ethan // free to be me

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

OUTFIT

Ken had invited over his down the hall neighbor, Ethan, over for a movie night of sorts. The two had hit it off pretty well when they'd bumped into each other in the laundry room downstairs. They'd occasionally hung out before, and honestly, Ethan was pretty cute. Ken wasn't sure yet if he was gay too or not. But he was okay with a friend, he was still very new to this city. He'd only been here a little over a month.

Ken was curled up on his couch, the popcorn made and the shot glasses out on the coffee table. He had his DVD cabinet open, willing to watch whatever-- they hadn't decided yet. But Ken was ready for an adult style slumber party-- well, minus the sleeping together part since he doubted that. Ethan was a nice guy, but not an easy one. (And maybe not even a gay one). In any case, he'd accepted the pjs, alcohol, snacks and movie proposal so thats what Ken had ready.

His cat, Cali, a stray he'd adopted back home and kept with him for the last few years, was curled up on the couch beside him, every once in a while, glancing at the door as if she knew Ken was waiting for someone.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

Ethan had been grinning a lot, so much it was beginning to hurt his cheeks. He couldn't really care as he tugged a sweater over his flannel pyjamas. His own cat pawed at his leg. Almost begging him not to leave. He picked him up and stared at him. Dropping his cat on the bed, he grabbed some clothes, to take with him and slipped his feet into the slippers his older brother had brought him. He had to admit that he adored the Sulley feet slippers, even if they made him feel like a child, though truth be told Ethan was pretty immature a lot of the time.

He picked up a bag of gummy things that he'd hurriedly brought from one of the local shops, and shoved it into his bag with his clothes. He checked through the bag, checking for his toothbrush and anything he might have needed, not that it mattered since he only lived down the hall, but he didn't really fancy having to run back in the middle of the night.

Bag in hand, Ethan finally picked up his keys and slipped out of his apartment. He walked past the few doors, glad that none of the other residents were out to see him wandering down the hall in his pyjama's and 'I like cats' jumper. Underneath was an old star wars t-shirt that after much love and wear, had become one of Ethan's pyjama tops, along with some ratty tank tops that had seen better days.

Ethan stopped outside apartment 7B, his hand lingering in the air for a moment, before he rapped his knuckles on the door, almost tempted to knock three times, call out Ken's name and repeat the process another two times like that Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, but refrained from doing so. He fiddled with the strap of his bag, pulling it up his shoulder. He hadn't been to a proper sleepover in a while, it didn't help that he thought Ken was darn right handsome. Ethan hoped that he wasn't too early or anything, checking the time on his phone briefly. He was sure he'd arrived at the time Ken had asked. He felt a little ridiculous in his monster inc slippers now, but he'd knocked and there was definitely no chance of him running back and grabbing a pair of plain slippers before Ken opened the door.

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[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

At the sound of a knock, Ken vaulted off the couch, startling Cali-- who scrambled to the floor in a panic, and went to the door. He pulled it open with a grin. "Hey man, come on in." Thus wasn't the first time Ethan had been here, and they were a bit old for a movie night and potentially sleepover (a concept Ethan seemed to have taken to, given the overnight bag). Ken wondered if he could convince his friend to share a bed too, not as friends. But he wouldn't push it. Ken did ruffle Ethan's hair as he walked by.

"I'm loving the slippers," he said with a grin, giving Ethan an okay sign, before padding back over to the couch. "Adorable." Cali was standing semi shell shocked on the carpet before going over to greet Ethan by rubbing against his legs. She was a pretty friendly cat. "Make yourself comfortable, I've got everything set up pretty much." Ken said, gesturing around the room to imply that nothing was off limits in his clean and almost neon abode.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

As the door opened, Ethan stopped fidgeting and smiled back at Ken. "Hey!" he exclaimed. He dropped his bag off of his shoulder and held the strap in his hand as he stepped into Ken's apartment. Some of his nervousness dissipated, as Ken ruffled his hair, though the older out of the two, Ethan was shorter than Ken, making it a lot easier for Ken to ruffle his hair than it was the other way round. He glanced down at his slippers and blushed lightly, a light pink rising in his softly tanned cheeks. "Thanks, they were a gift" he told Ken as he stared at the fluffy purple and blue slippers.

He placed the bag down where it was out of the way, and started to follow Ken to the couch, only stopping when Ken's cat rubbed against his legs, and he knelt down to run his fingers lightly over the soft multi-colored fur. Much like his jumper suggested, Ethan indeed did like cats. Standing again he brushed his pyjama pants down, drying sweaty palms against them.

