A/N- Thanks to my reviewers. Keep reviewing and the faster I'll post. I heart you all.

These Days

Chapter 3-Dee, Parents, and Sunshine

Bouncing up and down on his tiptoes, JJ struggled to pull down the photo albums stuck up at the top of the closet. He hit them forcefully and they came tumbling down on top of him. He yelped as one landed on top of his foot. He cursed loudly.

JJ kicked the book across the room. He picked up two other albums and carried them to the bed. He pushed aside the blue one and opened the red in front of him. The first pictures were of a baby. JJ squinted to see if he could see any resemblance. Nope.

He turned the page and was faced with more pictures of the same baby, some including the parents. JJ slid one of the photos out of holder and turned it over. On the back, it read, "Drake Bailey Parker, 1 mo."

"Awwww." JJ looked at the image again. "He was sooo cute!" The cat Drake got for them jumped up curiously and watched its owner scan over the photos.

The picture was replaced and the page was turned. Picture after picture was of Drake growing up and his family. JJ would stop to study one picture to giggle or 'aww.' The red album contained pictures of Drake as a baby up to thirteen years. He shut that photo album and brought the blue one forth.

Drake was much older now, all in his teens. There were pictures of his friends and family. To JJ, Drake seemed like a rebel. He was scruffy and looked like he always just climbed out of bed. JJ thought it was a very attractive look. His friends seemed tough and cool like him.

"All football jocks," JJ guessed. He laughed when a few pages down, Drake and his friends sported jerseys with their numbers. "Ha! I was right."

Some other photos Drake was with multiple girls. JJ giggled at one where it was obvious Drake was not pleased to be next to some brunette. There was also a petite, blonde girl that appeared in several pictures. JJ read the back of one to find out the name of the blonde. JJ discovered her name was Missy Tamblin.

JJ finished off that album. His mind was reeling with questions and he couldn't wait to ask Drake, who was currently out shopping for some new clothes. He decided to flip through the albums again and pull out the photos he was most curious with and stack them in a pile.

"Alo."

JJ jumped. "Goddammit. Don't sneak up on me like that." JJ eyed the man warily. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, you know. Chillin." Dee slumped against the doorframe. "Just wanted to see this big rock Drake was boasting about getting you." JJ smiled and held out his left hand. Dee whistled loudly. "Damn."

"Well, when you're loved…"

Dee raised an eyebrow. "Drake makes me look bad. You two have only been together a year. I've been with Ryo almost eight years and haven't gotten him anything like that."

"Maybe you should," JJ suggested.

"I would, but I can't."

"Why not?"

"No money. The little I have saved goes to finishing the apartment."

JJ recommended, "I think you should start saving now and then get the perfect one for your tenth anniversary."

Dee seemed to ponder this. "That's a great idea." He pointed at the pictures spread out on the bed. "Organizing?"

"No. Browsing through Drake's."

"Oh really?" Dee walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He picked up one in a pile. "Is this Drake?"

JJ peered at the photo. It was a ten-year-old Drake covered in mud and sticking his finger up his nose. "Yep."

"Haha. What a 'tard."

JJ grinned and shifted through the pile. He pulled out the one with Drake and Missy. "Do you know anything about her?" JJ asked.

Dee studied the image. "Nope."

"Ever heard of a girl named Missy?"

Dee's eyes widened. "Oh? That's Missy?"

"Then you've heard of her."

"Yeah. Didn't Drake tell you?"

JJ's eyebrows furrowed. "Tell me what?"

"That Missy is the girl Drake lost his virginity to."

JJ stuck out his tongue. "Blech." He personally thought the girl was a little too boney and busty. Dee laughed at him.

"Remember to ask Drake about the whole story. It's hilarious," Dee said.

JJ heard a door creak open and footsteps. "Speaking of the devil…"

Drake poked his head through the doorway. He stopped when he saw his two friends on the bed together. "Not interrupting anything am I?"

Dee stood up. "Nope. We're all done." He winked at JJ and cackled at the bewildered man in the doorway. Drake narrowed his eyes to slits.

"Get out," Drake murmured. The other two men weren't sure whether or not he was serious.

"I am," Dee replied. "Just wanted to see the ring."

As he passed Drake, he whispered, "Don't be such a dick."

Drake growled in his throat ready to come back with a witty reply. But the other man was out the door before he could.

JJ noticed how tense his lover and Dee have been lately. Aside from the revelation months ago, Drake seemed to accept it as the past. But something strange has been going on between the two.

"What was he really doing here?" Drake sneered.

"Just what he said," JJ replied coolly. "He came to see the ring you got me."

"Uh huh. Sure."

"What the hell has got your balls in a twist?" JJ asked hotly.

"Nothing." Drake stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door fiercely.

JJ sprang up from the bed and pounded on the door. "Don't you dare ignore me!" he yelled. The only response was the water running. He trudged away angrily and flopped down on the bed after shoving the pictures back. He had to wonder what Drake had been doing that day. He returned with no bags. He waited until Drake finally reappeared, in no better of a mood. Drake walked around wet and a towel hanging around his waist. At any other moment, JJ would pounce on him. But the anger overrode the lust.

"What's wrong?" JJ asked forcefully.

"Nothing," Drake responded.

