Chapter Nine: Dinner With A Gypsy
There has to be a closer country where love can live near me.
Jade sat down at his desk on Monday morning with an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He distracted himself by checking emails and such, and at five minutes past nine, Adam rushed into the office. He hesitated a moment before stopping and turning towards Jade.
"Hi." Adam said, fumbling awkwardly with the keys in his hand.
Jade turned around and smiled brilliantly. "Hello."
When Jade said nothing else, Adam went into his office. He felt like his pants didn't fit right, and his shirt was too small, his shoes were on the wrong feet and he was convinced there was a hole in his sock. Everything felt so wrong and out of place and then there was Jade. He couldn't sleep the night before because he couldn't stop thinking about him.
Adam sat at his desk and looked around. He felt so lost. He started by turning on his computer and starting to check his emails. Twenty minutes later, he realized he hadn't gotten through the first two sentences of the first email he opened.
The knock on his door was a welcome distraction.
"Come in."
Jade walked into the office looking calm, and collected, and Adam resented him for this. He looked refreshed and well rested, much the opposite of the train wreck that Adam felt like.
"You have a meeting with Sophie from the Nashville office at ten. She's here on business and may need your help. This is all of the information I have on her client, and the event she's representing." Jade said, placing a neatly stapled report on Adam's desk and sliding it in front of him. He flipped through the pages, pointing out the important notes. "The client's history, prior firms, last shows. It's all here."
Adam had somehow lost himself in the smooth depth of Jade's voice and found that it took him just a moment to process what Jade was telling him. He nodded. "Thanks. Thank you. I forgot that I had that today."
Jade, who was still leaning in front of Adam, looked up, their faces inches apart. "You're welcome. And don't worry about it. You pay me to remember the things you don't."
Adam could feel Jade's breath on his lips and this sent a chill down his spine. He wanted to lean forward and kiss Jade, but he didn't. Instead, he nodded.
"I guess so."
Jade leaned back, standing upright. Disappointment flashed across his face briefly, but was gone almost instantly. Adam saw this, though, and he knew it was his fault. If Jade wanted something else from him, all he had to do was say it. Jade had all of the control now, and Adam felt like a pawn – limited in his directions, but willing to go there, anyway.
"Yeah. Well. That's it, then."
Jade turned his back on Adam, and Adam knew that this was the point he should say something. Anything to let Jade know that he was in the forefront of his mind, but when he opened his mouth, nothing came out. Jade shut the door gently, and Adam felt like kicking himself. He didn't know what the protocol for this type of situation was. He wished that he could go to the policies page on their company intranet and just magically find the 'so you've just fucked your assistant a whole lot over the course of a weekend, here is how to strike a balance between that strange relationship and your superior/subordinate relationship' policy.
Perhaps he should call Human Resources and have them write one up for him.
His meeting with Sophie went well, and he was glad that she was so desperate for his help that she required taking up nearly an hour and a half of his time. Adam was more than willing to lend her a hand and spent the hour after her visit calling in favors for her event. It was quarter to one when Adam's stomach growled. He'd had no time for breakfast, and had been feeling so awkward that he had forgotten he was hungry.
He stood and made his way to the kitchen, frowning slightly when he noticed that Jade was out of the office. He had really hoped to at least see his face, if not make some form of base level conversation. When he stepped inside the kitchen, he saw someone bent over and digging through the refrigerator.
He felt his cock twitch at the sight of that perfect ass in those tight pants. He averted his eyes, lest someone else walk in a see him staring. When Jade stood up, he jumped, startled.
"Wow. I didn't hear you walk in." Jade shut the refrigerator door and leaned up against the counter opposite Adam and opened his juice.
"Shouldn't you be out to lunch with Hunter?" Adam queried, not realizing how he sounded until the words were already said. He quickly moved to rectify this. "Not that I wish you weren't around, or anything. You just are usually gone at this time of day."
Jade shrugged. "Hunter is backed up and had to work through lunch. Not that I should be telling you this because you'll probably yell at him."
"It's no big deal. It happens."
Jade tilted his head to the side and smiled softly. "Well, well. Mr. MeanTough has lightened up a bit."
