Shades Of Blue

42. Tokens

*WARNING FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING*

Neel

February

Age 17

 
It was just after school when they arrived at Benjie's house. Mr. and Mrs. Archer were at work, and Ellie was upstairs in her bedroom. From the front door, Benjie bee-lined for the kitchen to help himself to one of his father's cans of beer. "Want one?" he asked Neel.

"Maybe later," Neel replied, setting his backpack down in the living room next to the couch.

Benjie returned with a freshly opened can, sat on the couch next to his boyfriend, and chugged half of it down. When he noticed Neel was giving him a strange look, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "What?"

"It's not even 4 p.m. yet," Neel informed him. "You're gonna be plastered before the sun even goes down."

Defiantly, Benjie downed more of his beverage. "Judgey."

Neel nervously adjusted in his seat, chewing the inside of his cheek. "I'm not judging. It's just that I wanted you to be sober for this."

Pensively, Benjie set the can down onto the coffee table. He gulped at a lump in his throat and wondered, "you're breaking up with me?"

"No," Neel insisted, making a face. "Why would you think that?"

Benjie shrugged. "I dunno. You've been quiet all day and now you're saying you want me sober for some reason. I think it's a reasonable theory."

"Don't be stupid," Neel laughed and kissed Benjie's forehead. He reached into his backpack, pulled out a small object and held it behind his back. "I know you said you wanted to skip Valentine's Day."

"Oh, fuck," Benjie chuckled, dragging his hand down his face in giddy embarrassment. "I told you not to get me anything."

"I know," Neel sighed. "But this isn't just for Valentine's Day." He brought his hand around from behind his back, holding a small box. A ring box. Neel popped it open to show Benjie the silver band he had gotten him. "Move to Vancouver with me in September. You can work and go to school next year if you want. We can be together."

Benjie stared at the ring, unsure of what to say.

"But if you wanna stay here, we can figure it out," Neel said as he rubbed his partner's knee. "I don't wanna lose you just because I'm going away to school."

"Maybe you shouldn't have applied so far away, then," Benjie jested before nuzzling Neel's neck to let him know he was joking.

"Fuck off," Neel grumbled, pretending to be offended.

"Are you sure you want me there?" Benjie wondered, his tone now serious as he took the ring to inspect it. Inside was an engraved infinity symbol. "I don't wanna hold you back or anything."

"Hold me back from what?" he chortled.

"Other people."

Brows furrowed, Neel took Benjie's chubby face into his hands. "What other people? It's just me and you."

Their lips met as they sat on the couch together, their fingers now linked. "Come upstairs," Benjie instructed.

"Yes, sir!" Neel saluted and followed Benjie up to the second floor. They passed Ellie's closed door and entered Benjie's bedroom. With no hesitation, Neel pulled Benjie close, kissing his neck as he slid his hand under Benjie's shirt to feel his skin.

Benjie giggled and pushed him away. "Get off of me, you horny bastard," he said, pulling open the top drawer of his desk to take out a slightly larger box than the one Neel had just given to him. The black velvet box sat in his hand, ready to be offered to Neel. "This isn't a Valentine's Day present either. More like a token of loyalty."

Neel snapped open the box as soon as Benjie gave it to him. Inside, he found a brand new, expensive looking watch with an engraving etched on the back of the watch's face. It read, You're Perfect <B.

"What's the infinity symbol about?" Benjie wondered, still examining his present.

"I know it's corny," Neel admitted. "But it's supposed to represent that I wanna be with you forever. I'd be with you longer if I could," Neel tried to explain. "You're my 'one,' you know?"

A tiny smirk emerged on Benjie's face. "We're each other's 'one.'"