The next day Shawn took his time to get out of bed. It had been a long, emotional night and he needed some time to get his bearings.
When he did finally appear, he discovered Jon had made him pancakes. He'd left them in the oven so that they would be warm when Shawn got up.
Jon wasn't in the common area, which Shawn wasn't mad about. He grabbed a plate of the pancakes. (Chocolate chip, his favourite) and a big glass of milk, taking them over to the couch and flicking on the TV. He was part way through a movie when Jon came out, his hair still wet from his shower.
Jon busied himself in the kitchen for a minute, cleaning up, before he approached the kid, sitting down next to him.
"How you feeling?" he asked, his tone casual.
Shawn flashed him a grin. "Never been better." he said brightly.
Jon didn't say anything, just looked at the kid with a gentle look until Shawn's smile faltered and he swallowed hard. "I'm okay, Jon." he said, his tone much softer.
"Okay." Jon said, ruffling Shawn's hair affectionately. Shawn batted his hand away pretending he hated it, but he really didn't.
Jon got a serious look back on his face. "I am here though, if you feel like you need to talk about anything." Shawn flushed a little and looked down. "Thanks." he muttered. Jon decided to leave it then, he didn't want to embarrass the teen any more than he already had.
He went silent and they watched TV together for awhile until Shawn looked over at him, hesitant.
"Uh, Jon...?"
Jon turned lazily towards the teen. "Yeah?"
"With everything that happened, and since you know that I wasn't actually meaning to break the rules per say..."
Jon narrowed his eyes, but he had a smile on his face.
"If you're asking if you're still grounded, the answer is yes, you are."
Shawn sank back into the couch. He'd kind of hoped he would be let off for 'extenuating circumstances.' It was a phrase they'd learnt with Feeney that Shawn particularly liked. (Once he'd learnt how to say it properly)
Jon sighed. "I can't let you off, buddy. If I did, I would be like all the other adults in your life that say something and then go back on their word. I promised you there would be consequences if you broke the rules, so I have to stick to that."
Shawn pouted a bit, he really did want to go on that date. But he hated to admit that he understood what Jon was saying, even respected it. Plus, he knew he was getting off lightly. If Cory was late for his curfew three times, he would have been grounded for at least a week. He wasn't going to mention that to Jon though.
"Can we at least order in and watch a movie tonight?" he asked, giving Jon his best puppy eyes.
It worked. Jon tried to say no, but sighed in defeat. He knew he was meant to be punishing the kid, but he was staying home and not going to his date, plus, they sort of had a break through last night.
"Fine, but you're in bed by 11" Jon said, trying to sound stern.
Shawn grinned.
That night, as the credits rolled on their third movie of the night, Jon silently tucked a blanket over the sleeping teen and affectionately moved the hair that had fallen down his forehead into his eyes.
It was way past 11pm, but Jon had actually enjoyed spending time with the kid, laughing, and making fun of the budget horror movie Jon had chosen at the store.
Jon looked down at the peacefully sleeping teen and couldn't help a feeling of pride wash over him. For all his mistakes and obvious securities, the kid really did have a heart of gold, and Jon was becoming really proud of who he was turning into.
Leaning over and dropping a kiss on the top of the boys head, Jon headed to bed himself. Already thinking about what the next day would bring them.
But Jon felt a sense of peace, whatever came, they could handle it together.
It was dark and cold in the cell, but with no-one to post bail money, he wasn't going anywhere.
"Hey, guard! Can you tell me when I can get out of here?" he called out, to no-one in particular.
"When you post bail. If you can't, you will be released in 24 hours." Came the cold reply.
He sighed, resting his head back against the cold wall, it was going to be a long night.
"Why you wanna get out so bad?" a woman's voice drawled from the corner.
He turned to where the voice came from and laughed, a deep throaty laugh.
"It's time for me to get my boy back." Chet answered.