The footpath to his place in the woods was well-worn and dark with rain. Moss hung in sheets from the tree branches and squished beneath my boots as I walked. The row of brick shelters stood near the path, the ground cover growing right up their sides. Each one was distinguishable; decorated with flags, banners, and birdhouses. I went up to the one that I presumed was his, considering the various antique trinkets hanging out front. I approached to the rough-cut wooden door and knocked.
He answered with a smile, a bowl of popcorn in his hand. "Hey!"
"Hi!" I said. "I like your place!"
"Oh, I know," he said, stepping out, barefooted, onto the rock serving as a front step. He turned and gestured to the building. "I actually really like it."
"They've got you living in boxes out in the woods, and it is way better than it sounds," I confirmed.
He laughed. "Absolutely. Come on, I'll show you the inside." I followed him, being careful not to slip on his front porch rock, and closed the door behind me.
College dorm room meets 1970's teenage girl's bedroom. Rust-colored shag carpet, bare brick walls, and dozens of posters taped up, overlapping each other. The only piece of furniture, a charcoal gray recliner, was pushed against one end wall, with pillows and cushions scattered on the floor around it. The small TV on the back wall, facing the recliner, was playing some old animated show. I slipped my shoes off as he walked in front of me, munching popcorn. "I was just watching some old cartoons."
"Oh yeah, I love this one," I replied as he smiled and took a seat. I settled down on the floor, on a seat of pillows, and leaned against the recliner. It was cozy, the entire place warm and lit only by the television and a couple of lamps. After a few minutes of sharing popcorn and giggling at the low-quality cartoon, I crawled up onto the huge recliner. I would've liked to hear why the room was decorated this way. Above my head, a tiny chandelier dangled and swished with the breeze from the space heater.
There was space between the arm of the chair and his thigh, so I gladly settled myself there. He didn't seem at all bothered, so I stretched my arm behind his head, resting in on the cushion.
"You mind if my arm's there?" I asked innocently. He shook his head. We watched in silence for a while, me constantly stealing glances at him before I made up my mind. What's the worst that could happen? I placed my hand tentatively on his knee.
His eyebrows flicked up ever so slightly, surprised but not disturbed. I figured it was a good idea to play the innocent card again, so I asked, "You mind if my hand's here?"
He offered a small chuckle. "No, not at all."
My hand crept slowly up his leg. Curious and amused, his eyes watched until it came to rest at his hip.