Dante

Honestly, Anthony can cook really well and I'm a little jealous. It isn't like I'm terrible, but I always eat more when he makes a meal. Right now, the smell is heavenly and my stomach is growling and singing no matter how hard I've been trying to stifle it. 

"Anthonyyy." Whining like a child isn't cute on me, but I find it convenient when he's my target. "I propose we go-"

"Are you really proposing at breakfast? How romantic. Yes, I accept!" His playful giggles echo around the room as I glare. This is what I get for trying to suggest a fun day. I huff as he finally calms down, a single giggle escaping every now and then before I can finally continue.

" I was wondering if you'd like to go have fun with me today, but it seems you're having so much fun already. I'd hate to ruin your good time." I don't understand when pouting became a habit of mine, but I dislike it. 

"Nooo! I'd love to go out with you, Oscar the Grouch." His smile holds mischief and surprise when I jump off of the stool and tackle him to the floor. Anthony hates to be tickled and as my fingers crinkle all over his sides, the echoes of his laughter boom through the house. It's really difficult to keep him from getting away and I have to cling to him as he rolls and twists all over the floor.

"NO-Stop," his laughing becomes gasps as he grabs my wrists and I wiggle my arms around to get them back, "please, no more. I surrender."

Pouting gets me nowhere and he slowly releases my hands, keeping a sharp eye as I get up. He's already rolling over, curled up in a ball and kneeling on the floor. "My sides hurt now. Meanie." He stands up, moving back over to the stove and taking out the bacon that's now badly burned and so crispy that it crumbles to bits on the plate.

"That's your bacon, you wild animal." His snort makes me laugh as he covers his face. Somehow, today just feels like a wonderful day.

Most people might find me odd to stick around after hearing such a horrifying story, especially after the ending it had, but it doesn't bother me. The overwhelming kindness of this man would never lead me to believe that he'd harm anyone without a dire reason and that's enough for me. I wouldn't fear him on his worst days. Breakfast is almost complete and as I run around the counter, pushing everything into the sink, I lick my finger and swipe up all of my left over bacon dust. As it turns out, ridiculously burned bacon is delicious and I decide it is my new favorite. Anthony is nearly done and I pull his plate away as he takes his last bite, rinsing it off in the sink.

"So where are we goin' today, babe? What'd you find that makes you want to leave the house?"

"It's a surpriiise! I found something nearby that I didn't know would be here and now I'm excited!"

"As excited as when you found the library?"

"More than that. Way more than that. Anthony, you're going to find out today that I have a secret love. I may even cry. So get your clothes on and bring a coat!" I push him through the door, placing a well formed smack on his butt that makes even my hand sting. When he turns around, the bewildered look on his face is fleeting and he winks at me. 

"Keep that up and we might not even make it out of this house." He bites his lip and turns away, on the path to our room and away from my battered ribs. What the hell is going on with me? I look at my hand, confused and shocked. Am I really that excited for today that I've lost my sense?

No way. Not possible. A better explanation would be that he's turned me into a pervy hormone fueled young adult. Hmph. I don't like it. I don't even have those thoughts anymore, not since Ka-

I wave my hands in the air and brush all of those thoughts out of my head. Not today. From now on, he doesn't exist and I'm going to be happy. Besides, Anthony makes me feel these fiery bubbles stirring in my belly that I'm well aware have caused me to vehemently ignore my own thoughts. I leave the kitchen on that note, hopping up the stairs and scrambling through my drawers. I pull out a big, dark grey sweater and a pair of my black skinny tights. I snatch a thick pair of socks and my fleece lined boots and hop down the stairs, grabbing my keys and waiting by the door, jumping up and down as Anthony finally comes down the stairs.

"Dante, you're making me nervous. Where are we going?"

"You'll see, just come on!"

I snatch up my backpack with all of my treasures tucked safely inside before yanking on the door. By the time we make it inside of the car, I'm already pulling out the blindfold, fashioned from an old scarf that I've folded down and secured. It's completely vision proof and ready for this trip.

"Put it on, please? I want it to be a surprise. I even asked Mike and he said he doesn't think you've ever been here."

He hesitates a little before putting the blindfold on, "I just don't know if I'm into all of this kinky stuff you're coming at me with. I mean, I like it, but does it get any wilder than this?"

