It has to be Perfect

Don took a deep breath, before knocking lightly on the door.

"Yes?"

He opened the door and poked his head in.

"Hey, can I come in for a minute?"

"Sure." Oliver said. "Something you need?"

…

"So does this make it official now?" Norman asked, squeezing Ray's hand as they walked down the sidewalk, heading to dinner. "This definitely feels like a date."

"... Is that what you want?"

"... Yeah. I think so… It feels right. Besides, it's been a couple weeks. We should probably put a label on it at this point." Norman awkwardly scratched the back of his neck with his other hand, side-eyeing Ray nervously.

"Good." Ray smiled back at him. "Then it's settled."

I never thought in a million years we'd be doing this. He thought to himself.

Norman couldn't remember the last time he had seen Ray this happy for this long.

And seeing Ray happy made him happy.

"So are we going to tell everyone?"

"Either that or let them figure it out on their own. I guess Chris didn't end up saying anything, because no one has said anything to me."

"Hey... Is it okay if I tell Emma first?... It's the kind of thing I would confide in her about back then…"

"I don't mind."

Hopefully we're far enough along that I don't have to worry about anything there…

But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

She deserves to know her best friends are dating, after all.

Ray felt his smile grow bigger.

'Dating'…

I'm dating Norman~~

"Ah, here it is!" They came to a stop outside the restaurant. "We better hurry so we can make our movie too."

I could die happy right now.

…

"Actually, yeah… There is."

"Come into my office then." Oliver smiled and motioned to the other chair in his room, which Don sat in. "What is it?"

"... I… kinda needed some advice, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. Lay it on me."

He's so… Cool.

I wish I were like him.

Thought the high-school sports star.

"Well… It's a little embarrassing…"

"Oh." Oliver chuckled. "I get it. You two are getting to that age."

Don's face immediately turned red, and he tried to force himself to be a little more composed, but he still stammered a bit.

"So… H-how did you know you were… Y'know, ready? For your first time?"

Oliver laughed, which didn't help Don's nerves, but he wasn't laughing at him, at least.

"Sorry." Don continued. "You're just the only one of us that I know has done it."

"Heh. I know for sure I'm not the only one… But I get what you mean. As for your question: Everyone is different, dude. Now, I know that's not really the answer you're looking for, but I'd be lying if I told you something else. It's one of those things where only you know when you're ready, you know? Besides, I wasn't dating the girl I lost my virginity to. It just kind of happened. Being in a relationship is a very different story."

That sounds like him.

Oliver gets around…

But even then, how can he talk about this like it's nothing?

It's so embarrassing.

"... You're probably thinking something like 'how is he so casual?', right?"

… That's spooky.

"Well," Oliver continued. "Really, it's only a big deal the first time… Once you get past the first time, you'll have a lot more confidence, and it won't be as nerve-wracking. But I know how rough it is to get to that point."

Don didn't really know what to say next, so Oliver just kept on going.

"... I guess the one thing I can say it's that it's not just whether or not you are ready, but if you're both ready. Sex is a big step."

"Yeah, I know that much at least…"

"Is there something that makes you think she's ready? Have you done anything sexual at all yet?"

"No… But," Don had to look away. "She said she has been having some trouble sleeping lately… She wants to sleep with me in my room. Tonight."

Oliver seemed shocked.

"Well… Huh."

"What?"

"If it were anyone else, I would assume that is just an excuse to get into bed with you. That's how I would interpret it if I had a girlfriend tell me that, anyway. But I can't really see Gilda being that… Brazen, I guess. Doesn't seem like her. She could very well just want to actually sleep with you." Oliver laughed again.

"I figured I would come talk to you, just in case… I mean, we have been together for a year and a half. I've never even thought of being with anyone else. I'm sure I'm going to end up marrying her one day… It's coming sooner or later. I'm just really nervous is all… Scared, really."

"Why is that?"

"I don't really know. I know I shouldn't be. It's Gilda."

"Right. She loves you so much it almost makes me sick." He chuckled. "But if you're really that unsure about it, and it comes up, just talk to her dude. It'll be awkward, but it'll help in the end."

"I also feel weird that I'm a guy who isn't jumping at the opportunity. Is that weird? I guess I just want our first to be perfect, you know?"

It has to be perfect.

"Like I said, everyone is different, Don. I think it's actually pretty sweet that you want to make sure it's the right time. It's admirable. There is nothing wrong with waiting, if that's what you want. I'm sure she would understand that if you told her. Also, you shouldn't expect perfection. Nobody's first time is perfect, and that's okay. Even if things are awkward, you're still going to look back on it fondly, because it's with someone you care about. Trust me. Don't sweat it so much."

