Jude had a headache. He hated being hungover but, somehow, while he was drinking, he never ended up thinking about how he would feel come morning. He always ended up here: cranky, dehydrated, and with a headache that would cripple anyone. And he always woke up feeling hot when he was drunk. He shifted and dragged the blanket up over his head, trying to curl into a ball. But his knee hit something and Jude realized that he wasn't in bed. He remembered all of last night, though it took a moment for everything to completely stumble through his mind. He tilted his head and squinted upward. Connor was anxiously staring back at him.

"Are you okay?" Connor whispered. "Are you going to be sick?"

"No. I don't think I'm gonna be sick." He touched Connor's chest. "You're here?"

"Last night, you asked me not to leave you." Before Jude could let out another word of protest, Connor spoke again. "And I didn't mean to fall asleep next to you, Jude."

Jude closed his eyes. He should get up. He should be respectful of Connor's need for personal space, but he didn't want to move. He clenched his hand in Connor's t-shirt and stared at him, even though the morning light made his head spin and he wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball and feel like death for the next thousand years. "I'm sorry you did."

"I don't think I am," Connor said.

"Huh?"

"I don't think I am … It was an accident, because I don't think I'd be able to do it by myself after last time. But I slept last night, no nightmares or anything. I never really thought I'd be able to do that. But I did. With you. I think I've been underestimated how much you affect me. I think I want to. You're scary, Jude."

"Sorry," Jude murmured.

"But I don't think I am." Connor kissed Jude's forehead and Jude wanted to snuggle deeper and deeper into Connor's arms, but Connor asked, "Do you need something for your head?"

"Water. Maybe advil."

"I know a hangover remedy. Trust me."

"I do trust you," Jude said.

His stomach rolled queasily as Connor climbed off the couch. His body didn't even feel settled once he was gone and able to lay completely still. There was sunlight streaming through the house and he was not looking forward to when Moms woke up. They knew him; they knew that he wasn't a heavy drinker. It meant that they weren't going to be overly worried about his current state, which, in turn, meant that he was going to be the butt of teasing. He pulled the blanket up over his face and though the darkness felt a lot better, the movement made him feel dizzy.

"Here, Jude. Drink this."

"What is it?"

"It's designed to rehydrate you. Other than that … trust me?"

Jude pushed the blanket off his face and slowly sat up. The glass in Connor's hand was dark in colour.

"Don't sniff," Connor warned.

"Where'd you learn to make this?"

"He was angry when he was hungover. So I figured out how to make it go away."

Jude should have known. He took the glass from Connor's hand. It was only about two mouthfuls and he took a deep breath before drinking it all as quickly as possible. His mouth went fizzy, as if he had held soda in his mouth for too long and it had started to bubble against his skin. The tingling feeling continued down his throat and Jude took a few deep breaths, trying to clear out the feeling before it started to get constricting.

"Are you okay?"

"I expected that to taste worse."

"I wouldn't do that to you."

"Did you do that to him?" Jude asked.

Connor looked horrified. "No! I couldn't … couldn't hurt him." He hugged himself. "That's really awful, isn't it?"

"No, baby, no. It speaks to how amazing you are." Jude rested his head against Connor's shoulder. "Are you at your limit or will you cuddle with me again?"

"We can cuddle," Connor said. "I … really like cuddling with you."

They settled back against the couch and, Jude had to admit, he was feeling slightly better after Connor's drink. The words placebo effect drifted across his brain but, hey, if it helped his nausea, then he was all for the placebo effect. He turned his face against Connor's chest.

"Let's just nap here forever."

"I don't think Stef and Lena would appreciate that."

Jude slung his arm around Connor's waist. "Let's find out."

Connor looped both arms around Jude's waist and held him close. "Goodnight, Jude."

"Night, baby," he murmured.

It was almost easier for Jude to fall asleep the second time around.

