Everyone likes to pretend Billy was never even there. Life goes on, people change, the past gets forgotten.
A year isn’t enough time for Max though. Right now it feels like the rest of her life wouldn’t be enough time, but Neil and Susan, they were doing just fine.
It’s almost like they like not having him around, that extra burden they couldn’t shake. The plan only Max knew was that Billy was going to stay at home until she was old enough to go with him so she’d be safe.
She knew he was fed up and looking at some local apartments within walking distance of Cherry Lane anyways, but then July happened, and Billy died.
Now it’s July again, and her hair is in twin braids of red with pure white ribbons on the end, and her and her mother are wearing matching blouses. There’s bruises under the bangle on her mothers wrist and one under Max’s own sleeve, and she just wants her brother back.
It’s a holiday they told her, her father (he’s not her fucking father, they never made her call him that when Billy was around) is a veteran, they have to celebrate. Better just dry her eyes and get over it.
Her mother invites all the family they have in the area over to their house for a little get together picnic, and they do their little happy family routine for a while, but Max can only handle so much of it.
Billy should be here by her side, flicking watermelon seeds at her face and putting ice cubes from the cooler down the back of her shirt, being an asshole to distract her from the reality of her family.
And that was that she didn’t really have one, a family. It was always just her and Billy.
Even at these events made for bonding with family, they were off to the side, messing around while the adults talked like they weren’t even there, and she knew she was a little naive then, but it stung more than ever, knowing that even after she’d lost her brother, nobody even stopped to say hi or check up on her, it was just straight into gossiping about the neighbors and those disrespectful bastards across the street who weren’t flying a flag for the holiday and family members who couldn’t be there.
But Max never heard Billy’s name come up even once, and not even in a respect to the dead boy and his grieving sister type of way, but rather, in the way that they just didn’t want to acknowledge his existence. None of these people had come to his graduation in May of last year, or his funeral two months later.
Billy was a taboo that the Hargrove-Mayfields didn’t dare taint their celebrations of freedom and justice with. The irony made Max sick to her stomach.
Or that was at least, until Neil couldn’t help himself.
His words are slurring already, with an excuse to party he’s on what Max would guess to be his fifth or sixth beer that afternoon, and someone just made the mistake of mentioning their own son, Billy and Max’s third cousin or something, and it spurs Neil off on a tangent about his.
“That boy was always good for nothing anyways. It’s almost the same now that he’s dead, ‘Cept maybe now I get some more quiet around the house.”
Nobody knows what to do when he says that, there’s a couple awkward laughs and one shocked gasp, that one was probably from her mother, but Max knows exactly what she wants to do.
What she wants is to watch Neil choking on his blood instead of her brother, his body being lowered into the ground instead of Billy’s, and in the moment she feels like she could be the one to make that a reality, but instead she just stands abruptly, a plate of the food her mother worked so hard to prepare for them she’d been too queasy to eat falling off her knees to the grass, and she says everything she’d bottled up for the past year.
“Don’t talk about Billy that way!
“Now, Maxine-“ Neil starts, but Max is livid, can’t hold back all the things she wished she had said before Billy died, when she got grounded after the funeral, when Neil started beating her, “No! I’m not going to let you do to me what you did to my brother! You don’t get to control me like you did him, it’s your fault that he’s dead!”
It’s her mother’s turn to try to stop her, slender hand covering her mouth painted red, “Maxine..”
“Stop trying to reason with me! I’m sick of pretending to be a family when I had to watch my own brother die! And I’m sick of being treated like I’m crazy for being the only one that cares about Billy!”
More than one person chimes in on that one, offended by the notion they don’t care about family, though it’s Neil that insists, in that faux calm, close to snapping voice of his, “We do care, Maxine. We’re all grieving in our own ways.”
She fires back, “Grieving what? The loss of your punching bag? You hated Billy! You don’t care that he’s dead, all that matters to you is having someone to hurt, and you no trouble adjusting to beating up on your wife and step-daughter instead!”
She catches a backhand to the face for that, and all the background chatter comes to a halt, Neil gritting out through his teeth, “Inside. Now.”
There are tears in her eyes that sting almost as much as the knuckle marks on her cheek, but Max feels like she won, getting her step dad all riled up in front of their family, she feels almost invincible, and she sneers all smug like and bitter, “I can’t go inside yet. I’m celebrating your service to our country, dad. You know, as a family.”
But when Neil's face turns as red as the blood that dripped from his wife’s nose the night before and he stands from his chair and drags her inside by the wrist himself, she realizes that it wasn’t exactly a win.
And when her brain goes numb trying to focus on both the repeated slaps and punches that explode like firecrackers across her skin and the way Neil is yelling and lecturing her until his voice is raw, giving her the same lessons her brother had burned into the back of his mind, she feels like she’s lost everything instead.
When she has to choke back her tears and apologize for embarrassing Neil and for making him hit her as punishment, she realizes, this isn’t a game that can be won or lost at all.
Max isn’t allowed to go back outside to the party. That rule goes unspoken, but words aren't necessary with the way Neil storms off without another word, slamming the back door behind himself. She’s slowly starting to figure out what the things her step father does instead of says mean.
She misses being allowed to be clueless, having someone to protect her or take what punishment she had earned. She wishes she wouldn’t have asked so much of Billy though.
Her own room isn’t safe anymore, what once had been the place she’d be ushered off to when Neil got bad had become more like a trap, the place Neil went to first when he was angry. Everything that had been hers felt wrong, so she goes to Billy’s room and doesn’t come out for the rest of the night. Even now that he’s gone, he still kept her safe.
There’s a welt on her face and fresh bruises forming everywhere, hot tears wetting her sunburnt cheeks and the pillows that smell like Billy, or at least used to before Susan decided his room needed cleaned and washed away every trace of her brother.
All night long there are fireworks going off, a big show put on by the city downtown has her shaking, unable to close her eyes for fear those distant explosions would take her back to the mall, bring back memories she’d never forget, and covering her ear with her hands.
The cracks and booms that shake her windows and her entire life, a headache and a heart break even stronger.
She tries her hardest not to think about Starcourt though, so instead she thinks about how Billy would’ve been proud of her for standing up to Neil. He would’ve called her an idiot, but he would’ve cleaned up her scrapes and held her through the panic attack after, and he probably would’ve liked to see the person Max was becoming too.
That makes Max’s heart hurt, the fact that he won’t get to. She cries harder, and she feels so alone without Billy.
Some part of her knows that she isn’t though. She isn’t the only one that lost somebody last July.
