Open Your Heart

Chapter 7

The way Chardenay's face fell at the news had him the slightest bit concerned. He knew he'd messed up his kids, but the idea that he was messing up this... friendship (it had to only be that, right?) was a bit more than he could take. "I could still try, but... I don't even know where I'd start with that one so..." Biting his lip, he watched Chardenay give him a quick little smile. "Anyways, I think I've talked your ear off enough about my kids." He chuckled nervously, but when the deathstalker gave him another, more sincere smile, he relaxed.

"You're fine, really. I'm enjoying talking to you. I like getting to know you more." Henroin smiled. Another familiar song started to play and he easily scooped Chardenay's hand up to dance some more. The other man didn't hesitate to set a hand on his shoulder lightly as they slowly started to sway. They danced slowly in silence to the song's opening, which didn't last too long before the lyrics kicked in.

"Put your head on my shoulder,

Hold me in your arms, baby,

Squeeze me oh-so-tight,

Show me that you love me too."

Even though they weren't saying anything, he still found himself relaxed, more comfortable now than he was while sitting in his own office. Extending Char out, he pulled his partner back until they were pressed against each other. Finding his mouth dry all of the sudden would have been fine, if he also hadn't lost all sense of the courtyard around them. Staring down into the melted mercury eyes before him took his breath away.

"Put your lips next to mine dear,

Won't you kiss me once, Baby,

Just a kiss goodnight,

Maybe you and I will fall in love."

Chardenay smiled as they slowly rocked across the courtyard stones, staying as close as they had been. All the while, Henroin tried to remember where he recognized the feeling from at all.

"People say that love's a game.

A game you just can't win,

If there's a way

I'll find it someday,

And then this fool will rush in."

Another spin and he was once again enamored by every little detail his brain was picking up. The way the light seemed to make the deathstalker glow a pale golden color. The sparkle in his eyes. The light smell of vanilla and honey that sank into his senses. The warmth that permeated the small space between them. Everything about the other man became his only focus. Before he could register the rest of the song, it ended and a new one began. Reaching a hand up, he lightly stroked his thumb over Chardenay's cheek and watched with great interest as the man closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. The deathstalker reached up and lightly took the hand before stepping back to guide him to one of the benches around the space. They both sat, but they never broke eye contact to do it.

There was a familiar tightness in his chest, a similar shortness of breath to decades before that should have made him worry, but it didn't even pass his mind. All he could think about now was the heat of their bodies where they had contact. Cupping the other man's face, he let himself fall prey to the need building through his every muscle and nerve. The need to be closer, to touch and be touched for the first time in forever. The closer they got, the more he found himself longing for a taste. Just a quick little taste, that didn't have to mean anything, right? Of course it didn't, because that was something he couldn't handle right now. An inch away, and their foreheads touched. He could feel Chardenay's breath now, and it only pushed him forward. They were so close that he swore he could feel those plump, soft lips against his already, and it was all he wanted right now.