"Alright" he grinned and plonked himself down next to Ken on the couch. "What movies have you got then?" he asked, though the question was slightly muffled by the action of pulling his jumper over his head, once his vision was clear of dark material once more, he focused his gaze on the open DVD cabinet. He hoped that Ken didn't want to watch anything too action-y. That wasn't really Ethan's favorite genre.

In all honesty, he liked rom-coms and chick flicks, or in general films that were designed to make you feel happy about life. In one word, Disney. The 27 year old, Ethan still adored his disney films. Though, it had to be said that Ethan liked watching films like Star Wars and Star Trek.

"Thanks for asking me here tonight, you've saved me of a rather boring evening" he told Ken, a wide smile upon his lips.

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

God, Ken thought, Ethan is too cute. But he didn't say so out loud since he had no idea quite what to make of Ethan yet. Ken wasn't sure if his gaydar was just being hopeful. Though given his attire and the fact that he'd allowed Ken to mess up his hair, Ken figured his chances for Ethan's being gay or at least bi, were pretty good.

"Typical gay man fodder," Ken said with a chuckle, gesturing to his DVD cabinet. Ken had never been in the closet with pretty much anybody since he came out in high school (not that anyone found it too surprising). Ethan already knew that much about him so he didn't have any worry about freaking the guy out. He raked a finger over the titles. "I have every movie Katherine Heigl ever made, some Disney classics... we could watch Monsters Inc." He joked, scrunching up his face in jest, referencing Ethan's slippers. Ken shrugged.

"You're the guest after all, and I know what movie I have, you come pick." Ken said with a smile. Ken would watch whatever Ethan wanted to. He'd probably be spending more time looking at his companion than the screen anyway. Ken noticed Ethan had removed his sweatshirt, revealing a wonderfully v-necked tee shirt. Ken saw a little chest hair curling up from the spot and bit his lip.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

Though Ethan knew that his neighbor batted for the same team as he did, he wasn't sure how to go about announcing his own sexuality. Usually he was fine with just saying it, but when he happened to like the guy, well he clammed up, and he did like Ken. It was taking most of his effort not to giggle like a teenage girl.

As Ethan looked around and spotted the shot glasses and the Jack Daniels, Ethan grinned, maybe a little liquid courage would help later, while it helped knowing Ken was gay, he was still fretting that just maybe Ken wanted to be friends, or maybe he'd got a casual boyfriend or - Ethan stopped himself, fretting like that would do him no good. "You can't beat a good Katherine Heigl rom-com" he nodded.

Ethan smiled in an amused fashion, and laughed looking down at the slippers on his feet once more, his hand went to his hair, idly scratching at it. "Monsters Inc is an epic film, and Sulley is just brilliant, I mean he's voiced by John Goodman" he chuckled, defending his choice of footwear, "My slippers are totally amazing and you know it" he chuckled then continued in a mumble "they aren't as bad as my glasses at least", referring to the square framed glasses that were tucked away in a case in his bag.

Ethan chuckled with Ken, and slid off the couch, dropping himself down in front of the DVD collection, and sitting there cross legged. He gently pulled his finger across one of the DVD cover's spine, and looked back at Ken. "What about... 27 Dresses?" he suggested, he adored that movie, and had gone through an Elton John phrase after watching it. Ethan licked his dry lips as he looked at Ken, giving him a bright smile. He spotted the DVD, and pulled it out "or The Ugly Truth, that one always makes me laugh" he said, pulling out the second one, and holding them up for Ken, alternating his hands, moving one up and the other down, as if he were weighing each DVD.

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

Ken laughed, "Hey, I already said the slippers were great." He pointed out, barely catching Ethan's comment about glasses. He couldn't contain himself, "Oh my god, you have dorky glasses? Could you be any cuter?" Ken said playfully, but it was true. Shy guys with glasses were the cutest in Ken's book. He was dying to see them, but he figured he could wait until later. In any case, he realized he'd just told Ethan that he cute. Ken was generally straight forward, but he wasn't totally sure Ethan was gay yet and he didn't want to lose the only friend, besides Hadley, that he had here.

Though really, the v-neck, the movie choices, the slippers, the smiling at him.... Ken figured he was in the clear to flirt.

Now he was going to have to weigh his options, his love of James Marsden vs the sexual nature of the ugly truth..... Ken thought for a moment before gesturing with both hands at Ethan. "I defer to you my good man, both are excellent choices." Ken popped open the dvd tray and left it there for Ethan to put a disk in. He then filled up both shot glasses, the popcorn was already made so they were ready to go.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

Ethan was about to start grumbling about how his dorky glasses were not all that cute, when he took a moment to register what Ken had said, a confused look appeared on his face for a moment then his smile grew wider. "Any cuter huh? So I'm already cute?" he asked, raising his eyebrow just a tad. He fought back a blush, more than aware that he was not a teenager anymore. Ethan liked being complimented, he was sure most people did, and in his books cute was a compliment.

