Chartreuse by T. E. Ridener Page B

quietly.
      
  “I’m not sure like is the word,” Kasen said with a smile, glancing up at
Rowan briefly.  “Elephants are great.  I’ve always loved them. When I was
little, I used to watch Dumbo. A lot.”
        
Rowan was elated that he could learn things like this about Kasen.  It made him
feel as if they were truly getting to know one another.  Which was something he
had missed; actually getting to know people. 
        
“Dumbo, huh?”  Rowan asked, gazing back out towards the elephants as a little
baby one came following behind its mother, loyally, “I always really enjoyed
Peter Pan.  There was just something so fascinating about a land where you
never grow up, and you can have as much fun as you want.”
        
Kasen grinned a little, glancing over at Rowan again as he bit his bottom lip,
“Do you think that’s a land of never being judged?”  He asked quietly.
        
Rowan quirked a brow, leaning against the rail as he turned a bit to where he
could face Kasen, “I think I can be pretty confident when I say that no one is
judged in Neverland.  Aside from old people,” He flashed a smile, and when
Kasen returned that smile, Rowan felt butterflies in his stomach.  Bad sign.
Bad sign. Stop while you’re ahead.   But he wasn’t interested in listening
to his conscience right now.  He was much more intrigued with the young fellow
beside of him, who’s smile seemed to light up the entire world.
        
Kasen laughed softly, clasping his hands together as he finally stepped back
from the elephants so they could go on their way, “If that’s the only thing
people judged for these days,” He said quietly.  “Though, really, I don’t think
people should judge at all.  Do you?”
        
Rowan was walking beside of him, his hands tucked away into the pockets of his
jacket.  He glanced down at Kasen before he shook his head, “No.  I don’t think
they should.  It’s not their place to judge.  It’s God’s.”
        
Rowan wasn’t the most religious person in the world, but he felt in his heart
that God loved everyone no matter what.  That’s why God had sent his son to
die, wasn’t it?  For all of humanity. For every sin.  Though he didn’t see his
lifestyle as a sin.  Surely, had God not meant for people to love, he wouldn’t
have given hearts the capability to do so.  And furthermore, he wouldn’t have
made it possible for one man to love another in such a way.
        
People could tell him he was going to go to Hell all they wanted, but life was
short as it was.  Why should he live it and be unhappy?  That was the secret to
life, in Rowan’s mind.  Living and being happy, no matter what gave one that
happiness.  Well, aside from murder and rape.  Those were two things that he
highly frowned upon.  But to hate him for loving a man?  It was better than
killing a man, wasn’t it?
        
  After they had covered the entire zoo, Kasen’s stomach growled.  He hadn’t
eaten anything that day out of pure excitement.  And Rowan must’ve realized
that because they were soon back in the car and making their way to a small
café that served everything from meatloaf to pizza.  It was a nice little
place, seemingly family owned.  The cashier was very friendly, and the cook
even waved to them.
        
Rowan couldn’t say he’d met such nice people before.  Sure, there were nice
people in Boston, but nothing compared to this.   It seemed everywhere he
turned, someone was waving or saying “How ya doin’?”  It just wasn’t something
he was used to, although he had a feeling he would quickly adapt.
        
There were a lot of things he was seeming to do too quickly though.  For
instance, the way he felt being around Kasen.  He’s not even gay, you
idiot.  Yet here you are, getting your hopes up.  Have you learned nothing?  
Again, he was ignoring the thoughts in his mind as he picked up a menu to
glance over it before brown