Hawkins’ cemetery was alive with flowers and wreaths and decoration, and more than anything the grieving. All of the victims had families, or in the case of the Holloway’s where their whole family was killed, they had friends and neighbors in the tight knit community who remembered them. El was still grieving Hopper, and Max knew Billy had people like that too.
Billy was popular, his death had a huge impact on the younger population of the town, but not only that, he had his closest friends, Steve and Tommy and Carol and Nicole and Adam from the pool, and of course Heather couldn’t be there, but those people were all keeping her brother alive.
As much as it felt like everyone was trying to forget him, they weren’t, and that brought Max a little bit of hope.
Hope that Billy would be remembered for the things he did right, and who he was behind the boy he had to be to keep them safe.
Hope that with his memory kept in the hearts of so many, the burden of grief wouldn’t fall solely on Max forever and make things a little easier.
Hope that the wound would someday heal, and she could look back on the time she did have with Billy, those seven too short years, with a smile on her face.
For now, she wraps herself in Billy’s jacket and comforter, listening to his music to drown out the distant fireworks, and dreams of the day when things won’t be like this, when she can leave Hawkins and all it’s bad memories and the “family” holding her back to live a life her brother would be proud of, a life that would honor his.
Max decides then with determination, flinching when a bright flash lights up her window, a loud echo through the quaint neighborhood, that she was going to do what Billy hadn’t been able to and break the cycle.
Tomorrow, she’d tell the school counselor she’d been assigned when her depression was at its worst all about Neil Hargrove.
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Now or Never | Rainling
Who: Somer Rainault ( @joiesomer ) & Jeff Sterling ( @xjefferxx )
Where: an off-campus pool party; the dance studios; Schuester 107, Somer’s room
When: 10 Jul 2019
Notes/Triggers: nsfw
Somer raked his fingers back through his hair before pushing the gate open. He knew a couple of the people who were going to be here from sharing classes with them, and he wasn't sure if he ought to go hang with basically strangers, but Jeff had said 'pretty please' -- and Somer was discovering that he was very susceptible to Jeff's pleading hazel eyes. Anyway it was a pool party, and he did love to be in the water. So he walked into the enclosed patio area and waved at everybody, looking as casually as possible for Jeff.
His heart thumped when he finally caught sight of the blond, having a casual conversation and tossing his hair out of his eyes. Somer felt his mouth dry up -- Jeff was shirtless already, in just swim shorts, and the memory of the other day came back quite strongly. Jeff's hands on him. A drink. He needed a drink. He made a beeline for the coolers, and found a bottle of dry cider, cracking it and draining half the contents immediately.
Jeff was invited to a pool party with some friends. He felt that it was kind of important to invite Somer. More then just wanting him there, he wanted to interact with him with people around. He had been there some time before he saw Somer come in. Jeff smiled to him but saw him run to the drinks, so he just turned away. He knew this was going to be different for them but he hoped it would be okay in the end.
Maybe it was true alcohol made you brave. Somer didn't know. He carried his bottle over to where Jeff was, slipping up beside him and waiting to be noticed. "Have you claimed a chair?" he whispered to Jeff in a lull in the conversation.
Jeff smiled, turning to him and wrapping his arm around Somer's waist. "No, I haven't but you want us to find one?" He nudged and kissed his cheek. Fuck caring who saw right now. He introduced him to the girl he was talking to before, smiling as he still held him some.
Somer leaned in to Jeff's hold without thinking about it, though he had to step away to hold out his hand to the girl. She was cute, he thought, but Jeff was cuter. Then he realised what he was thinking and buried his face in his cider bottle again. What was happening to him? "I'm gonna go find a chair to leave my shoes and shirt on, okay?" he said to Jeff, looking up at him.
Jeff nodded, letting him go. He watched him as he walked away. Though he wanted to follow, he knew this all had to be a bit slower with others around, though he knew seeing him shirtless was going to drive him a little nuts.
An hour later, Somer had been through three bottles of cider, hurled himself into the pool with a wild yell, wrestled underwater with Jeff and at least two other guys, and was now the bottom half of one team of chicken. He didn't even remember the name of the girl on his shoulders, but it didn't matter. He was having far too much fun. He tossed his hair out of his eyes, and that made him wobble at just the wrong time, and he and the girl went over in a laughing breathless heap into the water.
When they came back up to the whoops and hollers of the winning team, Somer slicked his hair out of his face to find the girl wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs around his hips, and gluing her lips to his. He tried to backpedal, arms going around her totally by instinct so she wouldn't fall, and tripped over his own feet underwater, going under again with a splash.
Jeff hadn't seen Somer like this; he seemed really relaxed but then again, he had been drinking. It was something, playing in the pool and just having a good time. Maybe this would be okay, maybe they would work together in the end if he was able to let go this much. They had been close and semi-cuddly with others around, though Jeff knew it was all the alcohol in the end.
Jeff had just gotten out of the pool, going for a soda when he heard whooping. He turned to see what it was and stopped dead in his tracks. There in the pool was Somer, kissing a girl. Not just that, he was holding her and going under the water with her as well. He didn't say anything, just grabbed his shirt and bag, walking out as he fought back tears of anger and pain.
Somer managed to disentangle himself from the girl, pushing her away, and came up just in time to see Jeff snatch up his shirt. The way the dancer was moving, Somer could tell instantly something was wrong. Shit. The girl tried to wind herself around him again, and absently he shifted aside, diving under the water and pushing as fast as he could for the edge. "Jeff!" he called, but over the sound of the party he was pretty sure the blond didn't hear him. Somer heaved himself out, streaming, trying to catch his balance. "/Jeff/!"
Jeff was gone, he was out the front door and running. He didn't stop until he reached his safe place, stepping in and sliding against the wall. He curled up to cry. He had put himself out there so much, he had told Somer how he felt and maybe he was asking too much of Somer to think that he'd want to just figure them out, that he wouldn't reach out for someone else. Turning the music up, he let it flow through his body and blood, trying to get his mind off the pain that was ripping him down.
The redhead spat swearwords like watermelon seeds, utterly ignoring every other person in favour of the knot that had tied itself in his gut and started sinking. He could picture, with despair, exactly what Jeff thought he'd seen, and after their time together the other day ... well. His eyes were hot, but he couldn't afford to cry right now. He had to be able to see, so he could find Jeff.
He didn't have any clear memories of leaving the party, only of stumbling up the steps to the AXi house and banging on the door. "Jeff!" he yelled, stepped back and looking at the window to the dancer's room. "Jeff, please! Please talk to me!" His voice cracked on the last word.
