boots for Lardo to wear to a gallery opening for a friend whom she knows through business that she does not in fact privately like but must publicly support and profess a friend. Footwear for the opening was the last piece that needed to be nailed down, the two having already put together the perfect outfit that says “I hate you and everything you stand for and I will do so while looking fabulous and playing the perfect friend so you’d better get your sucked lemon face ready because you’ll be wearing it all night to go with your own far less fabulous outfit” earlier in the week.
It just so happens however that the footwear in this catalog starts where the lingerie ends. Which is what Jack saw. Which is when he opened his big, dumb mouth. Which is when his relationship flashed before his eyes and his world ended. Because he didn’t just open his big, dumb mouth, he opened it and sleepily said, “Wow, you would look incredibly sexy in that, you should absolutely buy the rose one.”
Bitty processed the words and froze. “Excuse me?”
Dead silence.
What was Jack supposed to say? He had just, out of nowhere, suggested his very male boyfriend purchase the gorgeous, expensive, satin bustier and panty set with flowerettes lining the neckline that sat on the glossy page in front of them. And he’d specified the preferred color no less. Rose, if you please. Jesus this was a disaster.
There was literally no way for this conversation to go that he wouldn’t joyfully give up to let enraged hippos chew on his entrails. Jack could actually feel the blood rushing from his face.
“Uuuuuhh…..” was his highly intelligent response so far.
“Darlin’, what exactly are you lookin’ at on this page?”
“I don't…” he sighs “…there’s no way for me to avoid having this conversation is there.”
“No, not really.”
Jack’s shoulders wilted. “Alright.” Jack squares his shoulders up with the blue line, blows out a controlled breath, and prepares to take his shot. “I was looking at that bustier and panty set. The one with the good steel boning and the rosette border.” Jack not only gestures toward the catalog but taps the page to indicate his choice. “And that deep dusky rose color would look good with your skin, would add a glow and a warmth. Like strawberries and cream.” Jack mentions his reasoning on the topic of color ruefully at best.
Wheels have been slowly turning in Bitty’s head.
“So you’d like to see me in this one.” It wasn’t a question though it did sound mighty doubtful with a dash of incredulity that this wasn’t some kind of prank.
Jack resolutely kept his eyes on the wall across from the foot of their bed.
Bitty studies Jack’s face, nods once to himself as if having come to a conclusion, and relaxes back into the pillows.
“I wonder if they have any heels that would match…”
