Warnings: Slash, sex (m/m…it's slash what other kind would it be?...though it's not till the second part) Ummm…fluff. Oh, and voices (don't ask). Again, total, unabashed fluff!
Disclaimers: I DON"T OWN…if it did it wouldn't be a fanfic…Belongs to Helen Cresswell, who is a total goddess. Really and truly. And no, I'm not making money offa this. None at all. Damn. Oh, and I named Rob Robert Jordan before I'd even heard of the wheel of time books *shudder* so no affiliation is meant there. just a coincidence.
Set just after the beginning of book seven.

Unbeknownst to anyone but his mother Jack slipped off to spend a night at a friend's. Mrs. Bagthorpe had argued that they had just gotten home and he should stick around for awhile. But Jack had refused and, with a sigh, she had driven him to his friend's.

Robert Jordan lived on the opposite side of town from Mrs. Fosdyke. His parents were divorced and he spent most of his time with his father, who was well on his way to getting married again.

Rob greeted Jack with a glad cry, seizing his hands and dragging him inside. Jack felt his insides warm slightly, his mood rising from the dark, desprite place it had been while they were in Wales.

"I'm so glad you came! Matilde just got home and we're ordering out for pizza!"

"Jack!" A flying blond sped towards Jack and swept him up in a tight hug.

"Good evening to you too, Miss Brunsen," Jack gasped when he was out down.

"Hello Jack."

"Hello Mr. Jordan."

"Pizza's here!" Rob caroled bouncing into the foyer and coming back after a few minutes with two big cardboard boxes. Jack chuckled, smiling at the other boy's shining eyes.

"You're hyper," he commented.

"I missed you." Big blue eyes shined up at him from under rumpled blond/brown hair. Jack felt something inside him lurch.

"I was only gone a week." Jack was almost shocked. Rob had…missed him. Was staring at him joyfully. It was practically amazing.

"I still missed you."

"Thanks"

The four of them piled around the Jordan's table, munching contentedly on pizza.

"So what was Wales like?" Rob asked.

"Wet," Jack laughed, trying to avoid the true meaning of the question.

"Other than that?"

"Alright."

"Jack…" Matilde laughed lightly. "Stop avoiding the question." The laughter left her voice, "was it really that bad?"

Jack shook his head, staring into his glass. "Not that horrible. Uncle Park showed up. But father did managed to find us a hovel to live in and…" Jack went on to describe, fairly accurately, all the horrors of Ty Cillion Duon. Finally he finished, sighing: "and getting home didn't help at all!"

Matilde was out of her chair in a flash, wrapping her arms around Jack. She turned to Mr. Jordan. "Honey, can we adopt him when we get married, please?"

"Matilde," Mr. Jordan chuckled. "You should ask the boy first." Matilde released Jack so she could look him in the eyes.

"Love, you want to come stay with us?"

Jack sighed, "I'd love to, but…"

"But what, Jack?" Rob teased. "Don'tcha like us?"

"I like you guys more than I like my own family," Jack shot back. "You know that. But they are my family. And mother…"

"I understand."

"Come on!" Matilde exclaimed, breaking the dour mood. "I rented 'The Princess Bride. Let's watch it!"

So the four of them settled on the couch in front of the television, a ritual they had for every time both Jack and Matilde were there at once. Matilde and Mr. Jordan cuddled on one end of the couch and Jack and Rob sat staring intently at the screen on the other. But this time as the movie went on Rob yawned and dropped his head onto Jack's shoulder and with a sigh he snuggled comfortably up against his friend. Matilde looked over and smiled, nudging Mr. Jordan so he looked over and winked down at Matilde.

Jack snuck a glance down at the boy snuggled against his side. Rob looked so peaceful resting there; his wide blue eyes staring fixedly at the sword fight on the screen. Jack shocked himself by finding himself thinking just how cute Rob was. He mentally slapped himself, then settled his arm around Rob's shoulder when he realized that the other boy was shivering.

"Cold?"

