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Apply perfume where you want to be kissed, they say, and for a moment David considers a dab to his waistband. That’s surely where this night is going, but if he’s right, Patrick might notice, and know that he prepared. Does he want Patrick to know that he prepared? That he stood in the bathroom for ten minutes debating perfume placement? That he’s trying? David settles on light daubs on the wrist and a tiny spritz on his neck under his ear, right where Patrick has already made a habit of tucking his head when they hug. He is trying, as much as he doesn’t want to admit it to himself, but he’s not sure he’s ready for Patrick to know that. Ready for Patrick to know how much effort he’s putting into getting ready for this date.
Is this a date? It’s not really “just a hookup”, since they’ve already established that they’re dating. But despite David’s willful ignorance re: their first date, Patrick has been making it pretty clear when they’re on a date ever since, probably to differentiate it from the rest of their day when they spend 8 hours together at the store. The blue blazer has made another appearance, at an Italian restaurant in Elmdale where David ate way too many garlic knots for someone who was planning to spend the rest of the evening with his tongue in another person’s mouth. And Patrick turns up the gentlemanliness, doing things like always holding open the door for him and thanking him (thanking him!) for a wonderful evening when he drops David home at the motel (not once has David had to find a ride home!). Maybe that’s how he’ll know if this is a date or not, if Patrick opens the car door for him when he picks him up.
Stevie’s apartment is obviously not the most ideal location for this date hookup sex-date alone time. But David had been lying earlier - he is desperate. Desperate to see if this has legs. Desperate to see Patrick’s legs. Desperate for some solid horizontal making out, at a minimum. He doesn’t want to put any pressure on Patrick, he really would be thrilled to just hang out with a locked door, but based on what they had started in the backroom earlier in the day, he’s anticipating some…physical activity.
David sighs, touching at the top of his hair as he squints in the mirror. He’s freshly showered and has blown his hair dry but not to his usual standard (again, the issue of trying). He’s put on a pair of pants he knows Patrick will appreciate, and a cozy sweater. Too much energy went into underwear selection, but he feels comfortable with the soft black boxer briefs he’s landed on. Lingerie felt like setting the stakes too high, too much pressure on Patrick and maybe on himself too. He’s not sure how much skincare to bring - it’s only one night, so he should probably pare down, but maybe it’s better for Patrick to know what he’s dealing with sooner rather than later. He makes a haphazard sweep of cleansers and lotions out of the bathroom cabinet, tossing them into his bag.
He sets the bag on his bed, staring down into it. Skincare, pajamas, toothbrush…he glances towards his bedside table. In general, he’s always believed that there’s no such thing as overpacked, but he doesn’t want to mess up the mood. Mess up this. David starts to move with purpose, mindful of the time, and rummages for the zippered bag tucked in the nightstand. He’s definitely not going anywhere without at least one brand of lube, he might as well just bring what he has. There’s only a dozen condoms in the bag, which feels like kind of a lot given they haven’t even discussed an agenda for the evening, but it feels less intense than 50 and more casual then only bringing two. Patrick likes to be prepared, too, David suddenly remembers - will he bring lube? Condoms? Has Patrick made a recent trip to the pharmacy? To stock up…in anticipation? David shakes out his shoulders, interrupting this train of thought, and just tosses the zippered pouch into his overnight bag without going through it any further. At least the condoms aren’t, like, right on top.
There’s a knock at the door. Patrick is here to pick him up. David picks up his bag and opens the motel room door to find him standing there, beautiful in a soft blue sweater in the summer golden hour light. Patrick leans in and kisses his cheek before taking the bag out of his hand. He walks David to the passenger side of the car, and before David knows what’s happening Patrick presses him against it, kissing him deeply and giving a quick but firm grind with his hips. David gasps, but Patrick only pulls away with a smirk. Patrick opens the passenger door, waits for David to sit down before handing him his bag, then closes the door with his hip. David just sits there stunned as Patrick walks around to the driver’s side. So this is a date, definitely, but it seems like Patrick has something more planned, too.