↔IMPULSE↔

↔Date↔

They walked into the mall's arcade across from the movie theatre.

Reese got some tokens and they walked around the arcade to play games, they were getting crazy competitive, playing ski ball, shooting hoops, playing air hockey. It was just like they always acted, Blake felt ridiculous for feeling a little disappointed that nothing changed. 

He was walking around with his tickets all folded up in a bag when Reese pulled him into the photo booth. "What are you sulking about?" He whispered against Blake's ear.

"I am not sulking."

"Then smile," Reese said, he held Blake's chin in one hand, his thumb pressed on his chin as he turned Blake's head to face him, "smile." Blake softened his gaze when his eyes met Reese's pretty blue eyes. He smiled gently and Reese returned it, he tapped his lips, "here."

A little shy, he pecked Reese's lips. "Are we going to take pictures?"

"Of course, it's our first date." He fed the machine coins, their first pose, Reese had his arm around Blake. Next, he was kissing Blake's temples. Third, tilting his head up, Blake had a little bit of a confused look. Fourth, Reese was kissing him, his hand cupping Blake's neck. The fifth and final picture, Reese was grinning victoriously and a blushing Blake was hiding his face in Reese's neck, partially obscuring his face.

They came out of the booth and took the pictures, each had a copy of the strip, "you look so cute!" Reese said pulling Blake under his arm and kissing Blake's head.

Blake pushed him away, "Reese! We're in public!"

They went to the movies, buying popcorn, jellybeans, and a large drink. The theatre was mostly empty, Badlanders had been in theatre for a while and the only people was a couple guys up front. Blake and Reese sat in the very back row, Reese put the popcorn aside and chuckled lightly before pulling Blake into an abrupt kiss.

He pushed Reese back, "what are you doing?" He whispered harshly.

"Kissing you. No one can see us and I didn't get enough of you in the photo booth."

He huffed, "Reese..."

The screen was playing previews, lighting up the cinema enough that Blake could see Reese pouting, "please?"

Blake couldn't resist, he nodded timidly and Reese smiled and pulled him into a kiss. The taste of coke and jellybeans flooded Blake's mouth as Reese's tongue invaded his mouth. Blake sighed and welcomed his touch, the position was a little annoying, Blake was used to kissing him on a bed or a couch or against a wall, not sitting side-by-side.

They were locked together in a steamy make out session until the movie came on. When the movie came on, Blake pushed Reese away and settled back into his seat, eating lukewarm popcorn. Reese intertwined their fingers together, squeezing and casting Blake a smile that Blake returned along with a squeeze.

Blake found it hard to pay attention to the movie when Reese was caressing and squeezing his hand, about halfway through the movie, Reese brought their joined hand up to his lips and was pressing butterfly kisses to Blake's hand, nibbling on his knuckles, it was all very distracting.

When the movie ended the left the theatre, he let go of Reese's hand when they left the safety of the dark room and walked close together to the parking lot. Getting into his Jeep and driving to their habitual burger joint.

Inside was hot as hell but smelled like heaven, they ordered their burgers and shakes and ate on a cement picnic table outside. Reese offered Blake a bite of his bacon burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms, in turn, Blake offered him a drink of his cake batter milkshake.

It was peaceful, Blake ate his cherry and smiled over at Reese, "watch this." He fiddled with the stem in his mouth and pulled out the knotted cherry stem.

Reese first tried to suppress his smile, then his laughter until he was full out laughing. He kissed him tenderly with almost an overload of affection, "such a talented tongue." His quiet voice made it sound sultry and Blake blushed.

"I told you, don't kiss me in public."

"Then should we continue back at your place?"

Blake dropped his head, "you are too flirty for your own good."

He poked Blake in the side, in a sing-song voice, "I'm winning you over."

"If I were I girl, you'd've already won me over."

"Well, it's a good thing I like a challenge."

Blake leant against him, resting his head on his shoulder. "You're annoying."

"So are you."

After they finished their burgers, they finished their shakes in the jeep on the way back to Blake's house. They walked up to his front door, under the porch light as Blake unlocked the door. "There's something I want to do," Reese said.

"And what's that?"

"Give my date a good night kiss."

An arm snaked around Blake's waist and Reese kissed him gently. He gently used his other hand to cup Blake's cheek, there was no tongue, no shoving anyone against walls, it was sweet. When Reese pulled back, Blake asked, "are you satisfied now?"

He laughed, their foreheads were resting together, "not even close, but that'll be enough for tonight. Let's go to bed."

"Yeah"

They walked inside with their hands laced together, upstairs to the bedroom. Moving around the room in harmony as they got ready for bed, it was becoming natural for them to sleep in the same bed.

Staring at the ceiling, "over spring break, do you want to go camping on the beach with me?"

Blake turned and nestled against his chest, "I can't. I'm spending the week before break and the entirety of break in New York with Amelia and my grandparents."

"You mean I have to spend two weeks without you?"

It made Blake a little sad, he wouldn't be able to see him for two weeks. A realisation hit him like a bag of oranges, he was slowly becoming more dependent on seeing Reese. He'd gone to New York for an entire month in eigth grade over the summer and he hadn't distressed at all about leaving, now he was almost dreading it.

Maybe it'll do some good for our bet. Blake was silent next to Reese, maybe the distance would clear Blake's head and make Reese miss him. Yeah, it'll be good, Blake reassured himself until he actually believed it. He fell asleep telling himself that, comfortably fitted to Reese's side like a puzzle piece.