Jeff was deep in his head as the music ran through. He was moving to it, ignoring the world and everything that was around him. He didn't care who saw him, he just had to release, even as tears fell from his eyes.
Tyler finally stuck his head out of the window, looking bleary-eyed and tousled. "The fuck you want, Rainault?" he shouted. "Some of us are tryin' to sleep!"
"Where's Jeff?!" Somer yelled back, fists clenching at his sides. He knew he must look a sight, shirt sticking to his chest, hair dripping, but he didn't care. He /had/ to find Jeff. Every minute seemed to pulse in his chest. He'd seen the shattering in the lines of Jeff's body, a kind of breakage that words wouldn't hold.
"Party," Tyler shouted back down. "With you, idiot!"
"He ran away," Somer said, voice catching again.
Tyler shrugged, leaning back. "Then he's at the studio." He slammed the window shut, and Somer just stood there, blinking.
By now Jeff wasn't really crying anymore. The music was taking him over and he had to just give in. His dance, though, for anyone that saw, they could see the pain he felt with each move. He knew he had to work out the jumps yet, but right now he was just on point and letting all his body choose the movements.
This time Somer made only one stop. He allowed himself to take the time to stop by his room and grab his notebook, the private one he never shared with anyone else. There was something in there Jeff needed to see. Then he ran, head down and legs pumping, toward the Fine Arts building, blindly pushing his way down the stairs, and nearly collided with the door of the dance studio he knew Jeff favoured.
Fear shocked through him then. What if Jeff refused to speak to him, refused to let him explain? What if he'd screwed up this thing, this glorious thing that was the best thing to ever happen to him, and he couldn't ever recover it? His hand shook on the handle. But if he didn't at least try, he'd regret it forever. Carefully Somer turned the handle, clutching his notebook to his chest, and stopped dead in the doorway.
Jeff was dancing.
Somer thought he had seen Jeff shattering at the pool. He knew better now. Every motion, every turn and step and leap whimpered heartbreak. The tears Somer had been holding back broke loose.
Jeff had just finished a leap and spin when he saw Somer standing there. Stopping, his eyes read of the pain, the hurt and the anger, all of what his lips weren't saying. Stopping the music, he stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, looking away. Somer was crying? In Jeff's mind, Somer didn't get to cry. He didn't put himself out there with how he felt only to have Jeff kiss someone else, no. He wouldn't look at him, just stood and waited, wondering if he'd even say anything.
He didn't step into the room. It would have been an invasion. This was Jeff's space. Somer smeared at the tearstreaks on his face and looked at Jeff. "I'm sorry," he said, voice breaking for the third time. "I didn't -- she just grabbed me. I didn't know she was going to k-kiss me. Please, Jeff, you have to believe me."
Jeff bit his lip, tears falling. "You didn't push her away ... you didn't even try to push her away. You held her!" His voice got louder as he shook his head. "It's fine though, it's cool, you told me you didn't know for sure what you were and you were confused so now I'm sure you know and it's fine." He sighed heavily. "I put myself out there you know, I put myself out there for you. I told you over and over again I don't do this, I don't go on dates, I don't do feelings like this with anyone because of this, because I'm so damn scared that I'll get hurt. Then I met you and I guess I was too stupid to think that maybe you wouldn't hurt me that you wouldn't go kiss someone else." Jeff ran his fingers through his hair. "I put myself out there for you ... and now I feel like my heart is ripped out and shattered."
Somer was crushed. "I was falling," he objected, voice choked. "I was falling, and she grabbed me, her legs were all wrapped around me, and I thought she was falling too." He hugged his notebook to his chest, head drooping. "You're my first kiss. My first everything, honestly." Somer closed his eyes, swallowing a sob. "I didn't mean to. I didn't want to be kissing her. I want to be kissing you."
His head shot up as Somer said the last words to him. "Don't lie to me Somer. Don't lie to me," his words an intense whisper as he shook where he stood. "I've never lied to you so don't lie to me. I saw you in the pool ... I know what I saw."
The redhead flinched back. "Don't," he choked. "Don't, don't say that, please. I'm not lying. I'm not, I -- ask them! I came right after you. I didn't know she was going to do that, I didn't want her to, I don't -- " Somer ran out of words. He clutched the notebook, then shoved it at Jeff. "Here. The last one. I made it for you, after ... after. I made it for you. It's yours."
He had wanted to share that poem with Jeff and see how Jeff reacted. But that obviously wasn't going to be an option now. He held out the little brown notebook, waiting for the dancer to take it, ready to flee immediately.
Jeff was about to push past him and leave. He couldn't trust his words now, not really. When the book was thrust at him, he gave him the chance and read it.
He couldn't watch Jeff read it. That was a piece of his heart on paper, and if this was the end he couldn't bear to see Jeff toss his heart aside. Somer turned aside, burying his face in his hands. He wanted to curl up and die, but his legs were shaking too much to let him take more than a few steps.
Once he was finished, Jeff tossed the journal over to his things and called out for Somer. When the other boy returned, he took a deep breath. "Say it," he whispered. "Tell me what you're trying to say in that poem please," his words going soft and high pitched. His heart was still breaking but if Somer really meant it then he had to say it.
The slap of the notebook hitting the floor made Somer jerk, fresh tears coming to his eyes. But then Jeff called out to him, and he turned back, slowly. Their date flashed back into his head. The text he'd written to Hunter. "As you wish," Somer said, voice cracking in the middle. He stood in the doorway, a tear sliding down his cheek, and looked up at Jeff. "I want this. I want you. I." He had to stop for a moment, throat too choked to continue, and shook his head sharply. "I can't say it any better than those words. Those are the best words. Please."
Jeff stepped closer, putting his hand out to Somer. He didn't say anything, just hoped he'd take his hand.
Somer's breathing shook. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "God, I'm so sorry." He stumbled a few steps toward Jeff, grabbing his hand, holding on for dear life.
Jeff pulled him in close, wrapping his arms around Somer and just holding him. He held him tight as if he was trying to put them both back together. Jeff's head came to rest on Somer's shoulder, tears slipping from his eyes as he just stood there holding him and hoping Somer would do the same for him.
It took half a second for Somer to wrap his arms around Jeff's waist and bury his face in the dancer's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he sobbed again.
Jeff shook his head, moving his head back to lay his forehead against Somer's. "Stop saying that and show me. Show me ... " he whispered, his eyes still shut, wondering how Somer was going to show him.
Somer wailed, "I don't know how! I don't know how to do any of this!" He opened his eyes, glittering with tears, to look at Jeff.
Jeff looked at him. "Kiss me, gingerbread, you crazy beautiful boy ... " he whispered to him. "Just fucking kiss me like you love me."
