A/N: Ack, I suck. D: Again. Nothing like a take-home exam on scientific theories or whatever to completely ruin my writing time and motivations. This chapter was difficult, and ended up being mostly dialogue. D: It's also short, unfortunately, but I'm trying to get better with the length. (;

Lots of thanks to Aeolus, Gryphon124, BiccaBoo, Shy FX and Burnt-Pidgeons for the feedback. I'm glad y'all enjoy it. (: Do continue letting me know what you like or don't like, it helps me lots.

Two Steps Forwards, Five Steps Back

Chapter Five

by sugar. coated

Jubilee ambushes Bobby directly after a Danger Room session, drags him off to one of the dead ends among the corridors in the underground levels. Bobby has no idea why, he's tired and sweaty, and really just want to take a shower and then spend some quality-time with some self-pity and possibly chocolate in his room. Roberto visibly avoided him again today, and no matter how often that happens, it still hurts Bobby each time.

Boys need chocolate too, his brain mournfully exclaims, for once in agreement with the rest of his body. He looks at Jubilee, who's bouncy and taking time to inform him just why she's keeping him from his much wanted (and likely needed) shower.

"So, um," Jubilee finally giggles, "do ya wanna go to the movies with me or somesuch?"

"What, like, a date?" Bobby wonders as his brain goes 'bwuah?'. Jubilee giggles some more.

"Yeah, silly, of course like a date. We could even go eat someplace before if you wanna."

"Er," Bobby starts. Blinks twice. He very much did not see this coming. "Look, Jubes, I like you, you're funny and nice and everything," he continues, rambling, and Jubilee gives him an uncertain smile. Bobby goes silent; he knows he should tell her now, instead of possibly giving her false hope.

"I'm gay," he finally blurts out (and it's the first time he's actually said it out loud).

Jubilee gives him a shocked look. Bobby blinks.

"Whoa, really?" she asks (suspicious). "But. . . I thought you liked me."

"Oh, I do like you," Bobby says. Quickly adds "as a friend".

"But you flirted with me and stuff," Jubilee complains, then narrows her eyes at him, "didn't you?"

"No?" It comes out sounding more like a question, but can't remember flirting with her, and is trying to figure out what he's done that might have been seen as such.

"Oh, never mind," she sighs, dejected. Bobby frowns and wonders if Roberto felt as bad when turning him down. In a way he hopes so.

"You know, we could go out anyway," he offers, "in that friends kinda way."

"I s'pose I could ask someone else out on an actual date," Jubilee pouts. "Maybe Ray, he's cute."

"And straight," Bobby notes, almost adds 'he smells nice too'.

"He's got silly hair though."

"Apparently it's a voluntary thing, he thinks it's cool or something."

"Really?" Jubilee gives him an incredulous look.

"Yeah," Bobby grins slightly, "I know."

"Well, it is kinda cool," Jubilee admits.

"It looks like he had a run-in with a possessed lawnmower or something."

"Whatever," Jubilee dismissed his opinion on hair. "In any case, Roberto's cute too."

Bobby scowls.

"Rahne's interested in him though," she continues and Bobby pouts, mutters something non-committal. Jubilee grins, shark-like.

"Don't you think Roberto's cute? You do, I bet you do. What, you've got a crush on him?"

Bobby blushes darkly, he can feel it, and Jubilee snickers, for some reason delighted by the idea (or just Bobby's embarrassment).

"Don't tell anyone," Bobby whines, and she pats his shoulder.

"Don't worry, your big gay crush is safe with me." She definitely seems more cheerful now that she knows that Bobby's miserable in the love area as well. "Does Roberto know?" Bobby mutters something again, not even sure himself what he's saying. Jubilee appears to take it as an affirmative though.

"Aw, Bobster, let's go out for a coffee and discuss our failed crushes," she grins, taking hold of his hand and dragging off with him again. Bobby blinks, not quite sure what just happened and how exactly he got moved so quickly from a crush to someone to gossip with.

"I need a shower," he protests, not knowing what else to do.

"Nah, what you need is chocolate," Jubilee states with certainty (apparently immune to the smell of sweaty teenage boy), and Bobby very much agrees with that.

TBC