Chapter XI

Someone was rubbing his back and Justin mewed deep in his throat, his thighs aching with reason.

"Shit," he cursed as he opened an eye. Oh. "Hi."

Jayce groaned and stretched, creme skin pulled tight over muscle. Justin ran a lazy hand over his chest.

"Hey," Jayce grumbled, voice husky with sleep, his eyes dark slits and Justin smiled.

They stayed in silence, their eyes barely open, neither knowing what to say next.

"So..."

"I think that's the best sex I've had in years," Justin grinned and Jayce gave a sleepy smile, his hand stilling low on Justin's back. "But that doesn't count for much," he licked his lips teasingly, scooting closer, "seeing as how that's the only sex I've had in years," he chuckled and Jayce rose an eyebrow.

"You and Ryan don't--"

"He's waiting for marriage."

Jayce smiled. "He really is an alter boy... what about God hating gays?"

Justin trailed a hand over Jayce's hair, twisting a silky strand around his index finger. "He doesn't read those parts of the bible." The blonde sighed. "Bullshit, if you ask me." >[? Jayce brought a hand to Justin's nipple, giggling slightly when the younger man closed his eyes. "What about these? Am I wrong in assuming Ryan had something to do with it?"

"Ryan thought they were too outrageous. What if other people were to see it," he scoffed. Opening his eyes. "We're fucking gay! They're gonna gawk anyway!"

The older man laughed and pulled Justin close, reveling in the closeness. Justin hadn't been his in so long, he had almost forgotten...

"Why'd you wait so long?" It came as a whisper but it was loud and clear to Jayce and he bowed his head a little.

"I was giving you your... time."

When Justin scoffed, Jayce looked form the bed, his hand still on Justin's chest. He then, surpriseingly, felt lips at the corner of his mouth and he turned into the kiss, the languid stretch of their mouth's together. Justin pulled away with closed eyes.

"I should go."

Jayce nodded but still held tight, bringing his face close for one last kiss, small and sweet and forgiving. So this was the end?

Justin slid out of the bed, sliding on his pants, groaning as he zipped up, looking for his jacket.

"You didn't bring it back. It's probably still at the club. I could get it--"

"Nah, I'm good." He scratched at his stomach and this time, it was nervous, this exit. It was full of awkwardness. Jayce didn't know whether to call out come back or not, and Justin had no idea if he should stay or go.

They had something magical and Justin wanted it, wanted what he definitely would never get from Ryan but. That was in the past, shouldn't it stay there?

He turned towards a sitting Jayce, his normally tan chest pale with sleep. "I... It was nice seeing you again--"

"You too," Jayce said quickly, looking down at his lap. What else was there to be said?

"Well... I'm gonna book now... You take care." He turned around and with a deep breath, twisted the doorknob.

"Hey!"

Justin turned around, their eyes meeting, cobalt greeting crystal blue.

"Don't forget to put your ring back on."

The young blonde reached into his pocket quickly, slipping the ring onto his thumb as he pulled it out, the gold too blinding, too gaudy and he looked back to Jayce.

"It'd be stupid to risk everything I have on a man I had meant to forget, right?"

Jayce sat up straighter, his eyes a little wider with hope. "Maybe, maybe not. Depends on how much he loves you."

Justin swallowed, looking back at the ring. "How much do you love me?"

Jayce took a shaky breath, suddenly feeling as if he were on a tight rope.

Justin twisted the band and started slipping it onto his thumb.

He was on a tight rope with no net.

"I can't tell you." He took a hard swallow at Justin's sharp look. "I couldn't even begin to explain how much, how much I love you. How much I'll continue to love you, even if you marry him and adopt some kids from Africa. Words could never do it any justice and it'd never measure up, how much I'll love you. Just know, it's enough that I haven't stopped thinking of you for the past two years, hoping on some whim you'd decide you needed me too and come back." He chuckled softly and rubbed his eyes. "Pathetic, yeah. But... it's the truth and god, what else do you want me to say?"

Justin blinked and sighed, his belly jumping. Now Jayce was the one waiting in the agonizing silence.

The blonde looked down at his hand, then to Jayce before slowly slipping his hand into his pocket, taking out a naked hand.

"Tell me how to explain it to him, then," he whispered, walking over to the bed, Jayce leaning towards the edge. They met halfway and Justin couldn't have needed the kiss any more than he did, his hand cupping the other's cheek.

Jayce pulled away and blinked, his hand rubbing Justin's side. "He's gonna hate me."

Justin's thumb padded over a sharp edge of the brunette's face. "Do you care?"

Jayce smiled and sighed, reaching for Justin again, finally able to believe in meant-to-bes.