Chapter 3: Telling the Fosters.
Disclaimer: For the twenty third time, I do not own the Fosters.
AN: This chapter takes place a day later, and is from Connor's POV. It will show Jonnor coming out to Jude's family one at a time.
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Connor's POV.
I jump when my alarm clock starts screeching it's evil song to alert me that it was 10:00 am. I roll over with a groan and glare at the clock as if it did my a grievous wrong. I've barely slept a week the whole night after Jude hung up. I can't believe that Jesus and Mariana were hurt! They were too nice for that. Sure Jesus is a bit snarky but that's part of his charm to be perfectly honest.
I roll out of bed with a groan, wincing as I put my weight on my injured foot. Guilt suddenly returns as all the events leading up to it returned to my mind.
God I'm an idiot.
I can almost feel Jude rolling his eyes as my thoughts start to wander into negativity.
To be honest, I have had a crush on Jude for longer than I realized myself. When I first met him, in math class almost a year ago, the first thought that flashed through my head was that he looked like he needed a hug. I remembering thinking he was cute, but dismissed the thought almost immediately. I was so intent on being straight, even though I was near certain that I wasn't.
So I said hello to him.
Introduced myself, and set us down the path towards where we stand now.
I'm an admitted homosexual, who is finally going to live his life while not sequestered in the depressing, lonely darkness of the closet... I'm out... To my family... to my friends... and Jude is my boyfriend.
I can't help but smile like a goof when I think those words or hear them spoken aloud. When the fact is acknowledged that I, Connor Alexander Stevens, am dating Jude Adams Foster. That fact that he and I get to kiss as often as we please, and nobody can stop us is a perk as well.
God, it makes me want to do back flips.
I probably would if my foot wasn't screwed up.
I crossed the room to my closet and pulled out my outfit for the day. Same as usual. Flannel shirt and jeans. I made a mental note to take my mom up on her offer for a shopping trip. I have more flannel than anything else. It's kind of silly. But Jude likes it, so I guess it's not too bad.
Once I dress I head down the stairs to the kitchen and pull a glass out of the cupboard. I extract the milk jug from the fridge and pour myself some, and I take my pain medication from its place on the counter. I pop the pills into my mouth and down the whole glass in one gulp.
A throat clears behind me. I turn around and face my dad.
I notice he looks saddened, and tired.
"What's wrong, dad?" I ask, "Did you sleep at all last night?"
He shook his head in the negative.
"What's the matter?" I ask.
He stared at my foot for a minute before looking up to make eye contact with me.
"I'm sorry, Connor." He said, "For wanting to send you to that camp."
Okay, wasn't expecting that.
"S'okay, I guess." I grumble.
"No. It's not." He said, "I did a bit of research on those places. The things they do in those places... I can't believe what I almost put you through. Exorcisms, electroconvulsive therapy... those places are fucking torture camps, and I almost sent you to one."
"Yeah. Almost being the operative word." I tell him, "It's okay, dad. It didn't happen. No use crying over spilled milk."
He looked at me funny.
"What?" I ask.
"How did you get so forgiving?" He asked, "If somebody had done that to me as a kid, I would have held a grudge forever."
"Simple." I said, "In the end, the past doesn't matter, as long as you don't repeat it. Jude's taught me that."
"You really love this kid, don't you?" He asked after a moment's hesitation.
"Yes. I do." I confirm.
He sighs.
"I'll try harder, okay?" He said, "You deserve that. You both do. Jude was right, what he said in the hospital."
"Right about what?" I asked.
"He promised that I wouldn't regret caving in and letting you two see each other. I think he might have been right."
He drew in a breath.
"I did a bit of thinking last night," He said, "After I did that research. I realized a few things, that are painful to realize."
"What?" I ask.
"You haven't changed at all." Dad said, "It's my perception of you that's changed. The only thing different from you now and you before the shooting, is that you enjoy kissing Jude in front of me out of spite at every open opportunity."
I smirk.
"It is fun to watch you squirm." I chuckle.
"And you're still a smart ass." Dad said.
'I learn from the master." I countered.
"Your mother?" He asked jokingly.
"Yep." I agree with mock seriousness.
"Ha. Boy is that the truth." Dad said.
I smile and chuckle.
"I missed this." I said, "The friendly banter."
"Ha. Yeah. So did I." Dad said.