"Yeah, sure. And my name is Bob."

"Well, then hi Bob," Drake said with a smartass tone.

JJ thumped his head on the bed. "Please, Drake," he pleaded. He heard his lover sigh.

With his back to the bed, Drake said, "It's just not a good day."

"Uh huh. And why?"

"I had to meet someone today."

JJ groaned. "Please tell me it wasn't--"

"No. It was my parents."

JJ's eyes widened. "What do you mean? They're in town?"

"Yep. And all because Dee couldn't keep his big mouth shut." A storm of apprehension overwhelmed JJ. He had feared for this day for an entire year. JJ hoped he wouldn't have to meet them. "And thanks to him," Drake continued, "They've come and want to meet you."

JJ's face fell. His fears have come true.

The time passed too quickly and JJ was sad for that fact. He was getting ready for the big dinner where Drake would introduce him to the family once more. Only this time, it was under totally different circumstances. Drake somehow dragged JJ to the restaurant where they were supposed to meet. JJ wanted to curl up in a ball and hide.

Entering the restaurant seemed to be the most horrifying experience JJ had ever gone through. His heart was pumping loudly, sweat was running down his back and he was trembling. He really had no idea why he was so nervous. It was only his lover's parents whom Drake had talked highly of. But JJ felt that they wouldn't think highly of him.

"They're over there," Drake mentioned, pointing in a corner where two people were seated. JJ recognized them from the wedding-- minus their shocked faces afterwards. Both Shirley and David looked at him with blank faces. If JJ thought walking into the restaurant was bad, this was ten times worse. Drake's father stood up when they reached the table. He clapped his son on the back and turned to JJ.

"We've met briefly," he said. He extended his hand and JJ took it. It was one hard handshake. That proved to JJ, Drake's dad didn't like him at all. His mother was the complete opposite. Her handshake was limp and she seemed she'd rather touch a snake. She didn't say anything.

JJ already felt unwelcome in the first minute. This was going to be one hell of a night.

Drake tried making small talk while they waited for the waitress. No one wanted to talk. Awkward. Drake shut up quickly. They stiffly ordered their meals and drinks when the waitress came. That was the most talk since they got there.

JJ fiddled with his fork and kept his eyes down. He wished for this night to end. JJ ran his left hand through his hair, like he always did when he was nervous.

"What is that?" piped up Shirley suddenly.

JJ looked at her oddly. "What?"

She pointed at his hand, her eyes wide. "On your finger."

JJ held his left hand out. "Oh. It's a ring."

She gazed at her son. "From you?" Drake nodded. "Oh." She fell back into silence. According to her face, she wasn't pleased.

Strike three and you're out. JJ felt sick. He knew he would never get their acceptance.

JJ almost jumped out of his seat when a hand began sliding up his thigh, not enticing but assuring. JJ dropped his own hand and laced their fingers together.

"So…" Drake's father began, tapping his fingers on the table. "How's work been going?"

"Same as ever," Drake responded.

"That's good."

"Uh huh." Drake scratched his head. In an unexpected outburst, he blurted, "Would you just fucking say something already!"

His mother was taken aback. "What do you want us to say?"

"What you're feeling."

JJ wished he hadn't suggested that. He didn't want to hear how much they hated him or how much a disgrace he is.

"We don't know what to think," David responded. "It's a lot to take in."

Drake raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"We have to get used to this idea of you being…"

Drake snorted. "Obviously." His eyes widened. "Oh. I'll be right back." He bolted from the table before anyone could object. JJ started to sweat. He could feel two pairs of eyes staring at him.

"You're very handsome." JJ slowly lifted his eyes and saw Shirley smiling gently. "I mean it," she said. "You are quite the looker."

JJ blushed. "Thank you."

Shirley smiled wider. "I can see why Drake flocked to you." JJ felt himself burning from embarrassment.

"Stop flattering him, Shirley," David interjected. She sighed at him. He continued, "Look, we both know we're not thrilled about his." He looked at JJ. "It's not personally about you-- we really don't even know you, it's just…"

"I know," JJ said. "You want the best for your son and you think I'm not it." They didn't respond, but their expressions betrayed them. "I know you want Drake to live a normal life: get married, have kids. And you think I can't give it to him. But there is one problem. Drake doesn't want that. And also, I'm not leaving." JJ realized that Drake had returned long ago to hear his entire spiel. He sported a large grin.

Much to his parents and table neighbors surprise, he laid a sloppy kiss onto JJ's lips. JJ's heart fluttered, his lover had never been that open in public. There were whispers and mumbles coming from the other tables. But Drake swung an arm around JJ's shoulders and sat down. His parents were dumbstruck.

"Well that was an eventful evening…" Drake muttered as he was sliding under the covers in bed.

JJ didn't reply and continued to write in his notebook/journal. He had been taught to write things down when something was bothering him, so he always did. And it worked. JJ was writing of the 'eventful' evening. But he was so frustrated, he kept messing up his thoughts.

"What cha writing about, Sunshine?" Drake asked, trying to peer over.

"Nothing." JJ ripped the piece of paper out and tore it into a bunch of tiny pieces. He threw the remains into the trash. Quickly, he climbed into bed and switched off the light.

"Okay then…"