The redhead gulped, then disentangled them enough that he could reach up to push Jeff's hair out of those hazel eyes. His fingertips trailed along Jeff's cheek, cupping it, before he pushed up on his toes to seal his mouth to Jeff's.
Jeff leaned into his touch; oh, how he loved Somer's touch on his skin. Kissing him back, Jeff scooped down and picked Somer up off the ground to make it easier as they kissed. He wasn't about to pull away, wanting, no, needing to feel this after all the pain he had just felt.
Somer barely noticed as Jeff picked him up, only settling his arms around the dancer's shoulders and wrapping his legs around his hips. It was the same way the girl had held on to him, but this was different. Worlds different. He kissed Jeff the way he'd been dreaming about, the way he'd been holding back from since their first kiss. Kissed him like Jeff was water and Somer had been in a desert. "I'm sorry," he whispered into that kiss. "I was afraid of losing you, and I almost did to something that wasn't even my fault, and I don't ever want to do that again."
Jeff held him up; he was as light as a feather in his arms. They were kissing as they were always meant to kiss, like the world around them was black and white, only they were in color. When Somer spoke, Jeff tugged his lip. "Don't go kissing other people anymore ... accident or not." Jeff fully broke the kiss. "I can't ... I can't take it. I've put my all out there with you and I can't lose you, not now or ever. " He put their foreheads together again.
The writer choked on a watery giggle. "It's been two weeks," he murmured. "I feel like I'm falling really fast, okay?" He kissed Jeff again, because the words weren't coming.
"Two weeks or not, I know I'm falling in love with you ... whales," Jeff replied, kissing him again and setting him on his feet. Pulling from the kiss, he waited, wanting and telling Somer with his eyes, he was still on the hook and asking what was next.
"Whales?" Somer repeated, starting to grin, then started to laugh until he couldn't breathe. He had to hold on to Jeff to keep his balance. "Blondie, oh, oh my god," he whooped at last, breathless from the swing between emotions. Picking up Jeff's hand, he turned it over and kissed the palm. "I'm shaking inside," he said, softly. "Like jello. Like a ten on the richter scale earthquake."
He kissed each fingertip, then each knuckle, then twined his fingers into Jeff's. "I have something else I want to share with you. Back at my room. Okay?"
Jeff was surprised when he laughed but it didn't upset him, no, it made him smile. He loved Somer's laugh, holding him to keep him from falling over. "Yeah, well that explains why you're trying to fall over on me." Gripping his hand a little tighter. With his fingers kissed, Jeff nodded. He was still unsure about Somer's feelings, he had yet to just say it, but he was willing to at least give him the night.
"I need you to go back to your room and change clothes, okay?" Somer said. He squeezed Jeff's hand. "Something comfortable. Something you feel good in. Maybe wash the chlorine out of your hair. Then I want you to come to my room. Bring whatever you need for the morning." He felt that knot in his gut again, waiting for Jeff to refuse, but he plunged on anyway. Now or never.
"I want you to stay the night with me. In my bed. I want to go to sleep with you holding me, and wake up with me holding you. Please?"
Jeff heard him talking, just listening as he looked to their fingers. "Okay," he whispered, dropping Somer's hand and grabbing his notebook. Jeff handed it back to him, before heading to his room. He took a long time, showering, changing, and, really, debating on even leaving the frat. Jeff sat on his bed, so scared for this all to just turn on him, he cried tears in silence for a bit. Finally, with contacts out, he put his glasses on and made his way to Somer's room. Jeff wore oversized clothes that fully covered him as if he was trying to hide. His arm wrapped his middle, trying to hold himself together. He knocked, waiting and using his free hand to wipe at his tears.
Somer had meant for Jeff to keep the notebook. A symbol of trust. With the writing in there, Jeff could destroy him far more than Benji had done. He'd tell him that, later, Somer decided, running back to his room. He rushed through a shower, then set up his keyboard, hands shaking. Then all he could do was wait as the hour grew later, heart in his throat, jumping at every sound. He was almost convinced Jeff wasn't coming after all.
He tripped over the legs of the keyboard stand on the way to the door, and his chest seized at the way Jeff looked. Grabbing both hands, Somer pulled Jeff inside and kicked the door shut, not caring if it slammed. The other people on the hall had been slamming doors all week. Let them suck it. He had to save this relationship.
He led the blond to his desk chair, then picked up the little notebook again. "I meant you to keep this," Somer said, heart pounding. "It's. It's like your dance. And I'm ... trusting you with it. If you w-want to hurt me, this is all you need." He put it in Jeff's hand, then walked over to the keyboard.
Jeff went when he was pulled and sat on the chair. Taking the notebook, he just nodded. At Somer walking away, he let out a noise, a whine as he didn't want him to walk away. He wanted him there by him. Whatever the keyboard was for, it would have to wait. Right now, Jeff was more in need of his physical touch then he could form words for.
The redhead's head snapped up at the sound. "No?" he asked.
Jeff felt the tears pile in his eyes as he reached out for Somer. He wanted to hear it, he did but he wanted him more right now.
"Jeff ... " Somer breathed, heart aching. He went over, taking the blond's hand, and bending down just enough to kiss him. This was a gentle kiss, much softer than the kisses in the dance studio. "Blondie, please don't cry," Somer begged. "I'm here. I'm right here, I want you to be here, I don't know what else to say to you."
Jeff didn't kiss back, but he did pull Somer into his lap and hugged his waist as he started to cry. Tears streamed down his cheek as he just held the redhead in his arms. This. This was what he wanted, to hold Somer, for Somer to touch him and hold him too. To hear him say it finally, say what he knew the boy had put in poems and song. "Please Somer, don't write, don't sing it, just say it, please," he said through tears.
"What more do you want me to say?" he begged. "I said I want you, I want to be with you. What else?"
Jeff shook his head, he had asked him over and over again tonight. He didn't know how else to ask or beg or plead with him to say it. Say what Jeff had had the courage to say to him in the beginning, that he wanted him, that he liked him, what he liked. He needed Somer to just word vomit to him.
Somer closed his eyes, heart breaking. "Jeff, please," he whispered. "I ... do you even know what you've done to me? Every time you even look at me, I can't see anyone else. You were my first kiss, and now all I want is for you to be my only kiss. I don't even know how it happened, how you got ahold of my heart and just ran off with it -- maybe it's your smile. Or the way your hair falls over your face -- I don't know!" His voice rose in intensity.
