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 Father's Day, s3ep3.
"Hey."
Jude turned his head and saw Connor standing behind him, hands stuffed in his pockets. "Hey," he replied. Connor dropped down beside Jude, resting his arms on the tops of his knees.
"Your dad is pretty cool," he said.
Jude smiled, just slightly, nodding. "Yeah. Yeah, he is. Sorry yours kinda…"
Connor shrugged. "It's whatever. I'm used to it." He laughed a little, without humor. "Not really sure if that's a good thing or not."
"You heard what he said," Jude tried. "He didn't mean to ever hurt you."
"Yeah, I know. Just kinda gets to me. I try not to let it, cuz I know it's just who he is, ya know? But today of all days to start something…" He looked at Jude. "I really didn't wanna embarrass you in front of your dad."
Jude shook his head and took Connor's hand in his. "Don't be ridiculous. Nothing you or even your dad could do would ever embarrass me." Connor smiled a little, squeezing Jude's hand. Jude smiled in return, but it slipped just a bit and he wasn't surprised when his boyfriend took notice.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Jude waited a moment, aware that Connor would let him speak when he was ready, as he tried to gather the words to say. "Do you remember… Do you remember the first time you ever came to my place?"
"Yeah, 'course," said Connor, grinning. "I gave you my video game."
"Yeah, and I was telling you stuff about my dad that you knew wasn't the truth?"
Connor's teasing smile fell into one of confusion. "So?"
"So… I did lie," Jude admitted. "Kind of. I meant what I said, about him having been in jail… but what I didn't tell you was why." Connor, any hint of joking gone, kept his eyes on Jude, but without pressure and only patience, waiting. "When I was little, my dad… he got drunk one night. He started to drive, with my mom in the car… and they got in an accident. It killed her." Jude's voice was impossibly quiet. "He got sent to jail and Callie and I got sent into the system. When I used to feel particularly angry I'd wonder who really got the worse deal, after everything."
Connor turned more toward Jude, holding his hand tightly. "Why would you feel ashamed to tell me something like that?"
"Because. I used to think my dad was… I used to think he killed my mom. I thought if you knew, you'd think the same and hate me." Jude looked down. "It's stupid."
"Hey. It's not stupid. Maybe a little crazy, considering how much I… how much we care about each other. You know that." Jude nodded, silent. "You know I'd never judge you. It's only fair. You never judged me."
Jude looked at him. "As if. Me and you. In this together."
Connor smiled. "Together. And thanks for telling me about your dad. Don't feel ashamed, okay? Ever."
"I won't," Jude assured him.
Connor nodded in satisfaction and stood. "Okay. Now, come on. I convinced my dad to let me stay and watch a movie with you. What d'you want?"
"You pick."
"We are not gonna do this again…"