Bright rays of sunlight streamed through the window harshly falling on Benedict as he stirs to remind him that another day has begun. His eyes slowly open and he blinks slowly, groggily taking in his surroundings. A splendidly decorated room met him, with elaborate wallpapered walls and velvet curtains pulled aside to let light stream in. His eyes travel away from the window, his sleepy reflexes slowly recalling the night before. That's right. He had stayed over at Henry's and...He lets his eyes roam over to the man in question, standing at an ornate mirror fixing his necktie. Their eyes met and he smiled.
"Ah, awake at last! Was thinking of waking you up earlier but figured you probably needed the sleep"
"Mmh," he mumbles, still too early in the morning for him to form words.
"I shall be heading downstairs, to call for the Cook to make preparations for breakfast. Your clothes are washed, so can I trust you, to be left here and get dressed?" he pauses a wry smile on his face, "or do I need to drag you out of bed?". He advances toward Benedict and clasps the bedsheets seemingly about to pull them off.
Benedict's eyes widen with sleepy fear, "Please don't!"
"Just kidding." he lets go of the bedsheets, pats Benedict on the shoulder fondly then heads out, leaving Benedict sitting in bed alone drowsingly.
He eventually gathers the energy to heave his heavy body out of bed and strides along to where his washed clothes were and puts them on slowly. Once he is ready, he feels more awake and as he proceeds downstairs he remembers what he was going to ask Henry. He decided he would not back out of it, he must not and concluded on it he sits across from Henry, nodding a quiet hello.
"Sleep, well?"
"Better than I have in ages, actually."
"Really? Then you must stay over more often if my bed brings you such comfort!"
It was an offhand remark but Benedict couldn't help but get flustered as if Henry had suggested they sleep in the same bed. He supposed now that he could put a name on it, lust makes your mind do strange things.
He reminded himself again, of what he must ask and thought better to ask now while they are sitting here together in solitude, breakfast not yet on the table.
He clears his throat, feeling strangely nervous, "You know, Henry, I'd like to ask you something."
"What is it? Ask away and I will try my best to supply an adequate answer."
There was a lazy but natural smile on his face and it gave Benedict comfort and confidence to ask his inquisition.
"This feels a little embarrassing to say out loud but say, is it possible for a man or woman to like both genders at the same time?"
"Of course. The Greeks and Romans found familiarity in having both male and female lovers simultaneously if that's what you're asking, yes it is possible. Why do you ask?"
"Just curiosity. That party of yours made me wonder if such a thing was achievable," he responds, making sure not to reveal much. He glances at Henry, trying to make out his reaction to his answer. He didn't think Henry could tell, tell that it was a personal question of his own desires or if he could he simply didn't mention it. They fall into a comfortable silence for a bit until Henry clears his throat about to say something, eyes on his chest.
"Your necktie is messed up, mind if I fix it?" Benedict nods in response and Henry leans over with nimble hands putting it into place. Benedict feels his heart leap a little by the contact of Henry leaning over him, so close torsos almost touching. He instinctively shook his head, trying to clear his head of sinful thoughts but stopped, realising- there was nothing wrong in thinking such things. Sure, rules and society said different but something undeniable is that love or even attraction for someone can't be decided and if it can't be decided then who are others to dictate and forbade who he can and can't fall for. There is no sin in passion.
Breakfast is delivered and the two eat breakfast, doused in tranquil and light conversation. Time passes by so quickly that he nearly doesn't realise the time but jumps from his chair when he does realise, as he must be off to attend another listless wedding planning event.
"Sorry,, for it was so great talking to you I just didn't realise the time, I must be going. Wedding planning, that I'm somehow required to be there for."
Henry gives him a sympathetic smile, "Can't be helped. Come on, and i'll see you to the door then."
Henry showing him to the door and saying his prolonged goodbyes was beginning to become a rather common thing nowadays, not that he disliked it; rather the opposite in fact. He did note, frowning slightly as he did so that he had not invited Henry to his house yet, how rude of him. But with everything being so occupied with bustling guests and panicked mothers it was far too busy to invite him yet.
"Everything alright, Benedict?" Henry asks, who must have taken notice of his slight frown.
"Just realised with all these lovely visits to your house, I haven't once invited you to mine. How rude of me! Many apologies, I'm not being a very charitable guest, am I? However, up at the house everything is much occupied at the moment, with all the hustle and bustle of nuptials, you won't find a moment of peace, so I'm afraid a visit will have to be postponed to a later date, preferably after the wedding." he offers an apologetic smile, hoping he would understand the situation at hand.
"It is fine. Don't worry so much, Benedict. However I was wondering if at a later date, perhaps Saturday that you would be free for a visit at my house?" he looked rather nervous as he said it, one of the first glimpses of such emotion from the man, and he wondered what he was about to suggest," No fanciful parties or even a small congregation of people, just you and I, I can teach you some painting, considering you are a budding artist- I see your potential."
Benedict nearly grins with fervency, "Sounds delightful. I am free Saturday even, 7ish if that sounds good to you?"
Of course, they had met before in the presence of other people but this would be the first time they would meet up alone and Benedict felt feelings of both unease and zeal. He supposed they were alone right now, but that was different, it was just simply too late to head home so Henry graciously offered for him to stay over.
"Yes," they reach the door and opening it he continues," see you then." he then smiles and leans forward leaving a gentle, chaste kiss on his cheek barely giving him time to react or utter a quick response instead of leaving him standing in shock.
It was the European greeting and goodbye, I mean Henry wasn't European, obviously but surely it wasn't strange? He had known Henry to be pretty touchy but it still managed to take him by surprise. It was a friendly kiss he resolved but still found himself wishing for more, touching the right cheek where he had been kissed, still feeling the swift but intimate gesture of soft, pillowy lips touching his skin.
He was flushed all over, he was sure of it but he brushed it off and walked home feeling warm inside as he normally did after in the presence of a certain curious man with an impossible gase and a warm embrace. His feelings were unequivocal now, he was sometimes dense but even he knew that but as he made his way home he felt himself not wanting to do anything about it yet, instead just enjoying the sweet, blissful feeling he had before uttering feelings of amor. He was perfectly content with just that. Just feeling, for now, was enough for him.
YOU ARE READING
Looking at 'Art'
Romance"I can't tell you how piercingly and endlessly I think about you" Benedict always desired something different. But he never knew exactly what that was exactly. Meeting a curious man who sends his senses spiralling it almost seems as if he has found...