Adam knew that he should say something about why he has lightened up. Something like Jade has that effect on him. Or that having hot weekends filled with great sex have that effect on him. Or that spending an entire weekend just being with someone that permeates his every thought and consumes his every waking moment has that effect on him. Instead of saying one of those, he opted for something else.
"Yeah? I wouldn't get used to it if I was you."
Jade was silent and gave no visible reaction. He nodded slowly and contemplatively. "You know what? I won't."
While Jade seemed to take Adam's response lightly, Adam knew otherwise. He knew that while he knew nothing on the list of the right things to say, he sure knew all of the absolute worst things to say.
Jade smiled again, using this as a way of saying goodbye, and went back into his office. Adam turned and pulled a bag of Chex Mix out of the cabinet and grabbed a can of Coke out of the refrigerator. He left the kitchen and went into Jade's office, stopping in front of Jade's desk. He took a deep breath and walked around so he was standing beside Jade's chair.
Jade turned around and looked up, a thin smile on his lips. "Can I help you?"
Adam placed his hand on Jade's shoulder. "When I said that I wouldn't get used to it if I was you, I meant not really caring that Hunter probably spent last week slacking off and now he has to pay for it by working through lunch. Don't expect me to be giving too much lenience his way. As I'm sure you can tell, I'm in a particularly good mood today."
Jade smiled, and Adam's hand went from his shoulder to the back of his neck. His fingers fluttered over Jade's skin, and he looked into Jade's eyes, smiling. Jade reached up and wrapped his hand around Adam's wrist.
"You're an asshole." Jade said with a gentle laugh.
Adam dropped his hand and shook his head, laughing with Jade. Jade held Adam's wrist for a few moments longer before letting it go and turning back to his work. Adam watched Jade for a few short moments before retreating to his own felt better; more like himself. He no longer felt like he was wearing two different shoes, or that his pants were on backwards. That small moment of connection with Jade seemed to relieve most of the awkwardness he had been feeling.
Jade simply seemed to have that effect on him.
The work day came to an end and he and Jade parted ways with nothing more than a goodnight and a smile. When Adam got home, he felt awkward and antsy again. He considered going to the gym, but opted to walk down the street to the Mexican restaurant on the corner. He brought his Blackberry with him, and ate at the restaurant. He went back home, and checked his Blackberry, turning it off and then back on just in case it was acting up, as it had a tendency to do.
He sighed, and around nine that evening took a shower. When he got out, he checked his Blackberry again. There was nothing of any interest at all to him, and he tossed it on the bed, not particularly caring where it landed.
He paced around, going up into his home office and working for a few hours. When he finished with that, it was close to midnight and he was still far from ready to sleep. He was tired, of course, exhausted almost, but he didn't feel like he could sleep.
At half past one, Adam crawled into bed, ready to test his luck at a fitful night's sleep. He slept on one side of the bed, and held one of the pillows close to his chest as he laid on his side. He didn't want to think, but at that hour, with nothing else to distract him, all he could seem to think about was Jade.
How his eyelashes fluttered along his full cheeks as he slept. How he reflexively smiled when Adam ran the back of his hand across his cheek. How his skin felt so smooth and warm beneath his fingers, and how sweet it tasted when his lips and tongue came in contact with it. How he moaned and gave himself so freely to pleasure. How he fit so perfectly into the bends and folds of his own body as they slept.
Adam picked up his Blackberry yet again, and checked his email and the time. Quarter past two, and nothing from Jade. At this level of sleep deprivation and borderline delirium, Adam had half a mind to show up at Jade's house, crawl into bed behind him, pull his body close, and just sleep.
As far as Adam was concerned, the ball was in Jade's court. He had spent a weekend with him, and in his opinion, he had made it very clear what he had wanted. Jade was the one who was being complicated, now, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was doing it on purpose.
It didn't change the fact that the tightening in Adam's chest and the sick feeling in his stomach was all because Jade was sleeping in another bed and not pressed against him. It didn't change the fact that he wanted Jade more than anything else in life. Most of all, it didn't change the fact that despite his best efforts to ward it off, he had somehow managed to fall in love with him.
By Friday morning, Jade had noticed a shift in not only Adam's mood, but in his appearance. He looked awful, and every time he asked Adam what was going on, he snapped at him. Jade, who was accustomed to Adam's mood swings, was growing fairly tired of it. Every single day he stayed in for lunch, to make himself available should Adam need anything.