Ethan nodded and bit his lip, scrunching up his face as he concentrated on which DVD to choose. Silently, he opened the case for 27 Dresses. and gently placed it in the DVD tray, snapping the case shut, and putting both cases back, Ethan always put DVD's away. He hated the idea of ruining the case or the actual DVD so back in the cabinet it went. "27 Dresses it is" probably the more typically 'gay' of the two, "You can't really beat, James Marsden, Edward Burns, Judy Greer and Katherine Heigl all in one movie" and adding a cameo from Kysten Ritter, well it was just a fabulous film, with fabulous dresses, like the title suggested.

"You've got the remote right?" he said, looking back at Ken, before standing and going to his bag to grab the sweets he'd purchased, placing them on the table with the popcorn, "I brought some gummy things. Gummy snakes or something" he chuckled, he hadn't really bothered to look at the package, just picked them up and paid for them. He sat back down on the sofa, sitting a little closer to Ken this time. He settled down, relaxing into the cushions, and watching as some of the trailers started up.

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

Ken ran a hard through his hair and chuckled. Several things ran through his head, 'yes, i could just eat you up' being the least sexual of his options thus far. Ethan was super cute and very hot, it was a wonderful combination. Judging by Ethan's blush, Ken knew he could totally flirt now, it even seemed like he might be flirting back. "Adorable," Ken said with a little wink, not so subtlely looking him over.

Ethan put the DVD in and Cali took a spot under the coffee table. Ken waved the remote at Ethan's question and grinned slightly when Ethan sat down beside him. "Great, so we have whiskey, popcorn and gummy worms," Ken said. This was gonna be a good party. Good snacks, alcohol, katherine Heigel movies and a potential boyfriend. Ken wasn't sure how it could get better. "Let's take a starting shot so we're ready to sing 'Benny and the Jets' when it comes up." He laughed, referencing one of his favorite scenes in the movie. He was gay but that didn't quell his enjoyment of in love straight people in movies.

Ken picked up the shot glasses and handed one to Ethan.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

"Well thanks" Ethan grinned, looking incredibly pleased, especially when he noted Ken looking over him, Ethan couldn't help but let his gaze fall onto Ken, and over his body. He wanted to say something smooth and cool back, but his mouth fell open a few times before all he could manage was "you're pretty, you know uh, hot", he failed to come up with any other adjectives, his mind totally switching off. He turned to face Ken, resting his side against the couch.

Ethan turned his head to look at the TV. "Yep, we do" he agreed nodding, "What a great, rather fattening mix" he chuckled, not really too worried about the calories or what not, he'd just go for a run... or, he thought, maybe do something else that would burn calories. "I'd sing it drunk or not" he chuckled, "It's just too tempting not to sing along with them" he continued. That scene though, had to be one of the best in the movie, that or the scene where James Marsden gave her the little electronic planner, because he was a sucker for the romantic moments.

Ethan gratefully took the shot glass "Taa" he grinned and held it up towards Ken's glass, clinking the two glasses together, and then tipping his into his mouth. He quickly swallowed it all back, feeling the burn of alcohol in his throat.

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

Ken chuckled with a grin as Ethan stumbled over calling him hot. Then he realized what it meant, "You're into men, Hallelujah!" Ethan was gay, and though he was hot. And they were watching a romcom in pajamas, and alcohol. Oh, this was going to be a very excellent sleepover. Ken had no problem with Ethan knowing his intentions, and so far, it seemed like Ethan was interested.

Ken tipped his glass and downed it, feeling the familiar burn of the alcohol as it went down. (He had to admit his thoughts were less than pure when he considered Ethan as he finished the shot in one gulp as well.) He set his glass down but waited to fill it up, grabbing a handful of popcorn before replying. "It is a good sing-along song." He agreed. But singing wasn't exactly what he felt like doing just yet. He was much more interested in Ethan than in a movie they had both seen.

Ken decided to go the straight boy route and stretched his arm out along the back of the couch behind Ethan. Ken wasn't touching Ethan, but he'd opened up his side to him and that was something. The only way he could pull himself from thinking about Ethan's broad shoulders was to focus on the leading man. "James Marsden is such a babe." he said.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

Ethan nodded an agreement. "I am, very very into men" he chuckled. "I'm very into you, specifically" he told Ken, using every ounce of courage in his body. Though, he was sure that Ken wouldn't reject him, it was still nerve wracking for him to admit stuff like that. He rubbed the back of his neck. ruffling the hair on the nape of his neck. He definitely didn't want to loose Ken to another guy. That would undoubtedly suck, and in the back of his mind he hoped that after tonight, they would both be 'off the market' so to speak.

