Page 42 of Tension

“Only you can tell me that, Honeydew.”

He gave me a light kiss on the lips before putting me down.

I looked up at him with wonder in my eyes, and he looked down at me with the most reassuring smile.

“Let’s go have some fun!”

The boardwalk was so vast that even though there were a lot of people around, it still didn’t feel crowded. There were a lot of different things to get into.

“Let's get a caricature done!” I told Vel, pulling him to the man with no line.

We sat down and got comfortable. Vel had his arm around me as I snuggled into him.

“How long have you two been together?” the man asked as he started the drawing.

We both looked at each other and, at the same time, said, “We're just friends.” Then both started to laugh.

We could tell he didn’t believe us, but it was true.

It didn’t take him long to finish.

When he turned that picture around, I almost passed out from laughing so hard.

Vel’s face wasn't even in the picture; it was just a big muscular torso with me wide-eyed in its arms. Then there was a caption bubble coming from where Vel’s head would be that said, ‘I have to protect my “friend.”’

Vel tipped the man and got our picture, then we started to walk again.

There was so much food, and I wanted to try a little bit of everything.

We shared a funnel cake that got real messy until Vel licked the powder off of me.

“Calm down before you get me overheated out here,” I told him, pushing him away.

“My bad, you just taste so good.” He gave my cheek one last lick. “You gone let me taste you tonight?”

I fidgeted, then looked away. I was kind of nervous about something.

He grabbed my chin and made me look up at him.

“What's up?” he asked, knowing something was off.

“I think a new side effect from my medication has just started. It’s the only explanation I have for the change in my body.” I made my way over to sit on a bench, and he was right behind me.

“Medication?”

“For my depression…” I told him, messing with my hands in my lap.

He placed his hand over mine to stop my nervous fidgeting.

“Honey, look at me.”

I did as he said, seeing so much care in his eyes.

“I hope that you're comfortable enough to tell me whatever is going on. But if you're not ready, then I will mind my business. As far as sex, I'll take whatever you give me, and if that's nothing at all, I'll still just enjoy being in your presence.”

“You really mean that?”

“Don’t start doubting me now.” He lifted his hand to cup the side of my face, and I leaned into his touch.