Passionate Ambivalence

This particular event was pretty far out of Viren's comfort zone, but he was having fun. Still, even though almost everyone was topless, Viren felt excessively naked.

"Opeli, I need my shirt back."

"It's in the car. I only have this one. I guess it could be appropriate for you, my young apprentice... Put it on and let's dance!"

After a few songs the noise and crowd became overwhelming, so Viren retrieved his book and retreated to a corner filled with comfortable beanbags. The corner was already occupied by a shirtless person with deep brown skin and green eyes. They had glittery purple and gold makeup on, and their long hair was purple with blonde highlights. It looked amazing, but even more amazing was the fact they were making origami dragons.

Viren watched, fascinated, as nimble fingers shaped another dragon and placed it on the coffee table beside several friends. The maker had sparkly purple electrical tape over their nipples, and a sticker on the left side of their chest that read, "Hello, my name is Tink, my pronouns are they/them."

Viren asked, "Excuse me if this is a personal question, but... isn't that going to hurt when you take it off?"

Tink laughed. "Probably! At least I shaved first. But I probably should have oiled myself like a gladiator. It'll probably soak off in the shower..."

"Got any more stickers?"

"Yeah, here."

Viren filled out a sticker and carefully placed it on his recently acquired Baby Slut shirt. Tink smiled. "Nice to meet you, Viren. Love the beard, dude."

Viren grinned. "Thanks! I love it! I feel like every time I looked in the mirror my whole life it was missing and now it's not and I'm the real me. Maybe not in this shirt, though..."

Tink laughed again and shrugged. "It can be fun to cut loose sometimes! Do you mind if I call you pretty?"

"Hmmmm... no."

"You're a very pretty man. I'd like to kiss you. Would that be ok?"

"On the lips?"

"Yes, or whatever you want."

"Let me think about it."

"Great." Tink pulled out a phone and sent a text message, then went back to origami, pausing to read a reply message and glancing at Viren occasionally in companionable silence.

Viren tried to go back to reading but found it no longer held his interest, so he spoke up.

"Yes, I want to." Tink put the paper aside and leaned close. Viren hesitantly kissed their lips, Tink returned an obviously more experienced kiss, and they spent the next twenty minutes making out and snuggling.

Eventually Viren yawned, and Tink yawned too and asked, "You want to get out of here?"

"Are you asking me to come home with you?" The idea made Viren nervous and confused.

Tink shook their head. "No, I'm just getting ready to leave and offering you a ride. I'm going to go home to my boring husband."

"You're married?!?"

"Yes. He said it was fine to make out with pretty boys as long as I came home soon. If you were expecting something more serious, I'm sorry."

Viren shook his head, mostly relieved if a little disappointed. "No, that's fine. I just didn't want to be helping you cheat. I'd love a ride, thanks. Let me just go tell Opeli."

When he woke up the next morning, Opeli, who had obviously not been to sleep yet, handed him a cup of coffee and a muffin and informed him that he had gold lipstick all over his face.