(-.-)

Connor woke slowly, though he wasn't sure that he had ever truly gone to sleep. He knew that he'd been resting, but, even then, he had been completely aware of the weight of Jude sleeping in his arms. Connor hadn't been able to let go of that and relax completely. It had been different last night. He had been tired and drained and sleep had just taken him. He hadn't been intending to nod off next to Jude. Even now, though, knowing that Jude was there, Connor was able to calm down more than he ever thought that he would be able to. He closed his eyes and trusted Jude not to hurt him, but he trusted Jude almost entirely on that now.

And there hadn't been nightmares at all; that was what caught Connor off-guard the most. His mind was quiet, and though Connor's ex was on his mind, he didn't feel unsettled as he usually did. He wasn't scared; he didn't feel that at all. Jude shifted slightly in his arms and Connor looked down at Jude's face. Long lashes, sweep of brown hair, and cheekbones that were only slightly defined. Connor never imagined that this was the face that he would wake up to one day or the face that he would look forward to seeing, out of all of the other faces that he had ever laid his eyes on.

Connor was lucky. Connor knew that he was lucky in more ways than one. He was lucky for the way that his father had stepped up in the aftermath of his break-up. He was lucky to still have his life. He was lucky for Jude. He knew that he was more than lucky to have met a man like Jude; a man that not just tolerated his past and his quirks, but worked to understand them. Who helped Connor understand himself.

Jude was fast asleep, snoring softly, and didn't move even as Connor cuddled him closer. Connor was about to let his eyes close for the final time when he heard footsteps. Trying his best to not bother Jude, Connor propped himself up a little to peek over the back of the couch and there was Lena, her curls tied back and wearing loose lavender pyjamas.

"Long night?" she whispered.

Connor nodded, fear gripping his throat. What would she say about the two of them curled up on the couch like this? Surely it couldn't be anything good. She had no reason to believe that he and Jude had slept peacefully on the couch together, nothing else. Lena didn't look angry, though, and Connor's eyes inspected her face, looking for any of the signs. Her lips stayed pleasant and her eyes stayed soft. She wasn't mad at finding the two of them this way; nothing indicated that at all. Connor, though, was reluctant to believe it.

"Was it bad?"

"No," Connor answered. "He might be dizzy for a while."

"I'm just going to get coffee started for Stef and myself. Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you."

"Okay. You'll probably have another hour or so before we get our morning started."

"Thanks," Connor whispered.

He turned back into Jude, listening carefully as she buzzed around the kitchen. He could smell the coffee and heard the clinking of cups and then she ascended the stairs again. Connor bent his head to take a deep breath and it was then that he felt Jude very deliberately press a kiss to Connor's cheek.

"You're awake again."

"Yeah," Jude replied. "I was waiting for my mom to leave."

Connor let out a nervous chuckle. "Why?"

"Wasn't ready to be that awake."

Connor laughed again, less nervously this time. He kissed Jude's forehead and Jude made a happy sort of humming noise for the briefest moment and that small sound filled Connor with joy. Because Jude was completely happy and that made Connor feel better than anything else could have. Jude was happy and that made Connor happy.

(-.-)

Jude was planning on leaving and heading home at three. They were mostly ready to go and just finishing up a small lunch when Taylor knocked on Stef's and Lena's front door. Jude answered it and she looked like she had just woken up. Her hair was tied back in a messy ponytail and she was in a sweatshirt that she definitely hadn't had on at the bar last night and that definitely didn't look as if it fit her.

"And how are you?" Jude asked, leaning against the door.

"I'm dead. But the sex was good."

"Don't tell me you slept with Dylan."

"Ew. Number one, the boy is really, really, really gay. Number two, you kissed him first and so even if he was bi, he'd be one hundred percent, off limits." Taylor gestured him out onto the porch and shut the door behind him. "So. Sober thoughts after drunk words?"

"I love him, Taylor. I know I do. I just … can't say anything. Not now." Jude leant against the side of the house and exhaled. "I don't know what to do. I hate the feeling that I can't tell him anything because I tell him things like that. Even when I know it'll scare him. Like when I told him I liked him. Well, you were there for that."

Taylor squinted at the sun and dragged her hood over her head. "I think we both know how much you think he's worth it."

"I know he's worth it."