Today would be different. He needed to get away from Adam, and perhaps Adam needed a bit of space. He had already scheduled his lunch plans with Hunter, who was glad for the escape.
Jade knocked on Adam's office door, and when he got no response, peeked his head in. Adam was sitting at his desk seemingly looking at a fax that he had received, but his eyes were closed.
"Hey, Adam?"
When Adam looked up, with red unfocused eyes and several days worth of stubble peppering his face, Jade felt his heart lurch into his throat. Adam was going through something, but in true Adam style, was keeping it to himself.
"Adam..." Jade said, walking over to Adam's desk and sitting down in the chair in front of him. "You need to talk to me."
"I don't need to do anything. What I need is another cup of coffee and something to eat." Adam said harshly.
Jade's face hardened, and the emotion he felt at seeing Adam looking so haggard was easily stuffed down. Jade took a deep breath and collected himself, giving it one more try. He reached across the desk and placed his hands on top of both of Adam's. Adam met his eyes, and they softened considerably.
"Adam, you're not all right. You look like hell, you're acting like a jerk, and I don't think you can help it. If you tell me what's wrong with you, I'll do whatever it takes – whatever you want."
Adam pulled his hands out from under Jade's. "Would you."
Adam's tone made Jade sneer. It wasn't a question so much as a declarative objection rife with indignation. Jade pushed back from the chair and stood up, taking a moment to look down at Adam
"I'm right here, Adam. I'm right here. If you need something from me, you know exactly how to get it. You know exactly what to do." Jade said. The amount of frustration in Jade's voice made Adam glad that he hadn't released it and started a true argument. He was too tired to fight back and Jade held too much power over him to loose. An unfair battle, for sure.
"I'm going to lunch with Hunter. I'll be back." Jade said tiredly.
Adam said nothing.
Hunter and Jade sat at the Johnny Rockets a few miles from their office. The diner was reminiscent of something right out of the fifties, but Hunter and Jade liked it there because they would substitute the meat patty in any burger with a veggie patty. It made them both very happy.
Hunter reached across the table and took one of Jade's french fries, shoving it into his mouth.
"You fucked him, didn't you?"
Jade, who had been happily sipping on his milkshake, began coughing. "Who? What? Hunter, what the hell are you talking about?"
Hunter sat back and smiled. "I've never seen Adam this happy. He hasn't yelled at anyone all week, and I haven't heard him scream at you since Friday afternoon. And he looks worn out in ways I've never seen. You've been studiously avoiding me, and now I know why. You fucked him, and you knew I'd take one look at you and know. You knew I'd take one look at him and know."
Jade slurped up the last of his apple pie milkshake, and looked up at Hunter. "Who are you kidding? Adam hates my guts."
"What are you talking about? He worships you. And who are you kidding? You fucked him."
"Would you stop saying that?" Jade said with a definite blush. "And I haven't been avoiding you, you've been busy."
"I'm never too busy to eat and you know that. You're suddenly spending more time in your own office, and less time bitching about him and how he makes your life miserable. You haven't complained about him once."
Jade shrugged, looking out the window to avoid Hunter's scrutiny.
"Please. Just admit it, and then I'll drop the subject and we'll keep eating." Hunter said, smiling in a way that made Jade laugh a little.
"Fine. I admit it."
"Admit what?"
Jade glared and Hunter smiled. "Adam and I slept together, all right? We did. We had sex. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Hunter nodded. "Pretty much, yeah. I've known since I saw you two on Monday. I knew something was up, and I thought, you know, being your best friend and all, that you'd tell me. Much to my dismay, I had to force it out of you."
"I don't kiss and tell."
Hunter munched quietly on the rest of Jade's food, and Jade ordered a second veggie cheeseburger, a side of fries, and a large coke to go. Hunter looked up at him and shook his head.
"Was he so good that you're waiting on him hand and foot, now?" Hunter asked. "What a good boyfriend you are."
Jade knew that Hunter wouldn't drop the subject anytime soon, like he said he would. "He's having a rough time. He looks like hell and is acting even worse. I'm bringing him food because he needs to eat. I'd do the same for you, and you're not my boyfriend. And to clear the air, neither is he."
