"Alice, have you seen my camera bag? I've looked everywhere and can't find it," called Jasper from the kitchen of the flat. Silence. "Alice!?" Jasper hollered again.

"What?" came Alice's response. "I had my headphones in, what did you want?" she yelled.

Jasper, tired of shouting, walked into the hallway and popped his head round Alice's door. Alice was sitting in her nightgown, comforter pulled round her, headphones plugged into her laptop, and listening to a new album she'd bought the other day.

Jasper repeated himself "I asked if you've seen my camera bag, the small black one with the shoulder strap. Alec and I are going out to take some photos together."

Alice stared at him blankly with one headphone still in. "You mean the bag you just described behind you on the hallway table?" she asked grinning.

Jas spun around and let out an exasperated sigh. Indeed the very camera bag he was looking for was on the table in plain view. How on earth he missed it he wasn't quite sure, but at least he'd found it.

After Jasper rushed out the door, Alice continued bopping her head to the music. She loved this new band, Twilight Moon. They were all the rage, their lead single New Dawn had been in the charts at number 1 for a week now. She sat thinking about what Jasper had told her after he saw Alec working in the café just down the street. She giggled again. Jasper could be such a fool at times, and he had such a short temper when people laughed at him. Jasper had recounted to her all that had happened, even that Alec had initially apologised which she thought was sweet of him. Jasper even told her that after he properly apologized that Alec beamed at him but never said why… she had a hunch, although she wouldn't let Jasper in on it. She'd be interested to see if he found out on his own.

Jasper glanced at his watch, he'd made himself late so he pulled his phone out his pocket and typed in a number he'd become quite familiar with. Alec's phone started ringing, the called ID showing it was Jasper, he knew exactly why Jasper was calling, he let it ring a couple of times before finally picking up.

"Alec, it's Jas. I am so sorry I'm late, but I couldn't find my camera bag." Jasper panted, he was running to try and make up for being late, but it was extremely difficult to run, breathe and hold a conversation.

"Jas, it's fine. I'm sitting in Joey's, you know that small café on the edge of The Castro. Just hurry up, you silly!" Alec replied.

"See you in a bit," Jasper replied breathless by now, and quickly hanging up the phone.

Alec sat stirring his coffee whilst Jasper flopped onto the seat across from him, breathing heavily having run from home.

"H… h… h… hey" Jas managed to pant out.

Alec looked at him with a cheeky grin. "Jas you should really watch the time and learn to put things where you can find them."

Jas sat up and replied having caught most of his breath, "I know I know, I am not sure how I missed it. It was in plain sight. I swear one of these days I am going to misplace my head," he joked.

They moved out of the café and started wondering down the road once Alec had finished his drink, and Jasper had stopped panting like a dog. Ever since they had apologised to each other, they had become good friends, although Alec hadn't yet told Jasper his secret. He knew full well what Jasper thought of him, the boner Jas had popped on his first day was rather hard not to stare at for the last bits of the lecture. Alec took the chance of silence to finally ask Jasper about that. He knew Jasper was gay from what other people had said, but Jas had never said anything to him about it.

"Jas… can I ask you a question?" Alec asked tentatively.

"Sure, shoot away" Jasper responded.

"You know when we first met? The day I came in late, soaking wet and sat next to you… you pitched a tent… Why?" Alec asked spinning round to face Jasper to be able to wink at him.

Jasper stopped dead, he hadn't realised that Alec had noticed. In fact, why was Alec looking in that area anyways? He tried to think of something to change the conversation, but failed so finally replied. "Look am I not sure what you've heard by now or what people have told you, but I'm gay. That is, I am into guys and you are really cute, and I have a thing for people with blue eyes. They just sort of melt me and trigger, well that physical response." There was an awkward silence and Jas stared at Alec. "I'm sorry, please don't let this ruin our friendship, I like hanging out with you as a friend and I can control myself now. See?" Jasper asked pointing at the lack of anything stirring in his trousers.

Alec was again beaming at him, which confused Jasper. "You still don't get it, do you?" Alec said with a wry smile before continuing to walk.

The rest of the day went by without either of them talking about what had been said earlier. They just made idle chat about the weather and the subjects of their photos, although Jasper was still puzzled about what he was missing. Alice had said something about him missing the obvious, but she could have been teasing him. He knew he could be dense at times, but he liked to think he was able to sometimes spot things and figure them out for himself.

The sun slowly sank below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the roads and buildings, and the air slowly got colder as well. Jasper shivered, "I think it is about time we head home. It's getting cold, and Alice will give me hell if I neglect her for all of the day."

Alec sighed. He had been enjoying the time and was having fun taking pictures with Jasper. Jasper was actually very good at framing his photos. Alec had seen a number of them and wanted to learn from him as well as get to know him.

"Oh… ok," Alec replied dejectedly.

Jasper noted the tone of Alec's voice. "Everything ok, Alec? You seem as if you don't want to…"

Alec replied instantly "No, no, it's fine. I was just enjoying are time together. You're really good at photography, more than you give yourself credit for, and I want to learn from the best… Anyways, it really is getting cold so we should probably start moving." Alec packed up his camera gear whilst Jasper did the same. They started walking back towards Alec's place, which was on the way to Jasper's.

They parted at Alec's door, each saying their goodbyes. Alec wanted to tell Jasper about his secret, and he wanted so much more. If only Jas knew how bad he wanted him, but the timing wasn't quite right, and Alec was enjoying teasing Jasper with his secret. However, the lust was harder to control.