Maybe not yet, not this year, but sometime in the future Laurent intended to leave him, and when that time came, Beast knew he’d have to let him go. That was the reality of it, and he couldn’t change it. All he could do was try not to be brooding, to not disturb the harmony of their relationship while it lasted, but keeping a positive attitude was bullshit. He still hurt every night, every time he didn’t have anything to keep his mind busy.
Maybe it was Laurent’s age that was the issue? Where Beast knew he could spend the rest of his life with Laurent, Laurent had barely started living. He was probably still assessing what he could and couldn’t do in a whole new world. What kind of people were out there for him to meet?. What kind of men?
He nuzzled Laurent’s forehead and pulled him closer, wishing he could memorize each body hair. “That would be nice,” he said, wondering if it had been King’s idea. If he and the guys wanted to prepare a surprise for Beast, they would want him out of the clubhouse.
“Is there something new we could do? Or something you loved when you were a child?” Laurent trailed his fingers over the image of a falling Lucifer on Beast’s chest.
Beast licked his lips and brought Laurent’s hand to his lips, watching him in silence while his stomach twisted. Laurent said he wanted this to be Beast’s day, but there was nothing Beast wanted more than to indulge his boyfriend. There was something so joyful about Laurent’s excitement each time he saw something new that his past life could have never offered him, that Beast would gladly just see him having fun all day.
“What about a water park? They have slides, and fake waves, and pineapple ice cream.”
That had Laurent perking up like a kitten. “Oh, that sounds splendid! And we could catch the last of this summer’s sun. How are waves made? And ice cream. I would love some ice cream.” He kissed Beast on the lips. “Are many things there made out of plastic?”
Beast laughed, suddenly relaxed. He combed his fingers through Laurent’s hair and kissed him gently. “I’m sure there are many things made of plastic. Like chairs. And I don’t know about the waves, but I’m sure we could ask someone who works there.”
Laurent lay his whole body on top of Beast’s and made the next kiss last longer. If Beast closed his eyes, he could just about believe that Laurent would be in his life forever.
When Laurent pulled away, his eyes were so full of tenderness it made Beast self-conscious.
“Let’s go, and see where this day takes us,” he finished off without a smile, and that brief expression made Beast’s eyebrows rise, but Laurent was on his feet before Beast could ask if everything was okay.
*
It was Saturday, and so the parking lot by the water park was packed, but luckily one could always find just enough space for a motorbike. Beast carried their towels and swimming gear in a backpack as they approached the gate, already listening to the tropical-themed music and shrieking kids as they walked along the fence. Laurent stopped for a moment and looked between the steel elements, at all the fun that was awaiting them. Beast would wear his wetsuit in order to protect his body from the sun and keep the most offensive tattoos out of sight in a place so filled with little kids, but he’d enjoy swimming and watching Laurent use the slides.
He used to come here with his ex a lot. Back before the bastard left him.
“Should we hold hands? Or is it inappropriate in this area?” Laurent asked when they walked up to the ticket office.
Beast hesitated, not sure whether he wanted to risk the staff to immediately label them. Maybe it would be for the better to just stay neutral until they emerged from the changing rooms? “You never know what people will think. It’s complicated,” he said as they stood in the line of about ten people.
He kept his eyes on Laurent, but when two small boys wouldn’t stop staring at him from their parents’ arms, he smiled at them, disappointed when they looked away rather than grin back.
He got so lost in thoughts that he didn’t even notice Laurent buying their tickets. He had his wallet out, and it was incredibly sweet that he wanted to spend the tiny bit of money he’d earned on something for Beast.
“Excuse me? Why not?” Laurent asked, trying to shove the money at the woman behind the window.
Beast frowned and leaned down to look at her. “Is there a problem?” he asked, looking at the young brunette behind the cash register. She gave him a fake smile, and a cold weight was already gathering at the pit of Beast’s stomach. Not today...