Page 120 of Septembers

“Not like this.” He didn’t have to elaborate. Theo knew exactly what he meant. “Dinner and a movie?”

Theo was about to snark about doing the same cliché date everyone else does, but Dae’s expression was so vulnerable that he couldn’t manage any kind of negativity. Plus, his aversion to the everyman date meant he’d never actually done it. “Sounds fun.”

༻𓆪 𓆩༺

The date was a recreation of every first date in every coming-of-age tale. They shared popcorn and snuggled at the movie theatre, then got ice cream and wandered through Kensington holding hands, browsing stores and trying on funny hats. They even tried to think of childhood stories they hadn’t shared before. It was cheesy and sappy and fucking glorious.

“Are you going to wait three days to call?” Theo asked as they walked towards their building. To make it authentic, they’d agreed Dae would drop him off then circle the block before coming home.

“Maybe even four, just to make you nervous.”

The streets were busy. Kensington was a tourist spot, so Saturday nights became a breeding ground for partiers on the hunt for a Toronto fling before going back to their lives. The soundtracks of three different bars competed for their attention, which usually annoyed Theo, but tonight, it was charming.

Dae took a step forward, his eyes dipping to Theo’s lips. Apparently Theo’s heart hadn’t gotten the memo that they were already together, because it jumped around his chest like it had too much sugar. The kiss was soft and sweet. Perfect.

“Goodnight, Theodore.” He started to walk away, but then turned around, the streetlight washing him in an ethereal glow. “I love you.”

Theo clicked his tongue at him. “That’s not first date behaviour.”

Dae’s head fell to the side in an adorable pout. “And?”

“And…” Theo hadn’t known this kind of happiness was possible. “I love you too.”

NINTH SEPTEMBER

A Long Month

Theo knew he was scowling, which was not his most attractive expression, but he couldn’t help it. “This is dumb.”

Dae gave him his seventh Theo-sigh that morning. “It’s only for a month.”

He almost kicked the suitcase sitting by the front door, but showed incredible restraint for a guy whose boyfriend was moving out. “You love that I hate this.”

The corners of Dae’s lips crinkled in his attempt to not-smile. “A little bit, yes.”

When Dae got a job as a language consultant on a movie, Theo brushed off the fact that they provided housing. It didn’t apply to Dae, since they lived seven subway stops away from the shoot. It took every mature cell in Theo’s body (so, not many) not to have a nervous breakdown when Dae told him he’d be taking it. Dae’s reason, he had assured him an absurd amount of times, was that it was actually beneficial for him to be there for the late-night shoots and script rewrites. And that it would be good for their relationship, too, since they’d never been apart. When Theo practically screamed the word, Korea, he’d amended that they'd never been apart since they were together, which was a sentence that hurt his brain.

Theo stood in front of the door. “What if you fall in love with a sexy actor?”

“Then I’ll invite you to the wedding.”

“What if Stairway Bill hits on me again?”

“Then you’ll invite me to the wedding. Though,” Dae said thoughtfully, “Stairway Bill strikes me as someone who would want a small service. Something tasteful.”

It was evening, usually about the time they’d settle onto the couch, Theo snuggling into the crook of Dae’s neck to watch whatever nonsense they’d settled on. Sure, they were stuck in something others might call a rut, but Theo liked their rut. It was a cozy rut. He didn’t want anything messing with their rut!

He huffed. “Don’t go. I’ll miss you.”

“Yes, Theo. That’s the point.” Dae secured the last button on his jacket like that was it—the deciding button. Once it was done up, there was no going back. “I’ll miss you too, which again, is the point.”

Theo wrapped his arms around his middle and pulled him close, breathing him in. “You have to call me every night.”

A nod. “Deal.”

“And send me pictures.”

“Of landscapes?” Theo squeezed aggressively hard and Dae grunted. “Okay. Selfies. Got it.”