GIDDY ✓

OTTO

[ 1983 ]
the start of summer & the start of love

OTTO

Marco makes his way home after a long day at his friends house.

they spent the afternoon riding their duplicate bikes around the city, catching up and indulging in the warmth their presence gave each other.

Jaylen, someone he's known his entire life, had finally made some time for his best friend Marco since he's always too busy with his boyfriend- a boy with black bangs and appealing eyes.

Marco switched off when Jaylen started talking about him .. he doesn't even remember his name- Oscar? it didn't mean anything to him, he had a hopeless crush to deal with.

speaking of which, he is sat on the porch of his house as the sun sets. the evening gleam sets on Kyong's cheeks- down his neck, the skin showing due to the neck of his low shirt with rips as a design. hues of coral and amber set the scene as he stands up to leave- not noticing Marco's presence which alarms him.

Kyong is about to greet Marco with an awkward hand wave and a hey but of course, Marco beats him to it with a audacious, vast smile. "hey Ky!" he balances his bicycle against the wall of his house, coming closer. "join me on a picnic." he states in a fussy tone.

Kyong stays stood up, close to the front door as he watches Marco's every move- rising nervous as he inches closer. "a picnic?" he asks, clutching his notebook in his hands and the pen that's tucked behind his ear falls.

Marco's clean cut answer of one word .. yes runs through Kyong's head as he picks up his pen promptly- ducking his head down, flustered by Marco's sureness and good looks.

Kyong stands back up with a sheepish smile. "now?"

Marco nods fervently and rubs his hands against the thick material of his coal coloured jeans, attempting to get rid of the sweat caused by the scorching weather. "yes .. in my garden." he points to the tiny wooden gate, leading to the enchanting garden he cherishes so much.

Kyong rolls his shoulders back and fiddles with the side of his tawny notebook tucked into his arm. "i cant." he says simply and takes out the earphones playing no music from his ears. "i-i have something to do." he splutters.

Marco has definitely moved closer without realising, smirking as he runs his hand through his sloppy bangs. "oh come on .. what are you doing anyway?" he asks, at the end of the porch.

Kyong avoids eye contact. "nothing .. i have errands and long assignments i still need to hand in." and he can tell Marco will not take no for an answer.

Marco steps onto the porch, smiling a little as his voice leaves his lips in a sleek tone. "you're not afraid, are you?" he looks at big coffee eyes.

"of what?"

"spending time with me."

Kyong's answer is immediate. "no why would i be?"

exactly- leaves Marco's lips as he reaches close enough to lean against Kyong, trapping him behind the wall and his body. Kyong wants his heart and breathing pattern to slow down because his feelings are running wild and he doesn't know what the fuck it is about his neighbour that puts him on edge, in the best way.

Marco's still smiling- enjoying the fact that he has an influence on the younger. "are you shy around me?"

then Marco looks down at Kyong- hoping he'll come, spend time with him in the tender, reckless summer. Marco murmurs, his tone soft and approachable. "you know where i'll be if you change your mind." he leans in slightly, fighting his self control and walks away- still smiling because he saw his bandana tied around Kyong's waist.

//

and Kyong really did join Marco on a picnic in the garden.

it caught Marco by surprise when he heard the garden gate open, indicating Kyong's lull but shrewd presence as he walked onto the grass. dressed in different clothes from before- ripped jeans and a simple milky shirt with a belt around his waist. his black hair pushed back, revealing his shiny forehead with sunglasses balanced on top of his head as he sat down with a drowsy huff.

and now they lie on top of the grass, eating peaches. "are these the kind of scenes you write about for your movies?" Kyong asks, gaping at the sky.

what kind of scenes?- Marco wants to ask. would you consider this romance or companionship? he always manages to bring love in different frames and forms into his scripts and plot stories. so a scene where two male friends lie underneath the dusk sky, eating peaches .. sure.

Marco scoffs, followed by a laugh as he stares at the starless sky along with Kyong. the world is quiet and exactly how he likes it. "how did you know?" he asks rhetorically. "i'm a hopeless romantic." he says to the world.

"so am i."

Marco turns his head to Kyong with slight surprise. he wasn't expecting him to be someone who even thinks about deep, sentimental things. he thought they were opposites. "are you?" he asks, wanting to hear his answer again. hopeless romantics laying under the stars.

Kyong hums in response, finishing his peach with a sigh.

Marco places his arms behind his head, swinging his leg over the other. "so i'm not the only one who dreams about falling in love in Italy?"

he's a cliche, a romantic that wants to fall in love and marry. Marco believes in soulmates and finding the one, he wants Italy to be his place.

Kyong smiles, placing his clasped hands on top of his flat stomach. "no .. i think about love all the time." he admits, not afraid to say. that's because love is truly everywhere.

"do you love your girlfriend?" Marco doesn't realise the question he had blurted out but doesn't regret it. he needs to know the answer.

Kyong smiles, still staring at the sky. "no." he whispers.

//

oh well? anyone want to join me on a picnic in the sunshine?

thank you for reading x

stay safe everyone <3
— A