Made Glorious Spring ( 18+ from page 10 onwards )

He blushes again, looking down. "... when I was a kid? ... um. Macaroni. With the hot dogs in it. To be honest."

God, that sounds childish. Not sexy at all.

He's still holding Martin's hand, caught under his spell.

 

"That what you want now?" He grins wide. "I haven't tried that yet."

 

"If... if you want. I. Whatever you want," he mumbles.

 

"...well..." Martin squeezes his fingers. "....I'd like to find out what you'd want?"

His tone is gentle, cajoling, and encouraging. "I ain't askin' you to jump off a bridge, an' I ain't gonna bite unless you want me to."

 

Ben hesitates, before leaning in to kiss Martin's cheek. "... you could bite."

"Sorry. I'm not... used to people. It's been a long time," he offers, with a self-deprecating little half-smile.

 

Martin grins a bit wider. "Well, I'm surprised - I'd think a guy like you would have more than just a few people interested."

 

"... I ... don't get out much."

And isn't that an understatement.

 

Martin nods slowly. "...yeah, I guess I can understand that." He glances over at the cart. "I think we'll need to detour back, tho. Gotta grab a few things... then I'm good. How about you?"

 

"... Yeah. I'm... all set," he says softly, offering a tentative smile. "... Planning something?"

 

Martin nods. "Dinner. I mean, I can do something fancy, but.." he closes his eyes, humming. "...apple risotto sounds good to me? Maybe with chicken, or sausage?"

 

"... Yeah. That sounds... really nice. I don't know if I can help much; I've... never had that before."

 

Martin laughs cheerfully. "Tell you what - I just need you to show me how to navigate the kitchen. I'll handle the rest."

 

Ben hesitates, chewing his lip. "... anything I should do to, um... pay you back?"

And that's definitely flirting.

 

"I can think of a few things..." Martin's voice is undeniably teasing. "If you don't mind me staying over?"

 

"... 'long as you don't mind my socks on the floor. I wasn't... expecting company." He leans down, tentatively brushing his lips over Martin's. This okay?

 

Martin raises onto tiptoe, curling one hand in the fabric of Ben's shirt and kisses him back, open-mouthed, confident. Ben can feel him smiling.

 

Ben's smiling back, slowly relaxing into him. "Mm... Wanna finish shopping?"

 

Martin smiles, nodding silently. "Yeah, you need anythin' more?"

 

"... think I'm good. You?" He was going to get more, but... ... he can come back, anyway. Not like he'll starve.

 

"Just need apples, really. You want any?" He grins. "Don' let me cut you off if you need anything, that ain't good mannered."