Page 76 of Embers Glow After the Fire

“There goes my hair,” Matthew jokes.

”I love my haircut by the way. You’re magic.” Brendon pets the back of his head. “It’s a wild beast when I let it go.”

“I know.” Matthew laughs.

Brendon scoffs with a grin.

“You’re gorgeous babe.” Matthew’s eyes gleam under the peachy sunset taking over the blue sky.

Brendon stops his stroll and leans in to kiss Matthew’s lips.

They hold an embrace until the next wave of mist floats over their heads and they scurry out from under it.

“Morgan is probably setting those off to keep us cooled down.” Matthew winks.

“It’s not working.” Brendon growls.

They round a bend and enter a massive “Alice in Wonderland” themed installation with topiaries sculpted into massive mushrooms and characters from the story. A caterpillar made of hydrangeas lounges on a toadstool and a violet Cheshire Cat nestles in a tree. A trio of warped wooden panels painted like playing cards tend to rose bushes and a plump flowery queen of hearts sits on a throne made from vines and woven limbs.

Soft lights spark to life all around the park as the sky dims into gradients of purple overhead.

The couple stroll without a care, soaking up each other’s company. Their conversation ebbs and flows with the ebbs being comfortable blissful.

Brendon doesn’t want the night to end. He doesn’t want his time with Matthew to ever end.

They pass under an arch of lilies and enter a courtyard draped with marigolds and wildflowers. There’s a single rod iron table and two matching chairs at the center with candles, glass flutes and a silver bucket holding a bottle of champagne on ice.

“What’s this?” Matthew asks.

“Just a little pit-stop they set up for us.” Brendon whispers.

They both sit, facing each other and Brendon pops the bottle. He pours the bubbly fluid in each glass and leans in to kiss Matthew again.

Matthew hooks fingers behind his neck and doesn’t let him pull away too soon.

“This is amazing Brendon.” Matthew sips and wonders at the sights surrounding them.

Brendon blushes. “I’m glad you like it.”

They drink champagne and gaze around the park, listening to the nature sounds transition from chirping birds to creaking crickets. The sky is deep indigo now with a slight scattering of stars and the evening air feels cooler with the sun asleep. They can’t tell if the sparse flashes of dainty light are live lightning bugs or clever tricks of the park’s design.

Brendon catches Matthew staring at him over the rim of his champagne flute, and softly smiles.

“I’m going to say something. Maybe it’s the booze. —maybe I’m crazy, but—“ his hand touches Brendon’s. “I love you.”

Brendon’s heart skips and he parts his lips to speak.

“You don’t have to respond. I know we’re really just getting to know each other, but I fell in love with you at first sight. This seems like a good time to tell you and I don’t expect anything in return.” He swigs champagne. “I probably should have kept that to myself, but well—I didn’t.”

“Matthew—“ Brendon starts.

“It’s okay.” Matthew swigs again.

“Shut up—I love you too.” Brendon squeezes his knee.

Matthew falls over the table and grips Brendon’s collar, wrenching him in for a long kiss.

“Fuck, I’m glad you said that.” His lips speak, pressed against Brendon’s.

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