noah can not catch his breath. after kyle pulls away, he's hoisted up and closer to the sun they had been fighting all this time. he does not speak. when the glass is broken, actions must pervade over words.

inside, the dogs and their play is muted. noah can make out frey's particular yips and glen's whines for a little while until it all blends. louder now, are there breaths and the occasional thud of a water droplet hitting the floor.

"i'll fetch us some towels." he leaves, gait fast and deer-like as if to keep any more water from wetting the home.

he returns with two white towels, one of which is quickly tossed on kyle's mop of hair. grinning, noah begins to tussle kyle's hair dry.

waves of white fabric warp around the elite four's face as noah teases, "we're really no different than the dogs, man." he drapes the towel around kyle's neck with one hand on either end. he tugs kyle closer, using the towel like a leash, "we're gonna have to dry them too. but... that won't be for awhile."

the other towel rests on his shoulder like a wrestler's belt or some lazy toga sash.

kyle lopez

underneath the canopy of towel, the world darkens a little. the dim lighting inside is cooling like summer rain tapping its fingers against the top of a bus stop's roof. the world shrinks. the boundary separating them from the outside is a fragile one— the sun beats at the walls, barking echoes and drums. but privacy allows him to ignore it all. he tugs the towel so that kyle is even closer. the world shrinks again.

"since we were interrupted, yeah?" noah says with a rosy laugh. his gaze remains locked with kyle's, for even though it is his birthday, noah can't help be compelled by who is before him. "are you getting impatient too?"

he lets go of the towel. his arms wrap around kyle instead.

"you don't need to spoil me. you already do enough." peering up at his counterpart, noah grins. "but i won't say no."

kyle lopez

noah can't abandon the kiss. it is not because he is unable to take the lead— no. it is his insatiable greed that compells him to discard time and responsibility for contact and continuance. each point of contact assures him that this is real. and that there are only happy endings.

when kyle strips, noah does the same. the garment on his legs is stubborn. wet and bogged down, noah pulls himself free of his shorts and sets it on top of kyle's. however, he takes his towel and folds it into a damp square. dutifully, he scoops the pair of shorts and places it on top of it to avoid the floor from soaking.

noah moves to the couch. like a mantine diving into the swell, he grabs kyle's phone and dives across his lap. his waist settles on kyle's thighs as he lifts his legs, feet swimming in the air as he taps the screen.

"pasta. the one close by. maybe it's a waste of money to get it delivered, but..." he peers back at kyle, "you're too comfy, babe." noah hums, "do you just want some alfredo? there's a tangela special too. looks like that 'cause it's made with inkay ink."

kyle lopez

noah leans into kyle's hand. in their lackadaisical spread across the couch cushions, strength seems to leave. his head is heavy, limp, as if kyle's palm is depended upon for all support.

"aaand ordered." he says. delivery time: at least forty to fifty-seven minutes. "thanks for paying." noah chuckles, handing kyle back his phone.

he lifts himself up, elbows propped up to heave his chest off the cushions. noah takes his seat on the other's lap and drapes his heavy arms across the other's shoulders. off the couch, his hands dangle limply like fruit.

"if i move in, are we sharing a room?" noah asks. he casts the alternative airily, as if wishing it away. "or is there a spare one?"

kyle lopez

"i feel like your old room's just gonna become a big closet for my shoes if that happens." noah's arms slide back so that his hands land on kyle's shoulders.

the trepidation of moving yet again builds in his gut. thankfully, this residence seems more long term- more permanent. at least he won't have the oldies for neighbours.

every pulse of thought is accompanied by a pulse of hands massaging the shoulders. noah spoils kyle in turn, hands sliding down his arms, squeezing muscles in comforting holds both firm and gentle. noah's warm hands slide to kyle's chest before returning to his shoulders once more.

"we're practically living together already, right?" noah says, shifting comfortably in kyle's embrace. "i'd probably chill in the master's anyway while you play video games... and i'll help you get shit done too 'cause this house is too big just for one person."

kyle lopez

"it'll be worth it." noah stretches, arms winged and folded at the elbows. he's a morning person anyway; taillow song and hoenn sun is enough for waking. "but we eventually wanna end up living together, right? it's the endgame, man."

his hands fall and brace against kyle's chest. dark hair falls across his effervescent expression as noah finds his life shifting once more. this time, by choice.

the gym leader is quick to notice the glint of kyle's gaze. there is no need to sift, to decipher- instead, noah beats the clock. his dark shadow vanishes in between their colliding bodies. no smoke, no mirrors, only flame as their lips come together in a searing kiss.

noah lingers. eyes closed, unable to withdraw, for breath becomes smoke and touch becomes fire- and he'd rather resign himself to this than any other fate. still, the drama must cease. his lips unlatch with a click, and he rests his forehead on kyle's, a laugh fluttering pink, "i think i've kissed you more than any other person in my life."

kyle lopez