How to get what you want
Chapter 2: Don't go no farther
One week after the kiss.
The paparazzi who had been hounding them non-stop were nowhere to be seen at the moment, which didn't mean that they weren't there, of course. It wasn't really a thing Zero worried about, though he had to admit that the feeling of being watched all the time was beginning to stress him out a little. Jude, on the other hand, most definitely minded their sudden lack of privacy. Whenever they were out in public, he acted like there was always someone stationed in the bushes to record their conversation. It was kinda funny.
'Dating's kind of awkward like this, isn't it?' Jude whispered. Zero smirked and leaned in to suggest another way to spend the evening. Jude blushed, but he didn't look all that thrilled about the X-rated suggestion.
'You're backing out already?' he asked. Before Zero could answer, they were swarmed by photographers and reporters.
'Zero! How long have you known that you're gay?'
'I'm not gay,' Zero snapped, irritated at the interruption. Immediately, he could feel Jude practically radiating disappointment at his side, so – cursing inwardly – Zero turned towards the vultures and flashed them a smile.
'I'm bisexual,' he clarified. 'It's a thing. Look it up.'
The attention was clearly making Jude uncomfortable. Attempting to guide him away from the crowd that was starting to form, Zero engaged in some minor shoving. He was careful not be too rough. A lawsuit was the last thing he needed. Unfortunately, the "journalists" were not backing off.
'And who's this?' one of them inquired of Zero, thrusting a mike into his face and gesturing at Jude.
'This is the guy I love,' Zero said, grabbing Jude's hand. Jude beamed. Pictures were snapped. Jude continued to beam when Zero pulled him into an alley. They legged it and, since they were not carrying heavy equipment, they managed to outrun the news herd. When they finally stopped, Jude was still beaming. He simply wouldn't stop.
'Those fucking people,' Zero muttered, affecting to be as annoyed as Jude by the relentlessness of the media. Jude chuckled.
'What?' Zero demanded. Jude shook his head and brushed his mouth against Zero's lips.
'I like it when you pretend to be embarrassed about being in the spotlight,' he admitted and adopted an innocent expression. 'Remind me of what you were talking about.'
Sex. Dirty, dirty sex. That was what Zero had been talking about before they were ambushed. But he didn't want that anymore. Yeah, sure, he wanted Jude naked and spread out and opened up. Particularly with the way Jude was looking right now: sweaty and a little breathless with his hair tousled. Except, Zero wanted more. He wanted the whole Jude experience; not merely the sex. So, pressing Jude into the nearest wall and kissing him until all the tension had drained from his body, Zero whispered into Jude's ear exactly how he wished to spend the rest of their evening.
'I just wanna take you home and make love to you.'
(***)
Three days later.
Lionel was sitting behind her desk. Zero paused in the doorway of her office. He wasn't especially eager to set foot inside. Lion's den and all that.
'Can we talk?' he ventured. Lionel glanced up and placed both of her hands on the desk as if bracing herself for what was to come.
'That depends,' she replied, coolly. 'What about?'
'I need a favour,' Zero admitted. Lionel cocked an eyebrow and motioned him in. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here, Zero thought, and closed the door behind him.
