Chapter Text
This is where he belonged, he was sure of it. It was a miracle he was even able to convince his family to let him and Malcolm go in the first place, even if that meant they had to go too. But now that he was here, he knew it was all worth it. This was his new home. People dressing however they want, living how they want, and doing whatever felt right in that moment… and there’s a flaming catapult.
He didn’t have to hide who he was, people even seemed to like him! And the odd thing is that he, for whatever reason, didn’t feel nearly as destructive as he did when he was at home with his family, there was just no point here. He had nothing to prove to these people, and it was great. This place felt like a holy land of sorts, and Reese would punch the lights out of anyone stupid enough to try and take it from him.
Since they had arrived, and once he ditched Malcolm, he’d been wandering, taking it all in. He’d even made a friend, Nate, who was using a water gun to let his friend be a part of one last Burning Man. Reese could only hope for a friend as good as Nate someday, and maybe the magic of Burning Man could make that happen.
It had been a long day of tomfoolery and avoiding his family, and the sun was beginning to set when he found himself on the outskirts of the festival. The crowds had started thinning out, and around him were old painted sculptures, structures, and vehicles stuck in the dirt from rain storms of previous years. A double decker bus stuck so deep in what was once mud was buried to the point the wheels were no longer visible. Old paint distorted from years of partying and rust adorned the exterior, and when Reese circled around it, he found the door shut and unmoving. But further inspection led him to the emergency exit in the back, which was wide open.
He was about to hoist himself up into the old thing, when he heard a voice call out from the second story, “Hello?”
“God?” Reese stepped away from the open door, holding on by only one hinge, and looked around him. “I swear, I found it like this! Besides, it’s not like it belongs to anyone at this point, it was obviously left behind!”
The old steps creaked and the bus shook as someone jauntily stepped down them, and he heard him ask, “Did you seriously think I was god?” Chuckling, a smile lighting up his voice.
The guy that stepped out was wearing an old cropped sleeveless band shirt, spotted with numerous holes held together with safety pins and half ass sewing. Long stained jorts hung baggy on his hips, and he wore a pair of beat up, sun bleached converse. His hair was gelled up into short, sharp faded green spikes that stuck out in all different directions.
“No! I don’t know, maybe.” Reese answered, backing away to let the other step out into the light of the setting sun. “What were you doing up there anyways?” He asked, anxious he was caught off guard. His eyebrows pressed together and his face burned as he waited for the laughing and ridicule.
But surprisingly, the other just shrugged. “I don’t know, needed a break from all the fun.” He said, looking back towards the busy crowds. “Besides, the view isn’t half bad.” He turned back to look at Reese, who was staring up at the bus, now casting blue shadows in the dying light. “Wanna check it out? I’ve got some Roman candles we can light at the top.”
Reese lit up at the mention of fireworks, it was like drugs to him, everything was better with fireworks. “Hells yeah!” He exclaimed as the two of them turned to enter the bus.
He followed the stranger up the spiral steps, eyeing the exposed part of his back. A new tattooed peaked out from the waistline of his jorts, following the curves of his hips and muscles of his lower back. He could feel his face heat up, eyes glued to his open skin. He was stopped in his tracks when the other quickly turned and looked at him with such glee, face to face he grinned and said, “Dude, you are simply not prepared for this view.”
And Reese wasn’t. In the fleeting daylight, the desert was lit up. Stretching into the distance were thousands of lights. Cars, camps, art, people, fire pits, and RV were all glowing like fireflies. And above them was the full moon, slowly rising into a purple sky, shades of blue, red, orange, and pink mixing like paint. Rows of old plastic benches filled the top, and waiting on one was a bag he could only assume were fireworks.
“I’m Wayne by the way.” He said, reaching for the bag and pulling out the fireworks. He also pulled out a small baggie, some rolling papers, and a lighter. “Do you partake at all? If not, that’s totally chill, I can always just wait.”
Reese had only been around pot at parties, and he never really had friends at those functions so it never got passed his way. His mom would probably kill him if she ever found out, he could picture it now. Grounded until school started in the fall, no TV or video games, no going outside except to do chores. And worst of all, no cooking! He thought of all the recipes he has yet to try. All the deserts he has yet to master and he found himself stuck. Risk his mom taking away everything he holds dear, or sharing a smoke with this random guy.
He was just so cool. He’s rebellious, but put together, like none of this weirds him out in the slightest. Reese was just another random guy to him, they would likely never see each other again, so why did he want to impress him so badly? If Malcolm were here he’d tell Reese to not be stupid, and to spare the few brain cells he still had. His mom would ask if he plans to be a bum on her couch for the rest of his life, and make it very clear that that is not allowed.
He watched as Wayne pulled out one of the small, thin papers, and started rolling a joint. Once he was done he put it between his lips, and lit it, taking a long drag then coughing out the smoke, passing it to Reese. He thought one last time about his mother. He was sure he could make up something. Sorry mom, I passed a group smoking, that’s probably why I smell like this. Yeah, that could work. He took the joint, and took a tentative hit, then another before coughing so hard, his ribs hurt. He doubled over, putting one hand on his knee to support himself while passing the joint back.
