Chris

Tyler was the one who pulled away first. He wore a shocked look on his face.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it! Please don’t -,”

I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him towards me, crushing our lips together. His lips felt so soft…

I slowly pulled away and opened my eyes, looking at a happy-shocked Tyler.

“It’s alright,” I said.

“Wait, so you’re…” he said shocked. I nodded my head, already knowing what he was going to say. “And you like me?” he asked. I nodded my head to that too, smiling.

He literally jumped on me in excitement.

“Oh my God, that’s so awesome!” he yelled into my shirt, his voice muffled. I smiled brighter than the sun when he said that. He lifted his head up and planted a kiss on my lips.

There was a knock on the door. Tyler got off of me just before the door opened and made a mock- angry face. It was so cute on him. His dad stepped in.

“Were you boys yelling?” he asked looking around.

“Um, Yeah,” I said, trying to think of something to say. “Tyler was mad at me because I’m better at video games than him,” I said, covering for Tyler. I knew Tyler would never want his dad to know he was gay.

“Well, dinner’s ready, so come down to eat,” he said before walking back out.

“Thanks, Chris,” Tyler said relieved.

“Well, I only said true facts. I AM better at video games,” I smirked.

We walked downstairs to eat dinner. Tyler and I sat next to each other. His parents were already seated. We joined hands and said grace.

It was a quiet dinner until a conversation struck up about gay pride day.

”It’s disgusting!” Tyler’s father shouted. “Men and other men shouldn’t be together in my opinion. What’s your opinion, Chris?” he looked outraged. I lied and agreed, because I
was afraid he was going to rip my head off if I told him I supported it. I wasn’t out yet, but I was going as a supporter.

After dinner, Tyler and I watched a movie in his room. Within minutes, Tyler was sleeping soundly. I stayed up for a while, watching him sleep.

The way his chest rose and fell with each breath he took. I lay down next to him and closed my eyes, thinking one last thought as I drifted off to sleep: I love him.

*****

Tyler

I dreamt about the daddy and I walked around town. He hardly did that with me. I was seven and he hardly spent time with me; he was always at work. He hadn’t even been to my 7th birthday the week before!

“Daddy, can I have a piggy back ride?” I asked. I loved it when he let me on his shoulders. He was so tall, so I could see everything up there!

“Not today, Tyler,” he had said sternly.

From across the street I saw two boys holding hands. They looked happy together. I smiled and waved at them. They noticed and smiled and waved back as they sat on a bench.

“Don’t smile and wave at them, Tyler!” daddy growled. I was surprised. He didn’t usually speak like that.

“Why not?” I asked. He tugged on my hand and we were on our way back home.

“Because they are bad people, son.”

I didn’t see anything bad about them. They seemed like nice people. They seemed happy. Why were they so bad? I would’ve asked, but I knew daddy was angry. He had a disgusted look on his face. What was so bad about those people?

I bolted awake, scared out of my mind. I looked around, only to see Chris next to me, looking concerned.

“Are you okay, Ty?”

“Yeah. I just had a bad dream, that’s all,” I said.

“Want to talk about it?” he asked.

I shook my head. No way was I going to tell him about a flashback from when I was seven. That was creepy.

I looked out my window and saw light. It was morning already. I got up and picked something for Chris and me to wear from my closet. Once we were dressed, I grabbed my phone and we left the house, walking towards the park. We went to my favourite place in the whole park, where it was like a meadow. No one was there, it was just a tree that gave shade to those who stood under it.

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about that dream?” Chris asked as we sat under the tree.

“I was seven. My dad and I saw a gay couple in town. I didn’t understand they were gay then. My dad was disgusted,” I said quickly. “I still don’t understand why…” I whispered, tears beginning to roll down my face.

“Hey, shh, it’s okay…” Chris said, pulling me into a hug. “Everything is going to be fine,” he said, comforting me.

I buried my face into his jacket and cried. I knew right then and there, that no matter what happened, I was always safe in his arms. No matter what.

*****

What qualities do you look for in a partner?