don’t get too close, it’s dark inside (it’s where my demons hide)

Declan tastes something sour at his boyfriend’s observation. “I don’t want to talk about my mum. Or fucking Tobias.” He makes an exaggerated show of straightening Bear’s collar. “You’re the brainiac here. Any grand ideas for keeping me distracted?”

“If you’re trying to imply you’re horny, you’ve certainly been more smooth than that in the past.”

“Nah. Not feeling it. Surprise me.”

Bear pauses, tilting his head. His eyes narrow a little. “I finished another painting this afternoon.” He gestures to his accordingly stained hands. “Would you like to see it?”

Declan’s brows lift. “You’ve never let me see your paintings before,” he says slowly.

“Didn’t you just tell me to surprise you?”