I made a decision, and I crossed the kitchen, and I hugged my dad for the first time in months. It took him a second to shake himself out of the shock of what I was doing, but when he did, he returned the hug.
"I miss you, dad." I said quietly, "I don't want you to push me away because I'm gay."
"I'll try harder, I promise." He said, "Maybe I'll try talking to Stef and Lena. Maybe they can help me."
"It's worth a try." I agree, "I just want our relationship to get back to the way it was before."
"Me too, bud. Me too." Dad said.
"Anyway, I'm heading over to Jude's." I told him, "We're gonna tell his family we're together."
"Okay, be back by 9:30. You have school tomorrow."
I headed to the garage and got my bike, and slowly pedaled to Jude's house. My foot made it kind of difficult, but ten minutes later I arrived at the Adams Foster house. I parked my bike on the porch and knocked on the door.
Stef answered.
"Oh. Hey Connor, good to see you." She said, offering me a small smile, "Jude's upstairs."
"Thanks." I said, and headed upstairs.
I walked into Jude's room.
He didn't notice me. He was sitting on his bed, playing on his tablet. He had headphones in his ears and was bobbing his head to the music that was playing. I could barely make out the sound of electric guitars.
I walked up to the bed and flicked his shoe. He jumped and threw a kick out of reflex, hitting me in the stomach. I dropped to my knees, clutching my stomach.
"Crap. I am so sorry! I didn't mean to do that."
"What is it with you kicking me when I flick your shoe?" I wheeze jokingly.
He smiled at me, before leaning in and pecking me on the lips.
"They always say history repeats itself." He joked, "Guess they were right."
"Yeah, guess they were." I agree, "Same situation, different circumstances. What were you listening to anyway?"
"Stuff by these bands that Jesus and Brandon both like," Jude said, "My favorite's called Guns N' Roses."
I snort a loud laugh.
"You? Listening to Guns N' Roses?" I laugh, "I gotta remember to tell my dad that. That's his favorite band."
"Really?" Jude asks.
"Yeah, dude." I said, "He has every album they've ever made on vinyl, except for the new one. What was it called? Chinese something..."
"Chinese Democracy." Jude corrected.
"Yeah that. He hates that album." I said.
"It's not that bad, but it's not the best. I'll agree on that."
"Oh and he thinks that we're kissing in front of him out of spite."
"There is that, but it's also a lot of fun to do."
"Want to?"
Jude's answer was to lean in and pull me into a kiss.
"WOOOW, Okay.. uh.. didn't need to see that!"
Jude and I fly apart, and whip towards the voice to see Jesus standing in the doorway with his good hand covering his eyes.
"Have you stopped kissing yet?" He asked.
"Yes Jesus." Jude said shakily.
Jesus uncovered his eyes.
"Soooo. You guys are together now?" He asked.
"Yeah. We are." Jude confirms.
"Since when? And when did you finally admit that you're gay, Connor?" He asks.
"We've been together since the day Jude saw me in the hospital." I said, "And I came out to my dad the night I got shot."
"About fricken time, dude." Jesus said, exasperatedly, "I was about ready to lock you two in a closet and wait till you came to your senses."
"You knew?" I ask.
"Jude talks in his sleep." Jesus said with a shrug, "One night, I couldn't sleep, and I heard him say: Why did you kiss me, Connor?"
Jude blushed red.
"After that I kept an eye on the two of you." Jesus continued, "And I have to say, you two were obvious. The day before Connor got shot, when he was over, when I walked in and kicked you guys out of the room, you two were playing footsie. Not exactly subtle."
"So you don't care if I date Connor then?" Jude asked, sounding small.
Jesus' snarky exterior softened and he offer Jude a small smile.
"S'all good, little bro." He said, "As long as you're happy. That's all that matters. Oh, and Connor?"
"What?" I ask.
"You hurt my brother, you die a slow and painful death. And momma knows how to make it look like an accident." He said with a smirk. I gulp.
"Shut up Jesus. Can you send Mari and Brandon up? Tell we need to talk to them." Jude asks him, "I want to tell them next."
"Sure thing, little bro." Jesus said, "And don't worry. They'll be fine with it too. Trust me."
He exits the room and heads back down stairs.
"I know he's kind of an ass sometimes," Jude comments, "But he really is a good big brother."
"You're lucky. You've got four siblings that adore you." I tell him as Mariana and Brandon come up the stairs.
