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“How do you know if you’re in love?”
Owen pondered the question. He and Axel were sprawled on the kitchen floor, side by side. Owen leaned part of his back against the cabinet drawers, while Axel preferred to lie on the floor with his legs stretched out on the refrigerator. They were alone; the others had gone to a real bar (to which Axel hadn’t been invited), and Owen said he’d stay to keep him company.
So there they were, stealing sips from vodka bottles they had found. Axel always complained that the others wouldn’t let him drink, even though he swore he’d tried alcohol before. Owen wasn’t like the others. Not when it came to him, at least.
“I guess it’s different for everyone. Some people say they fall in love at first sight, while for others it takes years,” he tried to explain, turning his gaze to the boy.
But Axel wasn’t looking at him. He just hummed, his big blue eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Owen took another sip, straight from the bottle spout. “Why the question?”
The room went silent. Which was odd. There was always noise in the hideout; Mick or Mark cooking, Len watching hockey, Evan tinkering with his technology, even him with his music. It felt even worse that the silence was coming from Axel.
“I think I’m in love with someone, but I dunno. Like, how lovers act?” He wasn’t looking at him, and if Owen hadn’t been tipsy, he would have noticed the blush spreading across his cheeks.
“They said good things to each other, I guess. They give gifts, and kiss a lot too. They talk, and then they listen, y'know, pay attention. I think that’s the important part of the whole ‘being in a relationship’ thing.”
“I pay attention,” Axel said, turning his gaze toward Owen. “I know you don’t like your eyes, I don’t get why, tho.”
“They’re weird as fuck. Have you ever met someone else with golden eyes?”
“No, that’s what makes you special.” Owen blushed, but Axel wasn’t finished. “I think golden is the prettiest color.”
They both fell silent after that, staring at each other, silently wondering what would happen now, who would dare to make the next move.
The younger one seemed to tire of waiting. With a movement that lacked his usual grace, he slid his legs to the side, then turned and knelt, facing Owen. With a sigh that sounded almost disappointed, he took the bottle between them and took a sip.
Owen corrected that. Kissing him the instant he pulled away from his lips. Axel gasped, surprised, before enthusiastically returning the kiss. The bottle fell with a thud, probably broken now, but neither of them cared. The kiss tasted purely of vodka, leaving their tongues burning and their lips numb. Axel bit him lightly, feeling him smile as he swallowed the sound. Owen, in response, guided him closer, sitting him on his lap in the few seconds they broke apart to catch their breath.
They kissed, exploring each other's mouths. They broke apart, thinking it had been enough. They came together again, missing each other's warmth now that they were finally allowing themselves to feel it.
Finally, they took a break, Axel's arms around his shoulders and his own arms around his waist, holding him close. Their faces were close, almost close enough to feel each other's breaths against their lips. Axel smiled, still drunk.
“You really have the sun in your eyes, you're so dumb for not like them,” he murmured, rubbing the back of Owen's neck with his thumbs.
Owen couldn't help but laugh. Clearly, it wasn't the right reaction, he thought, seeing Axel's frown.
“Seriously. You'll see, I'll make you understand, I can be very convincing.” He was obviously doing it on purpose; the seductive tone should have alerted Owen that it was a trap, but all he could think about was that tongue licking the lips he had bitten not long ago.
He knew he was screwed the second he got lost in that smile. But he was too in love, and too drunk, to care.
"I've got a nice bed upstairs, y'know, you can convince me more comfortably there."
Axel's laughter accompanied them all the way to the room, that was until the blond had more important places to put his mouth.