39: Public Display of Affection

Stephen smiled and opened his arms wide to greet Inho with a hug. Inho glanced nervously around but let himself be embraced, Stephen didn’t let go though. He looked down at Inho in the circle of his arms,

“Thanks for inviting me tonight,” Stephen said, then leaned down to kiss him.

Inho flinched back, avoiding the kiss. A hug was one thing, but, even if they were straight, public kissing was just...a big no. Stephen released him immediately and stepped back to an unfriendly distance. Inho peered at his face to see if he was upset. His smile was back up, but it was stiff and didn’t reach his eyes. Stephen didn’t acknowledge what had just happened and smoothly changed the topic.

“There’s only one movie playing this late; it’s that action sequel,” Stephen pointed at the poster, “Is that alright with you?”

“Yeah sure.” Inho was still worried, but didn’t know how to address the gap that had just opened up between them, “D’you want to grab popcorn while I get tickets?”

Stephen nodded and strode off to the concession. Inho mentally kicked himself for dodging his kiss. This was literally the opposite of what he wanted to happen between them. But still, kissing here? Was that a thing? His thoughts went in circles. People were more relaxed here about public displays of affection than back home, but...

They toted their bulky popcorn tubs and waxed cups of rootbeer into the theatre, and Inho was disappointed to see that they didn’t have couples seat options. It was quiet since it was a late-night screening, and there was nearly nobody in the dark space. They chose seats near the back, and Stephen put the center armrest up so they could sit close together. Inho moved in tight to try to rebuild some intimacy and rested his head on Stephen’s shoulder. It was warm in the theatre, and when the lights lowered for the trailers to start, he felt a little sleepy.

“Are you okay?” Stephen asked quietly, “The previews haven’t even ended yet. We can go if you’re too tired?”

“No,” Inho said, and his voice sounded petulant even to himself. He buried his face into Stephen’s sweater, “I’m fine, I want to watch.”

Stephen chuckled, then lightly mussed his hair before placing a kiss on the top of his head, “Okay, but if you drool on me you have to buy me a new shirt. This is cashmere.”

Inho blew a fart sound with his tongue in response and reached for some popcorn.

The movie was good – loud, fast, and exciting, and it had Keanu Reeves in it. Inho would have been riveted, but an hour and a half in, and Stephen’s hidden pained expression from earlier was still weighing on him.

He needed to do something to bring them closer again, and get back on track. How was he going to figure out if they were in a relationship if he couldn’t even resolve this? He surreptitiously checked the seats ahead once more. There was just one couple nearer to the front.

He snuck a glance to his left to see if Stephen’s hand was free. Maybe a little handholding would soften Stephen’s ruffled feelings about the kiss earlier. But, no, Stephen’s arms were folded tidily across his chest. Inho pouted. The couple in the seats ahead suddenly got up and left. Weird.

They were alone in the theatre now. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out a nervous hand and plopped it heavily on Stephen’s thigh. Stephen was distracted by the movie and startled a little. He shot Inho a questioning look – one perfectly arched eyebrow quirked up.

Inho slipped his hand over the fine fabric of Stephen’s pants, he could feel firm muscle underneath. He squeezed gently, not really sure what he wanted to do beyond this. He’d thought Stephen would take his hand now. He squeezed again, and Stephen shifted in his chair, just a tiny arch of his back.

Slowly, slowly, Inho slid his hand to Stephen’s inner thigh, a light teasing touch. He wondered how Stephen would react, but Stephen didn’t look away from the screen. Inho rested his hand in that tender warm place for a moment, then he crept it up towards Stephen’s body.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Stephen looking at him now. Inho wet his lips, he could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears over the movie soundtrack. He wasn’t one for PDA, but there was nobody in here but them right now. Maybe he felt just a little bit dangerous? Maybe he liked it.

Inho paused just before reaching the top. Stephen was looking at his hand, waiting for him pull away or to move that extra inch yet… Inho glanced around again. There was still nobody in the theater. Stephen tensed up noticeably, Inho looked at him now, up close, he could feel Stephens fast breathing, and Stephen was staring at his lips. Inho suppressed a grin of satisfaction and bit his full lower lip just for show. Stephen’s eyes met his now. His pupils were blown out dark with arousal; Inho could barely see the blue.

There was movement in the seats ahead. The couple was back, and they were facing this way as they got back into their row. Inho flinched but didn’t stop, he couldn’t quit now.

He closed the distance, his hand sliding over the bulge in Stephen’s pants, cupping it. But…

The firm excitement he expected to find wasn’t there.

Stephen took his wrist firmly, “Inho, stop. What are you doing?”

“I–I ah,” Inho pulled his hand back as if burned. He legitimately had no idea how to respond. What felt like long minutes had actually been just a few seconds. It seemed he’d actually taken Stephen completely unawares.

How did I read that so wrong?!

Shame hit Inho so hard it took his breath away.

“Let’s talk after.” Stephen said in a tone that made Inho feel 2 feet tall, “It’s nearly over.”

Inho pulled away, folding his arms and scrunching himself as far into the other side of his seat as he could. He couldn’t think. His face burned and humiliation choked him, making his eyes sting.

He had no idea what happened in the rest of the movie, and when the lights lifted, Stephen stood up immediately, took his hand, and marched them to the exit.