Notes: Just as a head's up, the chapter updates might be a little slower than usual if you hadn't noticed because my family and I have gone off on vacation, so I'm not going to be sitting at my computer as often as usual.

However, and this is the totally exciting part, I am currently in Nashville for the Walker Stalker Convention and in less than twelve hours, I am going to be standing next to Tommy Flanagan to meet him and get my picture taken with him! *insert super fangirl scream even though I'm totally afraid I'm going to pass out from excitement when I'm standing next to him* I'm going to be soooo starstruck and it's terrifying. So if I don't post ever again, it's because they had to scrape my fangirling, starstruck-self from the floor because I melted into a puddle at seeing Chibs in person.

*super-terrified-crazy-fangirl-scream*

Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's another happy one. :)

Chapter Ten

"I'm Not a Prophecy Come True"

I was supposed to die.

The thought filters through Juice's mind, but he brushes it aside. He's focused on Chibs puttering around the kitchen and mumbling under his breath. A smile lights Juice's face as Chibs drops a spoon to the floor and curses loudly for the second time that morning.

Days have passed since their kiss under the stars, and while most things in their life feel the same, there's still some things they have to get used to. Mostly, it's the realization that their feelings for each other have been said and that they don't have to hide anymore. Still, even though they've been friends for a long time and have been living together for a while, it's still as if they're a new couple and everything is a new adventure to them.

At the moment, Juice is sitting in the kitchen as Chibs attempts to make him breakfast. The older man is standing at the stove trying to fry bacon and eggs, but he keeps breaking the yolk and burning the bacon. A string of Scottish insults flies from his mouth as he bursts another egg and the gooey yolk floods the pan. Juice can't help but laugh; he knows Chibs is trying his best to make them a perfect breakfast, but he also knows the poor man can't cook.

"Why don't you scramble them?" Juice chuckles, motioning towards the eggs in the pan.

"Because," Chibs whirls on him, waving the spatula in the air, "I wanted ta' make them sunny."

"Do you even know what that means?"

"Yes, ye little shite, it means the yellow bit is all together on top!"

Chibs face is comical, and Juice finds himself laughing even though he tries to hold back. The older man is frowning wildly, the scars on his cheeks accenting the frown, but the words flying from his mouth don't sound intimidating and the spatula waving in the air makes him look like some crazed housewife. It doesn't help that Chibs had dug a flowery apron from the depths of some long-forgotten cabinet and is wearing it over his dark shirt and pants.

"It's okay if we have them scrambled, though," Juice grins at him.

Chibs shoots him a glare and mumbles something that sounds like "feckin' shite," but then he scoops the goopy eggs all together to begin scrambling them.

Finally, Chibs settles into the chair across from Juice and the two dig into a breakfast of burnt bacon and very scrambled eggs. Juice smiles as he scoops the yellow mess into his mouth. The food looks like a disaster, but it still tastes good and he doesn't mind extra crispy bacon.

"Don't laugh," Chibs glares at him.

"I'm not laughing, just smiling." Chibs huffs grumpily which does cause Juice to laugh. "Seriously old man, it's fine."

The two eat in comfortable silence. Juice flips through the motorcycle magazine he'd brought from the living room, and Chibs scans the local newspaper. The Sons of Anarchy are mentioned in a small section on the cover from when they had donated money to a local charity organization earlier that week. Chibs has been trying to make a more positive name for themselves, and he's attempted to make kind donations and other happy appearances a frequent thing. He figures it's better than the locals seeing the fights that used to break out almost daily.

When they're finished eating, Juice watches Chibs lay the newspaper gently on the table out of the corner of his eye. He can feel Chibs watching him, and when he looks up, he meet's the older man's eyes. "Can't get enough of me?" he grins cheekily.

"I was just thinkin'," Chibs answers.

"About what?"

Chibs blushes, an honest-to-goodness embarrassed blush, and he mumbles something unintelligibly under his breath.

Juice sets down the magazine, grin lighting his face, "What?"

"Nothin'."

"You're literally blushing," Juice pokes at him, "It can't be nothing." Chibs mumbles again and Juice only grins wider, "Speak up, old man."

"I'm not that old," Chibs growls back, but the corners of his mouth twitch as he holds back a smile.

"I know, but you look cute when you're trying to be angry." Another blush colors Chibs' cheeks. Juice doesn't think he's ever seen Chibs this embarrassed, and he wonders what it is the Scot wants to say. "Don't change the subject, Chibby. What is it?"

Chibs' eyes turn down to stare at the table, and he mumbles, this time a little louder, "I was just wonderin' if ye'd like to go on a date with me?"

This time it's Juice's turn to blush. He hasn't been on a date in a long time because being in the Club meant there were always plenty of girls hanging around the bar just waiting for a quick fuck. There was never any need to romance them; it was just pick one or two or even three and be set for the night. He hasn't considered dating in years, and now the thought of going on one with Chibs makes him feel like a young high school boy getting the chance to go out with his first crush.