"I've never been in love before. I don't know if that's what this is, but I know when you left that party all I could think of was following you. You make me feel like I'm flying, and oh god I'm terrified I'm going to fall and I think maybe I already have, fallen for you. God, I don't know, but you look at me, you touch me and I'm just lost." Somer buried his face in Jeff's shoulder. "I don't even have anything else to give you because you already have all of it. My heart, my body, my soul, I think I'd walk through fire for you and I don't even know how that happened!" The redhead gasped in a breath, trembling, eyes wide but blind with tears.
There it was. Jeff felt the weight on him suddenly lift, the tears dry in his eyes. He felt like he could breathe now, his arms wrapping Somer's waist a little tighter. He nuzzled at him, trying to get him to look at him and when he did, Jeff put his forehead to Somer's and just looked into his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you for telling me, I know you said you wanted me here but I needed to know how much, I needed to know how you felt from your lips." The words were shared in a whisper. "I don't want to let you go. Could I hold you while you play or something?"
The redhead shook his head, shaking like a leaf in Jeff's arms. "I can't play now. I can't. It would -- " He lifted a hand to where Jeff could see it, see how it was trembling.
Jeff took his hand, kissing his fingers and then his cheek. "Maybe we should just lay down ... you did say I could hold you and you hold me. I'd really like to hold you." His words were still so soft, as if he spoke any louder everything would shatter.
"I'm not even sure I can move," Somer confessed. "Jeff, blondie, there is a reason I write those things and this is why."
"Because saying them makes you shake?" Jeff asked, holding his hand in his own.
"Because it's exhausting. Really emotionally exhausting."
Jeff chuckled softly. "Yeah, it really is." Caressing his cheek. "I could carry you, if you're okay with it." He offered the idea, because right now, he just kind of wanted to lay with him.
Somer nodded, looping his arms around Jeff's neck. "You could maybe take off your shirt too," he whispered.
"Only if you do too," Jeff replied, standing and moving them to the bed. He laid with his back against the wall, pulling his shirt off and slipping under the blanket to wait for Somer to join him there.
"I -- I picked this one so you could take it off me," Somer confessed. He waited a moment to steady his breathing, then rucked the covers down and stretched himself out next to Jeff. One hand came up to balance himself against that bare chest and another shudder rippled through the redhead.
Jeff nodded, then took Somer's shirt off him. Laying on his back, he felt Somer's shiver and touch to his body. Reaching up, he caressed his cheek. "Come here," he whispered, pulling him down so they could kiss once more.
"As you wish," Somer smiled into the kiss. He shifted until he was partly on top of Jeff, feeling the way the other boy's warmth and touch eased the trembling away.
Jeff kissed back, fingers weaving into Somer's hair. He couldn't feel or focus on anything else but how it felt to be shirtless and kissing as they were. Pulling back for a moment, Jeff whispered, "Does this mean you're my boyfriend?" He giggled, kissing Somer's chin.
"Nngh, stop that," Somer said, swatting at Jeff. "I think so," and saying that gave him a thrill. "Now stop kissing my chin, what the hell. There are better places to kiss me."
Jeff kissed his chin again, just to bug him before licking his cheek. "Like that? Is that better?" He laughed, actually kissing him now and tugging on his bottom lip.
Somer poked at Jeff's side, threatening to tickle him, but quickly got lost in the deep kiss. When they came up for air he'd forgotten about it. "Lie still," he said instead, sliding down to embark on a kiss exploration of Jeff's torso.
Jeff was glad he had shut him up and kept the other boy from tickling him. Being told to stay still, Jeff's brow raised then he watched Somer sink a little on him. "What are you doing?"
"Learning you," Somer murmured, his mouth against a freckle. He looked up. "Should I stop?" A flicker of fear showed in his eyes.
Jeff gasped, then shook his head. "No no, just stay above the belt for tonight." His breath shivered as it was a bit of an overload already with the hormones pumping through him.
Somer slid back up, looking at Jeff. "Oh. Okay, I can do something else."
"Wait ... you wanted to go there?" Jeff blushed once more. He had been through bjs and handjobs but no one ever wanted to touch him like that. "I've never had ... no one ... no one ever really wants me like that ... "
The redhead looked at Jeff, biting his lip. "I mean," he started, "every single time you kiss my fingers, my whole body lights up. When you ... did what you did the other day ... Jeff, I /want/ you." He swallowed. "When you say no, I stop. And I, I, I don't know what's going to happen. But I want you."
Jeff's eyes got huge for a moment. "Somer, do you want to touch me like I did you ... I know words are hard but I'm scared I'm going to misunderstand and I don't want to misunderstand you. I want you too, a lot."
"I, I, maybe?" Somer squeaked. "I'm sort of trying to nerve myself up to it?" He looked down, then back up, also flushing. "I just kind of want to touch and be touched everywhere?"
Jeff sat up on his elbows, they both were flushed and that said something. "Do you have a bath or only a shower?" he asked suddenly, having an idea that would allow both and let them be a bit more relaxed together.
Somer blinked at him, a little confused. "It's a tub ... I mean, between these two singles, it's a pretty nice tub, honestly ... "
"Then you want to touch and be touched ... so let's take a bath together, wash off the tears and everything together." Jeff sat up fully and took his sweats off to leave him in his boxers, his hand out for Somer to take. "Come on, gingerbread."
Somer shifted around so Jeff had space to move in, but kept staring at him. After a minute he said, "But you didn't want me to see you naked the other day."
"Yeah, I know ... and you weren't sure you were gay; things are different now. I want this and you but slowly so to me this is slow but still fills what we're both wanting. Now I'm getting cold and you're drooling, are you coming or am I bathing by myself?" He wiggled his brow in a teasing manner.
The redhead clapped a hand to his mouth. "I am not!" he squawked. But then he caught the eyebrow waggle, and he thought maybe he could be. A little. He scrambled off the bed, pushing off his lounging pants and lunging for the bathroom door.
Jeff giggled, "You so are and it's really cute." Running, he stopped to turn the water on and chuckled as Somer stepped in. Sitting on the counter, Jeff beckoned him closer with one finger. "Come here, boyfriend," he said, licking his lips.
Somer's eyes went very dark. He went over and locked the other door, firmly, then crossed to stand between Jeff's knees. "God, you're so gorgeous," he breathed involuntarily. His hands rested lightly on Jeff's thighs. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"
Jeff licked his lips, looking Somer up and down. "Well your boxers tell me a lot." His arms came up to wrap around Somer's neck, fingers playing with the short hairs on the back of his neck. "You are the gorgeous one though, don't fool yourself."
The redhead turned brilliantly red. The counter did nothing for their difference in heights, leaving him looking up into Jeff's face, helpless under that touch.
