Just A Smile

Chapter 8: A shirtless DD and sunsets

Chapter Eight: A shirtless DD and sunsets

The sunlight burned his eyes as Quinton rolled out of bed, made sure to put a shirt on, and crept through the doorway. Zeus had been laying somewhere with DD, but the moment Quinton's door opened, the dog was running down the hall to greet his almost favorite person. Each fox was still nestled within their owners' closets, avoiding the sunlight. Qawaya was being slow as ever, shaking her thick fur and curling up into a ball beside Quinton as he sat on the living room floor.

It had become a normal thing for this family, sitting down and enjoying the fresh air of the open windows. He didn't bother turning the TV on, he knew nothing would be interesting without DD's deep input. He'd found a way to look deeply into Adventure Time the other day, and it made Quinton watch things differently.

Singing from DD's room came into earshot and Quinton pouted. The man, with his thick accent and hard slurs, could sing pretty good. Although he wasn't the best voice, his confidence hurt Quinton's pride. The man was so stubborn, but it was also seemingly amazing.

The water turned off, and DD was heard ruffling around. Quinton fell onto his back, Zeus crawling over to lick him all over his face. Quinton pushed the dog off just as Qawaya began as well, waiting for DD to walk in and ask what to do for breakfast like he normally did.

"Quinton," he heard the male call. "What do we want to eat?" Quinton was glaring at Zeus, but turned to look at the man, immediately wishing he hadn't of done so. A blush covered his face in mere seconds at the sight of DD in nothing but a towel. He quickly sat up, looking to the curtains. They were a dark purple, therefore somewhat clearing his mind of DD's toned... chest... the v line...

Shut up Quinton, he snapped at himself. "U-u-umm," he stuttered instead. His hands began to twitch, so he started twiddling his thumbs, a habit he developed at a young age. He was suddenly aware of DD coming closer and all Quinton wanted to do was look farther under the towel but sadly, all he could do was try not to stare. He felt the blush deepen as DD leaned down, patting at Quinton's hair to fix a few strands that stuck up. The edge of the towel was right there... so close...

What the hell was he thinking?

The man probably thought it was odd, having Quinton not even dare to glance at him. The idea of the date Quinton had asked the man out on flashed into mind at the wrong moment and Quinton suppressed a groan. The man probably thought that he'd backed out, he just couldn't seem to figure out if DD actually liked poetry or anything similar. There was a possibility of River's suggestion of a poetry slam could work, but what if DD thought he was a nerd? Ugh, men. DD's hand patted Quinton's head one last time. "We could go out, get coffee and go somewhere."

Quinton's face flushed an even deeper red, if that was even humanly possible and he just whispered, "Uhh. Uhh. Sure?"

When DD's face suddenly came oddly close to his, and the man's lips brushed Quinton's ear, a dark feeling rocketed through Quinton's body. His body shivered, and he tried to push it away. "It's a date." Then, the man was gone, slipping down the hallway with laughter ringing. Quinton cried out, yelling, "you asshole!" as he realized just what DD had done.

"Seven, eight, nine, ten."

"You're still counting?" DD asked. Quinton was staring out the window at all of the passing dogs. He'd seen multiple and he really didn't like the idea of all of the animals being homeless. He could feel DD's eyes on him as he continued counting.

"I don't like that. Ten dogs just down this stretch. Fifteen down the other..." He pouted and continued counting, muttering the numbers allowed to bother DD.

"How about this, we find some place to put them and start a business?" DD asked. Quinton couldn't tell if he was being genuine or not, therefore he didn't react exactly. That and he'd feel bad, taking DD's money even if the man was oddly rich. "I think it would be cool," the man added at Quinton's silence.

Quinton shrugged dismissively, looking out the window still. "I'd love to but, I don't have money if you haven't noticed. Plus, that Halloween thing is coming up..."

There was a crackling tension within the car, but Quinton just sat silently as DD pulled into a parking lot and smiled at him. "ready?"

"As I'll ever be I guess," Quinton responded, sighing and smiling. DD was out of the car in seconds, opening Quinton's for him and smiling widely. Quinton was then lead into a beautiful café, and Carter worked at the front.

"DD! Quinton! What's up?" Carter asked. He was in a uniform, standing behind the counter with a smile on his face. Quinton just stood there, awkwardly looking around as he did so. DD ordered, for both, and didn't give Quinton time to dig any money out before he paid and DD was leading him to a booth. There, they asked multiple questions, like their favorite colors, if they liked poetry, passions.

"Quinton, I noticed you're really jumpy, why?" DD suddenly asked.

Quinton just blinked, shrugged and said, "bad childhood."

"Oh?"

"Yep. I grew up in Grand Rapids though, so that was seen often. I noticed you're kinda jumpy in public, why's that?"

"Mob child. I learned to keep my head down and mouth shut. I stand out though, so I know either my dad's mob or anyone out to hurt my dad might be after me." DD shrugged simply and changed the subject. Quinton just allowed it.

Throughout the day they stayed at the café, nodding and laughing. Most times he saw couples send them envious looks. Little did they know, Quinton wasn't worthy of DD's time. He really felt as though the man deserved a lot more than him.

But that didn't stop Quinton from falling hard as hell when DD walked him to a cliff, told him to keep his eyes shut, and start walking around. God Quinton was aware of just how hard he was falling for that man and he knew he wasn't going to get up very soon. He's fallen head over heels for a man he barely knew and that was okay with him. He was okay with wanting DD in every way.

He was okay with what DD made him feel. The dirty feelings, the jealousy, the love.

A hand latched to his wrist and yanked him down, right into a lap. DD's shampoo hit his nose the minute he could breathe, and that was stolen from him the minute he realized he was basically on top of DD. "You can open your eyes now," DD's rough voice told Quinton. Quinton opened his eyes as he scrambled away, taking in the scene before him.

He was speechless. It was gorgeous and all he wanted was to sit there. "It's so pretty," he whispered. DD laughed, and Quinton saw him nod out of the corner of his eye. The blue haired man then looked out towards the sun.

"Watch," the man warned. Quinton turned to see DD pointing, the sun slipping below the horizon. An Explosion of colors swept across the sky. Clouds blocked some colors and added to the beautiful scene. A mixture of pink, purple, red, orange, and yellow covered the sky and blocked out most of the bluish hue. Quinton felt his mouth form the shape of an O as he watched it.

"Wow," he managed. That was all he could say as he felt DD's eyes on him. The man then turned to the sky, before looking back at Quinton and scooting over a bit more.

The man whispered, "wow," and Quinton was nearly beaming.

"DD," he suddenly muttered.

"Hmm?" the man hummed.

Quinton turned, crossed legs wedging themselves onto DD's so that he was basically sitting on the man's lap. Quinton's eyes sparkled as he said, "thank you," and leaned in.

Just to kiss DD.