Jessie & Jaden

The heat was oppressive. The midday sun seared the back of Jessie's neck, but he didn't mind. After months of bleak winter, this was a welcome change.

All around him, life passed by, paying him no mind.

Kids played football, their jumpers and bags creating makeshift goalposts. Couples strolled by, hand in hand. A businessman sat nearby, glancing at documents between bites of his sandwich.

"What are you doing?" Jaden asked, resting his hands on Jessie's shoulders. His gentle touch broke him from his reverie.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing, just thinking." Jessie's voice carried a soft lilt.

"I can see that. You look beautiful."

"Thanks." Jessie blushed, brushing red strands from his eyes. "So do you."

"Liar. I look like I always look - adequate at best."

"I think you look... um, yeah."

"Look what?" Jaden asked with that alluring, puckish smile.

"Um... um... handsome."

"Oh, bless your little queer heart." Jaden hopped onto the back of the bench, settling behind Jessie. "I got you something. Close your eyes."

Jessie closed his eyes immediately. Jaden smiled, pulling a necklace from his pocket. He slipped it over Jessie's head, chuckling softly at Jessie's sharp intake of breath as the cool chain touched his warm neck. "You can open them now."

Jessie looked down and gasped. Around his neck hung a platinum dragon pendant, wings outstretched, mouth frozen mid-roar. Its eyes gleamed with tiny white pearls.

"Oh, Jaden... it's... it's..."

"Nothing much."

"Are you kidding? It's gorgeous."

Jessie traced his finger over the seven polished stones embedded in the dragon's tail. Ruby, amber, topaz, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, and one more he couldn't identify. Each stone was perfectly cut, catching the sunlight like crystallised fire. 

"What's the occasion?" Jessie asked.

"Does there need to be one?" Jaden laughed. "I saw this and thought of you immediately. My stunning rainbow dragon who lights up every room."

"Oh..."

"You look so sweet. I really want to kiss you right now—if that's okay?"

"God, yes," Jessie giggled, blushing deeply.

Jaden leaned down slowly, cupping Jessie's chin as their lips met.

"Thank you," Jessie whispered against Jaden's lips.

"Don't mention it, my beautiful rainbow dragon."