“Josh, if you don’t eat anything you’re gonna waste away, son,” Roy commented as he watched his son stare at his mashed potatoes bored.

“Yeah, you’re like a skeleton already.” Heather poked him in the ribs and the brunette yelped, shoving his sister.

“Ow,” he whined and Karen shook her head.

“Heather, don’t do that and Josh is fine. Josh, are you ok?” At Josh’s nod, Karen smiled. “He’s fine. Just not hungry.”

Josh knew he owed her and he knew exactly what she wanted in return. He didn’t mind talking about Justin either, hell it was the only thing that had been on his mind all day. He couldn’t help but worry, it was in his nature. And when he had watched Justin walk into his house, there had been that spark of ‘What If’ that would ignite continuously.

“May I be excused?” the young man asked, sighing as he looked expectantly to his parents. Roy looked to his wife who nodded. Josh stood up.

“Thank you, wonderful meal, mama.”

The trek up the stairs was spent thinking of whether he would run to the window and see if he could see Justin, maybe check if he was ok, or lying on the floor after getting his ass kicked.

“Dammit,” Josh sighed, scrubbing at his scalp. This was ridiculous. Justin was his own person and Josh still felt that protectiveness over him.

“You care for him, smart ass.”

That was another constant brain wave. Justin had Josh wanting things he couldn’t have. Especially not with Justin. The blonde just touched him deep, in places no one had ever felt. In places Josh had let no one feel. And it was all Justin’s fault, possessing a power to make Josh weaken with a glance.

The kisses were amazing too. He felt his hand shake with just the memory, remembering the boy’s skin beneath his lips, the blonde’s mouth against his, the sheer closeness they were in providing him with the warmth he had tried to find with the sweatshirt he had on.

And it was confusing because he wanted it, Justin wanted it, but... where was it gonna go? This was Millington, never mind Josh would be gone in a few months. Could it really be as serious as it felt? Because as tempting as it seemed, Josh wouldn’t risk losing something as good as their simple kiss to stupidity.

Plopping down in his computer chair, Josh rested his head in his palm, gazing out the window at the back of Justin’s house, unashamed.

Justin’s mother had stayed by his side the whole day and the blonde was just awaiting 5:30 to come around and Paul get home, so he could have an excuse to get out the house, more specifically to Josh’s house.

“Mama,” Justin whined as he left the bathroom and she was waiting against the wall, turning around and straightening a picture.

“Yes?”

“I’m gonna go to Josh’s, I’ll be home sometime tonight.”

Lynn’s brow furrowed and she sighed, following her son into the kitchen. “Justin, I think you should... you’re gonna hate this, but you need to talk to Paul. I refuse to live in a house where I don’t know if my husband is going to beat up my son. Or vice versa.”

Justin rolled his eyes. “He’s the one with fucking anger management problems.”

“Justin, he just was over reacting. True he had no right to hit you, but you would get upset if your son was stealing from you! Justin, you’ve got to look at it from both sides. I...” she trailed off, cocking her head as she regarded the look on Justin’s face. She sighed once she saw the anger swirling in his eyes.

“Justin–”

“First off, I’m not his fucking son. Second, who the fuck said I stole from him? And why the hell would you believe him?! I’m your fucking child and you’re letting this man change everything! The way you see me is different because he suddenly thinks I’m a problem child! Fuck you, then. Fuck you if you let him come before me. Hopefully, he’ll actually like Jordan when he grows up. The poor kid won’t have to go through this bullshit.”

Done with his tirade Justin passed through the living room, clenching his fists to resist tearing up the room. He bounced through his door and slammed it, slouching against it to take a deep breath.

He had his body trained and instead of tears, he would usually turn that into fuel for the obvious anger. Last night, he sighed, had been a mishap. He had been overwhelmed, years of pent up emotion didn’t have a schedule. But he didn’t care that Josh was the one to comfort him. If anyone, Justin would have hoped it had been him.

Josh was everything Justin needed. He wasn’t there to judge, there to pressure, there to expect. Just there to be there. And Justin was more than grateful.

