They’d agreed on next Saturday evening and Scott offered to use his place because his roommates apparently had a huge flat-screen set up, but they’d be out that night.
Billy was fine with that and he was kind of curious to see Scott’s place, so he got a bus over there just after six P.M.
Scott buzzed him into the building, and then greeted him at the door with a big smile.
“Hey! C’mon in!”
“Thanks.” Billy smiled back as he entered the apartment. He toed off his shoes and unzipped his hoodie, revealing the pastel colored, galaxy print T-shirt he had on underneath with a unicorn kitten print on its front.
“Wow,” Scott said, giving Billy’s shirt the once over.
“I know,” Billy said with a laugh. “It’s probably the best and also the worst item of clothing I own. But, hey! It’s space themed!” He pulled on the hem to show off the design.
“Sure is.” Scott laughed, “I love it. Puts my space socks to shame.”
Billy looked down and saw Scott was wearing socks with little planets and rockets on them. He laughed when Scott wiggled his toes. “But they’re cool, too!”
“You bet. Anyway, come on through! I’ve got the lava lamps on.”
“Lava lamps!” Billy uttered excitedly, following Scott to the living room.
The drapes were closed to blot out the lingering daylight, with novelty side lamps on all over the room; a lit globe of the Earth, a hanging lantern that looked like Saturn, and several lava lamps all in different colors and sizes.
Billy whistled appreciatively. “This is awesome. I’m ready to blast off into space now.”
Scott laughed at that and gestured at the couch. “Please, make yourself comfortable. You want a drink? I got beer, or soda? Then we can order the take-out.”
“Cool. Soda works for me,” Billy said, flopping down onto one corner of the small couch.
He looked around the room as Scott went to fetch their drinks. There was a lot of geeky stuff on display, especially on the shelves. Lots of little collectibles here and there and cult movie posters on the walls.
There was some regular stuff too; sports things, and a poster of some dudes playing basketball. A hoop was fixed on the wall in the corner of the room, with a set of dumbbells on the floor.
It was like, half geek den and half frat house.
“How many roommates you got?” Billy asked when Scott came back.
“Just two.” Scott handed Billy his soda and sat down on the couch, close but not too close.
Billy was acutely aware of how comfortable Scott seemed next to him though.
“They’re actually a couple now,” Scott explained. “And they got the bigger room, but they’re cool to live with. I met them both back in college.”
Billy took a sip of soda. “Are they graphic designers too?”
“Oh, no.” Scott laughed awkwardly. “I was a business and accounting major, so were they.”
“Oh,” Billy said. “You made a switch to graphic design?”
“Yeah, I self-taught for a few years,” Scott said. “Took some online classes, too. I wasn’t happy in accounting, so I’d saved up some money from my previous job, figured I’ll try my hand at being an artist in one form or another. I’m a lot happier doing art, for sure.”
“Cool,” Billy said, nodding in agreement. “That’s awesome you did that. I hope the art gig works out for you.”
“Same here,” Scott said. “Although, I wouldn’t mind working in a less customer focused artistic field. I’m not really used to dealing with client demands, especially when they don’t know shit about art.”
“That sounds reasonable.” Billy chuckled. “Customers can be a pain in the ass.” He turned the soda bottle around in his hands, wanting to ask Scott more about himself. “Uh, so, you’re the single roommate, right? I haven’t seen you on Grindr or anything?”
“Yeah, I’m single,” Scott said quietly, “but Grindr isn’t really my scene.”
Oh, Billy thought.
“Uh, yeah,” he said hastily. “Me neither, really. Sometimes it’s a good way to meet people and find friends though. Um…anyway.”
They were quiet a moment, then Scott fiddled with his phone and handed it over to Billy. “Here. This is the Japanese place I’m truly in love with. Let me know what you want to eat and I’ll make the order.”
“Yay, food,” Billy said.
And a perfect distraction from the awkward conversation he’d initiated.
Billy scrolled through the menu onscreen, not recognizing any of the rice and noodle dishes but willing to try. “Any recs?”
Scott chuckled and leaned in a little closer to Billy to see the menu and point out a couple dishes. “Recs, huh. Well, this one is good. Oh, and this one…”
Not that Billy paid much attention because he was far too aware of Scott being so close to him.