Taylor crossed her arms over her chest.

"So what do I do?"

Taylor stared at him and stuck her hands in her pockets, which unnerved Jude. Even if Taylor didn't always give the advice or offer solutions that Jude agreed with, she always had some sort of opinion. The fact that she was avoiding his eyes and scuffing her feet along the deck bothered him.

"Taylor?" he prompted.

She let out a long breath. "I don't know. I'll think about it when I'm not hungover and no longer smell like vanilla body glitter and Axe, okay?"

"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow when I get off work." Jude nodded, and then Taylor punched his shoulder. "What!?"

"Smile! It's a good thing to fall in love."

"Says you," Jude muttered.

"Says me?! Says you usually! Don't be so sad, Jude. It'll work out."

"Thanks, Taylor."

"And if it crashes and burns then you come and stay with me for a week and we go to a frat party every night."

In an exaggerated deadpan, Jude repeated, "Thanks, Taylor."

"Okay. I gotta go home. I'll talk to you later. Happy birthday, Jude."

Jude hugged her goodbye and went back inside. Connor was still seated at the island, quietly telling Lena about his entrepreneur project. Connor would likely never admit it aloud, but Jude got the impression that he was more comfortable in Lena's presence than with Stef's. It made sense to Jude why Connor would favour Lena, though he knew that Connor didn't dislike Stef.

"Hey, ready to go?" Jude asked.

Connor stopped mid-sentence to turn and look at him. "Yeah, if you are."

"Who was at the door?" Lena asked.

"Taylor. She just wanted to see me before we drove back."

"She didn't want to come in? I haven't seen her in a while."

"I don't think Taylor's in any shape to see anyone right now," Jude said, pretending to tip back a bottle.

Lena nodded in understanding. "Christmas, though. Make sure we see her at Christmas."

"Absolutely." Jude stepped backward and called upstairs, "Mom! Connor and I are going home now."

"One second!" Stef shouted back.

Connor slid from his seat to go and put his shoes on. As he passed by Jude, he touched his arm. "Is Taylor okay?"

"Absolutely. She … ended up in some shenanigans last night."

"Oh?"

"I don't know details, but she had fun last night," Jude said. "Sure you're ready to go?"

Connor nodded. "Oh, um, I don't want to be … annoying but w-w-when I made … dinner for you, I l-l-left something."

"Then we can stop and get it. Don't worry so much, baby."

"Thanks, Jude."

Jude and Connor had time to put their overnight bags in the car by the time that Stef had come downstairs from whatever she had been doing. She and Lena hugged them goodbye outside.

"Let us know that you get home safe," Stef said sternly.

"I always do, Mom."

"It doesn't hurt to remind you," Lena said. "Thanks for spending the weekend with us, Connor. We love having you around."

"Thank you," Connor whispered.

Jude watched as Connor hugged Lena goodbye and then shook Stef's hand, as was his habit. He held Connor's door open for him when they were ready to say goodbye and Connor slipped in, saying thank you as he went. Jude closed the door carefully, because his mothers had somehow managed to raise a gentleman.

"I guess we'll see you at Christmas," Stef said.

"Yeah. Unless I come home for a night, but it's not that far away."

"Good luck with exams," Lena said.

"Thanks! I'll see you guys later!"

"Bye, Jude."

Stef and Lena went to stand on the porch as Jude got in his car and started it up. He backed out of the driveway and Connor plugged his phone into the car to play something.

"You've been kind of quiet today."

"I haven't had much to say. I haven't been around people for that long in … years. But, you know what?"

"What?"

"I'd do it again. I had more fun than I expected to have. I like your family. Jesus is … loud and Brandon just … doesn't seem to care but Mariana is really nice. And Callie is … terrifying."

Jude laughed. "You're still scared of her?"

"Yes. But not in the same way," Connor said seriously. "But I think I like I her, Jude."

"I'm really glad. Hey, baby, where did you end up putting the candy jars?"

Connor reached down and grabbed his backpack from between his feet and pulled both jars out. He popped the tops off and wedged them into the two cup holders.

