Disclaimer: I don't own The Fosters or anything pertaining to it except my writing. All rights go to the rightful owners.
A/N: Post More Than Words, s3ep4.
Hand in hand, it was as the dance was drawing to a glamorous close that Jude and Connor walked out of the building. Behind them were Callie and Cole, who were stopping along the way to chat with a few of Cole's friends whom he hadn't seen until then. The two boys, aware there was every chance they would be waiting a while for their ride home, took a seat on one of the many benches by the water, without speaking.
"Tonight was pretty weird, huh?" Connor spoke up eventually. Jude laughed and agreed, "You can say that again," with a wide smile. "But fun," he added. "It was crazy fun."
"I'm glad we did this," Connor said, nodding. "Thanks for coming back."
"What can I say? I guess I saw the light."
"I like you like this," Connor told Jude, smiling. Jude tilted his head and his boyfriend went on, "You know, loose and… happy. Not so serious. It's kinda refreshing."
"Trust me, it's refreshing for me too," Jude said with a glance out at the water. It sparkled beneath the lights strewn across it from the boardwalk. "Hey, you have to change, don't you?" he suddenly remembered.
"Change?"
"Your clothes, before you go home. You said–"
"Oh, yeah. Right." Connor reluctantly released his hold of Jude's hand and stood, brushing at nothing on his spotless pants. "I guess I'll grab the bag from Cole's car."
"Want me to come with?" Jude inquired.
"I'm good. Chill here; I'll be back in like five minutes." With only the slightest of hesitations, Connor leaned down and kissed his boyfriend's left cheek, lingering before walking off for the cars. Jude, his smile returned, watched Connor's darkening figure for a second before looking down at his slender hands in thought.
It had been an amazing night. Dancing with Connor was the best, especially considering Jude felt so safe surrounded by people just like him. Not all quite like him, but close enough. Callie was so happy for him, too, and that on top of everything else had seemed to permanently paste a goofy smile onto Jude's lips. Honestly, Jude wouldn't mind going to that kind of prom again, but, for now, his body just starting to realize how tired it was, he wouldn't mind just going home for some much needed sleep.
He was glad he hadn't actually left, that Cole had made him realize that sometimes you needed to step out of your comfort zone to truly discover where you felt the most safe.
"Hey," Jude heard, Connor's voice startling him. He looked up as Connor took his hand once more, dressed in his red shirt and jeans. "Callie and Cole are at the car. You ready to go?" Jude said that he was and he stood. They began to walk.
"Thanks for tonight," Connor said. Jude knew what he meant, and nodded.
"You, too." And, of course, Connor knew what Jude meant too.