wine stains

love ensues the same way
wine stains a white table cloth:

it makes home within the fabric
of one's soul and leaves stains
in its wake.

***

Zach breaks their eye contact. "Is there anything on my face?" He asks as he rubs his face.

Jack chuckles. "I'm just looking at you because I think you're really pretty."

Thump...
Thump Thump.

His heart truly skipped a beat. It was as if he lost control over his own body for a second. Zach's face turns into an uncharacteristic bold red as he freezes. "W-What?" He asks, in shock. This man really is bold.

Jack smiles. "You heard me. There is no need to dance around it." The waitress sets their breakfast on the table. Jack thanks her.

Zach suddenly breaks out of his shock. "Y-You're -" He tries to form a sentence, but nothing seems to come out.

"I am, what? Being serious? Yeah, I am." He picks up his bagel with a never seen before gentleness. He looks at Zach right in his eyes. "Eat, you need it."