Page 15 of Twink Heart

“It just means I'm young, skinny, and fairly hairless. It's just gay lingo for a body type.”

“And that's a fantasy?”

“Yep.”

Rowan looked over himself. “What am I?”

“Well, I've seen you shirtless and I wouldn't call you a bear or an otter. But you're too muscular to be a twink and you don't really have the attitude for a twunk.” I paused looking him over. “You've got sort of a jock build but a boy next door sort of vibe.”

“Those were all words I've heard before,” he nodded. “But in a new order I don't understand.”

“Eh, labels aren't important,” I smiled. “You're handsome and kind, that's what matters.”

?“I’m not that kind.” He crossed his arms, staring out toward the horizon. “And I hate everything.”

?I placed a hand on his shoulder gently. “Being hurt and upset doesn’t mean you’re unkind. It just means you’re going through stuff.”

?He shrugged my hand off. “Whatever.”

?I took his meaning. He was done talking about feelings. Time to move on to a less serious topic. I’d already pushed the poor guy enough as it was.

?“What a granola bar?” I asked, rooting around through my bag. “I’ve got an apple in here, a soft chocolate bar, and some beef jerky as well.”

?“You have jerky?” he asked incredulously.

?I laughed. “Why? Do I not look like the type?”

?“Not really. You don’t wear enough camo for that.”

?“It’s tasty,” I smiled. “And I buy the all-natural kind that’s not full of preservatives so I can share it with the pups at work.”

?“So… you’re offering me dog treats?”

?“It’s human food!” I scoffed. “It’s just also happens to be good for dogs.”

?He lifted an eyebrow, reaching in and taking a granola bar. “I think I’ll pass on the dog treats.”

?“Suit yourself,” I replied, taking out a piece of jerky and popping it into my mouth. “You’re missing out.”

?A comfortable silence fell over us as we munched away. Both of us stared toward the western horizon as the sun got lower and lower in the sky. The clouds overhead went from blue to purple to stunning golds and pinks all at once. The lake looked like it was on fire as the sunlight danced off the waves. I couldn’t help a few sighs as I watched. There was just something so beautiful about being out there at that time of day. I never got tired of it.

?Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rowan glance my way more than once. His eyes always went to my exposed midriff then down to my bulge before he snapped them back toward the horizon. I heard him gulp audibly a couple of times and it took everything I had to bite back my laughter.

?For a straight man, he seemed to be going through it. Maybe it was my confidence that surprised him or maybe he’d just never been around another guy who didn’t care about that sort of thing. But I had a feeling it was because he liked what he saw. The more he looked, the closer he pulled his knees to his chest, and I had a sneaking suspicion that he might’ve been hiding something.

?Had I given this poor man a boner? And if I had, did I really care? No, I didn’t. Actually I found it kind of hot. I mean, it was a bit stereotypical that I had the straight guy fantasy like every other gay guy. And I’d also just got done telling Rowan how I didn’t like being a fantasy to other guys. But that didn’t stop me from liking the attention. Besides, he’d called me cute last time we hung out. That had to mean something, right?

?After the sun had finally set and the color started to fade from the sky, I realized it was time to go. We had a long trek back to the car, and it was going to be dark by the time we got there. Thankfully I had a flashlight in my bag as well, but I still didn’t like being in the woods after dark. Last year someone had spotted a wolf in the park and I wasn’t keen to run into one myself.

?“We should probably get going,” I said, stretching and pushing myself back to my feet. “I don’t want to keep you out all night and it’s gonna get cold fast out here.”

?Rowan nodded. “Alright.” I went to grab the backpack, but Rowan took it before me, throwing it over his shoulder. “You carried it up here so I’ll take it back. It’s only fair.”

?I nodded with a smile. “Okay.”

?He was such a gentleman.

?We started back down the dune, slipping and sliding our way to the base. I was fairly certain Rowan’s boots were already full of sand again, but he didn’t say anything. Leading the way, I took us through the wood via the most direct path back to the parking lot. The moment we were under the trees, everything got a lot darker. Nighttime came on much faster under the canopy and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. There wasn’t enough light to see detail, but I could still make out the path just fine.

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