Hunter looked honestly shocked. "You guys aren't together?"
The look on Jade's face was sad enough to make him drop the subject for good. Or at the very least for a week or two. Jade's words were quiet and meaningful. "Just because you sleep with someone doesn't mean they want to be with you."
Hunter nodded, and when the waitress brought the food, and they stood to leave, he slipped an arm around Jade's shoulders. Jade smiled at Hunter, wrapping his arm around his waist. They walked to the car this way, and when they got back to the office, Hunter and Jade made plans for that evening. If Adam didn't want to be Jade's date, then Hunter was more than happy to. Granted, he didn't have the same things to offer as Adam did, but companionship was companionship.
Jade walked through his office and into Adam's. He knocked, and when Adam responded, he opened the door.
"Not that you deserve it," Jade began, setting the bag of food on Adam's desk. "But I brought something back for you."
Adam offered Jade all he could give him at the moment – a smile, and gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Jade."
Jade nodded. "Uh huh. It's the mushroom burger, extra relish."
Adam laughed. "Gee. Thanks."
When Adam opened the burger to find that there were, in fact, no mushrooms or relish on it, he smiled again. How Jade remembered all of the stupid little things, he couldn't be sure.
"I didn't bring you coffee, though. That you can get yourself." Jade said shortly.
Jade waited a moment for Adam to say something else, anything else, but he didn't. Jade turned around and went to the door.
"Hey, Jade?" Adam called, setting his burger down and looking up.
"Yes?"
Adam opened his mouth, but closed it, shaking his head. "Never mind. It's fine."
Jade turned to leave, and rolled his eyes. "Sure it is."
When Jade was safely on the other side of the door, Adam bit into his burger. He ate quickly, and threw his trash away in the bin that was beside his desk. He so desperately wanted to tell Jade why he had been so moody and tired. He wanted to tell Jade that he was the only reason he couldn't sleep through the night. He was ready to admit that Jade was the reason he was becoming a better man.
He didn't know how or why he and Jade were in this holding pattern, but they were. He just really needed for them to get out of it, because during this week without Jade at his side during the night, he was able to see clearly. He was scared, absolutely terrified of getting hurt again, but he was ready. He was ready to move on, and Jade was the person he wanted to move on knew this now.
How to make it clear to Jade was beyond him.
Jade and Hunter stumbled out of Club Beat It somewhere near two in the morning. Hunter had been desperately trying to go home with a girl or two, but when his efforts proved to be in vain, he spent the night dancing up against Jade in ways that made the fag hags swoon. As they walked down the street, Hunter slipped his arm around Jade's shoulders.
"I think we had a good night." Hunter said.
"I don't remember the last time I had this much fun." Jade replied, a smile lighting his face.
"Maybe that time that you and Adam most likely fucked like bunnies?" The words were out of Hunter's mouth before he could stop them, and he looked over at Jade apologetically.
"Yeah. That was all right."
"I'm sorry. It just slipped out."
"It's fine."
"Do you want to tell me what's happening?" Hunter asked.
"Adam's being Adam. I think that explains it well enough."
Hunter nodded. "It does. Well, if he slept with you, then he obviously has something for you. I saw how he was with Davey and I see how he is with you. There's certainly a massive difference. He's just an idiot sometimes. He can't help it. I just think he forgets what to do when you're in love."
"Whose side are you on?" Jade said with a half smile and a mock glare.
"He signs my paycheck."
Jade laughed, pulling out of Hunter's grasp and stepping away from him. "You can find your own damn ride home. Better yet, call your friend Adam and have him come get you."
Hunter laughed as well, waiting for Jade to slow down before falling in step beside him again. "I'm just saying. Sometimes Adam needs people to lay it all out for him. This is probably one of those times. Maybe you should just be direct with him. Say, 'hey, you and I should be together.' And he'll say 'good idea, glad I thought of it.' And you'll live happily ever after. Which will totally work out for me because being his boyfriend's best friend has to mean that I get more leeway than everyone else."
"I think Adam is shaping up to be more trouble than he's worth." Jade said sadly.
Hunter studied Jade's face for a long while before responding. "No, you don't. You don't really think that."
"I wish I did."
