The ride felt… different.
Not quiet in an awkward way, and not loud either.
Just calm.
The kind of calm that settled between two people who didn't need to force conversation to fill the space. The road stretched ahead of them, the early daylight casting a soft glow through the windshield as the car moved steadily forward.
Jordy leaned slightly against the door, his gaze shifting between the passing scenery and Matt.
"Where are we going?" he finally asked.
Matt kept his eyes on the road, the corner of his lips lifting just a little. "It's a surprise."
Jordy let out a small breath, shaking his head. "You've said that already."
"And I'll keep saying it," Matt replied lightly.
Jordy turned to look at him properly this time.
That was when he noticed it.
Matt kept glancing at him.
Not obvious enough to call out immediately—but enough.
A quick look.
Then back to the road.
Then again.
Jordy narrowed his eyes slightly, trying not to smile. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
Matt blinked, almost like he'd been caught doing something he didn't expect to be noticed for. "Like what?"
"Like…" Jordy paused, then laughed softly. "Like you're checking if I'm still here."
Matt let out a small laugh under his breath, shaking his head. "Maybe I am."
Jordy felt heat rise to his cheeks before he could stop it.
"Stop," he muttered, turning his face slightly toward the window.
But it didn't help.
If anything, it made it worse.
Matt laughed again—this time more openly—and Jordy couldn't help but laugh too.
The tension that had been sitting quietly between them eased, replaced with something lighter. Something easier.
Without saying anything, Matt shifted one hand off the steering wheel.
Jordy didn't notice at first.
Not until their hands touched.
Jordy froze slightly, his breath catching for just a second.
Matt didn't hesitate.
He laced their fingers together, holding Jordy's hand gently while his other hand remained steady on the wheel.
Jordy looked down at their hands.
Then slowly back at Matt.
Matt didn't look at him this time.
He just kept driving.
But the small smile on his face said everything.
Jordy didn't pull away.
A few minutes later, the car slowed down as they turned into a parking lot.
Jordy looked around, trying to figure out where they were.
Then he saw it.
A movie theater.
He blinked.
"Wait… this is the surprise?"
Matt parked the car but didn't answer immediately. He just turned off the engine and looked at Jordy.
"You'll see."
Jordy shook his head, smiling slightly as they both stepped out of the car.
The air outside felt fresh, carrying a mix of excitement that Jordy hadn't realized he'd been holding in.
They walked inside together.
"Pick a movie," Matt said casually as they approached the ticket counter.
Jordy raised a brow. "You're trusting me with that?"
Matt shrugged. "Why not?"
Jordy scanned the options for a moment before pointing at one. "That one."
Matt nodded without hesitation. "Alright."
They got their tickets, grabbed popcorn and soda, and made their way into the theater.
Jordy paused slightly as they entered.
It was big.
And packed.
He frowned, glancing around. "Why are there so many people here this early?"
Matt chuckled. "Good movies don't wait for evening."
Jordy shook his head but smiled as they found their seats.
The movie started not long after.
At first, Jordy focused on the screen, trying to follow the storyline. The energy in the theater was contagious—people reacting, laughing, commenting under their breath.
It made everything feel more alive.
But somewhere in between the movie Jordy became aware of something else.
He glanced sideways.
Matt's arm was stretched along the back of Jordy's seat, resting casually like he wasn't trying too hard.
Like he was just… being cool.
Jordy almost laughed.
"Really?" he whispered under his breath.
Matt glanced at him briefly. "What?"
"Nothing," Jordy said, turning back to the screen, a small smile forming.
He didn't move away.
By the time the movie ended, Jordy felt lighter than he had in days.
"That was actually good," he admitted as they walked out.
Matt smirked slightly. "Told you."
Jordy nodded. "Now I see why this place is always full."
They stepped outside, the sunlight now softer, leaning toward the afternoon.
Matt turned to him. "Ready for the second location?"
Jordy's brows lifted. "There's more?"
Matt just smiled.
The drive this time was longer.
Jordy didn't ask questions.
Not anymore.
He just let it happen.