Mariana takes one look at me and runs in an hugs me.
"Hi Connor. It's good to see you again."
"You too Mariana."
"What's this about Jude?" Brandon asks, "Jesus said you wanted to talk to us. That it was important?"
"Yeah. I'm telling everybody separately."
"Telling us what?" Mariana asked.
"You remember when Jude came up to the hospital to visit me and squared off against my dad?"
They both nodded.
"When he finally let Jude in, Jude and I discussed things, and we came to a mutual decision." I start.
"We both realized that we have feelings for each other," Jude continues, "Feelings that aren't platonic."
"So, we decided in the hospital," I said, "We decided that we were gonna give a relationship with each other a try."
Mariana gasped.
"You mean? You and Connor are boyfriends now?" She asked.
We nodded. She squealed in delight and hugged us both.
"When did this start?" Brandon asked.
"Technically it started on the camping trip when Connor kissed me in the tent." Jude said.
"Really, it started when I painted my nails in Jude's defense." I interjected.
"Aww. You two are too cute." Mariana said sweetly, "I'm glad. You two are perfect for each other."
"But if you hurt him Connor, you die a horrible death." Brandon said seriously, "You'd be amazed what I can do with piano wire and a car battery."
"Jesus already threatened him, Brandon." Jude deadpanned.
"Oh. Okay good. Never mind then." Brandon said, "Who else do you have to tell?"
"Stef is the last one." I tell them.
"Okay, we'll send her up next."
They made a quick exit, and Stef was soon heading up the stairs.
"You summoned me, boys?" She joked.
"Yeah, we have something to tell you momma."
"Okay, what is it honey?" Stef asked.
"You remember how I went up to the hospital the other day?" Jude asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"We talked a lot during that visit. Figured a lot of things out." I said.
"Connor and I have decided that we want to date each other." Jude told her.
"Oh sweetheart that's great!" She squealed, wrapping us both in a tight hug, "Who else knows?"
"Everybody that matters." I said, "You and Lena. Callie, Jesus, Brandon, and Mariana. My mom and dad. My best friends on the baseball team. Taylor and Daria."
"Tomorrow, we're going back to school." Jude said, "We've decided that we aren't going to hide it. We're gonna be open about it."
"Are you sure about this?" She asked.
"We're sure." I confirm, "Jude deserves better than to be a secret. I promised him that I wouldn't hide my feelings for him. I'm not gonna go back on that promise."
"We're gonna act like every other couple." Jude adds, "We have Connor's team at our backs, Taylor and Daria have declared themselves to be our hags. We don't know what that means, but I think it's a good thing."
"Hag is slang," Stef said, "It's just a straight woman who spends a lot of time with gay people."
"Oh. Sounds about right then." I said.
"I'm happy for you boys." Stef said, "But be careful. I don't want either of you getting hurt."
"Dad's worried about that too." I tell her, "Oh by the way, be expecting a call from him sometime. He's trying to come to terms with my being gay, and he thinks talking to you and Lena might help with it."
"Of course. Tell him we're here for him if he needs to talk." Stef agrees. "Is that all you guys wanted?"
We nod.
"I'm gonna go help Lena with lunch." She said, and made her exit.
I turn back to Jude and pull him into another kiss. He responds immediately, and it suddenly feels very hot in his room.
It lasts for ten full minutes. Ten minutes of bliss. He pulls away first, and his hair is tussled from where my hands raked through it. His lip is swollen, as well.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to how good it feels to kiss you." I say lightly.
He laughs at me with a smile.
"Sap."
I give him a playful shove.
"I'm glad we decided to be boyfriends." Jude said.
"So am I, Jude. So am I."
I pull him into a hug, and he rests his head in the crook of my neck. I lean my back against his bed and he snuggles into my side. I feel my eyes start to get heavy. I wrap my arm around him, and we both drift off to sleep.
That's where the rest of the family found us when they came to fetch us for lunch. They made sure to take a picture before waking us up.
As we all sat at the table, eating and chatting, I couldn't remember the last time I had felt happiness like this.
Tomorrow was a new day, though. One that Jude and I would face together, with the help of our friends. I didn't care if there would be obstacles, people who wouldn't get in our way, who would say things to us. I was done hiding.
Anybody who had a problem with that didn't stand a snowballs chance in hell.