"Sy?"
"Jim!"
A pair of arms wrapped around Jim's chest, locking the two boys together. Jim set a hand on the back of Sy's head, tucking him in just a little closer. It felt good to finally hold him. Closing his eyes, Jim allowed himself to take a moment just to feel.
Sy's breath was slow and even, his whole body relaxed. The back of his jacket was damp, likely with sweat. His fingers pressed against Jim's spine where he'd grabbed onto Jim's jacket. Everything felt right.
"So," reluctantly Jim released his boyfriend and took a half step back, just enough to see his face. "The astronomy room? Bit of an odd choice to meet up. What's going on?"
Sy blushed hard, his usually pale face flaming red. He ducked his head with an embarrassed sort of grimace. "Sorry. I just knew it wasn't in use tonight. And it's close to all the flight classrooms, so it wouldn't matter which one you were in."
Jim shrugged it off. "Makes sense to me. But why the secrecy?"
Sy drew in a deep breath. He looked up, meeting Jim's eyes. "I felt I owed you an explanation for my behavior today."
"It's Zephyr." Jim didn't need confirmation on what had changed. He just didn't fully understand why. "Does this have to do with your parents?"
Sy nodded. "He knows them. If he finds out we're dating, I know he'll tell them. Please, Jim, this is important to me. You're important to me. I just can't have him finding out we're dating. He wasn't supposed to become involved in this group. I thought Braxton would be more than enough to keep him away, but…"
Jim laughed. "But instead Braxton is why he's here. Yeah, he's looked pretty displeased with it, too. I promise, we'll be careful. Just tell me what has to change. Are you going to start sleeping in your room again?"
"I, oh." Sy hesitated as he mulled over the question. "I hadn't planned on it." When he finally replied, his answer was slow and thoughtful. "But I suppose that might be a good suggestion if he gets suspicious. I'd rather stay with you, though. I've liked being near you at night."
"Good," Jim couldn't keep his relief out of his voice. "I didn't want you to go."
Sy smiled. "I don't want to go."
"Alright then. It's settled. You'll go nowhere. Just tell me what you need to have happen."
"We need to go to Braxton's room tonight." Sy answered seriously.
Jim couldn't help himself. "I thought we just established you're sleeping in my room, now you want to go to Braxton? What kind of boyfriend are you?"
"Jim!" Sy started laughing all the same. "You're horrible! We're not having sleepovers in Braxton's room, I just want to talk to everyone about it tonight, and Zephyr will leave for the evening if Braxton stays in his room. You're so mean to me!"
"Only 'cause you're cute when you laugh." Jim stole a kiss before refocusing himself. Trying to be as serious as he could be for Sy, he leaned back against a nearby desk and planted his hands behind himself. It was easier not to get distracted holding his boyfriend if his hands were supporting his weight.
"So." Jim drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "We'll convince everyone to hang out in Braxton's room tonight. You are in charge of dismissing Zephyr, so it doesn't seem like we're trying to get rid of him, and he doesn't get suspicious. After he's gone, I guess you'll take center stage?"
Sy nodded. "I think that will be the best way to handle it. I don't want to send a message about this to everyone, I feel like they deserve to be told in person. I'm sorry I avoided you at lunch, I just thought that it was less likely to slip out if I wasn't there today."
"I knew you were avoiding me!" Jim stuck his lip out in an exaggerated pout. "Do you have any idea how abandoned and unloved I felt?"
"Oh I am so sorry," Sy responded sarcastically. "How could I ever do such a thing?"
It only took two steps for Sy to be close to Jim once again. He wrapped his arms around Jim's neck, a little, mischievous smile on his lips. "How shall I ever make you forgive me?"
"You can't. There is nothing in this whole world that can possibly make amends for your grievous infraction."
Sy kissed him.
"That will do."
Pulling him closer, Jim bent his head so he could kiss his boyfriend again. Sure, being avoided today had stung a little, but how could he complain when this was the apology he got? And he understood why Sy had made the decision he did, even if he had disagreed with how Sy had handled it.
A rumble from Sy's stomach interrupted their kisses. Blushing deeply, Sy pulled away. "I'm sorry."
"That might be the first time your stomach has complained before mine." Jim teased, hoping to set him at ease.
"I didn't really eat at lunch." The confession was not at all what Jim had expected Sy to respond with.
"What?"
"I was too nervous," Sy continued, "I couldn't focus on much of anything, really. I told everyone at the table what was going on, and they did their best to reassure me, but I felt like I spent the entire meal staring at Zephyr and praying no one said anything to him."
"I hadn't even noticed. Sy, I'm so sorry. I would have done anything I could have to reassure you if I'd known. Come on, let's get to dinner. You've got to be starving by now. Don't you ever skip a meal again!"
"Yes sir." Sy answered with a smile. "It won't happen again."
"It better not, soldier," Jim shot back. He was glad to hear Sy joking again. "A fed soldier is a healthy soldier. And a healthy soldier is a useful soldier. So you'd better be sure you're useful!"
"Sir yes sir." Sy leaned in to kiss Jim one final time. "Thank you, truly, for everything. I promise to do a better job communicating with you from now on."
Jim took Sy's hand and squeezed gently. "I trust you."