Chapter 19: In The Wake of the Blaze by Star
Fulton's POV
We don't speak until as we walk to our room. Once inside we change out of our suits in silence. Usually this is awkward, living together and dating and somehow managing to take things as slowly as possible, but right now we're too preoccupied to care.
"That was…" I tail off. I can't think of a single word to describe what just happened.
"Yeah," He agrees as he climbs into bed.
I give him a hopeful look. "Can I…?" I gesture at his bed. "Just to sleep."
He smiles at me.
Single beds are not designed for two. Let alone two people the size of me and Portman. But it's not uncomfortable. His arms are around me, making me feel safe. My cheek is against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He strokes my hair absently.
And it makes me wonder, how can something that feels this good be wrong?
"Poor Adam," I say.
"Poor everyone, I think."
"Yeah, but Adam shares a room with Luis who wasn't exactly supportive," I point out, drawing patterns on his arm with my fingertips.
"Adam's a lot stronger than we thought. He must have been terrified, but he still told the truth."
"Yeah." That shocked me. Portman told me that Adam said it was Guy with Charlie at the fireworks. I couldn't quite believe it was the same guy who calmly admitted he'd been with Charlie for two years. I look up at Portman. "Were you scared?"
He gives me an embarrassed smile. "Yeah."
"Sorry… maybe I should have let go of your hand."
"Did you miss the death grip I had your hand in? It would have taken a crowbar to remove it." He smiles and resumes stroking my hair. "It was a good a time as any to come out. Were you scared?"
I shrug. "I don't think I was then. I didn't really have time to be. I'm just starting to get worried about what will happen tomorrow."
"I suppose it's a good thing that they know. We don't have to worry about one of them catching on."
"Do you think rumors will start?"
"Who knows? Maybe they will, or maybe the team will be so ashamed of us they won't want to talk about it."
"Are you scared about that?"
"I don't know. Maybe not for me personally, but I am for you. And Charlie and Adam. We can take care of ourselves, but if Varsity found out it could get rough for the others."
"Great." I mumble sleepily. "Another thing to look forward to. The team could turn against us and we get kicked out, or they could put up with us and we get beaten up."
He ruffles my hair. "You worry too much."
"No, I worry just the right amount."
"Go to sleep," He tells me firmly.
I decide to comply. What else is there to do?
Portman's POV
Fulton falls asleep easily, despite the situation. I can hear his rhythmic breathing and feel his breath on my chest. I'm not even tired. If it wasn't for Fulton I'd find myself a book to read or something—yes, I can read, those of you who thought otherwise.
I wish I could read a book, maybe my mind would stray from tonight's events. Then again, who am I kidding? Tonight was huge for us.
I think tomorrow will be the real test. Everyone knows. We all know who supports us and who doesn't.
I think this will be harder on Fulton and Charlie more than anyone else. Charlie was the heart of the team, and Fulton was the gentle giant who supported everyone. Adam and I… well, I'm just a big goon with no brains, and Adam is the outcast who keeps getting taken away from us.
It will be weird tomorrow. I know that much. People will look at us differently. Start wondering if an off-hand comment means we're secretly harboring feelings for them. Freeze us out, just to make sure that we never think that any of the rest of the team is like that.
It's going to hurt whether anyone talks or not.
But for now, I've got my boyfriend in my arms, and that's ok with me.
I'll deal with tomorrow when it arrives.
Notes: I've just read a review and realized that we've kept the interest of a non-slash fan. I'm stunned (in a good way). Thanks to everyone who kept reading and reviewing. Believe me, it meant a lot to both myself and Victory. We've loved writing this, so much so that we're going to co-write again.