The two sat in silence for a moment, Oliver waiting for Don to speak.

"... Thanks, Oliver. It was embarrassing, but I'm glad I talked to you. I feel a lot better about it."

"I'm glad you came to me. I'm always here for you, anytime."

"And hey," He continued. "Just in case..."

Oliver opened up a drawer on his nightstand and pulled out a box of condoms, holding one out to Don.

"Here. If it comes to it, you will be using this, okay? We don't need any more critters. Last thing we need is another mouth to feed." He chuckled, though he wasn't joking.

Don was immediately beet red again.

"... You do know how to use one, right?"

"Uh… Yeah." He took it from Oliver, looking sheepishly at the label. "I had sex-ed last year."

"Good, because I don't think we have any bananas in the house for a demonstration."

This at least broke the tension, and the two laughed.

"Actually," Oliver said, pulling two more out of the box. "Here. Just so you have a couple as back up, in case one breaks or something. If you… heh." Oliver grinned at him. "If you need more, just come in anytime, even if I'm not here. I'll leave my door unlocked. I'm also just here in general, if you need to talk again."

"… Thank you." Don said without raising his head, embarrassed as usual. "I really appreciate it."

Oliver reached out and ruffled his hair.

…

"You think those two over there are here together?"

"Ew. That's so disgusting."

Norman and Ray sat next to each other in the theater, in the second row from the top.

"Are they talking about us?" Norman whispered to Ray.

He glanced back over his shoulder, to see two elderly women looking in their direction, disapprovingly.

Ray's gaze caused them to look away quickly.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Wow. What fucking year is it, again?" Norman said just loud enough that he knew he would be heard.

Ray chuckled.

He had a fun idea.

"If they want to stare, we could always give them a reason to~~"

Even in the dim theater he could see Norman had turned bright red, but smiled in agreement.

Ray raised the cup holder between them, and wrapped his arms around him, snuggling into his chest. He ran one hand gracefully up and down Norman's upper body, tracing his muscles underneath his shirt.

When the two women looked back, appalled, Ray slowly turned his middle finger up at them, smiling. They immediately made a groaning noise before grabbing their purses and getting up, moving several rows further down, in front of Ray and Norman.

"Mission accomplished." Ray laughed, pulling away from Norman and sitting back in his chair, as the movie now began to play. "Assholes."

"... Where are you going?"

Norman put his arm around him, pulling him somewhat forcefully but playfully back to him, which caused Ray to gasp.

"I… liked this. But don't touch me like you were... It tickles."

"O-okay."

Noted.

Ray looked up at him, smiling back down.

The two locked eyes for a few long seconds, and Ray's eyes darted to Norman's lips.

His lips look so soft.

I…

Fuck, I really want to kiss him.

… I've been kind of waiting for him to say he's okay with everything, since he basically just wanted to 'try out' this relationship.

I don't want to do something he doesn't want to do.

… He did pull me over here…

… Maybe I'll just ask him beforehand.

But not here. Somewhere private. Later.

It has to be perfect.

Norman laughed.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Ray?…"

Ray realized he had been staring at Norman (as always), lips slightly parted, this whole time.

"… Oh. It's nothing. Tell you later."

Ray nuzzled into him, settling in to watch the movie.

…

"Is something the matter?... Your heart is pounding out of your chest."

Don and Gilda were intertwined with each other in Don's bed, in darkness, with Gilda resting her head against his chest.

"I… Well…"

"What is it?" She looked up and smiled at him.

The smile he had fallen in love with.

"Well, it's just…" He couldn't look her in the eye. "Did you… Y'know… Did you have a particular… other reason you wanted to sleep with me tonight?..."

She chuckled, before craning up to kiss his cheek.

"Maybe."

"O-oh…"

She couldn't help but notice his hesitation.

"... Don't you want to?"

"I…"

Yes. Absolutely.

But no at the same time.

An awkward silence filled the air.

"G-... Um… My friend at school said all boys want to. So, I thought… Maybe if I gave you the opportunity, it would make you happy."

Don sat up.

"I mean… It's not like I don't want to. I guess I'm just really nervous is all. I don't know if it's the right time… I want everything to be perfect… Besides, I figured you would be the type of person who would want to wait too."

"It's not like I'm not nervous too… But, I plan on being with you forever, Don, so anytime is fine. It's going to happen eventually, you know."

Pretty much the same thing I said to Oliver.

"Hey." She continued, sitting up with him. "There's nothing wrong with waiting, if you want to wait. I'm not going anywhere."

"I think… Maybe that might be best."