“Uh, yes,” he managed to say, when Scott had drawn back again. “That sounds good. Let’s go with that.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, positive.” Billy had no idea what he was saying yes to, but it didn’t really matter. He’d eat mostly anything.
“Great! I’ll just order it.” While Scott was busy on his phone, Billy tried not to watch him while simultaneously fantasizing about this being a date. He forced himself to look around the room instead, admiring some of the movie posters on the walls.
“Okay, all done.” Scott set his phone on the coffee table in front of them. “It won’t take long, they’re basically across the street.”
“I think I saw the place on my way here,” Billy said.
“They’re really good. It’s my special treat food,” Scott said with a smile.
Billy couldn’t help smile back.
This was a treat, then? That had to be a step up from just hanging out platonically, right?
Scott was still smiling at him, and before Billy could blush and ruin the moment by being a dork, he grabbed his bag and pulled out his notebook and pen, and also his glasses case.
“So, um. I came prepared,” he announced, getting his glasses out of the case and slipping them on. “Don’t laugh,” he told Scott mock-sternly.
As he’d hoped, it made Scott laugh.
“Wait, I have mine too!” Scott leaned over the arm of the couch, his T-shirt riding up a bit to expose a flash of flat, toned stomach. He searched for a bit before sitting back down and putting on a square set of black-rimmed frames, much like Billy’s own. “Ta-da!” Scott grinned, and now Billy laughed.
“Sweet. So, now we’ve had our magical nerd transformations, what are we watching first?”
Scott rubbed his hands together in glee, clearly excited. “I have like, loads, but I thought while we ate dinner, we could watch Flash Gordon, because I’m sure you’ve seen it already and we can just go over some basic ideas while it’s on.”
“Uh, yeah.” Billy clicked his pen, and pretended to be poised to write. “My body is ready.”
Scott did a small double-take, then made a little huff of amusement. He pointed a remote control at the enormous flat-screen, bringing it to life, and Billy watched as the screen showed the star-filled expanse of space and Emperor Ming’s voice-over filled the surround sound speakers.
“Wow,” Billy said appreciatively, glancing about to try and locate the speakers. “This is amazing.”
“I know, right?” Scott sounded really happy.
“Just to warn you,” Billy turned to Scott in all seriousness, “when the theme song starts, I may sing, and it may be terrible.”
Scott gave a hearty laugh, leaning back into the couch. “You can sing! Please, do.”
“Yeah, but I can’t reach those high notes,” Billy sighed.
Not anymore, anyway. Thanks, testosterone.
“I could never reach those,” Scott said, seemingly unaware of any underlying implications.
Billy didn’t elaborate either; he didn’t want to get into the whole thing of asking if Scott was aware he was trans, not right now. He was happy just hanging out.
Billy watched the opening sequence unfold and tried his best to sing along, or at least mime the high notes.
He made a valiant effort anyway.
“Oh, the comics!” he exclaimed, hurrying to write a note in his book as pictures from the old Flash Gordon comic strips showed onscreen. “Hey,” he turned to Scott excitedly, “do you remember Defenders of the Earth?”
“Oh, yeah.” Scott grinned. “Loved it. I have it on DVD.”
“What!” Billy couldn’t believe it. “Oh, my God. Let’s watch it later!”
“Sure.”
“Now that theme I can sing,” Billy boasted. “It’s in my range, anyway.”
“I can’t wait,” Scott said dryly, and Billy gave him side eye, as he was starting to detect a bit of sass.
And, damn, he really liked a bit of sass.
“Not into singing?” Billy challenged, and took a casual sip of his soda.
“Depends,” Scott chuckled. “Maybe after a couple beers?”
“Got it.” Billy smiled, and went back to watching the screen.
He started diligently taking notes, mostly on background reference and set design, but it was kind of hard to concentrate with Scott sitting right next to him.
It was almost a relief when the food arrived twenty minutes later, delivered by a young-looking kid Scott called Yuto.
“Enjoy your food, guys,” Yuto said, before he left.
“Aw,” Billy murmured, as Scott brought the take-out bags over to the couch. “Delivery boys get younger every day.”