Jeff smiled, kissing his chin and sliding off the counter. He turned the water to the tub off and turned away from him. Slipping his boxers off, jeff slipped into the tub and set a washcloth over his cock. "Come on in and join me. It's warm."
Somer felt his ears buzz with a rush of blood. Swallowing hard, he pushed his own boxers off and stepped into the bath, hiding behind his hands. "W-where do you want me?"
Jeff scooted forward, pointing behind him. "Right there, I wanna lay against you if that's alright." His eyes ran over Somer's body. He wanted to comment about how he'd seen it all but he knew if he hid then it was only fair to let Somer hide as well.
Somer stepped around him carefully, then lowered himself into the water and stretched his legs out. He helped Jeff lay back against him, the hot water forcing him to relax some. Letting out a slow breath, he rested his cheek on his ... his boyfriend's pale hair.
Jeff leaned back, shifting so his head would rest against Somer's shoulder. He looked up to him, his hand finding Somer's and bringing it to rest on Jeff's stomach as he shivered. "I trust you, so if you want to touch then you can ... "
Somer closed his eyes, breathing slowly. A shiver shook his body. "This is kinda backwards, you know," he murmured. "With you being so much taller than me." He turned his face into Jeff's hair, blindly drifting his fingertips over the blond's abs. He could feel some muscle definition, not a lot, and some marks on the skin.
Jeff hummed, biting his lip, his body was already reacting to Somer's touch. "I know but I need it this way, to feel you around me." His words wobbled as his body shivered from how the touch felt to him. "Next time, you can be little spoon." Jeff nuzzled his neck to hide some.
A terrible thought abruptly occurred to Somer. "Jeff," he whispered. "Did someone hurt you? Physically?" He laid his hand palm down, feeling the way the water smoothed over Jeff's skin, and drew it up, painting a wet line along his breastbone.
Jeff shook his head. "No, just ... I lost someone I cared about when I was young, so I find it hard to trust anyone anymore and when I did do physical things with people they didn't care to give it back, they just wanted it and I was okay with it, until I wasn't ... "
Somer wrapped his other arm around Jeff's shoulders, hugging him close. "I'm sorry," he whispered into that bright hair. "People shouldn't be used like that. I don't want to use you like that." He trailed his free hand up and down Jeff's torso, just lightly touching, not even paying attention to where his hand was wandering. He found a rougher patch under his fingertips and realised after a second it was a nipple.
Jeff put his hands over Somer's arm. "I know but I did do it to myself. There are some things about me I need to tell you, I need you to know about me." His breath jumped as his nipple was touchd, Jeff letting out a soft moan as he blushed. "Somer, I have bipolar."
Somer's hands stilled for a moment, before he hugged even tighter. "I wondered." The redhead shifted to where he could look at Jeff in the eyes. "I have depression," he offered.
Jeff looked back at him, smiling as he touched his cheek. "I kind of guessed so. I guess we're more meant for each other then we knew ... earlier when I couldn't talk, it was because of the bipolar, I can shut down, when I know, I know it's going to be hard but I need things like this. You holding me or letting me hold you, I need physical touch." He sighed softly. "What can I do to help you when you're down?"
"Be here," Somer said softly. "Just ... be here. Don't let me be alone with my thoughts." He ran his hands up and down Jeff's upper arms. "Can you sit up a little? It's hard to kiss you like this."
Jeff nodded, then sat up some and turned a bit. "Is that better?" he chuckled, making a kissy face at him to make his boyfriend smile.
Their legs were all tangled together now, bits of them sticking out of the water, but Somer didn't really care. He put his fingertips under Jeff's chin, smiling a particular quiet and warm smile that made his eyes shine, then leaned in and kissed his boyfriend slowly.
Jeff gladly took the kiss, pressing into him more. They were probably getting water on the floor but he didn't care right then. He just cared about kissing Somer, feeling that sweet and caring love that was in their kisses.
He spent a long time kissing Jeff like that, soft and slow and gentle, learning about the ways that their lips meeting could make his whole body tingle. "Jeff," he sighed finally, incredibly turned on and totally unwilling to do anything about it. Somer realised his hands were in the blond hair, cradling Jeff's face. "Sorry," he said ruefully.
Jeff enjoyed the way they were kissing, even making a sound when Somer pulled away. "What? What are you sorry for?" A confused look covered his face as he nuzzled Somer's cheek a bit more. "You didn't do anything to be sorry for ... "
"I was supposed to be touching you," Somer muttered, flushing.
"You are touching me, you're holding me, kissing me, to me that's touching." Jeff nuzzled his cheek still. "I don't care what happens, just as long as I'm with you right now in this moment."
Jeff's nose brushed that spot under Somer's ear, and he shivered hard with a moan. "What happens if I do that to you?" He gently turned Jeff's face away, so he could get to that spot on him, and dropped a tiny kiss there. Then he nuzzled Jeff's ear and took the lobe between his teeth.
Jeff gasped, his body instantly reacting as he moaned. "Things, lots of things," he moaned to him, letting his eyes roll back some as he licked over his lips. His grip tightened on Somer's arm.
It felt like Jeff's reaction shocked into him, and Somer moaned in turn. "Yeah?" he breathed. "Good things?" He bit just a little bit harder, then trailed an open-mouthed kiss down to the corner of Jeff's jaw. "'s doing good things to /me/."
Jeff nodded. "Yeah, good things ... tease." He whimpered, feeling his body react even more. At this rate, he was going to pull Somer from the bath for some other fun in the bed. "Such a tease...oh my god, Somer."
"Not." Somer shifted, a bit, and Jeff's body rubbed up against him. He moaned again, pushing the blond's head back with his thumb so he could get to his throat. The skin there begged to be kissed.
"So am." His head being moved, he mouthed the words now as Somer kissed new spots on his skin. He was gone at this point, his cock hard and he could feel Somer's as well now. "Hmm baby, maybe we should go back to your room ... "
Somer had to move again to keep going down along Jeff's neck, down toward his collarbone. "Yeah, okay," he managed, unwilling to let his mouth move away from that soft skin too much.
Jeff had to pull away, getting out and wrapping a towel around himself, though it was difficult. "Come on, hoover." He knew he had marks on his skin that would be there for days to come. He pulled the plug and handed Somer a towel, kissing him hard to keep them both surged up on the feeling. His hand in Somer's, he ran them back to the boy's dorm. Kissing once more, Jeff laid back with Somer slightly over him. "Do you remember where you were?" He giggled.
