The Death Of A Bachelor

Never Been Kissed

"You look nice." Ryan smirked.

He sat across the table from Brendon in the Chinese restaurant a block away from the bakery.

Brendon shrugged the compliment off nonchalantly. Pretending it was no big deal. When in reality he'd spent forever looking for an outfit this morning. He quickly realized he didn't have any nice clothing so he settled on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a white button up.

Ryan, of course, walked into the bakery looking like a million bucks. Beige slacks, a monogrammed polo and a dark blue blazer. Every aspect of his look seeming to have stepped straight off the pages of a fashion catalog.

"You look nicer."

"It's a gift." Ryan smirked.

"You're so humble." Brendon laughed.

"I don't have a reason to be."

"That confidence is amazing."

"It's learned."

"Wow." Brendon sat back in his chair. Using his fork to poke at his meal.

"You're wearing a wedding ring." His eyes narrowed.

"Yeah." Brendon smiled down fondly at his left hand. "I'm married."

Ryan placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward. His dark eyes searching Brendon's.

"Tell me about him."

"How do you know it's a guy?" Ryan arched one eyebrow as if to say are you serious? Brendon laughed. "His name is Dallon."

"How long have you been married?"

"A little over three years."

"What does he look like?"

"He's pretty tall. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Average build."

"That's a boring description. Do you have a picture?"

"I do actually." Brendon dug into his front pocket for his wallet. He flipped it open and flashed he and Dallon's wedding picture.

Ryan grinned. "He's beautiful."

"Thank you. He's taken." Brendon teased.

Ryan laughed. He lifted the wallet from Brendon's hands and inspected the picture more closely. He sighed.

"You guys are so lucky." Ryan sat the wallet on the table. "This is going to sound really weird but, can I try on your wedding ring?"

"What? Why?"

"I-I just. . . I'm never going to get married. I know that. And I want to know what it feels like to wear an actual wedding ring."

Brendon smiled sadly. Against his better judgment, he slipped the ring from the place it'd been happily resting for over three years. He handed it to Ryan carefully.

Ryan's face lit up as he took the ring. He slipped it on his left ring finger and held it up to the light. The smile he spread towards Brendon was breathtaking. A happy feeling filled Brendon's stomach. He didn't know something so small could make someone so happy.

"You know, I'm pretty sure you're going to get married one day, Ryan."

Ryan's eyes snapped up from the ring to look at him. "I don't think so."

"You're young right now. You have plenty of time to find your soulmate."

"I haven't even had my first kiss."

"What?!"

Ryan blushed. "It's embarrassing. I know."

"I-It's surprising. I mean, you're a good looking fellow. Well dressed, fun. I don't even understand you being single."

"Nobody wants me."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"It is." Ryan stood up. "I have to go."

"You haven't even finished eating."

"I-I'm not hungry." His voice cracked. He coughed to cover it up. "I really just need to-" He didn't finish his sentence before he was rushing out of the door.

Brendon jumped up from his seat. He didn't exactly understand what just happened. But he felt like he needed to make sure Ryan was okay. He left the money for the bill. And then rushed out to find him.

He didn't have to look far. Ryan was standing in the alley way beside the Chinese restaurant. His back was turned to Brendon. He could hear him sniffling. So Brendon approached him slowly.

"Hey," He whispered softly. Grabbing Ryan's shoulder to turn him around. His tear stained face made Brendon's stomach twist in knots. "What's wrong."

"I'm sorry." He wiped the corner of his eyes. "Y-You're just so lucky to be so happy. It made me emotional and I didn't want you to see me cry."

"You're going to be happy with someone one day too, Ryan." He leaned over to wipe the young boy's face. "You're going to be kissed and married and loved."

"No I'm not."

Without thinking, Brendon leaned closer to him. His lips gently pressing against Ryan's soft ones. Just as quickly as it happened, it ended. And he backed away from him.

"Now you've been kissed."