Scott laughed. “He’s the owner’s grandson, helps out sometimes. Good kid,” Scott sat back down and opened the take-out bag. “Here’s yours.”
“Awesome, thanks.” Billy gratefully took the enormous carton of food that smelled amazing. “What do I owe you, by the way?”
“It’s on me, don’t worry.” Scott flashed him a smile, a shy one, as he unpacked his own food.
“Seriously? I don’t mind, Scott. Let me give you a twenty?”
“Really, it’s fine,” Scott told him. “You can get the next one, if you want.”
Billy blinked in surprise.
Scott wanted to hang out with him…multiple times?
Wow.
“Okay, yeah, that sounds good,” Billy mumbled into his pot of noodles, trying to hide his blush.
They ate their food, and watched the movie.
Billy wasn’t sure what possessed him to suddenly blurt out, “You know, Scott, if your hair was more blond, you could cosplay Flash, easy.”
Scott looked at him, and Billy felt his face flame hotter than ever.
“Uh, I mean—”
“Easy, huh?” Scott smiled. “Is that a good thing?”
“In what universe would it not be a good thing?” Billy replied. “Look at the man!” He gestured at the screen, where currently Flash was in peril, chained up, and in leather short-shorts. “Or…maybe don’t look at him right now,” Billy amended. “I meant more the wholesome, football player look, not the…slightly dubious, BDSM look.”
Scott laughed, hard. He sort of hugged himself as he laughed too, and that was real adorable.
“So, wholesome but not kinky. That’s what you think of me?” Scott asked.
“Well, no, I didn’t mean…Oh, God.” Billy put down his food so he could facepalm, knocking his glasses askew in the process, as Scott laughed at him. “Can I get a do-over?” Billy asked meekly.
“Sure.” Scott wiped the tears from his eyes and tried to subdue his laughter. “Well, who would you cosplay?”
“I’m already huge and hairy,” Billy said, “so I’d give Vultan a whirl.”
“Erm, doesn’t he wear a kinky leather outfit too?” Scott pointed out, biting his lip to keep from laughing.
“Uh…I guess so,” Billy muttered. “It’s just a kinky movie, alright? No escaping the outfits.”
“Were the comics kinky too?” Scott asked.
Billy shrugged. “I have no idea, but I’ll add it to my research if you want.”
“Okay,” Scott said. “So, just to recap, you’re Vultan, and I’m Flash. Have you done cosplay before?”
“Uh…sort of.” Billy felt shy now. “When I was less chubby.”
Scott was quiet a moment, then he said, “I think you’d make an awesome Vultan. You should do it.”
“Only if you do Flash,” Billy countered.
“Deal.”
“Have you cosplayed?” Billy asked.
“No.” Scott ducked his head shyly. “Seems like a lot of fun. I, er…don’t really have any friends into this sort of stuff.”
Billy felt sad at that and he said without hesitation, “Well, now you got me.”
Scott looked up, and gave him a shy, small smile.
* * * *
Billy got his head in the game, and took some good notes during the rest of the movie. Scott paused it when Billy asked him to, so he could point out backgrounds or set pieces to use as reference and inspiration for their comic.
Scott was attentive, and used his phone to take pictures of the screen, for drawing reference.
“You ever background study a movie before?” Billy asked him, as the movie neared its end. “Like, ignore the main actors and dialogue, and concentrate on all the background stuff and settings?”
“Not really,” Scott admitted. “I use Google images or stock photos, but I haven’t watched anything specific like this for ideas.”
“It’s really useful.” Billy chewed on his pen. “So, what’s next on the list?”
“A personal favorite.” Scott sounded excited, and got up to go fetch a DVD.
“Is it Defenders of the Earth?” Billy joked.
“Better.” Scott offered him the DVD, and Billy took it and looked at the cover.
It took him a moment to recognize it, as he’d never seen a DVD copy before.
“Ulysses 31!” he shouted, gripping the DVD. “Holy shit!”
“Right?” Scott bounced on the balls of his feet, clearly pleased. He reached for the DVD. “Let’s put it on.”
