Corruption

This isn’t how it was supposed to be. This was not how Ryan had imagined it—not that he had ever imagined this. He had never thought that something like this would happen, that he would be here like this. Never.

Pete, on the other hand, had imagined this. He had written songs about this moment, and they didn’t do it justice. He couldn’t have properly imagined the feel of Ryan’s alcohol tinged breath mixing with his own as their faces remained close together. He couldn’t have imagined the way that Ryan’s hand would push against the back of his neck as their lips pressed together heatedly, tongues touching each other with a roughness that Pete hadn’t expected.

Ryan had been startled when Pete had first approached him in the overcrowded house with this look in his eye that reminded him of a predator staring down its prey. It turned him on.

They had been friends for a while. When they first met, Pete couldn’t help but notice how innocent Ryan seemed and it was then that Pete felt a burning passion to corrupt him in some way. Before he knew it, he was imagining what it would feel like to press his body against Ryan’s. Wondering how Ryan’s lips would feel against his, how his mouth would taste.

Pete finally found his opportunity at the party. He couldn’t remember whose house he was at, but it didn’t matter—Ryan was there, standing by himself against a wall.

“You look bored,” Pete had said when he had approached Ryan. He had made sure to put his mouth close to Ryan’s ear as he spoke. It was loud after all. His lips had brushed against Ryan’s ear as he said the words and he couldn’t help but smile when he noticed how Ryan had shivered. When their eyes met a moment later, Pete had been caught off guard when Ryan had quickly captured his lips with his own.

Ryan hadn’t originally planned on kissing Pete, but the combination of how Pete had looked at him, the alcohol he had drank, and the way Pete’s lips had brushed against his ear just put Ryan over the edge.

And then it was lips against lips, mouths open, heavy breathing chaos. Pete was pressing his body against Ryan’s and, oh God, it was better than he imagined. His tongue was in the younger boy’s mouth, and it was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.

Hastily Pete tried to think if anything could compare to this moment, but his mind was focused on only one thing: Ryan. Ryan’s hips gripped between his hands. Ryan’s hand pulling gently at the hair on the back of Pete’s head. Ryan’s tongue against his. Nothing could ever compare to this moment.

It was a great surprise to Pete, though, when he felt Ryan pushing him away. Pete leaned in so that he could talk to Ryan over the loud music.

“Do you want to go some place?” he asked. Ryan was shaking his head and now Pete was confused. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m leaving,” Ryan replied. Pete could barely hear him. He moved away and looked at Ryan in confusion. He leaned back in.

“Are you leaving the party?” Ryan shook his head again. Pete grabbed Ryan’s hand and started toward the front of the house, planning on heading outside so that he could figure out what was going on.

It was summer in California, but the air outside felt chill after being inside the stuffy house. Ryan pulled his hand from Pete’s and leaned against the railing of the porch.

“Are you moving?” Pete asked.

“Yeah,” Ryan said, not meeting Pete’s eyes. He felt guilty now. Why couldn’t he just keep his mouth shut and enjoy the moment?

Pete had gone from feeling incredibly happy to something else entirely. He didn’t like this feeling.

“When were you going to tell me?” Pete questioned. Ryan shrugged.

“I didn’t know how to tell you,” Ryan answered. “Or anyone else for that matter. Plus, it’s not like I expected what just happened to happen.”

“You kissed me,” Pete said quietly. It sounded like an accusation. Ryan crossed his arms and stared at his feet.

“It’s not something I planned,” he said in return. “Besides, don’t act like it wasn’t your intention to kiss me the moment you came over to me.”

Ryan looked up and now it was Pete’s turn to look away.

“I wouldn’t have bothered if I had known you were leaving,” he said after a moment.

“Then let’s just forget it happened,” Ryan said. Pete turned his head sharply and his eyes met Ryan’s. He was surprised to see that now Pete looked hurt and he felt guilty. It was his fault. If he had just told people that he was moving he wouldn’t be in this situation.

“When--” Pete cleared his throat. “When are you leaving?”

“Not for a few months,” Ryan answered. Pete was quiet, thinking things over. Ryan watched him.

He was surprised when Pete moved towards him, closing the space between them. Both of Pete’s hands found their way to Ryan’s hips and he pulled him closer to him. This time, Pete initiated the kiss and again Ryan was pushing away.

“Pete,” he mumbled against Pete’s lips. He was finally able to break away. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“Don’t worry about it so much,” Pete said quietly. His lips were on Ryan’s again for a moment. “I just want to corrupt you.”