Of Flowers and Fire

Chapter 13

Diego's front door opened and he jumped into a standing position off of his couch. His mother raised her eyebrow and gave him an amused smirk, "Hola, Diego."

Diego dropped his arms and steadied his breathing. "Hola," he said. She pushed the door closed behind her. "No flowers today?" Diego questioned raising his hands to his neck. He laced his fingers behind his head.

"No, not today," she said, "I figured you could buy them yourself. You are over there frequently." Diego's face colored and he crossed his arms over his chest. "How was the wedding?" She asked.

"It was rough, mom," Diego told her watching her walk to his couch and sit down with her purse in her lap. "Sawyer had fun," he said. Before he left, he didn't tell her.

"And did you?" She asked gesturing at him.

"I had fun with Sawyer," he said disappearing into his bedroom. He came back out and handed the name placard out to his mother. "They made a name mistake."

"'Mr. and Mr. Diego Torres,' well, knowing Jai it wasn't a mistake," She tutted looking down at the name card and smiling, "He was probably trying to make you uncomfortable." Diego nodded and sat down next to his mother. "You kept the card?"

Diego blushed and rolled his eyes, "Yeah."

She grinned at her son proudly, "How are things going with the two of you?"
It had been three weeks since Sawyer left Diego in Chicago, and it had taken the entirety to completely forgive him. He knew he probably wouldn't ever really forget it, but it hurt less to think of it now. Sawyer apologized to him everyday. He also kissed Diego everyday which definitely helped the forgiveness along. "Okay, I think," he said.

"Are the two of you dating yet?"

"Mom!"

"It's an honest question, mi hijo," she shrugged and handed the name card back to him. He held it with both hands and subconsciously rubbed the edges.

"We're friends," Diego said. He couldn't exactly say what they were. They'd danced and kissed and Sawyer had sucked his dick, so they were decidedly more than just friends, but he didn't know how to describe it. They were undefined. They were rough edges and eraser shavings. They were together but separate.  They were something and nothing all at once.

Maria raised an eyebrow and said, "Mhm."

"I don't know, mom," Diego sighed, "We aren't, like, boyfriends or whatever."

Maria frowned and glanced at her watch, "I have an appointment, Diego." She stood and flattened her skirt. She smiled at Diego as she reached the door and said, "Adios."

"Bye," Diego sighed leaning back against the couch cushions. He looked down at the name card and sighed, almost smiling.

~

Diego looked at Sawyer and smiled before he even went inside. He was holding a red rose in his mouth and arranging white daisies in a tall vase. He pushed open the door and savored the way Sawyer looked up and gave him a soft smile. "Hey, Sawyer," he said.

Sawyer lifted a hand and took the rose from his mouth, "Hi! You're here early."

Diego leaned against the desk and raised an eyebrow, "You're not in the workshop?"

"I wanted a change of scenery," Sawyer shrugged and leaned forward to press a kiss against Diego's cheek. "What's up?"

"I wanted to show you something," Diego announced smiling as he watched Sawyer place the rose very delicately in the arrangement. Smiles came to him easier now that Sawyer was part of his life.