The way Jeff kissed him made Somer want to melt. From feeling like he was in control, exploring his boyfriend, he felt like he could just submit while Jeff did whatever he wanted. His eyes were blown dark, only a thin ring of green showing. "I think you blew it out of my head," he said. "Let me just ... " He got Jeff to sit up a little, putting a pillow behind his head, then leaned over him on one elbow and started to trail kisses from the corner of his mouth back. "Here?" he breathed into Jeff's ear. "Was I here?"
Jeff lifted up as Somer asked him to, then got back where he was. He smiled, nodding. "Yep there ... right there." He pulled the blanket over himself some, as he didn't know if Somer noticed or knew what was going on with Jeff as his skin was kissed more and more. His neck was even more his weak spot then he knew until now.
Somer found a spot under the line of the blond's jaw, and touched the tip of his tongue to it, then kissed there. "Maybe I was here." He trailed a series of open-mouthed kisses down the column of Jeff's throat to his collarbone, then nibbled there gently.
Jeff was biting his lip now, trying not to give into the feeling that Somer had found all his weaknesses in his neck. It was just so much pleasure to him and most guys only kissed him, used him and tossed him. To have someone want to get him going was still so new. He whispered under his breath how good it felt, eyes rolling back some.
It was a little surprising to discover just how much he liked having Jeff helplessly moaning under him. Curiously, Somer let his hands wander over the dancer's torso, finding missed water droplets and making little doodles with them. "So perfect," he whispered, kissing the hollow of Jeff's shoulder.
Jeff shook his head; he couldn't take it much more. So catching Somer in a kiss, he rolled his boyfriend on his back. "So are you, now my turn." Already knowing where to kiss to leave him squirming. His lips pressing on his neck then the spot where his shoulder met his neck, Jeff sucked with the purpose of leaving a mark.
"Ack!" Somer sprawled under Jeff now, gasping and whimpering. As soon as Jeff showed the slightest sign of control the redhead was lost. His breathing hitched, and his hands on Jeff's sides clenched. "I th-thought ~ nnn ~ "
Jeff pulled back, nuzzling his nose past Somer's as he smiled down to him. "You thought what?" he asked, still pressing soft kisses against his cheek, jaw and neck. He knew he was teasing him but Somer had just spent a half an hour doing the same to him.
"You said ~ ah god ~ people didn't give physical things to you ~ christ Jeff ~ so I was trying ..." Somer whimpered under the onslaught of kisses, hands slipping down to Jeff's bare hips.
Jeff moved to lay his forehead on Somer's. Now he understood, so rolling some, he had them lay on their sides facing each other. "I like touching you too, so maybe we can do it together?" Gently he touched his cheek then slid his hand down to lace with Somer's.
Somer was starting to get the idea that Jeff thought he had something to hide, but the plan to pursue that got lost in the feel of Jeff's hand in his. "Just tell me what you want."
He chewed his lip then let out a long and wavering sigh. "I want you to touch me, but can we do it like this? I wanna be able to curl into you and kiss you easier." He put Somer's hand on his hip.
The redhead thought about that for a second. "But how will I nibble on your ear and make you make those nice noises?" he asked, rubbing his thumb against Jeff's skin. He reached out his other hand to tuck it under his boyfriend's neck, scooting closer until they were almost touching.
"Use the other one?" he smiled, moving into him more. Feeling his hand on his neck, Jeff shivered softly; how could his touch do so much for him? Yet Jeff felt like his touch was pure intoxication.
Somer tipped his head just a little bit, enough to catch at Jeff's mouth. He went back to those soft, slow kisses, nipping at the blond's lip and lightly brushing their tongues together. He needed to catch those sounds again, to know that he was doing this to Jeff.
Jeff was happy to kiss him again, his hand in Somer's hair as he did. The kisses were slow but they earned a moan from him with each passing moment. They were learning each other and it was kind of fun to find new things they both enjoyed in each other.
The fine hair rose on Somer's skin when Jeff sounded like that. He pulled himself even closer to Jeff, jolting when their hips met. Just the blanket lay between their bare bodies now, and Somer slipped his arm up Jeff's back to pull him ever closer.
Jeff broke from the kiss the moment their hips met, his body reacting and pressing against Somer for more. "Fuck that felt good," he whispered with a light laugh, pressing back into the kiss and finding himself moving closer still.
Somer blinked at him for a second, mouth damp and breathing hard. He gave a breathless nod, fingertips scraping down Jeff's back, and bit his boyfriend's lip rather hard.
Jeff moaned, this time his hips pressed forward more and didn't move back. His hand came to rest on Somer's lower back and he rolled their hips more and more, not letting him pull away. He could feel how his cock was responding, sending jolts of pleasure through him.
"Ah, god," Somer gasped, his head falling back. "Jeff, god, Jeff, please." Nothing had ever felt as good as this, except maybe Jeff's hand on him. His hand fisted against the dancer's back, tense with desire.
Jeff bit at his own lip, still moving with Somer. "Baby can I touch you, please." Having an idea. With the permission, he grabbed them both in hand and started to stroke, the blanket moved out of the way. Jeff letting out small moans as he felt his cock against Somer's.
Somer cried out, raggedly. Their arms and elbows were tangled awkwardly, but he couldn't find enough mind to care. "So good," he moaned, lower lip clenched between his teeth. One hand found a lock of Jeff's hair and closed on it. Just the sensation of a foreign cock against his own had him reeling.
Jeff was so far gone in how they were together, he was lost in the pleasure. Feeling Somer's hand in his hair, he leaned up to kiss him, tugging his lip out as he did. Jeff was close already, his legs shaking as he got closer and closer. He couldn't hold out, moaning into the kiss as he shot around his hand. It had been a long time coming.
The way Jeff kissed him, feeling Jeff climax -- Somer followed him right over that edge, his cry of bliss muffled in his boyfriend's kiss. He saw stars for a minute, clinging to the blond and gasping. "God," Somer groaned.
Jeff chuckled softly, kissing him again. "Yeah, you could say that." His eyes closed as he tried to catch his breath. He felt like he had run a marathon but still felt the tingles of their touches as well. Letting them go, he laughed. "We need to shower and a new blanket."
Somer huffed a laugh. "We need whole new sheets, are you kidding? Also, um." He bit his lip, green eyes flicking down to Jeff's chest. "Is that what they call make-up sex?"
Jeff shrugged. "I don't think so, maybe but then again, normally that's having like full sex. We just got off with each other ... " He blushed. "I really don't know," he giggled, curling up to Somer and kissing his cheek.
Somer tipped his head back, encouraging Jeff to kiss down his throat. "If it's all the same to you, let's skip the fight beforehand next time."
