Page 105 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

The next few weeks seemed to both fly and drag.

Dustin felt like he couldn’t think of anything but Landon. When they were apart, he held himself back from messaging too often. He allowed himself video calls before Landon went to bed only once or twice a week. They shared a bed, alternating between places, every few days. So it shouldn’t have felt like it wasn’t enough.

Landon hadn’t ever told him he was hovering too much. But then, Dustin was still holding himself back.

But tonight, he got to see Landon again, and the very thought of it brought color back into his world.

He was driving to the movie theater for a double date, or something like it, with Ash and Zhong. It was something with superheroes that he hadn’t bothered to look up at all when Landon asked if he wanted to go, and not just because it was a special showing with subtitles.

All that Dustin could imagine was taking his boy, his middle, out to an action movie and doing dirty things to him in the back row, Landon’s eyes fixed on the screen and his small noises drowned out by the explosions.

Not that it was going to happen. They’d talked about having scenes again in a kind of hypothetical way. They discussed how Landon wasn’t sure how often he might want to regress or whether it should be on a regular schedule or have some sort of codeword to get started. Mostly, Landon said he didn’t know and would want to figure it out by exploring.

Meanwhile, Dustin had read everything he could about age play and subdrop. He talked with Zhong about his concerns and insecurities. He’d purchased two crops and practiced using them an embarrassing number of times on a pillow. And he’d bought an embarrassing number of little gifts and projects that a teenaged boy or girl might enjoy, accompanied by jolts of arousal in inappropriate places like supermarkets and clothing stores.

Dustin wasn’t quite sure how long they should wait to dive back into things, but he was itching to get started again. The only thing stopping him was the conviction that this slower pace would be good for Landon, evidence that every aspect of his life was important and Dustin wasn’t going anywhere.

Dustin pulled into the parking lot and wove his way into the theater lobby. Three pairs of eyes lit up when they saw him and his chest warmed. His oldest friend, his boyfriend, and Ash, who was becoming increasingly important to him. He couldn’t catch everything they were saying from across the crowded room, but the conversation was definitely on superheroes. Zhong and Landon’s enthusiasm made him smile.

When Dustin reached the group, he slid up behind Landon and wrapped his arms around him, watching the conversation from over his shoulder. Zhong was passionately describing the character development of two characters over several movies with Landon chiming in and offering counter-examples.

Ash gave Dustin an aren’t-they-cute sort of look and leaned against Zhong’s shoulder. It looked like Ash wasn’t following anything either, but they were still pleased to be there.

Ever since that first game night, the pair had been inseparable, and Dustin loved watching them together. Ash seemed to so easily fill a need that Zhong had, but Dustin wasn’t sure if the two of them would ever match up. Dustin had told Zhong, months ago, that Ash had a crush on him, so it couldn’t be lack of knowledge. Maybe Zhong’s asexuality, and Ash’s kinks, were too much of a bridge for them to cross.

Dustin checked the time and herded the group toward the theater. Zhong and Ash headed to the concession stand, which gave Dustin a little time with Landon.

Landon was staring at a movie poster, but he didn’t look like he was really seeing it. He looked tired. A bit withdrawn.

Dustin stepped in front of him. You OK?

Yeah. I’m good. Landon put on a smile, but his eyes didn’t really soften until Dustin cupped his cheeks.

Do you want to talk about it? Dustin finally had to ask.

Landon shrugged. Not much to say. Just a bit exhausted. Almost the end of the school year, you know?

It was killing Dustin not to step in and take over everything. But Landon hadn’t really asked, and Dustin didn’t want to overstep.

They’d been having more and more days like this, days where Landon was just a bit listless and distant. If this was what Landon was typically like, Dustin would still care about him just as much, but it sent his protective instincts into overdrive. He wanted to fix it. To give Landon everything he needed and make him happy.

Instead, it felt a little bit like Landon was drifting away.

Did you eat today? Dustin couldn’t stop himself from asking.

Landon didn’t quite roll his eyes, but he seemed frustrated. Not fiery and rebellious, though. Not asking Dustin to take him in hand and then cosset him and piece him back together. Just exhausted-frustrated.

I had a sandwich at lunch today. And I went to sleep after we talked last night. I didn’t have time to go running this morning, though.

Dustin found himself scowling. That wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

Do you want to stay over tonight? We can go running together in the morning and I can drop you off at work. The theater was near Landon’s apartment, so Dustin assumed he’d walked.

Landon’s smile brightened a bit. Yeah, I’d like that.

Good. Now what about dinner? I’ll be late by the time the movie is over.

Landon made a face. I don’t want a hot dog or anything that involves artificial cheese product. I’ll be fine.