CHERRY CHAPSTICK

As soon as Norman kissed Sean good night, he knew something was wrong.

And even after Sean turned out the light, Norman lay awake in the dark, his mind racing at one thousand miles an hour.

Sean tasted like cherry.

It didn't fit. Sean didn't wear lipstick or lip gloss, and neither did Norman. They were both gay, but neither of them were that flamey. The flamiest Sean ever got was that stupid yellow cowboy hat from that episode of CSI.

But if it wasn't Norman, then who the hell was Sean kissing?

Norman didn't get any sleep that night, he was angsting so much. He never said it out loud, but he had a lot of insecurities about dating Sean – hell, Sean was way out of his league. The man was practically a god.

Sean was perfect, perfect at everything, and Norman was just, well…. Norman. Which is why the theory that Sean was cheating on him came so readily to mind.

But the night before they left for their camping trip? The one they'd been planning together for months?

Norman turned over and looked at his boyfriend, sleeping so peacefully, a faint smile on his lips.

Norman wondered briefly if Sean was dreaming about him, or the secret cherry-tasting one.

How could Sean look so peaceful, while the mere taste of cherry on his lips was driving Norman crazy?

The next morning, while Sean was shaving, Norman had to get out, just go for a walk, to mull things over. Everything seemed better in the daylight.

"Hey, Sean, I'm heading to the store to grab a few things, you need anything?" Norman called out.

"Uh, yea, could you pick up some chapstick? We're all out."

"Sure, what kind?"

"Oh, I don't know… the cherry kind's pretty good."

Norman had his hand on the doorknob when it hit him.

Cherry chapstick.

Of course.

He was such an idiot.

But he was so, so happy, he went into the bathroom and, ignoring all the shaving cream on his face, planted a kiss squarely on Sean's cherry stained lips.

"What was that for?" Sean said in surprise.

Norman grinned. "Oh, nothing. I just love you, that's all."

Inspired by my new friend, and dedicated to Athena.