"Thanks!"

"You have a sweet tooth, Jude."

"It's a good thing that I have an indulgent boyfriend that really likes me."

"If you think it's a good thing, then I have to agree with you," Connor said.

Jude gripped the steering wheel tightly and then reached over to hold Connor's hand. Connor held him back and picked out a slow song to listen to as they drove. Jude stayed silent, knowing that Connor would want his peace after such a weekend and he was sure that Connor was looking forward to getting back to his dorm room. That just made Jude wonder what was so important at his apartment that Connor had left behind. Jude's apartment was small; he had known anything extra or anything out of place since the last time Connor had been there. The drive didn't seem that long, though by the end of it, Connor was doing nothing but staring out the window and Jude's legs were feeling stiff. He was happy to open his door and get out to stretch. He just turned to face Connor when he heard the jingle of a phone. Jude reached for his, but Connor was already talking on his own.

"Hi, Dad … Um, no. Not home yet."

Jude took his bag out of the backseat and then gestured down the hill. Connor nodded and Jude led the way down to the front door.

"I just forgot something at Jude's. I'm going home right after … Yeah. I'll text you."

Jude unlocked the door and let Connor in first. Connor stopped at the end of Jude's bed and turned to face to him, though he still had his phone pressed to his ear. Jude quickly sent a text to his

"No. It was a good weekend, Dad … But, um, I'm tired. C-c-could I just, um, call you tomorrow? … Yeah. Th-thanks … You too. Bye." Connor hung up and exhaled heavily.

"Are you okay, babe?"

"No offense, but I … want to be home."

"And we'll go as soon as we grab whatever it is you need."

"Well, it's not exactly mine." Connor looked down. "Can I leave my shoes on?"

"Sure. I don't care." Jude followed Connor into the kitchen. "So, if it's not yours, what is it?"

"I got you a birthday present," Connor admitted. "But with Callie here, I forgot to give it to you."

"Aww, you got me something?"

Connor nodded and opened the cupboard under the sink. "I know I wasn't supposed to, but it's just a little thing. I hope nothing happened to it."

"Is it alive?" Jude joked, but Connor didn't laugh back with him. "Connor?"

Connor stood up and turned around. In his hands was a small cactus, though Jude almost could have said two. In the little brown pot there were two small green lumps, so close together that they were almost morphing into the same plant, but not quite. Jude reached for the small pot, but Connor held it back for a moment.

"I, um, sort of named it. I know you liked them named … Maybe I should have let you name it."

"No, it's awesome! I've named one of yours. What'd you call him?"

"It looked more like a 'them' to me. So …" Connor spun the pot around and Jude could see he'd carefully printed the names 'Stef' and 'Lena' on the back. "I thought it was an appropriate start to your cactus family."

Connor surrendered the two little cactuses over to Jude and Jude held them up to eye-level. They weren't quiet as spiky as some that Jude knew Connor owned, but he loved them. He promptly turned around and put them on the windowsill of his tiny window so that they could catch as much sun as possible.

"I think they look perfect up there. What do you think?"

Jude didn't turn around as he heard Connor creep up behind him and then delicately take Jude's hand. "I like it. Do you like it?"

"Yes. Thank you." Jude kissed his temple. "Let's get you home, okay?"

"Okay," Connor agreed.

It was the best thing.

The chapter's title is after the song Borrow My Heart by Taylor Henderson. If you have a song that reminds you of Barefoot And Bruised and would like it to be on the playlist – and possibly a chapter title – send it in and let me know! I'd love to hear your playlist suggestions! (Chapter titles are mostly chosen via shuffle.)

So, on tumblr I'm: we are all of legend now (with dashes between every word). If you want to find my replies to anon reviews, add backslash tagged backslash anon dash replies. If you want to see anything I post about Barefoot And Bruised, go to my tumblr URL and add backslash tagged backslash barefoot dash and dash bruised dash. Punctuation is spelled out due to Fanfiction's restrictions. If you're having any trouble accessing the tumblr content please send me a pm and I can format it for you in a different way.

~TLL~