Eventually, Matt slowed down and parked the car.
"We'll have to walk from here," he said.
Jordy glanced around, curiosity building again. "Walk to where?"
"You'll see."
They walked for a while, the path opening up gradually until—
Jordy stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
An open space.
Equipment set up.
People preparing.
"…No way," he muttered.
Matt watched his reaction, clearly pleased.
"Bungee jumping?" Jordy turned to him, surprised. "How did you know I like this?"
Matt shrugged, trying to look casual. "I have my ways."
Jordy narrowed his eyes. "You stalked my account, didn't you?"
Matt laughed. "I prefer the term 'observed.'"
Jordy shook his head, but he couldn't hide the excitement in his expression.
They went through the process together.
And when it was time Jordy didn't hesitate.
The rush, the drop, the adrenaline—it hit him all at once.
And for a moment, everything else disappeared.
When it was over, Jordy was breathless, laughing.
"That was insane."
Matt smiled. "You liked it?"
Jordy looked at him. "Obviously."
There was a pause.
Then Matt said, "Let's eat before the next place."
They found a restaurant not too far away.
The atmosphere was calm, a contrast to everything they had just done.
They ate, talked lightly, laughed occasionally.
Nothing heavy.
Nothing complicated.
Just… easy.
By the time they were done, the sky had shifted into evening.
Jordy leaned back slightly. "Are we even making it home today?"
Matt met his gaze. "Depends on how much you enjoy the next place."
Jordy blinked. "That sounds suspicious."
Matt just smiled.
The third location wasn't what Jordy expected.
At all.
When they arrived, Jordy stared at the building, then back at Matt.
"A club?"
Matt nodded.
Jordy hesitated slightly. "Wait… this is—"
"A gay club," Matt finished.
Jordy let out a small breath.
Neither of them had ever been to one before.
But here they were.
Inside, everything was alive.
Music.
Lights.
People moving, laughing, dancing.
It was overwhelming at first—but in a good way.
They stepped in together.
And slowly hey let go.
They danced.
They laughed.
They forgot everything outside those walls.
Time blurred.
The music got louder.
The space between them got smaller.
At some point Jordy didn't even remember how it started.
But Matt was closer.
Much closer.
Their laughter faded into something quieter.
Something heavier.
Matt's hand brushed against his.
Jordy didn't pull away.
They looked at each other.
And that was it.
The first kiss was small.
Barely there.
Just a soft brush of lips.
Like they were both testing it.
Making sure it was real.
Then,
It wasn't small anymore.
It deepened.
Slower at first, then more certain.
More real.
Jordy's hand found Matt's shirt, gripping slightly.
Matt pulled him closer.
The noise around them faded.
Nothing else mattered.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were slightly breathless.
Matt leaned closer, his voice low.
"I got us a room."
Jordy blinked.
For a second, reality came back.
Then he nodded.
"Okay."
Jordy stepped aside, pulling out his phone.
"Hey, Mom," he said when she picked up. "I won't be coming home tonight."
There was a pause.
Then,
"Okay. Be safe."
"I will."
He hung up.
And turned back to Matt.
The room was quiet.
A complete contrast to the club.
The moment the door closed behind them, the energy shifted again.
Slower.
Heavier.
More real.
They stood there for a second.
Just looking at each other.
Then Matt stepped closer.
Jordy didn't move away.
The kiss this time wasn't hesitant.
It was certain.
Familiar already.
Like something they had been holding back for too long.
Jordy's back hit the wall lightly as Matt moved closer, his hands gripping his shirt.
Jordy responded just as quickly, pulling him in.
The space between them disappeared completely.
Kisses turned deeper.
Longer.
Their breathing uneven.
Matt's hands moved to the hem of Jordy's shirt.
He paused for just a second, like he was asking without words.
Jordy didn't say anything.
He just nodded slightly.
That was enough.
The shirt came off.
Then another.
Clothes falling away piece by piece.
But nothing felt rushed.
Nothing felt forced.
Just… natural.
Like everything had been building to this moment.
And now, they weren't holding back anymore.