Sometimes Jude honestly couldn't believe just how oblivious Connor was. Maybe it was because Connor was always too busy looking at him (not that Jude understood that; he wasn't much of anything special to see). Or maybe Connor just had a thick head. But either way, there was no doubting that Jude was the jealous type, which made Connor's inattentiveness to other people quite frustrating. Jude could never help himself, always having make sure to tell or show others around him that Connor was his, not anyone else's. Connor would giggle at him, and remind him that his eyes weren't anywhere else but on him, but it was only a small reassurance.
And so it happened, Jude and Connor were sitting across from each other at the kitchen table of the Adams-Foster house one afternoon, chatting away about something insignificant and having a snack before they took off for the skate park, when Sophia, Callie's half-sister wandered into the kitchen.
"Oh hey guys," she chirped. "Have you seen Callie?"
"Umm, I don't think she's got home from work yet," Jude told her. Sophia was nice enough the few times Jude had talked to her, but at this moment, Jude was feeling not feeling too fond of her, given the way her eyes seemed to be drawn to Connor.
"Well, do you mind if I wait here with you guys?" she asked, taking a seat next to Connor before getting an answer, scooting her chair a little closer than Jude was comfortable with. Connor, of course, didn't even notice, continuing to stuff his mouth full of chips. "So Jude, who's your friend?"
"Connor," Connor introduced himself, voice muffled by the food in mouth. Sophia let out a short, high-pitched and obviously fake giggle. Jude scowled; by introducing himself, Connor didn't give him the chance to introduce him as his boyfriend.
"Nice to meet you Connor! So tell me, how do you know Jude?" Sophia asked. Jude wasn't sure what she was trying to find out by asking that question, but her behavior so far indicated that it was going to be something Jude didn't want or need her to know.
"School. We met back in seventh grade," Connor replied, and Jude watched as a grin started to spread across Sophia's face. Sophia was only a year older than them; but considering she didn't know Connor or his age, Jude now guessed that's what she wanted to know. If he hadn't known that Connor wasn't actually paying attention to her, Jude would've probably jumped Sophia at this point. Connor, to her, was definitely fair game, and Jude was not okay with her thinking that, even for a second. Connor was his boyfriend.
"You look like you play sports," Sophia commented; so now she was complimenting Connor's body (which Jude would never hesitate to admit, was spectacular). Jude pursed his lips, knowing what was coming next. Connor was a bit of a show-off; just mentioning his body would have him flexing for anyone who wanted to see, inviting everyone nearby to come feel just how firm his biceps were.
"Yeah, you wanna feel?" Connor grinned, flexing his arm and inviting Sophia to squeeze it. Jude glared at Connor, angry that he was unwittingly playing right into Sophia's hands. Jude was about to cut in and set Sophia straight when his phone rang, Callie's ringtone blaring out of the speakers. Oh no, this can't be good.
"Hey Callie, what's up?" Jude asked cautiously. Please don't tell me she's going to be late.
"Jude, something came up at work and I don't think I'm going to be home for another couple of hours," Callie told him. "Do you think that you could hang out with Sophia until I get there?"
"But Callie, Connor and I were going to the skate park today!" Jude whined.
"I have an idea, why don't you take Sophia with you?" Callie suggested.
"Callie—"
"Jude please, can you do this for me? I don't want Sophia to have to be there all alone," Callie pleaded. Jude groaned; that was honestly the last thing he wanted to do, have Sophia come with them, but it looked as if he really didn't have a choice.
"Fine," Jude sighed. "But you owe me!"
"Thanks Jude, I know you were really looking forward to hanging out with Connor. I'll make it up to you somehow," Callie said hurriedly, hanging up the phone once she finished her statement.
"What was that about?" Sophia asked when Jude returned to the table (he had taken the call out in the living room).
"Callie's not going to get here for a while yet," Jude explained.
"But weren't we going to the skate park?" Connor protested.
"Relax Connor, we're still going, we just have to take Sophia," Jude said reluctantly.
"But I don't know how to skate," Sophia interjected, not sounding all that worried about the fact.
"Oh that's okay, I can teach you!" Connor offered. "I mean, if I can teach this guy over here, then I can teach anyone how to skate."
