“Hmm.”

Josh angled his head, a hand slipping to grab Justin’s thigh.

“I, yes.”

Justin opened his mouth wider, tongues touching with a tremble, the blonde melting into the other. His fingertips slipped beneath the Bon Jovi T-shirt and danced up Josh’s chest, flat palm resting above a nipple.

Their week had consisted of this. Day in, day out. Justin hadn’t been home in days, hadn’t been out of Josh’s room any less than that. Never did Josh complain, his hands slipping into the young man’s back pockets.

Their kisses had graduated to kissing with choreography and they were content at the simple step. It was the only thing Justin was going on lately.

He hadn’t seen Paul, hadn’t heard from his mom though he had eavesdropped Karen talking to Lynn on the phone. At least she hadn’t showed up on a rampage, save that drama for later, he scoffed. But he couldn’t help but sigh into Josh’s mouth. He missed them, he missed his mama. Only because they had parted so harshly. What if he never saw her again? What if they shipped off, forgetting all about him? What if–

Josh gave him a tender kiss that erased the board that be his mind, his lips moving against the soft pair beneath them.

He had adapted nicely into Josh’s family, though, of course only coming out of the brunette’s room for food. Karen had become suspicious but Justin had squashed that easily, lying of all the practice time they were getting in, Josh adding in how Justin was a pro now. He’d have to play sometime, the brunette suggested. Justin just smiled and promised himself he’d slap Josh upside his head. Teach him to lie about things that can’t actually happen.

“Please,” Justin moaned into Josh’s mouth, trailing his mouth over his cheek, arms squeezing for a moment before biting Josh’s ear, the elder undulating in reply.

Justin couldn’t be mad, though. This was better than practicing anyday. Josh’s touches were so delicate, the blonde sometimes wondered if he was even deserving of this attention. Nonetheless, he didn’t complain when Josh showered him with gentle caresses.

“Wait.” Josh pulled away and licked his bruised lips, Justin smirking. But when the brunette looked guilty as hell, biting his lips in contemplation, Justin was curious. “We... Justin, I think you should talk to your parents.”

The blonde had heard wrong. “Huh?”

Josh held on and Justin felt the hands on his back tense, the younger one already slipping back behind his wall. He wasn’t going to be dictated to.

“Justin, this... You can’t stay here forever. You can’t hide from them forever.”

“Who the fuck...” Shit, already he was chipping away, his fears etched on his face as he straightened, trying to slip out of Josh’s hold. “You don’t know, alright?”

“I do, J. And stop fucking fighting, I’m not gonna make you do anything, but–”

“You want me out, just say it. Don’t be a pussy–”

“Justin, don’t be an ass,” Josh said sternly, and Justin almost felt embarrassed, his fight dissolving quietly until they were both standing, Josh with a hand on his cheek.

“Sorry,” Justin mumbled, looking straight into Josh’s eyes. The brunette just let his lips curve slightly.

“You’re so dramatic,” he chuckled but Justin saw the faded remnants of worry in his gaze. With a soft tug, their lips connected and Justin had never felt so stirred up in his life, not even when he was angry. He pushed the anxiety away and swallowed when Josh pulled back, still close enough to feel the words, “Come with me,” on his lips.

“Why me?”

Josh grabbed the blonde’s hand. “Just come.”

Josh let go of his hand once they reached the door and he skipped through, pulling out a smile before traveling down the stairs. Justin followed him, less enthused.

When the blonde saw the dinner table set he smiled. Eh, he could miss some tongue for a homecooked meal. But when he saw the dirty-blonde woman helping with Josh’s mom his breath caught in his throat.

“Shit.” Both women turned around and Lynn sighed.

“I’m not here to bitch,” she immediately began and both Josh and his mother conveniently left. “Justin–”

“What are you doing here?”

Lynn couldn’t tell if that was malice or anxiety in his voice. “They invited me. You haven’t... you haven’t come home, babe. I miss you,” she said softly, never one to beat around the bush. Justin loved it right now.

“Where’s Jordan?” he asked. The young brunette was an even bigger mama’s boy. Plus, talking about his brother at least lifted some of the focus.

Lynn’s face split with a faint grin. “At Nathan’s, of course, he’s found himself a new playmate. And you should see him, he’s grown!”

Justin laughed. “I’ve been gone like, a week. Not a year, ma.”

Lynn shrugged with a minute smile. “He still misses you. Ya know little kids and stuff.”

“Um, so what are y’all cooking?”

And it was that easy because his mom wasn’t to blame. He was, he thought as she explained the dish. He had changed, for the worse maybe and he couldn’t fault her for believing Paul. His actions never did anything to help. He was never there when she needed him. He never had a helping hand to lend, nevermind a nice word to say when she went out of her way for him. She had no right to even believe him, not when he had created the difference between them.

“I love you.”

Lynn looked up surprised, words flat against her tongue.

Justin swallowed the emotion. “I just hope you know that, no matter what shit I throw at you... I love you,” he finished and looked over, seeing Josh watching him. Feeling the flush creep up his neck, he turned back to his mother. She held a hand to her mouth.

“God, Justin. I... I’ve waited years for you to say that to me,” she whimpered and took a deep breath. “Jesus, why am I so emotional? Oh goodness, come here.” Her open arms fit around him easily and Karen kissed Josh on the ear before going up the stairs to tell Roy dinner was ready.

Josh just admired from the sidelines, knowing he was somehow apart of that.

Later that night, they all sat around the dinner table now with the addition of Tyler and Josh sat across from Justin, a faint smile ever present.

Lynn, Karen and Heather talked animatedly of summer jobs and boys. Tyler mulled to himself, listening to the soft spoken warnings from his father. Justin stared into Josh’s eyes.

Justin watched as Josh scooped up some mashed potatoes, stuffing them into his mouth as his feet wandered. The blonde yelped when he felt Josh’s toes on his ankle. He struck back when he twisted around and stepped on the brunette’s foot.

“Ow,” he hissed and Karen turned to him.

“What are yall doing?”

“Playing footsie,” Heather explained and Josh paled, choking slightly when he tried to breathe. Justin just tried to shake the shock from his features.

“You’re so creative,” Lynn said and Justin laughed, Josh joining in when he could actually swallow enough air. Karen looked to the two boys and then to the other mother, noting the perplexed look.

Josh wiped his eyes, blinking at a blurry Justin. The younger man wore a smile almost as bright as his.

“You’re welcome,” he whispered before dipping his head to breathe.

Justin watched a little while longer, wondering what catch there was to this deal.

TBC...

Power Of Love Home     Part Eight