"To be far, quite a few of Elton John's songs are good sing along songs, I mean he did do 'Can you feel the love tonight'" he chuckled, the famous song from the lion king had to be one of Ethan's personal favorites, most likely because he just loved that film.

He reached forward, putting his shot glass back on the table, and then returned to watching the film. When Ken stretched his arm along the back of the couch, Ethan shifted towards him, settling his back against the couch again, and leaning into Ken's side, figuring that it was okay. He chuckled lightly, his head briefly dropping onto Ken's shoulder, "He is isn't he" focusing on the fore-mentioned man. "I seriously love this movie" he commented as he watched some more. "Edward Burns is pretty cute too" he added.

He picked up the bottle of whiskey, then looked at Ken. "I see your shirt matches the brand we're drinking" he commented, looking at Ken's cloth covered chest. Ethan couldn't really care if he wasn't paying much attention to the movie, when he did look back, he would be able to pick up the story line since he'd seen it multiple times. He poured himself a shot, then decided to fill up Ken's as well. "Are you ready for another drink?" he asked a second after with a bashful smile.

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

"I am, very very into men. I'm very into you, specifically"

Ken was blown away by Ethan's bluntness, as he seemed to be a rather shy guy all in all so far. Ken couldn't help but smile a little wider, "The feeling is mutual boo." He said as they sat. The first hot had helped, but he could only nod at the mention of Edward Burns, he was too busy loving how Ethan was cuddled up to him. Ken let his arm shift until it was around Ethan's shoulders instead of the couch alone.

Ken looked at his shirt and chuckled, "Yeah, I like to coordinate." He said with another wink. He did like to coordinate, but this had been a coincidence this time. Ken hoped he could get a bit of a look. The tank was fairly thin and of course sleeveless. Ethan could easily see more skin if it shifted. He was getting less interested in the movie and more interested in touching the man beside him when he proposed another drink.

Ken grabbed the shot and said, "To being gay and fabulous." He said with a good natured laughed before swallowing the shot in one go, putting the glass back down. The booze burned his throat but he didn't care, as his attention was back at Ethan's lips, his eyes.....

He said nothing for a moment before questioning aloud, "So, if I like you and you like me... why are we not kissing exactly?" Ken said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. It seemed like a good question to him.

[ETHAN DEXTER HILL]

Ethan supposed that hearing that Ken was into him as well, should have made him more confident, but the ever condractory man, became shy once more, smiling brightly at Ken before looking down to his fuzzy slippers, intent on counting each purple spot. Then when Ken's arm was around his shoulder, he snuggled closer, revelling in the warmth of another person. He let his arm rest on the edge of his leg, his fingers just resting against Ken's leg.

Ethan chuckled and nodded, gaze still locked onto Ken's chest. Wondering what he looked like out of it. He was sure that he would look well utterly hot. He looked up, tearing his eyes away from the lettering on Ken's shirt to look into his eyes. He raised his shot, "Cheers" he nodded, drinking half the shot, wiping his mouth and finishing the rest of it. "Man I'm getting old" he chuckled and continued "I can't even down two shots anymore", the alcohol warmed his body, and burnt his throat, why did people drink this stuff.. Ethan totally knew the answer to that.

Ethan tried to keep focused on the movie, but his eyes kept drifting back to Ken, especially when he registered Ken's next question. "That's a good question" he smiled, and scratched his arm idly. "We can remedy that though, can't we" he mused, leaning towards Ken, his eyes locking onto the other mans lips. Gently he kissed Ken, then pulled back slightly.

[KENNEDY DAVID MILLER]

Ken refrained from making a joke about what other things could happen at old age, mostly because he was sure that Ethan's parts were in working order, and possible he'd know for himself pretty soon. "You're not that old." Ken said, but he didn't know how old Ethan was, not that it mattered. They were both over 18.

Ken could feel the little warm tickle of a buzz in his body, heightened by Ethan's continual closeness. Then it happened. They kissed. But Ethan pulled away much too soon and Ken reached his fingers into the other man's hair, guiding his mouth back for a longer, better kiss. Ethan tasted like booze and popcorn, salty, strong--- it was having a strong effect on Ken, who nibbled lightly at Ethan's lip before slipping his tongue into his mouth for a moment of play. Figuring going any farther without checking base could be assault, Ken pulled away, but kept his face close and his hand in Ethan's hair.

Ken licked his lips with a little smile. "You're very hard to stop kissing," Ken teased lightly, as if it were Ethan's fault, as if it really were a problem.