How to Self Harm (A Noelian)

The truth is just as good to sting with

Noel skipped into Julian's flat, happy as he'd ever been. Julian was already in bed, although that might have been as he hadn't woken up. Noel lit a cigarette, and the smell woke the older man up.
"Hello, little man."
"Hello."
"How did the date go?"
"Alright. We've been on two now."
"Oh."
"And you know what they say about third dates."
"Indeed."
"That's coming up in a few days. Got any advice for not freaking him out with the bedroom antics?"
"Noel, I'm a forty two year old man who's only real emotional connection is to cigarettes, booze, and a nineteen year old lad he shags. Of course I don't have dating advice. Does he know about the scars?"
"Oh, shit. I never thought of that. No, he doesn't."
"I don't mind them," Julian said, thinking out loud. "I find them fascinating. They're the outer representation of my insides."
Noel looked at him with a raised eyebrows. "Are you hinting?"
Julian's insides seemed to cringe. "Maybe." Can't get anything without trying.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"If it doesn't work out, I'll take you out. Anytime."
Noel rolled his eyes. "Oh, haha Julian. You're twenty three years older than me. You're amazing in bed but you can't honestly be telling me you're interested in dating someone who's so much younger."
Julian shut his mouth. He was, he really was. He decided to let it go and said something suggestive instead. Noel seemed to appreciate the subject change just as much as Julian needed it. Noel wasn't ever going to be interested.