Eyeliner and Lace

by Ruby Moone

“I thought I’d been so bloody clever, so…” Jamie’s voice hitched.

  Ryan pulled away from him. He couldn’t bear it. He scrubbed at his face. “When are you leaving?”

  Jamie’s eyes were wet. “I’m not leaving. I’d never leave you. I love you.” The words sat in a little pool between them. “Do you think I’ve been seeing someone else?”

  The pain and hurt in Jamie’s eyes made Ryan stop.

  “Well…no. You’re not the cheating sort.” He picked at the skin on his thumb, keeping his gaze down. “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “What is it you think I’ve been doing?” The words were gentle.

  “I…” Ryan shrugged. “I just thought you’d gone off me.”

  “Never. In fact, I love you more than ever.”

  “So…what’s this all about?”

  Jamie sniffed and scrubbed at his eyes. “I’ve been planning my thirtieth birthday party for this weekend.”

  “A surprise party?” Ryan was frowning. “How can it be a surprise if you are planning it?”

  Jamie flushed and scratched the back of his neck. “Well, I’ve been planning to take you out tomorrow night for a meal, too.”

  “Okay…” Ryan shrugged helplessly.

  “Well, I needed a cover story for the party in case you said no. I didn’t want to put any pressure on you. I wanted the whole family and all our friends, well, my friends, to know that we are together and that I love you. I’m not always very…open. I don’t…” He paused and cleared his throat. “I don’t want to hide anymore. I want everyone to know. So, a party seemed like a good idea. I want them to know how much I love you, blue hair, eyeliner, and all.”

  Ryan had to clear his throat a couple of times before he could speak.

  “It is a good idea. It’s the most beautiful idea I’ve ever heard. But why keep it secret? I could have helped plan it. I’m good at planning. I’d…” Ryan stopped and frowned. “What do you mean about me saying no? I’m not going to say no to a party and meeting all your friends. I’m honestly touched.” He was. His heart was singing again. He hadn’t gone off him, he was coming out to all his family and friends for him. His heart was doing backflips so hard his head hurt. He went to hug Jamie, but he stood like a statue. A muscle was jumping in his cheek.

  “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  “Umm.”

  “This is the bit where you throw your arms around me and we kiss and have make up sex.”

  “We just had sex.” Jamie was frowning.

  “Well, I’m always up for more.”

  “Where’s your eyeliner?”

  Ryan fidgeted. “I took it off in case you thought it was a bit much. What with the blue hair and all.”

  Jamie reached out and ran a finger down his cheek. “Put it back on for me? I want it to be perfect.”

  Ryan shook his head. “What?”

  “Please? I’ll be back in a minute.” Jamie legged it up the stairs, leaving Ryan staring at the spot where he’d stood. Shaking his head, he went to his bag, pulled out the eyeliner, and using the mirror in the lounge, re-applied it. He blinked, fluffed his hair, and pouted. Jamie loved him. Just as he was. He blinked rapidly. If he started bawling now, he’d mess up the eyeliner. He heard Jamie’s footsteps on the stairs, so he took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and waited. Maybe this would be a good time to show him the lacy undies he’d bought. Black, with electric blue lace to match his eyes and hair. He grinned at the thought and his cock perked up. Happiness was bubbling through him so fast he wanted to run around the room and shout. Either that or take Jamie back upstairs and spend the entire evening in bed. Whatever, there was so much energy pulsating through him he didn’t know where to put himself. Jamie loved him and wanted him. Not only that, he was coming out fully for him. And he loved his blue hair and eyeliner.

  Jamie looked flushed when he came back in the room. Ryan went to him and put his arms around him. He got a massive squeeze that made all the world feel right.

  “I’ve been pathetic and insecure, haven’t I?”

  Jamie kissed his head. “Insecure, maybe, but pathetic? Never. You’re the strongest person I know.

  “This party’s not going to fit in your mum’s back garden, you know.”

  Jamie pulled back and smiled shyly. “No. I’ve booked Moreton’s.”

  Ryan’s eyes widened. Moreton’s was a swanky hotel on the outskirts of town. “Moreton’s?”

  Jamie nodded. He tilted his head on one side. “That’s better.” He touched the corner of Ryan’s eye. “I love you. And I want everyone to meet you. The real you. Wonderful you. Exactly as you are. Blue hair, eyeliner, and all.” He stroked Ryan’s cheek. “God, I love your eyeliner.” He kissed the corner of his eye. “Is that why you took it off?”

  Ryan’s eyes were wet again but in a good way. His throat felt tight. “Eyeliner, huh?”

  “Yeah.” Jamie kissed him gently on the lips.

  “How do you feel about lacy underwear?”

  Jamie went still. His eyes darkened. “On you?”

  Ryan nodded. “I was going to send them back. Blue and black lacy…” He waved his hands by his hips.

  “Don’t you fucking dare. Are you wearing them?”

  “No, but it can be arranged.” Ryan pulled out of his arms to go and get them, but Jamie caught his arm.

  “Wait. There’s something…something I need to say…ask you.” He cleared his throat.

  Ryan turned back, puzzled. “What?”

  Jamie was scratching his head. “Well, the whole party thing. It’s kind of a cover.”

  “Cover for what?”

  “On the face of it, it’s my thirtieth birthday party. But that’s only if you say no. You can say no, it’s fine, if it’s too soon I totally understand.”

  Ryan did his best to keep up, really, he did, but he was lost. “Hun, what are you on about?”

  Jamie licked his lips. Put a hand in his pocket. And pulled out a small, black box.

  Ryan’s heart stopped dead.

  “If you say yes, it’s an engagement party.”

  Ryan had both hands over his mouth.

  Jamie opened the box. In it, nestled against black velvet, was a white gold band. It had a sapphire in the middle, and diamonds either side of it. Jamie’s hand was shaking.

  “Would you…would you…marry me?” He swallowed. “You don’t have to say yes, it might be a bit…”

  “Yes.”

  Jamie’s eyes filled. “Yes?”

  Ryan nodded. He couldn’t speak any more. Tears dripped down his cheeks and the only thing he could manage was a noise that sounded more like a hiccup.

  Hands still shaking badly, Jamie took out the ring and put it on the third finger of his left hand. It fit. Perfectly.

  “Never change,” he whispered. “Never, ever change.”

  Ryan nodded and sniffed. He swiped at his eyes with the heel of his hand, then reached up and kissed Jamie. “Love you,” he whispered.

  “Love you, too.” Jamie’s kiss was longer. “Love your eyeliner.” He kissed him again. “Did you say something about lace?”

  Ryan pulled back, gave him the wobbliest of grins, and took him by the hand.

  THE END

  ABOUT RUBY MOONE

  Ruby lives in Lancashire in the northwest of England. All through school she was told that she would never get anywhere if she didn’t stop daydreaming. Eventually it occurred to her to write down the daydreams, and voilà! The beautiful men in her head came to life.

  Ruby writes historical and contemporary gay romance but has a definite weakness for handsome men in billowing white shirts, breeches, and cravats. Oh, and she loves tea. Lots of tea.

  For more information, visit rubymoone.com.

  ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC

  JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!

 
;