Connor was always willing to help, always. It was one of the things Jude loved about Connor. At least usually, but today, all of Connor's loveable traits seemed to be fitting right into whatever Sophia seemed to be planning.
"Thanks Connor, I would appreciate that," Sophia replied, grinning at him. Jude ran up to his room, grabbing his board and one of Jesus' for Sophia to use, shoving it at her and stomping out the door ahead of them. Connor hung back with Sophia, talking and laughing with her, seemingly unaware of Jude's foul mood.
Jude slowly skated around the park, staying as far away from Sophia as possible, but keeping a close eye on the two of them. Sophia was being far too handsy with Connor, no doubt, but Connor seemed to be having fun teaching her, and Jude figured he needed to give Connor a little more of his trust. But even so, he wasn't letting the two of them out of his sight.
"Jude seems really upset for some reason," Sophia commented, seeing the glares that Jude seemed to shooting at her from across the park.
"Oh he just has his moods sometimes, I wouldn't worry about it," Connor responded, briefly wondering why Jude was upset before turning back to Sophia, who had started to wobble slightly on the board. Rushing over to her, Connor got there just in time to catch her when she fell.
Jude watched what happened from afar, feeling indescribably angry because Sophia wasn't really going to fall. She seemed way too good on the skateboard for saying that she didn't know how. She had only fallen because she wanted Connor to catch her, and now she had steadied herself, standing far too close to Connor with her arms on his shoulders. Jude had been watching intently, and in his rage, forgot to pay attention to what he was doing. His board teetered off the edge of the bowl, catapulting him forward as he tumbled to the ground.
Connor had heard Jude's distinctive grunts, glancing over Sophia's shoulder to see Jude lying on the ground.
"Oh my God, I'll be right back!" Connor exclaimed, running over to Jude and kneeling next to him, Sophia trailing a few steps behind. "Babe, are you alright?!"
"I—yeah I'll be fine Con, just give me a minute. I'm sure Sophia needs you more," Jude grumbled, shooting daggers at her.
"Wait, is this what this all about?" Connor giggled, grabbing Jude's hand and lifting him to his feet.
"She's been flirting with you even since she showed up," Jude mumbled, still glaring at Sophia over Connor's shoulder. "You've been paying more attention to her than to me, your boyfriend."
"Oh babe," Connor chuckled, wrapping his arms around Jude's torso, pulling him in tightly to his chest. "Are you jealous?"
"Shut up," Jude answered.
"You know, jealous is a cute look on you," Connor smirked. "Makes me want to kiss you. In fact, I think I will." And so Connor closed the short gap between them, pressing their lips together for a few short seconds. "You're the only boy for me, never forget that Jude."
"I wish I was as secure in that as you," Jude murmured, burying his forehead into Connor's neck.
"Jude, if someone is making you jealous, just tell me," Connor implored. "As cute as jealous Jude is, I don't want you to be upset because someone is coming onto me. I don't want to hurt you like that."
"God, what did I do to deserve someone like you?" Jude questioned. Sometimes he swore Connor was the perfect guy, and Jude didn't understand what he saw in him, because as perfect as Connor seemed, Jude felt just as imperfect.
"You were yourself," Connor replied. "That's what made me fall in love in the first place."
"I love you," Jude whispered.
"I love you too."
"Ahem," Sophia cleared her throat, still standing behind them. "Um, what's going on here, exactly?" she asked, the entire exchange between Jude and Connor apparently not making things clear enough for her.
"Sophia, I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to tell you earlier," Jude told her, "but Connor is my boyfriend."
"O-OH!" Sophia stuttered, her face turning beet red. "And all afternoon I've been—oh dear I feel stupid. I think I owe you an apology for coming onto Connor."
"It's okay," Jude assured her. "I should've told you earlier but—but I was just being dumb, and this one is totally oblivious," he continued, pointing at Connor.
"It's true, I had no clue," Connor added.
"But thanks for apologizing. I guess, no harm, no foul, right?" Jude questioned.
"Okay. Let me just say you two are soooo cute together!" Sophia exclaimed, and Jude and Connor just rolled their eyes.
"Here we go," they both muttered.