Billy went to hand back the DVD, and held onto it when Scott tried to take it. “It is the thirty-first century,” he started, affecting a deep voice to mimic the intro sequence.
Scott tugged on the DVD case. “Let go and I’ll put it on.”
Billy laughed, and he let Scott have the DVD. He settled back into the couch with his notebook, squirming with delight as Scott set up the DVD.
“Have you seen the longer opening theme?” Scott asked when he sat back down.
“What? What do you mean?”
“There’s, like, an extra-long theme song, with more verses and stuff,” Scott explained, and turned up the volume on the TV.
“What?” Billy’s jaw dropped open. “No? Oh, my God! Even more exciting!” He watched the screen eagerly. “I used to love this show,” he muttered quietly, as the intro started with its beautiful animation scenes of space and the funky ‘80s electronica.
The animation and theme song were slightly different than what Billy was used to; clearly a longer original edit. Billy covered his mouth with his hand, completely awed. “Oh, wow!” he said, muffled by his hand.
“I know, right?” Scott said, grinning happily.
Billy allowed himself a little squeal behind his hand. “It’s like…seeing it for the first time all over again.”
When the familiar chorus started up, Billy fanned his face with his hands. “Aah, I’m gonna cry! I’m really emotional over here.”
“Are you okay?” Scott checked, though he was smiling. “This is cool, right? You like it?”
“Scott, this is so cool, I am legit going to steal this DVD off of you.” Billy took a deep breath in. “I used to love this show so much as a kid.”
“Hey, you can borrow the DVDs,” Scott said easily. “I got every season.”
“Scott!” Billy wailed. “Don’t tell me that! Now I have to watch them all. Aw, man,” he gestured at the screen, “look at those backgrounds. Space never looked so pretty, I swear.”
“Yeah, the animation is stunning,” Scott agreed. “Especially for its time. This is the remastered version, not cut for TV.”
As the episode began, they quieted down to watch it for a few minutes.
“I loved his voice,” Billy declared, a bit overly excited. “Don’t you think he was hot? For a cartoon, anyway.”
“Yeah, for sure,” Scott agreed.
A beat passed, then Scott added, “You could cosplay him.”
“Huh?” Billy looked to Scott. “Who?”
“You could cosplay Ulysses,” Scott said, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smile. “You got the hair, and the beard. You just need the suit, and that light saber thing.”
Billy blinked at him, then laughed it off. “Right, a fat Ulysses.”
“I think you’d look awesome,” Scott insisted gently.
Billy laughed again, then tapped his pen on his notepad. He glanced at Scott to gauge his reaction.
He wasn’t laughing, like he hadn’t intended it as a joke.
Billy hadn’t expected that.
“You…really think that?” he asked.
Scott smiled warmly. “Yeah, you’d make a hot Ulysses.”
“Oh…um, thanks.” Billy wasn’t sure what to do with that, so he stared at his notebook, then tried to watch the TV screen.
Ulysses was there, looking all beardy and hot.
He wasn’t helping.
Billy looked to Scott, who noticed him looking, and smiled at him.
“How many beers have you had, Scott?”
That made Scott laugh, but he held up his bottle. “I’m only on my second, and it’s a lite.”
“Huh.”
“Do you want one?” Scott offered.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
Scott nodded, and then went back to watching the screen. Billy tried to as well, when he caught Scott looking at him, so he looked at Scott, but then he got nervous so he looked away again.
They looked at each other a couple more times before Billy felt bold enough to blurt out, “Are we flirting, or…?”
“Um.” Scott wet his lips, and answered, “Well, I mean, I was trying to?”
“Oh.” Billy hurriedly looked back at the TV as he tried to process that.
Scott was flirting with him? Billy bit his lip, then looked at Scott.
Scott smiled at him, a bit awkward and unsure, and that’s what gave Billy the courage to shift himself a little closer on the couch.
“So, what would your moves be?” he asked.
Scott took the hint and shifted closer too. “Er, I guess I would try the old arm on the back of the couch move?”
Billy couldn’t help grinning. “I think that would work just fine.”
Scott leaned back into the couch and stretched his arm out, and sure enough, Billy felt Scott’s hand touch on his shoulder.