"I don't like fighting with you, so I'm good with that. I do like hearing you moan though, a lot." Jeff kissed his throat. "Come on, we should shower ... it's getting late and I'm getting sleepy, baby."
Obediently, the redhead moaned softly, shivering a bit. "I thought you didn't want me to see you naked?" he asked hazily.
Jeff shook his head, "Don't care anymore, I mean, I do but I've seen you twice, I don't think it's fair if I keep hiding, just be nice okay?" he stated, as he kissed him once more.
"Stop derailing me," Somer scolded when Jeff let him up that time. "I can't think when you're kissing me. Or touching me. Or existing, honestly." He rolled over and sat up on his elbows, pointedly keeping his eyes on Jeff's face. "If we get in the shower together, I don't think getting clean is going to happen." His face was red, but he forged on. "S-so maybe it might be better if you go first."
Jeff giggled, nodding then. "Okay no more kisses and I'll even stop breathing." Jeff held a breath in with puffed up cheeks. He smiled, nodding then about they should take them alone. Slowly letting the breath out, he kissed Somer's nose. "Okay, you first then."
When Jeff held his breath with that silly face, Somer flopped back laughing. "You dork," he said fondly. "Complete dork." He tumbled over sideways out of the bed, shaking his head a bit, and grinned at Jeff. "If I'm first, that means you have to remake the bed?"
"I'm your dork though." Jeff kissed him quick. "Yes, I'll do that, just tell me where the sheets and things are." He stood up as well and stretched a bit, his full body finally exposed to Somer.
"Yes," Somer said softly. "My dork." And wasn't that strange. He pulled out a new stack of sheets for Jeff, then purposefully took a step back and looked at his boyfriend from head to toe. Slowly, trying to get Jeff to blush. "I don't know what you think you were hiding," he said bluntly after a moment.
Jeff smiled, blushing a bit. "Just ... I'm not small and I thought it could freak you out. I didn't want to freak you out." He pouted, taking the sheets and stripping the others off. "I'm guessing you're okay with it then?
Somer draped a towel over his arm, grabbing a clean pair of boxers, then turned back to Jeff. He grabbed the blond's arm, making him stop. "Jeff. I'm used to people being bigger than me. You're, what, half a foot taller than I am?" Somer shrugged, blushing. "Wh-when we get to a point where it might be a thing, then I'll deal with it."
Jeff looked to him. "Okay," he said, kissing his cheek then swatting his ass softly. "Go get clean so I can get clean so we can snuggle and sleep." With that, he was back to making the bed, humming softly under his breath as he worked.
Hearing his boyfriend hum made Somer want to sing. He was usually pretty shy about letting people see and hear him play or sing, but he had been planning to sing for Jeff, so maybe after they showered? He hurried through, mostly just rinsing off.
When Jeff was done, he had a towel around his waist and his discarded boxers in his hand. He still hummed some, a song stuck in his head that brought a smile to his lips. Somer brought the biggest smile though.
Somer was sitting at his keyboard, an open button-down thrown over his shoulders and his fingers moving softly over the keys. He was singing half under his breath, head tossed back and eyes closed. His red hair was finger-combed sideways in an unconscious imitation of Jeff's usual style.
Jeff hadn't taken long in the shower, getting out and putting his boxers back on. He came to lean against Somer's door, seeing him behind the keyboard, he didn't speak, just stood and listened. He was trying to make out the words he was singing so softly.
He fumbled a word, and made a face, scoffing at himself. Lifting his fingers from the keys, Somer hung his head forward, shaking it and running his fingers through his hair, then started over. ~\o You're the light, you're the night, you're the color of my blood ~\o
Jeff bit his lip the moment Somer started to sing. He knew the song, he had heard it before but it coming from Somer's lips was new and how it made his heart skip beats. He covered his mouth to keep from making a sound as Somer continued to sing.
Somer thought about Jeff, picturing that laughing smile behind his closed eyes. Picturing the way Jeff moved when the music swallowed him up. Picturing the way they looked together with a quirk of his lips. ~\o Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire ... ~\o The lyrics suddenly seemed to mean so much more, and he threw his voice up into the next lines with more feeling.
Jeff was still in awe as he sang. Was this what he was trying to sing earlier? Either way, it was so much and felt so good to hear, even if Somer couldn't say it, he could really sing it.
The redhead had sung love songs before. He would sing anything he could make fit his voice -- but he'd thought of Jeff when learning the chords for this one a week ago, and it was Jeff he was imagining singing it for now. He'd wanted to, before, but the blond had needed to be touched, and now Somer wasn't sure he could find the courage again. But right now, he thought, Jeff was in the shower. Nobody was paying attention to him, and he poured his whole soul into the last verse and chorus.
Jeff felt the tears run down his cheeks. He had put his all into the end of it, making Jeff feel it down to his bones. He knew Somer didn't know he was there so he tried to stay quiet, but with the last notes, a choke slipped past his lips. "Sorry, I just, I finished and heard you singing and ... that song was amazing, Somer." He smiled.
His head whipped around, unbalancing himself, and he had to scramble to keep from falling over and taking the keyboard down with him. His heart hammered and his face was on fire. "I thought, I thought you were in the shower," Somer stammered.
"I was ... but when I came out ... " Jeff blushed, then walked over to him. He helped Somer to stand, caressing his cheek. "Sorry if you didn't want me to hear it, just it really was beautiful, like you are beautiful."
Somer just stared at Jeff, his heart still beating hard and his breath coming short. "I -- no, I did, I just ... wasn't. Expecting it to be now." He leaned his forehead against Jeff's chest.
Jeff wrapped him more in a hug, kissing his cheek. "Sorry, next time you play it I'll act like it's the first time, though I think every time you play it I'm going to cry," he whispered to him. "You ready to go to bed? I'm very tired."
"Don't cry," Somer protested, starting to walk their hug backward to the clean bed. "I'm not that good. Don't cry."
"Good tears, happy tears." Jeff movied with him, laying down on the bed now, his arms tight around Somer's waist, their legs tangling some. Jeff let out a long yawn, his eyes showing the tiredness as well.
Apparently Somer wasn't going to get to take his shirt off before sleeping. He decided he didn't care, snuggling down with his back to Jeff's chest. Stretching out, he clicked off the fairy lights and turned on his night sounds. "Mine," he murmured.
Jeff's hand slipped under Somer's shirt, resting on his stomach. "Hmm? Hmm mine," he whispered back, pulling him close as he yawned again. Soon his breath was evening out and he was drifting off, his grip never lost.
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