"Okay. But when you're ready, I am too. Not to pressure you, just saying so you don't hold yourself back…"

"... You promise you're not upset?"

"Of course not! You have nothing to worry about." She smiled, pecking him on the lips.

Don breathed a sigh of relief.

It's just like he said. I feel a lot better after talking to her…

I probably shouldn't have been so worried.

… She's always spoken her mind, but I didn't expect her to be so…

Forward.

… She's so relaxed about it.

If she's relaxed, I should be too.

… She's so sweet to me…

God, I love her.

"Let's just go to sleep then." She said, laying back down, and he followed her. "I wasn't just making an excuse, I really haven't been sleeping well. I'm looking forward to waking up next to you~~"

"You know, there's nothing stopping us from just staying in the same room anyway. All the time. It's not like we're supervised."

"Yeah, that sounds nice… But you know everyone will talk."

"So?"

"Oh, now you're all brave, huh?"

They both laughed.

"Sure, we can…" She continued. "... I love you, Don. Good night."

A goodnight kiss.

Don felt an electrical shock in his chest that ran down his body, straight to his core.

"I love you too."

He kissed her again.

Kissing her like this…

Laying down…

Feels so…

… Different…

Another kiss.

They stopped for a moment, looking deep into each other's eyes.

As if asking the other silently:

Do you feel that too?

Another kiss.

"I love you."

Again.

And again…

Emotions can be funny sometimes.

For instance, being nervous can completely immobilize a person.

Paralyze them.

But the sudden removal of that nervousness can feel empowering.

Empowering enough for two teens madly in love…

To receive the last push they needed…

…

Ray and Norman had decided to cut through the park on the way home, just to have a little extra scenery. It was already getting quite late, with their movie letting out around eleven P.M., and there was no one else to be seen in the park.

He had stayed completely glued to Norman the whole movie.

"I can't wait for the leaves to start changing~" Norman said as they walked hand in hand. "This park gets so beautiful in the fall."

"We'll have to come back and have a picnic one day."

… Maybe now is the time.

We're alone.

And it's so pretty here.

It's perfect.

"H-hey, Norman…" Ray stopped, tugging slightly on Norman's arm to get him to stop as well. "Um…"

His eyes darted to Norman's lips again.

He wasn't really sure what came over him.

He really wanted to say something first.

But before he knew it, he was pressing his lips to Norman's.

They were just as soft as he imagined.

It only lasted a couple seconds, but Ray noticed that it was very one-sided.

Norman didn't make any effort to return his kiss.

When he pulled himself away, Norman's eyes were as wide as he had ever seen them.

He almost looked worried.

Oh, no…

"... Dammit. I'm sorry." Ray said as he hung his head. "I should have said something…"

I fucked up.

He specifically told me to be patient with him.

He waited a while for Norman to say something.

But Norman didn't know what to say.

"... Come on." Ray began to slink away. "Let's just go home."

He felt Norman grab the back of his shirt, stopping him.

"Wait…" He spoke, timidly, as Ray turned back to face him "It's okay… You just startled me."

"Honestly," He continued, chuckling. "When you said earlier that we should give those women 'something to stare at', I thought you were going to kiss me then. Or afterwards."

"... Would've been an odd time to have a first kiss… But I definitely thought about it."

"I guess I just wasn't ready for it."

"I'm sorry, Norman. I didn't mean to push you into anything."

"No… That's not what I meant." Norman took his hand again. "It just caught me off guard, that's all. I was ready… I've thought about it a lot."

Ray just let him continue talking, sensing that he had more to say.

"I didn't really know what I felt for you when you first confessed to me, but I think I'm figuring it out. It weirded me out at first to think about… er… stuff like that."

That adorable blush again~

"Maybe just because you were another boy." Norman continued. "But the more I think about it, the more I'm okay with it. I want to do this stuff too… Because it's you, Ray… I don't want you to hold yourself back for me. I want this too…"

"You might regret telling me that~" He grinned seductively at him.

He could practically see steam coming off Norman's cheeks.

"WITHIN REASON!"

Ray couldn't help but laugh at him.

"... Um… Before we go back." Norman said, pulling himself closer. "... Can we please try that again?..."

How could I deny such a cute request?~~

Norman's warm, pillow-soft lips met Ray's again.

This kiss was more like the one Ray had envisioned.

…

Love can be messy.

Awkward, even.

But perfection in any relationship usually only happens in fiction.

Just because something isn't perfect doesn't mean it can't be a precious memory.

As Ray and Norman made their way home…

And as Gilda fell blissfully asleep in Don's arms…

They all knew that for themselves.