The Dragon

Comfortable

I'll enjoy hell.

22 years old

"Happy anniversary, Linds."

"Same to you, Mark."

"So, I was thinking...I want to take you out tonight."

She looked at me in shock.

"Wait, what? Is that...?"

"My doctor said it should be fine last time I went. But I held off a little because I wanted to go out for something special."

"Well, okay then. Do you know where you want to go?"

"I was thinking we'd just walk around and see what looks good. It's been a while so I don't really remember what's around here..."

"Well okay, it's a plan."

Then she leaned forward and hugged me.

"I'm so happy for you. It's a big step."

"I know. My mom could tell you, I started crying when I told the doctor the plan and he said it was okay."

She leaned out a little and gave me a soft kiss.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

~~~

We were walking back from dinner, hand in hand, as we talked about just random stuff. When we got home, we both couldn't stop smiling. Then, I got an idea. I've been psyching myself up for this night for a long time and my doctor has been working his butt off to help me get to this point, which I'm sure was uncomfortable for both of us quite frankly. But he said it could work, especially considering it was her. I took ahold of her hand and quickly pulled her upstairs to my room. She let out a little yelp and a laugh and when we got to the room, she seemed a little confused. I shut and locked the door, making sure to steady my breathing before I turned around.

"Mark? What's up?"

"Um...so I've been thinking...I want to...try...ugh, how do I say this?"

"Just take your time. What do you want?"

"I...uh..."

"You know what, would it be easier to just show me?"

I thought about it, nodding before I slowly took the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Her eyes went wide when she realized what I meant.

"Are you sure? That's a big step, Mark..."

"I know, it's just...I've been working with my doctor since we started dating to be more comfortable with that stuff. And it's been going really well, and I know that I'm probably a crap boyfriend. I can't take you out a lot or meet your family as of right now, but I can at least do this...I still have a long way to go with other people, but I'm comfortable around you. And I think I'm ready."

She gulped nervously as she slowly walked toward me, cupping my cheek and gently kissing me.

"Okay. I trust you. But we'll take it all slow, and if there's a moment when it's too much, let me know, okay?"