Billy smiled, ecstatic, and leaned into Scott, into the opening he’d made.
He didn’t do more than that, and pretended to focus on the TV, not on Scott and the warm press of him all along Billy’s side.
Billy’s heart thudded heavily, excited. After a long moment of anticipation, he felt Scott’s hand move a little, his fingers gently toying with the long strands of his hair.
Billy stayed perfectly still, hoping Scott wouldn’t stop. It felt nice, having his hair played with, being touched. Billy breathed carefully, not wanting to ruin the moment, and gripped his pen and notebook a little tighter.
Scott kept stroking his hair, and said so quietly Billy could only just make it out, “I think you’re really cool, Billy.”
Billy couldn’t help the abrupt laugh that escaped him. “Scott, we are literally taking notes on geeky space stuff. Are you sure cool is the word you’re looking for here?”
Scott chuckled too and said, “These are not the words you’re searching for.”
Billy rolled his eyes at the Obi Wan reference. “Ha, ha.”
“Seriously, though.” Scott sat back a bit, retracting his hand. “I do think you’re cool. And, um…”
Billy looked at him expectantly, and angled his body to Scott in encouragement.
Scott fiddled with his hands. “I wondered if you…maybe want to go on a date with me sometime?”
Billy grinned, feeling like he was so happy right now, he would float up to the ceiling. “Is this not a date?”
Scott glanced up at him and looked a little like a deer caught in the headlights. “Uh, I guess? I wasn’t sure if you…I mean, I wanted to hang out, but I also want to ask you out.”
“Both sound good to me,” Billy said softly. He didn’t make a move, didn’t want to frighten Scott off. The guy seemed nervous, and Billy was nervous too, but he was also patient.
He didn’t mind being patient for Scott, not one bit.
“Yeah?” Scott smiled, like he was surprised at Billy’s answer.
“Yeah, definitely.” Billy smiled back, then looked away and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. “Wasn’t sure if I was your type. You know I’m trans, right? I just…I know I’m pretty tall, and a lot of people think I’m a cis guy because of that, but I was assigned female and I’m trans masc now.” He glanced at Scott, feeling nervous again. “Thought it was worth mentioning that now…um. Just so you know.”
Scott nodded, but he became quiet for a moment. Billy couldn’t decipher his expression, if he seemed surprised and hid it well, or if he had already guessed as much.
He just didn’t know.
Scott rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, and said finally, “Is this a good time to mention that I’m pansexual?”
“Oh?” Billy perked up at this, relief flooding through him. “Yeah, that’s…really cool.”
“I’m also demisexual,” Scott said, seeming to fidget again. “I prefer going into things slow. Like, get to know each other before I even think about…you know, taking it further. I know that might seem boring?”
“No, no way,” Billy insisted. “Slow is fine, that’s more than fine.”
“Oh.” Scott seemed surprised, and then he smiled. “Well, that’s awesome, I…thank you, Billy.”
“You don’t have to thank me, you dork,” Billy said with a laugh.
Scott laughed too. “It seemed polite! Shut up.”
He poked Billy in his fleshy side, and as Billy was extremely ticklish there, he yelped involuntarily.
“Wow,” Scott said, drawing back. “That was a pretty high pitch. Congratulations.”
Billy hid his face in his hands. “Oh, God. No tickling, Scott.”
“Sorry. No tickling,” Scott agreed. “Although, that was technically more of a poke.”
“Same thing,” Billy argued. He flicked his hair back with both hands, and gave Scott a little grin.
Scott smiled back before ducking his head, still shy.
“So,” Billy ventured, “how would you feel about some hand holding? Like, now? Or is that too much?”
“No, that would be good,” Scott agreed, and offered his hand palm up.
Billy slid his hand into Scott’s, reveling in the touch of skin, the excitement of what was starting between them. He held onto Scott’s hand, careful but firm, and smiled when he felt Scott squeeze back.
“Okay, then,” Billy said. “Cool.”
He still had his writing hand free, so he turned his attention to the TV again and made a few notes, hoping to put Scott at ease.
It may have been a bit dorky, but holding hands and watching space shows made Billy feel indescribably happy.
When he stole a glance at Scott, Billy saw that he was smiling too.