Laurent smiled at him in answer, browsing through the plastic bags they’d deposited on the sofa. “It was the best of days.”
A pleasant warmth spread throughout Beast’s body, and he stepped closer, smiling at Laurent. This was just the answer he needed to proceed. “Me too. I liked spending time with you.”
Laurent sucked in his bottom lip, looking contemplative. “I have to admit that considering the unfortunate circumstances in which we met, I haven’t expected for things to go this way, and here I am, one day in this strange new place and already making a friend.”
Beast forced himself not to frown. Was this a figure of speech? He would not be put into the ‘friend’ category! “That’s what you call it where you’re from?” he asked, approaching Laurent so that they faced one another. The thick scent of the pine shampoo in Laurent’s hair was already making him hot. They didn’t even need to use the condoms tonight. He’d be fine with just hugging Laurent for now. Preferably naked. Maybe a blowjob.
Laurent stared up at him, staying silent for a while. “Yes, I believe that would be the case.”
Beast hesitated, but then reached up and slowly trailed the backs of his fingers over Laurent’s jaw. It was quite smooth against the touch, warm and supple as a juicy peach. He leaned in, and with his hands trembling slightly, pressed his lips against that plump, kissable mouth.
He shuddered with glee when Laurent didn’t back away, and the visions of pulling all the newly bought clothes off Laurent flooded his mind like seeds of sin. But two seconds later, instead of opening his mouth in invitation, Laurent pulled away, even taking a step back, as if he needed to put physical distance between himself and Beast.
“I… I’m not sure what this is supposed to mean,” he choked out.
Beast swallowed and licked the faint trace of Laurent’s taste off his lips. He followed Laurent and touched his shoulder. “You said you enjoyed the day with me. We... like each other,” he said gesturing between them with one hand.
But Laurent took another step back, dangerously close to the single door that guarded all of Beast’s secrets. It should be locked, as it always was, but a tremor of unease danced down Beast’s spine. “Yes, but I-I’ve known you for a single day.”
“It’s just a kiss,” Beast said, pressing his lips together when it dawned on him that the earlier declaration, that people shouldn’t judge Beast by his looks, has just been Laurent’s way to console him. Be kind to a man so ugly seeing him sometimes made children cry. “You know what? Forget it. But if you’re not interested, don’t fucking cocktease me!”
“Excuse me?” Laurent frowned, not taking his eyes off Beast. “I did what?”
“You were flirting with me all day. You touched me, you were the first one to hold my hand. Do you think this is a game that you can play? That I’ll do anything you want for a scrap of attention? Of course I’m only good for that, no matter what you say!” hissed Beast bitterly and shoved his boot against the sofa so hard the thing moved.
Laurent squinted at him and crossed his arms on his chest while leaning his back against the door. “Is this why you were being kind to me? Should I have not held your hand? I don’t understand what the rules are here, but if you thought I was misleading you, know that it was not my intention.”
Beast squeezed his hands into fists, unsure how to take that answer. Despite the buzzing anger, he was so deeply disappointed he wished to reverse everything that had happened earlier. Well, maybe except for getting Laurent the glasses. He needed those, and things had only gone downhill after that anyway. Now that the blinders had fallen off his eyes, he realized just how foolishly he’d deceived himself that someone like him could ever have a chance with someone as beautiful as Laurent. How did he get so consumed by his own lust in one day?
“No, you shouldn’t have. And I don’t believe you don’t know that much. You’re lying. Just like you won’t tell the truth about your presence here.”
“You said men kissing in the television was fine, so I assumed men touching hands was acceptable as well. Why do you have to confuse me this way? Did you think a few long conversations and treats would buy my affection? Maybe buy me a basket of apples next time,” the last sentence came out incredibly vicious, and Laurent looked away with a frown, as if he himself wasn’t sure how much sense he was making.
“Oh, so now I am the bad guy, huh?” Beast hissed through his teeth, pacing in front of Laurent. His blood was boiling and filling his skull with the angry fumes. “Because I like you and wanted to get you something nice? I would have anyway. We both know I’m fine as a friend, but you don’t want to really be with any of this?” Beast asked, pulling on the front of his longsleeve. He couldn’t bear yet more humiliation, this time delivered by Laurent’s own graceful hands.