Justin opened his eyes and looked to his window, instantly wondering what Josh was doing, if he was waiting for Justin to come over for the lesson. If he was cursing their connection now, wishing he hadn’t opened the window to such drama. Justin winced at that thought, pushing it away as he stared out the square.

He wondered if Josh felt the kiss like he had. If his body longed to be where he was the night before, with him.

All Justin knew was these were new feelings. Fuck the confusion bullshit, he knew what he felt and what he wanted. He didn’t need the extra baggage of worrying about titles, of worrying about images. Not when he felt so right doing it.

But Josh was going to be scared, as if Justin wasn’t. Justin was willing to conquer it though. If Josh wasn’t, then he’d see how much he meant to the older man.

That was another thought Justin didn’t like. What if Josh didn’t feel the same? The blonde turned back to the window, sighing. What if?

The moment Josh saw Paul’s SUV flash by from between houses the brunette jumped up, thinking of what he could do.

He ran to the door, flinging it open before jetting down the stairs. His adrenaline made the rush actually seem justified. He was acting like a mother fucking hen and he knew it, just decided to ignore it.

“Mom!” he yelled as he flew through the room, entering the kitchen. “What’s Justin’s num– Oh... Hi,” he breathed as Justin smirked. He looked to his mom who didn’t try to hide her laughter.

“Hey,” Justin replied and Josh turned around, immediately going to his room. It was known Justin wasn’t there for any other reason.

Once the pair made it to the bedroom, Josh turned towards the blonde. He smiled slightly before grabbing him into a hug, squeezing tight, more for himself than anything else.

“Thank you,” Justin whispered and he felt the rise in his throat, asking since when he had become so emotional.

“I know,” Josh returned, taking a deep breath before pulling away to look.

Justin wanted to say more but Josh just took his hand and ushered him inside, not checking to see if the door was completely closed.

“What were you going to call me for?” Justin asked once he found his voice. Josh let go of his hand and pulled out his keyboard, laying it on the bed. The blonde instinctively took a seat too and switched it his way.

“I was going to uh, ask if you were coming today. Someone invited me out and I just wanted to see.” Satisfied Josh turned off his stereo.

“You can still go out, I know I’ve taken up so much of your time lately-”

“Please,” Josh laughed and settled down, closing his eyes. “Do you remember the piece we were looking at on Friday?”

“Yea.”

“Play that.”

And the subject was changed.

Justin started to play what he remembered, forgetting a part but ad-libbing as much as he could before repeating the beginning. He looked up and silently rejoiced that he didn’t have to look at the keys every second now.

Josh opened an eye at an obnoxiously wrong note and Justin looked down, smiling as he kept playing. Maybe he still had some work to do on that.

He finished and looked up, trying not to look at Josh with hope bright in his eyes. The brunette still had his eyes closed so Justin waited with bated breath. After a few more minutes, the young man’s lips parted with a sigh and Justin made an indignant sound. He had fallen asleep?

He poked Josh and after receiving nothing he decided a slap would be justified. He slapped the brunette’s forehead and Josh blinked a few times before focusing on Justin.

“Asshole,” the blonde scowled. Josh just smiled.

“The beginning was nice,” he tried and Justin just rolled his eyes.

“Don’t bullshit. What did I do at the end?”

Josh quirked an eyebrow. Had he done something different? Um... Justin loved Norah Jones’ song.

“The beginning of the Norah song you can play,” he said confidently and Justin smiled.

“Wrong fucking answer, I didn’t do anything. Why’d you fall asleep?” he murmured, trying to keep the pout off of his face.

“Aw, you’re trying so hard not to frown!” Josh tried to pinch a cheek but Justin pushed at him, crossing his arms.

Silence ensued and Josh leaned back again, this time watching Justin with a steady gaze.

“You alright?” He hadn’t wanted to ruin the good vibe they had going on but the question kept itching at him and he knew he had to ask before he went mad.

Justin looked at him with sincerity and nodded. “I saw him walk through the door. He almost looked sorry,” he whispered thickly. “And I couldn’t be there in the first place. With him there, I would have probably killed myself. I found out why he was so mad.” He took a breath, willed the emotion out of his voice. “He thinks I’m stealing from him. Got my mom thinking I am, too. I just...” He looked up at Josh, shaking his head.