Jade took Hunter home, and when he pulled away from the curb, he felt of his frustration and anger with Adam boil, and finally break through to the surface. Who was he to treat him like that? Jade realized that he was long overdue for being pissed off. Adam spent the weekend with him, and then when they got back to work on Monday, treated him as though nothing had happened.
He couldn't do that.
Jade reached around on his passenger seat looking for his Blackberry. It had slipped onto the floor, and he looked away from the road long enough to pick it up. He began searching the names before he decided that this was not an argument they should have over the phone.
If he decided that he wanted to punch Adam in the face, then he had every right to be physically able to do just that.
He made a sharp left and began driving towards Adam's loft. By the time he actually got there, he was well past the point of anger. He was irate. He took the elevator up and didn't hesitate even one moment before pounding loudly on Adam's door. He briefly regretted this, out of concern for neighbors, until he remembered that Adam had the entire floor. He banged on the door again.
Seconds later, the door was creaking open and Adam was standing before him. He looked worse than he had earlier in the day, but his face held a look of utter relief.
"Jade." He said almost whimsically.
Jade pushed his way into the apartment and didn't even wait for Adam to shut the door before he began his rant
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
The weak smile that Adam had for Jade dropped from his face. At his level of exhaustion – both emotional and physical – Adam was far from capable of fighting with him and winning.
"Who do you think I am?" Jade continued, turning so he was face to face with Adam. "You can't do this to me! You have to fucking stop. You want me? Then have me, God damn it. I'm right here. Right fucking here! And yet you're doing nothing. I'm yours for the taking, and you string me around like I'm some damn animal? I'm sick and fucking tired of this."
"Understandably." Adam said with a soft nod.
"Yeah! You can't just fuck me and then go! I'm not Davey. I'm not going to put up with this. What is wrong with you? I'm trying to let you make your decisions on your own terms, but you can't treat me like a hooker. That's for damn sure. You have to at least acknowledge that there might be something between us."
"There is."
"I know! And – and I'm not going to tiptoe around you and let you treat me like this because oh, I need to be careful because you're scared of getting hurt again. And oh, I should tread lightly because you've had your heart broken. And oh, we have to watch out because you're my boss. And oh, you're scared of relationships so it's okay to push people away so now I just have to deal with it. You should be the one who treads lightly. You're the one who has been a dick to me, not the other way around, buddy. I've been nothing but wonderful to you." Jade narrowed his eyes at Adam. " You should be sorry."
"I am sorry."
"Good! And we have to establish something, here. I can't just be the guy you screw on the side. This may sound needy, but I want something more from you than just sex. I want companionship and understanding and friendship and...well, sex, of course, because it's really good. But that's beside the point. I want you, Adam. All of you. Not just your cock and a peck on the lips. I want something real and I think I deserve that."
"You do."
"Thank you. If you're not ready for a relationship, then you should have said so." Jade paused, sneering at Adam. "And why are you just agreeing with me? Are you trying to placate me? Because it sure as hell isn't going to work." Jade said, jabbing a finger into Adam's chest.
"I'm not trying to placate you. I do agree with you."
"Well, you should. And yeah." Jade came to an abrupt halt. "I think I'm done."
Adam nodded. "Okay."
"Is that it? You have nothing to say for yourself?"
"Everything that had to be said, you've already said. I'm an asshole, and I'm afraid of relationships. I'm sorry you feel like I've treated you badly, because I never meant to. Please." Adam said, holding his arms out in front of him and beckoning for Jade to come closer.
Jade crossed his arms over his chest. "I think I might still be mad at you."
Adam's eyes widened. "Please. I'm so, so tired and I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep since last Saturday. It's why I've been so moody. I toss and turn, and I don't get more than two or three hours of sleep. It's because I can't stop thinking about you and how much I need you. I need you, Jade, please."
Hearing Adam, who doesn't need anything or anyone, declare that he needed Jade, made Jade's heart stop dead in his chest. He was so desperate and so pathetic, and it was all so clear, that Jade took a few steps towards Adam and let himself be pulled to Adam's chest. Adam kissed Jade's forehead and held him close. "We can talk more in the morning. Please, just stay with me tonight. Just like that first night. Please, just stay."