Rob nodded and burrowed closer into the embrace. Jack sighed again. 'Admit it, you like him,' a sweet little voice whispered inside Jack's mind. 'Of course I like him, he's my friend,' Jack shot back at himself. 'Like like him, you know what I mean.' 'NO!' 'C'mon boyo. You're attracted to him. So you're gay, who cares? At least admit it to yourself. He likes you too and you know it.' 'Shaddup!'

"Jack?" Rob murmured, looking up at Jack's confused face. "You ok?"

Jack stared down at his friend. 'Alright' he sighed in defeat as those soft blue eyes and full tempting lips melted his defense. 'I'm attracted to him. Very, very much so damnit.'

"I'm fine." He said aloud.

"Alright," Rob said skeptically, settling back in to watch was little was left of the movie.

'See?' the voice gloated. 'Alright, alright,' he sighed. 'Now what?' 'Do something about it.' 'What?' nothing came to mind and he mentally repeated the question till it had lost all meaning. Unable to think of anything else he merely tightened his arm around Rob and noticed, to his delight, that Rob turned to nuzzle into his shoulder. Then Jack had to bite back a moan as Rob moved to kiss his neck, he could swear that he heard Rob chuckle.

"Like?" Rob whispered.

"Rob!" Jack hissed.

"Good."

'So,' Jack mused. 'I didn't really have to do anything. He knew…' Jack laughed silently. 'The little bastard,' he thought fondly. He twisted around to kiss the top of Rob's head and Rob wrapped an arm around Jack's waist.

"Talk later," Rob whispered. Jack nodded; hoping later would come soon. He sighed; at least the movie was almost over. Rob's hand 'discreetly' caressing his hip was going to drive him insane very quickly. Slowly he returned the gesture, sliding his fingertips gently over the other boy's neck. Finally the movie ended, and of course Matilde made them sit through the credits, pointing out that:

"This has probably got to be one of the sweetest songs ever."

And it didn't help that Rob was whispering along with the song, his breath tickling Jack's ear.

Matilde had spent more of the movie watching the two boy's growing relationship than watching the movie. They were so cute! Granted, if Jack ever told his family he would be greeted with…slight discrimination to say the least. But it was all right for now. At the beginning the two would need all the support they could get and she was more than happy to give it to them. The way Rob's face lit up when he smiled at Jack and the gentle, almost protective look on Jack's face at that moment were perfect. Matilde barely repressed a snicker. 'What was that American phrase again…oh yes, Kodak moment.'

Jack sighed. Rob had such a nice voice. None of the Bagthorpes could sing, and he was no exception, but Rob certainly could. Funny, both Rob's mother and Matilde had good singing voice, in fact, that was Matilde's job. Jack looked over at Matilde and found that she was looking over at him and Rob as well. She noticed his gaze and winked, causing Jack to blush bright red and turn away, but he didn't let go of Rob.

Finally the song ended and Rob bounced up off the couch. Then he turned and grabbed Jack's hand, pulling him out of the room.

"Rob," Jack stuttered, unsure of what his friend was after.

"Shush," Rob leaned forward, placing a finger over Jack's mouth and drawing Jack into his room. Shoving him onto the bed he settled himself on Jack's lap.

"Are we going out?" Rob asked softly.

Jack blinked, not displeased, but slightly surprised. "If you want."

Rob sighed. "Yes, Jack, love, you know I want. I'm asking if you want."

Jack hesitated, his hand resting lightly on Rob's slim hip. "I think…Rob, you do realize the unpleasantness we'd get?"

Rob nodded, "I know. But Jack, I…well…I'm willing."

Jack wrapped his arms tightly around Rob, "Yes, for you I will."

Rob giggled, "Awwwww. Jack, you're a romantic. Who woulda guessed?"

"You apparently."

"Hmmmm." Rob leaned forward, kissing Jack's cheek again and again, moving closer and closer to his lips. Then he paused, making it obvious that Jack was supposed to make that move. Jack smiled as he realized this and, sliding a hand around Rob's neck, stretched forward to brush the other boy's lips with his own. Then he dipped back in for a longer, truer, if clumsy, kiss.

"We need practice," Rob sighed, leaning back in towards Jack for another kiss, which Jack was more than happy to give him.

