Finding Love in the District

Touch

An hour later, Skye was lightly bandaged and comfortable on the couch, breaking open his order of shoyu ramen that Ros had delivered, while Ros unpacked a deluxe bento box assortment. Between bites, they talked over many different topics, occasionally teasing and joking along the way. Another hour soon became 3, the time well past 10pm as they sat on the couch still, horribly ingrained in one episode of House of Cards.

Without even noticing it, they were much closer than before, their shoulders leaning against each other as they rested back against the couch cushions. Skye sat cross-legged on the couch, his right knee gently resting atop Ros' left, who didn't seem to mind the contact at all. Ros' left arm was lazily resting behind him as it stretched along the back of the couch, fully engrossed in the show. Once the current episode ended, a small yawn escaped Skye unexpectedly.

"Are you tired?" Ros asked, looking over towards him with a smile.

"I guess so..." Skye replied, a bit surprised. "I'm getting old. It's not even 11 yet."

"Old, he says..." Ros stated with a frown, only to see Skye laugh.

"34 isn't old either." Skye stated, nudging Ros with his knee lightly.

"And neither is 28. You're still quite youthful." Ros admitted with a smile, his left hand reaching up to gently caress Skye's hair.

Skye stared back quietly, not expecting the touch. While it felt incredibly comforting, he still wasn't sure what to make of it.

Ros could see the uncertainty on Skye's face, and he quickly moved his hand away, almost upset with himself over it. "I'm sorry. That was rude." He stated firmly, shifting away from Skye entirely.

"It's alright..." Skye spoke softly, internally cursing himself for not being able to relax and not overthink. After Ros moved away from him completely, his internal cursing intensified.

"Should I drive you home? It is quite late." Ros asked, glancing over at a clock that rested on a wall that read 10:47pm.

YES, is what his mind screamed at him, only for Skye to shake his head to decline the offer with a smile. "It's late, but I can call a Lyft of something. Besides, I also have my bike. I can always take the metro home too."

"Alright... if you think you'll manage." Ros stated, hesitantly.

"I'll be fine." Skye assured him, only to mentally kick himself for his decision.

"Ok... let me bring up your bike from the garage. If you want to meet me in the lobby, I can bring it there." Ros stated, getting to his feet.

"Sure, I'll get a ride on the app and meet you there." Skye replied, getting up as well.

Ros made his way towards the door, grabbing his keys along the way, before reaching over and grabbing a small canvas bag. "You can put your clothes from earlier in here. Sorry I didn't get a chance to wash them. Also, you can keep the clothes you have on." Ros offered, before heading out the door.

"Thanks." Skye responded afterwards, watching him leave quietly before the door shut. "I'm... a damn idiot." He told himself with a sigh, before retreating to gather his things.

-

Once in the lobby, Skye was waiting along with Ros for his rideshare to arrive, a rather large SUV that was big enough to fit his bike in the backseat or trunk.

"Should be here in 3 minutes." Skye stated as he looked at his phone.

"Oh good, not too long, then. At least you'll get home before the major party crowd comes out around midnight." Ros mentioned.

"Yeah, that's usually when my roommate goes out, so at least it will be quiet." Skye forced out with a slight roll of his eyes, the thought of his roommate annoying him immediately.

"Well, that's good," Ros stated with a laugh, "A nice, quiet way to end a rough day."

"Agreed. Thanks again for your help, as well as the pleasant date. I really enjoyed myself." Skye admitted.

"I'm glad to hear that." Ros spoke with a warm smile. "I... think your ride is here." He stated, glancing out the doors. A large, beige SUV appeared out front, the trunk popping open not too long after. Ros rolled the bike to the back and placed it in securely once they stepped outside, while Skye confirmed everything with the driver.

"Alright, all set. Have a safe trip home." Ros stated.

"Thanks, I'll see you soon..." Skye replied with a smile.

"I hope so. I must keep this track record of good dates up." Ros teased with a grin.

"I mean, 2 dates don't cut it. I need at least 4." Skye joked back.

"That, I can certainly do," Ros rebutted, before reaching over carefully to hug Skye. "Have a good night."

"You too..." Skye spoke softly, taking in the scent of the doctor as he did so. Once they broke the hug, Skye climbed into the backseat of the SUV as Ros shut the door behind him, the driver leaving not too long after.

Sitting in the back of the SUV, Skye stared out the window at the passing scenery in frustration and disappointment. The driver and himself came to a mutual agreement that a conversation just wasn't going to be a thing as small talk eventually trailed off to silence. His mind fixated on the moment when Ros had lightly touched him, recalling the gentle caressing of his fingers as they maneuvered through his soft waves of curls like it was instinct. He recalled looking back at Ros, his own eyes catching the intense stare from the green ones that were fixated on him in return. A slight shiver ran over him when he recalled the entire scene, a sigh escaping him not too long after. He internally fought with himself as he tried to press those images out of his mind.

I do not want to do anything with him. It's too soon. Skye refused any serious physical actions with Ros this early, not wanting to let this fall into some type of fling or one-night stand. However, he surprised himself entirely with that thought, his face shifting from annoyance to surprise.

Oh god... I'm falling for him, aren't I?

-

Happy New Year!

I hope your first week in 2023 is going smoothly. As always, to get early access to early chapters, join my Patreon. The prices have actually been reduced moving forward, so hopefully it makes it easier and affordable to join.

Until next week! - Blu