“It hurts.”

Justin nodded, looking into his lap.

“It’ll get better. I promise.”

The younger boy looked up, squinting. “You promise a lot of things.”

“And I keep them,” Josh said and looked at the ceiling before watching Justin again.

“Can I stay here tonight?”

Josh blinked before smiling. “Of course.”

Justin leaned forward and hesitantly thanked him with a brush of his lips, a hand at the back of Josh’s neck. The brunette sighed and moved his lips with the other’s slowly, his arm coming around Justin’s middle.

Josh moaned softly as Justin lowered against him, the weight welcomed as they kissed. Justin, somewhat knowing what to do next, had never really gotten there. With neither boy or girl. But when the man beneath him slid a warm hand underneath his T-shirt Justin gasped, Josh taking the opportunity. His tongue, nothing but gentle and timid, swiped over Justin’s open mouth, the tip touching his teeth softly before retreating. Justin wanted it again and pressed closer, opened his mouth wider and even let his own tongue venture, touching Josh’s with a bright spark.

He pulled away and Josh kept his hold but looked worriedly at him.

“Too fast?” he questioned, shifting.

Justin blinked, his mouth feeling swollen and he shook his head. “I, no,” he told the other and Josh relaxed with a sigh.

He leaned in, taking Justin’s mouth again, showing him the way. He licked into the blonde’s mouth slowly, hitching slightly when Justin moved against him.

Justin closed his eyes tightly when he felt his slight erection grind into Josh’s crotch, embarrassed it only took a kiss to get him aroused. He pulled away and Josh pecked his lips before loosening his hold.

He hid his face in the pillow, groaning as he tried to disappear.

Josh tried not to laugh. “Not a big deal.”

“Yes, it is,” came the muffled response.

Josh just looked to the ceiling, his lips tingling in reply to the scene.

“You kiss like a fucking god,” he breathed, hoping Justin could hear the smile in his voice.

Justin peeked and the brunette had never seen him look so young.

“Shut up,” he mumbled and turned on his side.

“It’s true! What? You want me to lie? You kiss like a fucking dog. There, that better?”

Justin shoved his shoulder and shook his head. “You have a nice mouth, too. Since we’re giving out compliments.”

Josh let his lips spread. “I know.”

Justin’s eyes cut to his, his own mouth curving into a smile. He leaned up, Josh already expecting it, none the less pleasantly surprised when Justin’s lips landed on his, an innocent slide of a kiss.

The blonde pulled away, Josh not being able to help the, “Again,” that slipped out, Justin leaning in to give kiss after kiss.

Josh finally pulled away after a few long minutes when Justin placed a palm on his cheek.

“Are you sure?” he asked and Justin closed his eyes against the question, wrapping his arms around the other instead. Josh just slipped his hand up and down his back, settling into what they were beginning, understanding yet intrigued at the same time.

“So what does this mean?”

Josh opened an eye, having an armful of Justin was too comforting to stay awake.

“What?”

Justin shifted and his nose rubbed against Josh’s cheek, his lips soon to follow in a small kiss. “That,” he mumbled against Josh’s lips.

Josh’s cheeks lifted. “Oh, that,” he chuckled. “It means we kiss.”

“That’s all?”

The brunette let his smile fall a little. He didn’t want to talk about this. “Justin, you don’t know what you want. I mean, let it flow.”

Justin scowled. “I’m not a fucking kid.” He pulled away. “I mean, I know what the fuck I am and I don’t need to be labeled to be able to kiss you.” The elder sighed as the other crossed his arms.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, I’m just sayin’. I don’t want you to do anything you regret. Damn, when the fuck did you get so defensive?” He cracked a smile, sliding closer. “If I didn’t know any better I would have thought you were gonna throw a punch. I woulda warned you not to be foolish.”

Justin rolled his eyes, never denying the small grin he wore. “Yeah right, get off it,” he said, sliding down to rest against Josh. The affection was rapidly new, but it was easy and Justin couldn’t get rid of the constant smile he wore.

TBC...

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