“I’ll go with you next time, if it helps,” Jag said, itching to touch Dane and frustrated by the invisible barrier he was faced with in public.
But Dane didn’t get to answer, because it was his turn to buy tickets from the lady, and by the time they walked inside Dane was already too excited about the movie, so Jag didn’t want to burden him with sad topics. He’d told Jag that he was better off going in blind to experience the film without spoilers, so all Jag knew was that it was called Eternals, and that it belonged to the same story as those of the Marvel heroes.
“Do you want popcorn?” Dane asked, drifting to a counter inside the cinema that smelled most divine, of salt and butter.
“What is it?” Jag asked, scooting to get a better look at the white puff balls inside a massive glass container.
“You don’t know what pop—sorry. It’s corn. It’s cooked in hot air until the pressure inside the kernel makes it pop. We’re definitely getting some so you can try,” Dane said with a big smile. “Salty or sweet?” he asked, glancing around the single interior that was the size of Frank’s entire house.
Jag stood leaned against the counter, mesmerized by the popcorn rolling onto a pile out of a metal container. “Hmm… both? Or is it expensive?” he added, embarrassed by his greed. But Dane grinned, squeezed his arm, and approached the counter to place an order.
Despite everyone telling him he’d melt into the crowd in Shane’s clothes, the discomfort they caused him had him on pins and needles, constantly worried that city people would notice that he wasn’t used to being among them. The men, women, and children scattered over the interior outnumbered the population of his dad’s commune, and each of them felt like a potential threat.
But then his gaze drifted to Dane’s ass, which tightened under the denim as he shifted his weight, and all Jag could think about was claiming him here, in front of all these strangers. He scolded himself right away, because while Shane might see Jag as a caveman, he knew well enough that one shouldn’t sport a hardon around children. No matter how beautiful his mate was.
Jag popped out of his daydream to the realization that the man working behind the counter spoke to Dane as if they knew one another. The tall but skinny guy dressed in a simple black outfit was packing popcorn in two paper bags at a leisurely pace, as if he wanted to make the chat last.
Jag wasn’t having it. He pinned the stranger with his gaze in a silent threat.
I dare you, his eyes said, I dare you to keep staring back. You’ll regret it if you don’t look away from him right now.
“Can I help you, handsome?” the seller asked, flashing him a bright smile.
“We… uh, we don’t want to miss the show,” Dane said, extending his hand for the massive bag of popcorn held by the stranger.
Jag glanced between them, taken aback, but the seller wasted no time, eying him again.
“Oooh. ‘We’,” he said, taking in Jag’s form with a smirk on his vulpine face. “Got yourself a catch, Dane. Are you overfeeding him so no one can snatch him away?”
Jag squinted, unsure what that could mean. Any good man showered their mate with treats. “Why would anyone snatch me?”
Dane swallowed, looked around, and once he confirmed there was no one around to overhear them said, “Because you’re so handsome.”
The seller shrugged. “Maybe having this guy around will motivate you to get some of those extra pounds off?”
“Look, I really want to see the trailers,” Dane said and reached for the popcorn, but the stranger laughed and took the bags out of his reach. “Maybe you wanna rethink your order? It’s just a bit of friendly advice.”
Jag scowled. “Give it to him!” Public place or not, he gave Dane a quick hug, just to remind himself how lovely all that flesh felt in his arms. “Do you have any idea how useful a bit of fat can be in winter? Someone like you will starve to death, and even wolves won’t lick your bones, but we’ll be warm and cozy!”
The guy slowly pushed the bags of popcorn their way. “Okay… enjoy the movie, I guess.” He rolled his eyes, angering Jag so much he smacked the counter before walking off, just to see the rude fucker flinch.
“The nerve of him,” he murmured to Dane when they walked down the corridor. “How dare he try to deprive you of valuable food you paid for!”
Dane scowled, pulling his bag close. “Maybe he was right. I always take the biggest portion.”
Jag glanced at him, appalled that the asshole’s words had affected Dane so much. “So? You’re a big man, and you should have the big popcorn if you wish to. This one’s big too, and he wasn’t complaining,” Jag said, pointing to the paper bag in his own hand. “I bet he’s just jealous.”