"Oh..." Juice mumbles under his breath, his face bright red.

"See, I told ye it was nothin'," Chibs grumbles, cheeks still tinted pink, and then he says more to himself than Juice, "Stupid for thinking it."

"No," Juice says lightly. "I mean, if you'd want to...I wouldn't say no...I mean, yeah...yes, let's go on a...date." His voice comes out awkward and he can feel his face burning as the embarrassed blush attempts to make itself a permanent fixture. He casts his eyes down to stare at the table, unconsciously imitating Chibs.

"So...it's a date then..." Chibs replies softly.

"Yeah..."

The two meet each other's eyes and their faces burn red.

xxx

After dodging around each other awkwardly for a few days, they finally had decided to travel into Lodi for their date. They don't wear their Sons of Anarchy cuts and instead dress naturally, Juice in a pair of tight black jeans and maroon pocketed t-shirt, and Chibs in a pair of blue jeans and a black long sleeved shirt. They wanted to be comfortable, but also didn't want to be recognized by identifying themselves with their cuts. While they do plan to tell their Club eventually, they aren't ready yet, and they also know that other locals MC's won't be accepting of their relationship. The biker world is still heavily masculine, and two males in a relationship is greatly frowned upon. But, without their cuts, they're just two normal men on a date and luckily, the state of California happens to be more welcoming than others.

The two casually stroll down the sidewalk. They'd parked their bikes in a parking garage far out of sight and had decided to explore the better parts of the city for a nice, carefree day. People sometimes stare up at them as they pass, Juice's head tattoos and Chibs' scars somewhat hard to miss, but mostly people pay them no attention. They had browsed through local shops, enjoying the warm sun as they walked, and had even stopped into a nice winery to sample some local wine. Neither are usually wine drinkers, but the sweet fruity liquid had tasted nice and they both agreed to pick up a bottle or two when they were back in the city and not simply walking around.

Now, as the sun slowly begins to set around them, they head towards a restaurant Chibs had found. Chibs glances over at Juice as they walk, and he can't help but smile. Juice has seemed so happy today, and as nervous as he'd been about asking Juice on a date, he's happy they had gone. The Sons have been such a major part of their life that sometimes they forget what it's like to spend a day outside of everything, and today has been a happy comfort.

Juice looks over at him and catches him staring. Chibs smiles, and without thinking, he reaches over and takes Juice's hand into his own. Juice tenses for just a second, surprised at the simple touch, but then he eases and curls his fingers into Chibs'. It's a simple gesture, but it somehow makes it all feel all the more real. A small blush colors each of their cheeks, but they don't pull their hands away.

The restaurant is a blend of formal and casual, and while their tattoos and scars stick out among the rest of the guests, the wait staff still treats them nicely. Juice tries a grilled chicken and pasta dish and some more wine, while Chibs opts for a medium-rare steak and a beer. The food is excellent, and it's a nice change from the sandwiches and half-burned food they've been eating at home. Juice can't help but laugh when he thinks of Chibs making them breakfast, and he wonders aloud if Chibs plans to try again anytime soon.

"Shut yer trap," Chibs grins at him.

They sink into comfortable conversation as they eat, and when they're finished, both are in entirely happy moods. Night has fallen, and their walk back to the parking garage is illuminated by street lights and pulsing nightlife. Someone catcalls them in the distance for holding hands, but they only grin in the person's direction. When they reach their bikes, Chibs glances in either direction to make sure no one is watching, and then he pulls Juice close, kissing him deeply.

"I love you, Juicey," Chibs whispers against Juice's lips.

The admission is obvious - everything Chibs has done for him has revealed his love, but hearing it aloud causes Juice's heart to soar. He wraps his arms around Chibs, pulling him in for a tight hug as he rests his head on Chibs' shoulder.

"I love you, too," he whispers back and feels Chibs hug him close.

"You're so goddamn perfect," Chibs murmurs. He doesn't deserve Juice after everything he and the rest of the Club did, but at the moment he doesn't want to question it. Somehow, he's ended up with this beautiful young man in his arms, and he wants nothing more than to hold him there forever.

Only when they hear footsteps heading towards a car parked near their motorcycles do they finally pull away. Chibs places a quick kiss against Juice's lips, and then the two are on their bikes heading back towards home.

xxx

"This was a good day," Juice says as he pulls his t-shirt over his head. He and Chibs are in their bedroom about to head to bed, and Chibs is already sitting back against the headboard while Juice changes. "Have you seen my sweatpants?" Juice asks as he tosses his shirt to the floor and scans his eyes around the room for his grey sweats so he can change out of his jeans.