I'm secretly thanking the higher power that he can't see how red my face is as I laugh, "Maybe."

Maybe is right. He has no idea what he'd be getting into if I decided to tell him what I sometimes crave. I mentally build a wall between my brain and my hips. The last thing I need in these tights is to have an issue like that plaguing me all day. The car ride is riddled with are we there's and where are we going's, but with great effort we arrive without him knowing. 

"Anthony! Stop peeking!" I pull his hand away from his face as he chuckles nervously, his half excited and half curious smile making him quite irresistible. Damn him and the godlike chariot he came here on. I pull my backpack out of the back seat before opening his door. 

"When do I get to see?"

"If you be patient, I'll make sure you get a surprise later."

That immediately quietens him down as he pretends to lock his lips and toss the key away. I pretend to catch it, even when he can't see me and continue leading him into the building. I put my finger to my lips when I make it to the counter, flashing her a pleading look as I quietly mime out my intentions. I hold up ten fingers and she pulls a set of blades off of the shelf, handing them over the counter to me mid laugh as she gives me a thumbs up. The people in this town and the surrounding area are so great. I carefully lead him down a set of stairs and to a table. Once I've set all of my stuff down, I put my own blades on and proceed to untie his shoes. It's cute seeing his brows furrow and his mouth shift as he wonders what I'm doing.

"I know I said that I didn't mind kinky, but I have this feeling that we are in public . . . "

"Oh, would you stop that. I am NOT trying to do anything to you."

I hastily tuck his feet into his own blades and lace them up, pulling him to his feet and trying not to laugh as he wobbles around.

"What kind of shoes are these? Really, where the hell are we?"

"Don't panic. Just follow me, carefully please. I don't want you to step on my feet." I guide him to the edge of the rink before I pull the blindfold away. It's been a long time and I am not sure just how well I can still skate myself, much less if he stumbles.

"I don't know how to skate on ice. I've never done this before. I've never even worn regular rollerblades." His shuffling is clearly from terror and I step back, sliding backwards on the ice as I beckon him forward.

"You have to take the first step to start learning." I can feel the cold coming up from the ice and it's both numbing and invigorating. I stop myself, still within his grasp as I reach out. He hesitated more than I expected, leading me to believe he might never step onto the ice, but he placed his hand in mine, wobbling onto the ice and scooting forward. His eyes were wide and perfectly round as he tilted forward and backwards, stumbling and sliding closer to me. 

"Relax, Anthony. The more stiff you are, the more you'll fall. Loosen up a little bit and glide, try not to scoot." I draw my feet behind me, pulling him along with me as he clamps down on my arms. This is cute.

"Nononononononononononononono, Dante stop pulling me!"

"I'm not pulling you. You're holding onto me for dear life and I'm still moving." When he lets go, he immediately replaces his hands.

"I really can't let go, please take me back to the side."

"Let me try to teach you, okay?" I'm not even pouting this time. I don't want to con him into this if he really doesn't want to do it, but to my surprise he nods.

"Then you have to let me go." I've already stopped, waiting for him to stop as well. I nudge his shoes into a better position. "There. If you keep your feet like that and stand confidently, you won't fall or slide, okay?"

When he nods, I kick away from him, "Now, let me show you what you are doing," I stiffen up, almost falling as I take short scooting motions across the area, "This is not going to give you any balance because you are stiff and you are jostling around too much. You are looking down too much and focusing more on the ice than yourself."

I spin around, tension falling off of my shoulders as I push off again, "This is where you should be, relaxed, chin up, shoulders up," I glide around him in circles, "This is what will keep you up. There's always a chance that you can fall, but if you find your balance and stay focused, you can easily practice until you're much better at it."

I reach out my hand, slowing down to take his. As I bring him with me, I can feel in his hands the struggle to relax. "Look up at me, don't look down." When he looks up, his eyes are filled with fear.

"You won't fall. Just relax. Focus on me." That was a lie, we could always fall, but it didn't mean that I couldn't try my hardest to prevent it. The more his face calms and his eyes lighten, the harder I pull, bringing us around the rink faster until I get us up to a casual pace. We spend hours working on his foot placement and his balance, while it seems he is actually having some fun. Soon he's ready to skate on his own.

