Everywhere
by M. F. Luder
Seth focuses completely, brown eyes glued to the screen, finger curled around the controller. Ryan grins as he watches Seth. Nintendo in the living room is them: personal and so very familiar. Ryan enjoys every minute of it.
Seth tilts his head, tongue darting outward in between lips.
Ryan swallows, staring at rosy lips.
A low chuckle, a shake of his head. Seth raises his hand as his character jumps, then leans to the right at a short curve.
Ryan lets out a shaky sigh.
The sight is perfect.
Ryan doesn't mind his character dying, but gazes Seth's victory smile.
Seth looks down at his plate, hand clutching the fork. He will not look up and gaze at Ryan. He will not.
"Can I have the salt?"
Seth's eyes move to his right, saltshaker barely inches from his hand. He bites down his lower lip. Slowly, he grasps it and extends his hand. He gives in to the temptation and looks up.
Ryan smiles at him, reaching for it. Soft fingers touch his and Seth closes his eyes.
"Thanks."
Seth only nods, looking at his plate again. He picks at his food. He can't stop the grin on his lips.
Ryan walks into the kitchen smiling at Kirsten and Sandy. He pours a glass of orange juice.
Seth walks in a minute later. "So, dude, tell me, plans for today? It's been ages since we've gone out. A movie maybe. Pizza?"
Ryan chuckles, head low as he watches Seth grab the box of Kellogg's and start eating from the carton. He shrugs. "Whatever."
Seth knows Ryan better than that. Eating a handful, he shrugs. "Okay then, staying back it is."
Ryan doesn't say anything, just takes another swallow of his orange juice and reaches for a bagel. He smiles inwardly.
Ryan lies down on the bed, Seth moving around the small kitchenette.
"Dude, my brain gone to mush. I'm telling you dude, all mush."
Ryan rolls his eyes at Seth's complaint.
"Mush. I can't think. What did you say your name was?"
He feels the bed dip, waiting for the body to lie next to him. Something settles on his stomach. Ryan lifts his head and sees a mop of curls on his ribs.
Seth smiles at him. Ryan lets his head fall back onto the pillow. Fingers in Seth's hair, Ryan can only smile at how right it feels.
Sitting on Seth's bed, Ryan reads the comic Seth gave him three weeks ago. Seth's laying on his stomach, head resting over his intertwined fingers, elbows propped up.
"You're bored."
Ryan doesn't answer. Seth pulls down the comic, and Ryan looks down at him. "I was reading that."
Seth likes it when Ryan pretends to be angry, though he knows better. Sitting down, legs crossed, Seth smiles.
"What?"
Before Seth can think about what he's doing, he leans over, lips capturing Ryan's.
A sigh's heard, then a whimper, and Seth can't help but feel like he's exactly where he belongs.
Finished: May 27th, 2004