Jade nodded against Adam's chest. He secretly liked this sleep deprived version of Adam. Jade liked being needed. He liked even more to be needed by Adam. Jade was pulled in the direction of Adam's bedroom, and when they slipped behind the curtain, Adam crawled into bed. Jade stripped himself unceremoniously and slid in beside Adam.
Adam's bed was enormous in comparison to his own, and he sunk into it, the softness enveloping him. Adam's arms were greedily reaching out for him, and he rolled over so that his face was pressed into the side of Adam's neck. Adam sighed softly, a smile coming to his lips.
"Thank you." He said, kissing the side of Jade's head.
"I don't know how you weren't able to sleep in a bed like this." Jade noted. "This is spectacular."
"You." Adam said tiredly. "Because of you."
"Adam, you have to promise me this: you and I are going to work this out in the morning. We're going to figure it all out. We're not going to leave it like this."
He felt Adam nod. "You have my word."
At that moment, if Jade asked Adam to promise to buy him the Red Sox Baseball Club, a diamond tiara, and a pony, he would gladly agree. As long as he stayed the night.
"Okay." Jade said, kissing Adam's neck.
Jade was usually unable to sleep when he had unresolved conflicts weighing on his conscience, but the amazing softness of Adam's bed and the warm comfort that his body provided were more than enough to lull him to sleep in no time at all.
Jade's eyes fluttered open to the sunlight pouring in from every angle. He rolled over and realized he was still trapped under the weight of Adam's arms. From the looks of it, Adam hadn't even moved a millimeter. Jade crawled out of bed, and passed by an alarm clock and noted that it was almost half past noon and that he and Adam had been asleep for roughly ten hours. He stretched a bit, cracking his neck before strutting into the bathroom. The bathroom was all black and marble and steel and pretty much the size of Jade's bedroom at home. The shower stall was big enough for two, and this made Jade smile. He and Adam would be having a fantastic time in there at some point. He was sure of this.
After he did his business, he crawled back into bed with Adam, situating himself so that he was right back in his arms. Jade was rather content with just lying there with his eyes closed and listening to Adam's steady breathing. He knew Adam was so desperate for sleep, and he was eager to let him have it. He wanted to show Adam that when he woke up, he would still be in his arms.
Because he wasn't an asshole.
Almost an hour and a half later, Adam began to stir, but instead of moving farther away from Jade, he moved closer, pressing himself against Jade's body. Adam's hands began to roam freely, starting at Jade's sides and then working his way into his hair. Jade moved his hands over so that they could reach behind and grab Adam's ass. Jade pressed his hips into Adam's and he felt Adam moan against the side of his neck.
Adam kissed Jade's neck, disappearing beneath the covers to kiss his collar bones, and his chest, and down his stomach. Jade let out a gasp when he felt Adam's fingers dipping beneath the waistband of his boxers. Adam had Jade's boxers at the end of the bed in under a second, and his hands held Jade's hips firmly to the mattress. Adam shifted so that he was between Jade's legs, and leaned down, kissing the inside of Jade's thigh.
Jade twisted his hands in the bed sheets, closing his eyes and letting out a long, lustful moan. Adam could feel Jade's cock pressing against the side of his neck, begging for attention, but he was going to draw this out as long as he could. He peppered Jade's lower stomach with kisses as he moved to his other thigh, kissing along the crease there.
Adam moved down and placed tiny kisses along Jade's ballsac. He licked down the center, down to the perineum, and down to the tight, puckered hole of his ass. He let his tongue lap and lick freely, and he could hear Jade whimpering and moaning pathetically.
Jade never uttered a word, but Adam could almost feel him begging for it. Adam let his tongue drag upwards and he shifted again so he was hovering above Jade's body. He took the head of Jade's cock into his mouth, paused, and then took the rest of him in. He was through with the teasing, now. Jade had let Adam do what he wanted, now it was time to give Jade what he needed.
Adam bobbed his head quickly, reaching down to fondle Jade's tight scrotum. Jade's whimpers became heavy breathing as Adam sped up his ministrations and increased the amount of suction.
A steady chant of his name was all the warning Adam received before he was swallowing down Jade's cum. He continued to suck and fondle Jade until he was all the way through his orgasm. Adam let Jade's cock slide out of his mouth before crawling up Jade's body and laying his head down on Jade's pillow.