Chibs doesn't answer. After their perfect day out in the city, he's infatuated with Juice and can't take his eyes off him. Plus, it doesn't help that Juice's tanned skin is in plain view now that his shirt has been cast to the floor. Juice's tattooed arms and muscular chest and abs are a perfect sight, and again he wonders how he's gotten so lucky to have Juice as his own. The younger man looks amazing, so different to Chibs' own scarred and worn body, and Chibs finds himself gazing longingly at him, wanting nothing more than to touch him, to taste his skin, and explore everything he has to offer.

Juice finds his sweatpants and changes into the grey cotton. He grabs a plain white tank top and goes to pull it on, but then he catches Chibs' staring at him and he pauses. It's obvious Chibs is checking him out, and Juice smirks, twisting the fabric in his hands. "Would you like it better if I left this off or something?" he grins, motioning towards the shirt.

Chibs licks his lips, voice coming out low, "I would."

The shirt falls from Juice's fingertips, and the younger man climbs into bed next to the Scot. "I guess you like this?" The smirk is still on Juice's lips as he motions towards his muscular chest and abs.

"Mmmm," Chibs sighs. He slowly reaches out, gently running his fingers across Juice's chiseled stomach. He feels Juice's muscles tense under his hand, and he stops, looking up to meet Juice's eyes.

"Go on," Juice breathes.

He eases as Chibs traces his fingers across his skin, tracing the lines of his muscles and the line work of his tattoos. Juice's skin feels hot against Chibs' fingers and the older man moves closer, wanting to touch more of him. Chibs mouth meets Juice's lips as his hands continue to play out across Juice's skin, and then he's tasting him just as he touches him, Juice's mouth hot as his skin and just as tempting. Juice whimpers against Chibs' lips as the older man's fingers play out across his chest, thumb brushing across a hard nipple, then back down his side and across his abs. Chibs is hard in his pants, and he can feel his dick straining against the fabric. He wants Juice to touch him, but instead a low moan escapes his lips as Juice arches up against him, Juice's hands pulling him down on top of him.

Chibs presses Juice against the bed, covering Juice's body with his own. Slowly, he trails his mouth from Juice's lips to his neck, and he lets his tongue taste the boy's skin. Juice moans when Chibs sucks at his neck, feeling the older man bite to leave his mark against his skin. Chibs hands are still roaming Juice's hardened muscles, and when he reaches the waistline of the boy's pants, he can feel the unmistakable outline of his hard dick through the cotton, straining to meet his hand. Chibs groans, biting at Juice's neck as he hooks his fingers into the cotton, slowly beginning to pull the pants down.

"Chibs..." Juice moans, feeling the older man brush his fingers against him through the cotton, "Not...not yet..."

Chibs stops, raising up to meet Juice's eyes. He can see the want reflecting in the boy's longing gaze, but he also sees fear still hidden there, and he knows Juice isn't ready. Not yet. He rolls onto his side, pulling Juice close to him and placing a kiss against the boy's lips.

"I'm sorry," Juice whispers, but Chibs kisses him again, silencing him.

"Never be sorry, Juicey. I promised ye we do this only when yer ready."

Juice nods against his chest, grateful to have found someone who's so willing to wait for him. He sighs happily as Chibs pulls the blanket over them and then reaches over to turn off the light. Darkness envelops them, and Juice is close to falling asleep when he hears Chibs speak into the darkness.

"Can I ask ye somethin', Juicey?"

"Yeah, Chibby," he yawns sleepily.

"Why me?"

Juice frowns in the darkness, and he wonders where the question is coming from, "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Chibs traces his fingers against Juice's hard muscles, again feeling the perfect young man beside him, "When ya could have anyone ye'd ever desire, why me?" Chibs has been wondering the question for the longest time, and seeing Juice there like that, so young and perfect compared to himself, he can't help but wonder why Juice would ever choose him when he could have any woman or man he wants. "I'm old. My hair's going grey. I'm not in the best of shape, and I'm not made of muscles. I've got damned ugly scars carved into my cheeks. Why me?"

"I like your hair!" Juice smiles into the darkness, reaching up to run his fingers through Chibs' long bangs, "And you're not really that old. And so what if you're not made of muscles! I think I've got plenty for both of us," Juice laughs and hears a small chuckle escape the older man's lips. "And..." Juice's fingers reach down to trace the scars cut deep within Chibs' cheeks, "...I love your scars. I think they're kind of sexy." Chibs laughs, but Juice counters back saying, "I'm serious!"

"Oh, Juicey boy," Chibs sighs with a smile.

"But Chibs," Juice says, suddenly serious, "You know what I like most of all?"

"What's that, Juicey?"

"You've always given me a chance. Even when everyone else has always given up on me, you're always there. Even if it takes a little while for you to show up, you always come back for me," Juice smiles and closes his eyes to the darkness, trying to hold back the tears that want to spring forward, "Even when I was supposed to die, you saved me, and now you've given me the chance to fall in love."

"Juicey..." Chibs can hear the happy sadness in Juice's voice, and he reaches up to brush away the tears he knows are there. "I love you, Juicey."

"I love you too, Chibby. I love you too."