"Damn, you're so boring", he says as smoke from his cigarette rolls out of his mouth in swirls.
"I don't need drugs to live, considering they do the opposite", I counter, trailing off a little due to how mesmerizing the smoke and his lips were.
"Who...
As we walk in, I notice that the aquarium is quite empty. Usually it is filled up with kids everywhere on field trips but today, it seems like it's a slow day. I tug on my wristband and fix it slightly as we stop to look around the place. I can't help but think of the first time I was here. Elvis brought me to help me with my "hard time" getting used to New York a couple weeks after we met in class. The aquarium was just one of the many places he took me but this one, I remember, was probably my favorite. I smile as I look around, memories running through my mind before my eyes land on Malik. His eyes are scanning the place from top to bottom with a questioning look on his face and he is tugging on his wristband like a lost child looking for his parents. His eyes move slowly around the place before they meet mine and he gives me a strange look.
"I can't believe we are doing this", he finally says.
"Why?", I ask him with a smile and trying not to laugh at the doubt clear on his face, it's kind of funny.
"We are in our twenties and here we are in an aquarium at what- Nine in the morning? Shouldn't we be at work instead?", he asks and I roll my eyes at him.
"I thought you wouldn't care about that. Even if we are in our twenties that doesn't mean you can't have fun. Besides, didn't you say you didn't have to worry about your company because you are a millionaire? Stop wasting time and let's go rich boy", I say to him grabbing him by the elbow and tugging him along.
For about twenty minutes we walk around, exploring the aquarium. I can't help but feel enthusiasm as I watch Malik's face full of wonder, surprise and joy. He looks like a small child having the time of his life and for some reason, I am enjoying seeing him like this. I pull out my phone and quickly take a picture of him as he stands in front of the penguins. Thankfully he doesn't notice since he's too in awe. I stare at the picture and smile. His face has a bluish tint because of the exhibit but I catched him looking up as one of the penguins swam by. Smiling, I put my phone away.
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"I thought you were too old for this", I say to him as I step closer to him.
"Hm, I guess we are not too old. I mean you do look like you are twelve and I'm your daddy but-", he starts with a smile before I slap his arm.
"Stop, there might be children around", I tell him and he only laughs at me.
We continue to walk, taking our time because I want him to enjoy this. I seem to have forgotten that he really didn't have much of a childhood. He spent it by himself and others that weren't his parents. I feel a lump in my throat feeling sad as I watch him continue to look around in awe and think of him in those years. I suddenly remember that picture of him that I found in his bedroom when he was drunk as hell. We had just been talking in that stupid room where I seemed to spend the most time until we started dating and then it was his bedroom or the one I stayed in. I helped him to his bedroom, struggling the entire time with him and he was so drunk he couldn't remember which one was his bedroom. Then I went to the last bedroom on the right and finally found it when I saw the picture that showed him celebrating his seventh birthday with the helpers in the house. I'm suddenly reminded as well that we almost kissed that night when I was undressing him and he just pulled me into his lap. His hands had slide down my back and we stared at each other before I finally got up. I clear my throat and shake my head in disbelief. I pay attention to my surroundings again. We are surrounded by fish all around us and once again, Malik shows amazement before he takes a seat on a bench. He looks at me and pats the seat next to him. I walk slowly to him and take a seat, admiring the view in front of us.
