Painted On My Heart

“No, I just wanted to make sure. You rarely wear jeans,” Kellus said, looking back over his shoulder as he shoved a foot through his underwear. “What?”

“I like looking at you. You’re fucking gorgeous.”

“You always say that,” Kellus replied, his cheeks coloring as he pulled his briefs up his thighs. Arik couldn’t help but watch as Kellus tucked himself inside his black Calvins, before turning to a row of clothes hanging in the closet space Kellus had claimed as his own. He pulled a pair of jeans off the rack, reached for a sweater and his belt. He draped them over his arm before grabbing a pair of socks and deck shoes.

He kissed Arik on the lips as he shimmied past him toward the bedroom. Arik reached for his jacket, then remembered Kellus’s before joining him.

“I was thinking about cutting my hair. It’s in the way,” Kellus announced, shoving at those long front pieces that had fallen in his face.

“I like it like it is. It’s perfect for me to reach out and grab when I want your attention.” Arik smirked, tossed Kellus’s coat on the bed, and then shrugged his jacket on. He adjusted the collar before picking up his wallet and tucking it in his back pocket.

“I don’t know,” Kellus said, pulling a knit sweater over his head, before going to the mirror. Kellus sifted through his hair until he found something, turning to Arik, showing him a bright blue streak. “When it’s short, the paint washes out faster. I look weird.”

“You look like what you are: an artist. My artist,” he said as he moved closer, sliding against Kellus’s body, grinning as he dipped his head and took Kel’s mouth in a lingering kiss. When he stepped away, he reached for his cell phone, then looked back at Kellus’s reflection in the mirror. “It matches your eyes. It looks like you added the color on purpose.”

“I can’t ever seem to stay clean when I work. I get so lost in it all, I do this all the time. It’s a pain in the ass.”

“It’s the process for brilliance. Don’t change it. Do whatever you want with your hair. You’ll be perfect no matter what you do,” Arik said, grabbing his keys. “I’ll meet you out front. I want to see what they’ve made for dinner tonight. You know, maybe we should eat out.”

Arik grinned as he headed down the hall. Of course, he got a mumbled “wasteful” from his guy. All in all, Kellus was adapting well to his lifestyle. Arik was making some changes too. Before, he wouldn’t have even looked to see what the staff had prepared for him; now, at least he looked before he ignored their offering. That thought made him chuckle. His life was good. Real good. Now, he had to make sure it stayed like this forever. Lofty goals, but if he played his cards right, they were achievable. That was what mattered.

~?~

Klyde Warren Park had been transformed into a mile-long Halloween-themed carnival. The weather had even cooperated, making the spiced cider and warm cinnamon nuts a welcome treat. This was Kellus’s favorite time of the year. An early cold front had turned the area much cooler the past couple of days. Strolling through the park with Arik by his side made the night even more special. Music and laughter came from every direction. Halloween was just around the corner and pint-sized goblins, superheroes, and frozen princesses had come out in full force.

“It’s getting cold,” Arik said, nudging Kellus with his shoulder.

“I know it’s shocking to believe, but it does get cold here. Sometimes it even snows,” Kellus teased, tucking his hand in the crook of Arik’s arm. That earned him that sexy crooked grin he loved so much. Arik took the last bite of his cotton candy and tossed the stick in the trash before tugging him closer and giving him a sweet kiss. The taste of candy floss still lingered on his lips.

Somehow, Arik always managed to create all these magical, romantic moments. The cool breeze and moonlight peeking between the scattered clouds added to the ambiance. But the man on his arm truly made the evening unforgettable. The brightly colored lights of the carnival illuminated Arik as he stopped in the middle of their casual walk, turned, and kissed his lips again, drawing it out this time.

“I’m having a good time,” Arik said, before lightly kissing him for the third time. These were new experiences for Kellus. Arik was so comfortable with himself. Kellus had never really gotten there with his sexuality. The only time John had initiated any sort of PDA was to add shock value for the people surrounding them, absolutely not to show any sort of affection. No matter the number of people around, Arik didn’t seem to see anyone but Kellus, making these moments incredibly special.