(1) Learn How To Love

The Ferris Wheel: Part Two

"Steven, I-"

"So, Kevin apologized to me earlier," Steven spoke, not realizing he cut you off.

You had to take a second to come back to reality; "Yeah? It's about time. He rehearsed that speech for days."

"Really?"

"Yeah, made me give him notes," you laughed.

Steven smiled; "Well, you did good. I'm glad he's got such a close... friend."

You smiled a tight line, not sure where he was going with this.

"You're... friends... right?" He looked at you closely.

OH.

"Yeah! Yes, um- just friends, yeah," you laughed nervously. "He's actually got a thing going with Jamie now!"

"Jamie? Mailman Jamie?"

"Yeah!"

"Huh, good for them!"

"Yeah..."

You couldn't tell if it was the gentle sway of the Ferris wheel car or your nerves that were making your stomach churn, but whichever it was, it would be over soon.

You thought about your next words carefully.

"So, what about you?" You inched closer to Steven, placing your hand less than an inch from his. "You... and Connie, I mean. You're... friends?" You looked up into Steven's eyes, which seemed to examine every detail on your face.

"Yeah," Steven breathed, never looking away. "We're... friends." His face moved closer as he gently stroked the back of your hand. Your fingertips slowly interlaced with his, but you could hardly feel it. From head to toe, you had gone completely numb- aside from the flush in your cheeks, the tingling in your lips, and the quickening pace of your pounding heart. The feelings only intensified when you grew closer together. Your stomach fluttered, urging you to move closer- and you did. Bit by bit, the gap between your lips and Steven's became smaller and smaller, until-

Time seemed to stop when his lips met yours. Your heart skipped a beat in your chest as your knees grew weaker. All you could focus on was how soft his lips were against your own. The smell of him washed over you, in a way that was hypnotic beyond belief. You parted your lips and shivered, though you felt the furthest thing from cold. You allowed yourself to melt in his embrace, while his large frame leaned into you.

Steven placed his hand on your lower back, hungrily pulling you closer. Now that he had you, he never wanted to let you go. All he wanted to do was touch you, he didn't care where. All he knew was that he was addicted to the sensation that overwhelmed him every time you so much as brushed fingertips. He wanted more.

The kisses grew sloppy and messy until Steven moved from your lips, to your jaw, to your neck. The sensation was thrilling and euphoric- it sent addictive chills down your spine, over and over again. With your lips free, you wanted to say something, anything, but all you could think was that finally... finally... this was happening.

You gasped for air and let your head fall to the side while Steven planted hot kisses up and down your neck. You let your free hand wander from his shoulder, to his back, to his hip, until you found your fingertips creeping under the hem of his shirt and grazing his stomach. His skin was smooth, soft, and radiated heat. Your touch earned a shiver from Steven, who breathed heavily by your ear.

He took your hand from under his shirt and held it with the other. With both of his hands holding both of your hands, you put your forehead to his and caught your breath.

"I forgot we're in public," he whispered.

You laughed quietly, feeling pure relief and bliss. But mostly, joy.

You kissed one last time, a small peck, before separating to appreciate the view from the top of the ferris wheel.

"You can see all of Beach City from here," you whispered.

"Yeah," Steven breathed, "but that's not the view I'm admiring."

You looked at him, but couldn't keep serious for even a second.

"PFFT- Shut up!" You leaned into him playfully.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I had to," Steven laughed.

After a long and comfortable silence, the ferris wheel started to spin again, bringing your cart down to earth. But you and Steven were still on cloud nine.

"So," Steven started, "it's funny that both our exes are gay now, huh?"

💫