Jade turned his head to the side and met Adam's wide, blue eyes for the first time since they woke up. Adam leaned forward and pressed his lips to Jade's, sweeping his tongue into Jade's mouth briefly before pulling back and placing his hand on his cheek.
"Good morning." Adam said, his voice scratchy from sleep. "And thank you."
"Good morning to you, too." Jade said, his voice scratchy from moaning. "And it's I who should be thanking you."
Jade rolled into Adam, reaching down to grab at Adam through his boxers. Jade was surprised when Adam pulled away and shook his head. Adam stood, erection visible through the thin material of his shorts, and leaned over Jade, kissing him gently on the lips.
"That was just for you." Adam whispered, brushing Jade's hair out of his face and walking to the bathroom. Adam turned around to face Jade, who was still staring at him. "Get up and meet me in the kitchen. We need food."
Jade took his time getting out of bed and finding his boxers. When he slipped them on, and finally made his way into the kitchen, Adam was already there. He sat on a barstool at the island in the center of the kitchen, and watched Adam work.
"Pancakes, waffles, or Fruity Pebbles?" Adam asked, scooping some ground coffee into the coffee maker.
Jade smiled at the thought of eating Fruity Pebbles across from Adam. "Fruity Pebbles."
Adam smiled softly. "Don't mock the pebbles."
"I would never. Did you get a good night's sleep?" Jade asked, eyes focused steadily on Adam's ass as he pulled two bowls from the cabinet and poured the cereal into them. Adam went to the refrigerator, pulled out the soymilk and poured that into the bowls as well. He left it out on the counter while he placed the bowls and spoons on the island and sat next to Jade.
"Best all week." Adam said, scooping a spoonful of the sugary goodness into his mouth.
Jade did the same, swallowing it all down. He was intent on eating before launching into the string of questions he hoped would finally bring an end to the mass of confusion that was their relationship. "Good."
The pair ate in silence, and when they were finished, Adam took the bowls to the sink and poured them cups of coffee. Jade sipped his quietly, eyes never leaving Adam's face.
"Do you want to talk, now?" Adam asked.
"What you said last night, did you mean it?" Jade asked, not even bothering to beat around the bush.
"Every word." Adam said quickly. "I need you. Here. With me. All the time. I realized that, but everything was still so strange and I didn't know how to tell you."
"If you had said that – those exact words – I would have done it. Anything. I would have done anything." Jade said seriously. "That's all you had to do."
Adam nodded. "I just didn't know how to say it."
"Directly always works. What were you afraid of? I handed myself over to you. I don't think I could have made my intentions any clearer."
"I'm an idiot."
"I know. It's something I'll just have to work with, apparently." Jade said, shaking his head. "I don't want to do the coy thing, or the weekend thing. It's hard for me to settle for less, but I will if I have to. I just have to know because if we're going to do this, if we're going to have a relationship, for real, then you're going to have to be in it, too. All the way. I can't have you backing out of it after two months, and then expect me to just wait for you to get all un-scared again."
Adam reached over and took his hand. "After all this, do you still want to be with me?"
Jade rolled his eyes. "After all of the hell you put me through? I would have walked away at the first sign of trouble if I didn't. But unfortunately, yes, I still want to be with you. Really, be with you, though. Not just be the guy who stands at your side and looks good."
"Why?" Adam asked sincerely. "Why do you want that?"
"I'm a glutton for punishment? A masochist?"
"Seriously, Jade."
"It's just, I...I can't help the way I feel and...the way that..." Jade sighed, and looked down. "I fucking love you, all right?"
Adam stood up quickly, closing the short distance and wrapping his arms around Jade. He kissed Jade's cheek, and the side of his head, and then pulled back so he could kiss his lips. Jade held onto Adam tightly, surrendering himself to Adam fully. Adam deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into Jade's mouth and when Jade opened his eyes, Adam was looking back. Jade felt his heart flutter, and let Adam bring the kiss to a slow stop.
Adam pulled Jade close again, resting his face in the crook of Jade's neck. His words were hot and strong against Jade's skin. "I love you."
Jade closed his eyes, and held Adam tighter.
This was it. This was everything they had been waiting for. Now, they finally had it right.
