Lacey & Zack

"We don't have to," Lacey says softly, her hand resting on Zack's arm as his fingers hover over the buttons of his shirt, trembling.
They sit on the edge of the bed, bathed in soft lamplight. 

"I want to," he says—and means it. "It's just..." He shakes his head.
They've been here before—countless times at the threshold of desire and fear. They'd kissed, fooled around with clothes on, but never gone further than that.
They wanted to, but something always held them back. Held him back. It pained him deeply because he knew she loved him, accepted him, cherished him—just as he cherished her.
He was tired of letting old wounds dictate new joy. 
But some wounds—and their accompanying insecurities—take longer to heal.

Now here they were again.
Her fingers trace spirals on his arm, her breath warm against his neck.

"Or you can keep it on—not that I'm suggesting you need to cover up, of course." 
"No, it’s—uh—it’s uncomfortable doing that. You know? Keeping it on. The buttons kinda dig in." Zack laughs nervously, talking fast, tripping over his words. 

"Yeah."
"... Can... can you do it?"
"You sure?" 
"Please?" 
"Okay." 
Lacey begins unbuttoning his shirt slowly. With each button, more of his chest is exposed, revealing the scarred source of his anxiety. He flinches, unable to meet her eyes.
"Well, would you look at that." 
"What?" 
"I see pecs. Nice ones, actually." 
"Really?" He doesn't sound convinced. 
"Really." 
He shivers as the cool air hits his nipples. 
"I'm no Channing Tatum." 
"Good. I'd be worried if you were—it would mean I'm in the wrong bedroom. Can I?"
He nods. 
Her fingers explore the hollow of his neck, sliding down to his collarbone, across his chest. She takes him in carefully, like he's a work of art.
"Beautiful."
"I don't think so."
"I know. Does it help that I do?" 
"A little, yeah." 
"Good." 

The fear doesn't disappear entirely—it rarely does. But it does lessen, making way for something warmer.

Zack covers her hand with his own, pressing it against his chest. 

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

He smiles through a shaky breath, feeling his heartbeat steady beneath their joined palms, and leans in for a kiss. Their lips meet, gentle at first, before they tumble back onto the bed together.