Wayne took another hit and between puffs and coughs asked, “You ever smoke before?”
“Yeah, totally.” Reese answered, his eyes stinging. “Like all the time.”
“Bull shit.” He quipped, leaning back in the seat and holding the end of a firework in the flame of the lighter. The light reflected off his eyes and nose ring like stars. As it lit, Reese quickly punched him in the arm, causing him to laugh.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed about it. There’s a first time for everything.” He joked, rubbing his arm and watching the different colors fly out of the tube.
“I’m not,” Reese protested, feeling his breathing become quicker. There it was, he was making fun of him. Just like all the kids at school, just like his brothers and family. “I’ve smoked before, just not for a while.” He lied, slightly frustrated.
“Can you do any tricks?”
Reese thought of all his stupid stunts. Riding off the roof on a bike, flying through the air in a law chair paired with tons of balloons.
“Like what.”
“Like this.” Wayne took a deep drag, then formed an ‘O’ with his mouth, created rings of smoke before coughing and blowing the rest out.
Reese tried, but only managed a cloud and choked on the thick smoke. Wayne laughed, and most times that would lead to Reese punching his lights out, but Reese could feel himself laughing too. The weed is making me less evil, he thought to himself. He gave the joint back, and Wayne started lighting it again, this time blowing out the smoke then inhaling it all again from the air.
Reese took the joint again and tried, and almost succeeded, but ended up coughing and passing Wayne the joint. Wayne took a small hit, then asked, “You enjoying the festival?”
Reese nodded, “Yeah, it’s literally the coolest place I’ve ever been! I wish I never had to leave.”
“It’s pretty cool, right? It’s like it doesn't matter who you are or how weird you are, there’s always something weirder at burning man.” They both laughed.
“Here, I have one more trick. Look at me.” Wayne took a long hit of the joint and moved in closer. He looked into Reese’s eyes, unsure, but Reese nodded, heart beating out of his chest. He went in closer, touching Reese’s jaw, indicating for him to open his mouth. Reese could hear his heart racing, and feel the pressure building in his throat. He opened his mouth, and locked eyes with the other as he got closer, barely an inch between them. Wayne then blew out a steady stream of smoke, while the other inhaled. His head was swimming. All noise from the festival faded and all he could think about was the fact that he was this close to another guy. He couldn’t remember a time he had really been this close to another being besides making out with past girlfriends.
They both exhaled slowly, but did not move away from each other. Reese could hear blood rushing in his ears, he tried to move away from him, but it’s like he was stuck, and found himself wanting to move in closer. He could barely breathe, and his head was swimming from the smoke. He kept finding himself looking back to his lips, then looking away in frustration. How did he find himself here, like this, and with a guy? It’s not like he was gay. But if he were a fly on the wall watching this unravel, he’d be calling himself a few choice slurs right about now. Not that there was anything wrong with being gay. He had assumed Malcolm might be gay sometimes, and sure he might give him some shit for it because he’s his brother, but he wouldn’t care. So why would it be different for Reese?
Reese sat back suddenly, standing and pacing around, running his fingers through his hair. Why did he care? It’s not like his family was here to make fun of him? But someone could see and tell them! But why should he care what they think?
“Are you okay man?” Wayne asked, standing up.
Reese kept pacing, “Yeah, I’m just… thinking. Hey, maybe we should head back. I heard they do some cool stuff on the last night.” He probably wasn’t trying to kiss me, right? We just met, wouldn’t that be weird? He thought back to all the girls he had kissed without so much as knowing their name. Okay, maybe it’s not like, the strangest thing. Except for the fact it’s Reese and a guy.
Back at the festival he could see a large crowd forming around a massive wood statue of a man. They must be getting ready for the final celebration. Reese wanted to run into the crowd and get lost among all the people, to just disappear from this situation. He always somehow manages to do this to himself, he doesn’t know how, but somehow he always gets himself into the wildest circumstances. Like a twisted gift.
“Sure, if that’s what you wanna do.” Wayne answered, seemingly unbothered.
“Um, yeah. Let’s-let’s go.” Reese bee lined for the stairs, taking two at a time on his way down then jumping out the door. He could hear Wayne trying to keep up with him.
“Hey, wait up man!” He called.
But Reese kept running, pushing his legs to keep carrying him, even after they had started to burn. And eventually, he found himself in the middle of the crowd, at the foot of the big wooden. He felt like it was staring down at him, judging him. Good job running away, coward!
“I’m not a coward!”
“Oh yeah? Look at you, you just ran away from a guy, all because he might have wanted to kiss you! Or… was it maybe that you wanted to kiss him?”
Reese looked around, but Wayne was nowhere to be seen. And that stupid statue just kept putting in his two cents. “What are you trying to hide Reese? This is burning man! You can’t hide who you are at burning man!”
Reese was conflicted. He had always assumed he was straight. Of course, there had been a few times he’d caught himself looking at another guy for too long, not sure if he wanted to be him, or… Well, either way, he was sure he had scared off Wayne. Fat chance of finding him again in this crowd. He was about to start looking around for him, when he saw Nate appear by his side, holding a lit torch.
***
To be continued when I get back from my summer job <3