"Now, follow me and try to keep up." I begin skating forwards and turn backwards, sliding around the ring as he follows a little clumsily, but much better than before.

"How do you skate backwards?"

"Hmmm, I think that'll come later if you want to keep learning."

"Yes!" His excitement causes him to wobble and as I slow down, I try to remind him how to slow down and regain control, but instead become an obstacle in his way as he plows into me and I find myself on the freezing cold ice. To say I felt crushed was an understatement as I groaned when he flopped off of me. I felt winded and as my lungs came back to me I couldn't stop laughing. Soon we were both laughing and we got back up. Anthony left the rink to get something to eat and sit down while I stayed behind to have more time on the ice. 

It's been so long since I felt at home.

---

Anthony

Ice skating is terrifying. The shoes are sharp, the ice is cold and hard, many other things are scary. I've had fun, but my legs are on fire. I feel like I've run for miles. He's not even that athletic and here I am crying about my legs, a previous athlete and dedicated gym goer. When I look back, he's still going, spinning circles around the rink and gracefully doing jumps and turns. He's so lost in the movements like it is a dance. I pay for the nachos and head back to our table. I've already lost the skates and turned them in. I refuse to torture myself anymore. As I round the corner, I see a familiar figure in a hoodie.

"What are you doing here on such a coincidental day?"

"I'm free to enjoy all that life has to offer, Anthony. I live in a free country and I am free to roam the public spaces all that I wish." Kadence taps on the table he's at, encouraging me to sit down.

"You should probably leave. He's having a great day and I'd rather you not ruin it."

"Oh, I'm having a great day, too, you see. I get to watch you fall hopelessly in love with the person who will inevitably break your heart to come running back to me. Dante won't stay away for long. He's too loyal and he can't get from you what he gets from me. I'll go home. He'll come find me when he's ready."

The sound of his chair screeching grates at my nerves. If it weren't for such a good day, I'd feel the need to wipe his smug grin away, but if he's going back home then I can move on. I briskly walk back over to the table we chose, watching as Dante spins a random child around the rink, swinging her around in circles as she squeals with delight. There's a mother nearby who looks over them with a tired expression, smiling nonetheless as her daughter runs up to her and exclaims loudly in a jumble of words, pointing towards Dante as he waves, gliding across the rink to our table.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so tired now."

"You've been over there for a while. I didn't know you had so much endurance, I'll keep that in mind."

He's glaring again, but it's fun to tease him. He's so innocent and even now he's smiling again. The thought to tell him about what Kadence said lingers in my head and I decide to save it for tomorrow when he's not having so much fun as I push the food to him.

The ride home is quiet. Dante has fallen asleep in his seat and his face is red and splotchy, the large oversized sweater hanging over his hips and practically swallowing his entire body whole as his soft breaths fill the silence. It's not a long ride and as we pull up, he stirs in his seat, mumbling as he dozes back to sleep. He stays asleep all the way up the stairs and when I put him to bed, he rolls to his usual side, giving me room to get comfortable. 

When I finally make it to bed, I push my face between his shoulders and hug him, basking in his warmth given all of the freezing temperatures I've been subjected to. Just as I'm falling asleep, the sound of mumbling happens again and I listen carefully, trying to make out what he's saying. Most of it is impossible to understand, but one thing was relatively clear.

"-pull my hair, Anthony-" The mumbling around it barely made it clear enough, but even through the muffled pillow, it was clear. In danger of having a heart attack, I roll away and curl up by the wall. 

"Aftershave, butterscotch, candy canes, dusty corners, epitomes, fantoms . . . wait, that's not right . . . falcons, garb, housesitters, igloos, jaundice . . . " 

I could feel the bed shift and his arm moved around my side, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking to myself."

"About falcons?"

I hesitated for too long and now he's waking up more, leaning over my shoulder. "Um, no. I didn't say anything about falcons."

He doesn't believe me, but let's it go, curling up behind me and resting his face against the back of my head, his breath now by my ear. He's doing this on purpose. He has to be. He has been saying for this entire time that he doesn't want anything physical, I have to ignore it.

"Anthonyyy . . . Pay attention to meee." When his hand runs down my side, I'm sure at some point I tried to keep it down, but the more he bit along my ear, the harder it was to remain calm.