A few moments later they pulled apart for air and sat, staring into each other's eyes. Then they heard applause and cat calls coming from the doorway. Jack could see Matilde and Mr. Jordan standing there, he felt himself turn bright red. Nevertheless he made no move to release Rob.

"Finally!" Matilde giggled. "You know, you two make the cutest couple, and the most frustrating. I'm so glad it worked out."

"Matilde," Rob pouted, twisting in Jack's arms to get a look at the blond.

"I have no intention of interfering," Matilde laughed, assessing the boys with soft blue eyes. "Not now that you're together."

"You are interfering," Rob told her. "You're interrupting. Go away."

"Fine," Matilde sighed, still smiling. "I'm leaving." She turned and shut the door.

"How did she know?" Jack wondered aloud.

"Besides the fact that we were almost making out during the video, you mean?" Rob giggled. "Could be any number of things, but it's probably just that women tend to be more perceptive than men," he giggled again, nuzzling Jack's ear. "That would explain why it took you so long."

"You mean…" Jack wasn't sure he understood. How long had Rob liked him anyway?

"Probably since the beginning of the year, I think."

"Oh."

"You were a bit slow, luv."

Jack blushed yet again. "I'm sorry."

"Nah," Rob shrugged. "Don't be. It gave me some time to get things sorted out."

"Things?" Jack paused and thought a minute. "Things having to do with that Michael guy?"

Rob stared at his feet, tensing up and looking severely distraught. Jack noticed this and hugged him tighter.

"It's ok. You don't have to…" he began.

"I need to tell you," Rob sighed. He glanced up at Jack. "We were…we were experimenting. He…well, he got a bit carried away."

Jack felt a shiver run down his spine. "You're saying…"

"Im saying that I'm not a virgin," Rob bit out, tensing himself away from Jack as if expecting a blow almost.

"Oh."

Rob blinked. "Just oh?"

Jack shrugged. "I'm not really sure what to say. It's really doesn't bother me that much, unless you got hurt…in which case I'm pissed. But at him, not you." He paused for a minute. "Should it bother me?"

"I'm glad it doesn't," Rob sighed, relaxing against Jack's shoulder.

"Does it bother you?" Jack asked softly.

"Yeah…some." Rob hugged Jack tightly to him, only relaxing when Jack started to stroke his back. "I feel…tainted. Corrupted almost. I'm only fifteen."

"Rob…" it was Jack's turn to sigh. "Technicalities don't matter. You still view the world as an overall good place. You're not corrupted at all," he smiled gently at the blue eyed boy. "You're still so bright and happy I suppose," he leaned forward so that his lips brushed Rob's ear. "You make my life good, and with my family that's practically impossible."

Rob blushed. "Thank you."

Jack shifted slightly. "Rob…"

"Hmmm…"

"My legs are falling asleep, can we move?"

"Sure." Rob slid off Jack's lap and lay back on the bed, pulling Jack down next to him. The two snuggled together, holding each other close for comfort. One fleeing from his own daily life, the other from his sense of corruption. Rob buried his head in Jack's shoulder and Jack nuzzled into Rob's hair.

"Jack…" Rob murmured quietly.

"What?"

"Promise me something?"

"Sure."

"If we fall asleep like this promise you won't let me go, please?"

"Promise."

"Good."

"Are you planning on falling asleep any time soon?" Jack mumbled sleepily into Rob's hair.

"No," and Rob yawned. "But I hope you are," he chuckled, and then sobered slightly. "It sounds like you haven't slept properly for the past week."

"I haven't."

"Then sleep."

"But…I…" Jack began to protest, thinking Rob would be bored if he fell asleep so soon.

"Sleep, love," Rob murmured, tilting his head up to kiss Jack's chin. "We'll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow."

"Yes, mommy." Jack tease, grinning and yawing at the same time.

"Hmph!"

"Rob…Baby…" the endearment slid surprisingly smoothly from Jack's mouth.

"Yes?" Rob looked more than pleased to hear it.

"Love you."

"Love you too, Jack."


There, I apologise for the choppyness at the beginning and for the horrible sap...more will come very soon.

Part 2
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