The clock read two a.m. The movie was halfway over, the TV volume on low. But neither one of them was paying attention, hadn’t been since about five minutes into it. Instead, they were sharing soft conversation and lazy kisses.
JC’s body was pressed up against Justin’s hard chest, arms wrapped around Justin’s back, holding him close, hands running up and down Justin’s back under his shirt.
JC had forgotten how wonderful it could feel to just make out with someone, without sex needing to be the next step. But with the way Justin’s tongue was sliding along his jaw and down to his collarbone before his lips moved back up to JC’s own, his tongue slipping into JC’s mouth, JC knew he’d never let himself forget again.
Justin finally pulled back, breath coming out in short pants, a lazy smile lighting up his face.
“Kissing you is an extraordinary thing,” Justin said, his hand coming up to brush along JC’s cheek. JC could see a look of awe shimmering in his eyes as he nuzzled into Justin’s palm, craving his touch, his warmth.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” JC admitted, lowering his head to rest against Justin’s neck, nestled below his chin. He fit there perfectly and over the past few months, they’d both decided that was JC’s spot, his special place pressed against Justin.
“You don’t think you’ve ever been happier?” Justin asked. And JC could see the raised eyebrows without even looking. “You’re not sure?” JC raised his head just in time to see Justin’s face shift into a mock pout, just for his benefit.
“Hmm, maybe you should do something to persuade me,” JC said, grinning, eyes boring into Justin’s. Justin could see the love there, radiating in the deep blue depths. His hands slid over JC’s back, coming to rest on his slim waist.
“I’ll persuade you,” Justin said, fingers digging gently into JC’s waist, finding the sensitive skin immediately. JC withdrew, pulling away from Justin’s roaming, tickling fingers. His laugher was immediate, a low giggle escaping his lips, his eyes crinkling in amusement as he struggled against Justin’s strong arms. “Say it, Chasez. Say you’ve never been happier.”
JC’s mouth shut tightly, defying Justin’s request as he still struggled. But moments later it opened again, another fit of laugher escaping. Legs and arms and bodies shifted and rolled around the couch, Justin following JC’s every move, never allowing him to get away.
“Say it,” Justin demanded, eyes lit up with amusement. JC’s dark curls spilled across his forehead as he shook his head forcefully, trying in vain to get away, body twisting to avoid Justin’s hands. But his mistake was landing on his back. Justin was on him, legs straddling JC’s hips before JC had time to even comprehend what had happened. One hand held JC’s wrists above his head, his other still sliding along JC’s ticklish skin. JC withered, bucking up against Justin, trying to throw him off. But Justin wasn’t relenting. He leaned down into JC with all his weight, seeing the amusement spread all across JC’s face.
“Ok!” JC finally breathed out. “Ok. I give. Up.” Justin’s hands immediately stopped their torture. He took deep gulps of air, refilling his lungs with the oxygen he’d been deprived of through his laughter. Shining eyes met Justin’s own and Justin leaned down, pressing his lips against JC’s for a moment before resting against his chest, cheek resting against JC’s cheek. He could feel JC’s chest rising and falling quickly, feel JC’s heartbeat speeding through his chest.
“We should tell the guys,” JC said, once his breathing had returned to normal, running a hand across Justin’s head, short fingernails scraping the scalp lightly, lovingly.
“Yeah, they should probably know,” Justin said. “And I’m sure they’ll be fine with it.” He wasn’t sure if it was said so JC believed it, or if he was trying to make himself believe it. The truth was, he was terrified to tell them, afraid of their reactions. He liked to hope that, as their friends, they’d be happy for the two of them. But he wasn’t immune to the thoughts of a negative reaction either.
“You know I really haven’t ever been happier,” JC said, pressing his lips against Justin’s temple. And there, in that late night moment, in their intimate embrace, with JC’s loving words wrapping around him, what anyone else thought really didn’t seem to matter.