The First to Die at the End

by Adam Silvera

I pull Orion into my lap and we stare at each other. “Thanks for welcoming me into the O-Zone.” “Thanks for walking into my life.” “Thanks for saving mine.” “Thanks for saving mine,” Orion repeats. We kiss like it’s a challenge to see how long we can before death breaks us apart. Then as we get more excited, we give in to a special first for both of us. I flip Orion to the bed, and he fakes concern over the unlit candle but he’s speechless when I lift off my shirt. His fingers trail down from my collarbone and through my pecs and trace my abs before unbuttoning my pants. It’s much smoother than me wrestling with his skinny jeans that cling to his legs for dear life. But once we’re both fully naked, we stare at each other with the biggest smiles. “Best day ever,” I say. “Best motherfucking day ever,” Orion says.