Hi everyone, it's Pandora :) For her birthday Holly requested the next instalment of our Pliroy uni AU with JJ becoming jealous over Yuri and this is what I wrote her - I hope you like it!
Call it denial, stubbornness or whatever else, but when Yuri saw that he had a group project for one of his assignments for Oral Historical Traditions, he pushed the idea from his mind. As such, when the time for the group assignment comes around, Yuri is aghast and complains about it to anyone who will listen (usually JJ). In Yuri's mind, group projects are nothing but a chance for losers to take credit for someone else's hard work and leech off their grade to inflate their own, and what the fuck is even the point of a group project on a final year history course anyway?! Though he emails his professor assuring her that he can handle multiple elements of the assignment alone, the response comes back that no exception will be made for him and he'll have to take part in the group project if he wants a passing grade. Thus, armed with a scowl and a promise from JJ to help him feel better later, Yuri heads to class to find out who he'll have to put up with for the next month.
To his surprise, when the groups are read out, Yuri finds he has only been partnered with one person: a guy called Jack. Having not really spent much time with anyone else on his course, Yuri has no idea what to expect, but with only one other person to deal with perhaps this will be less painful for him. After class, he approaches Jack—a tall guy with floppy dark hair and high cheekbones—to make it clear exactly how this is going to go.
"Hey," he greets him, unsure if he's ever actually spoken to Jack before (he feels like he'd remember someone so good-looking). "Just so you know, this project is going to be fucking spectacular and if it's not I'm not standing up for your lazy ass in my project reflection."
Jack pauses briefly before giving an amused snort. "Sure thing. Luckily for you I already did a breakdown of the project and got the books we need on hold at the library before everyone else checks them out. I wasn't going to let anyone ruin my chance of a good grade on this." When Yuri doesn't reply—unsure what to say—Jack adds, "Are you busy now? We could go pick them up and make a start."
Despite himself, Yuri gives Jack a half smile. "Sure, let's go."
When Yuri emerges from the library and spots him, JJ grins.
"Sorry," says Yuri as he catches up to him. "Got busy with project planning."
"Did you whip them all into shape?" JJ asks, putting an arm around Yuri's shoulders and kissing him on the forehead.
He expects Yuri's face to darken and a fresh torrent of complaints but instead Yuri smiles. "Actually it's just me and this guy Jack and he actually gets how to collaborate."
"Oh wow, really?"
"Yep," nods Yuri. "Apparently he emailed the tutor about wanting to do the assignment solo too."
"Do you think that's why you got paired up?" suggests JJ.
"Jack thinks so," grins Yuri. "This might be the first group project that I actually enjoy and don't want to commit murder after."
JJ laughs. "Well I'm proud of you babe."
"For not killing anyone?"
"For finally making a friend."
Yuri aims a punch at him that JJ dodges with a laugh.
Really, JJ is pleased that Yuri has made a friend on his course: it's all well and good keeping your head down and getting on with work, but JJ's always found it far more fun to make connections with others. It certainly seems to be helping Yuri with his studies too: he's excited to work on the assignment with Jack and soon the two of them start to arrange regular meet ups to research, plan and write their project. Often when he returns from the sessions he's cheerful and buoyant—previously when he's had group projects he's been morose at best and homicidal at worst so the change cheers JJ. A happy Yuri is far better than an angry Yuri after all.
JJ is happy to help however he can—he gets occasional texts letting him know Yuri will be delayed meeting up or asking if they can meet outside the campus library and each time he agrees readily: it's no big deal after all and it's only for now.
When he hears Bella arrive home from work one evening, he calls out to her in greeting. A moment later, she appears in the living room doorway.
"Why are you here?" she asks.
JJ looks up from his book, raising an eyebrow at her. "Well I do live here."
"I don't mean like that," says Bella. "Tonight's date night—why aren't you sucking face with your blond twink?"
Shrugging, JJ says, "Yuri's busy so we're meeting up tomorrow night instead." When Bella says nothing and frowns, he asks, "What?"
"You guys never miss date night," she points out. "Remember that time when you had food poisoning and he was pissed you had to cancel?"
Again, JJ shrugs. "It's no big deal, he's got a problem with the project he needs to fix."
"So he's with that other guy?" she asks.
"Yeah," nods JJ. When Bella's look of consternation grows, JJ rolls his eyes. "Don't look at me with that tone of voice."
"I'm not saying anything," says Bella with mock innocence.
"Your face says plenty," JJ grumbles. "You're just bored and being a gremlin because all your usual fuck buddies are busy or away."
That makes Bella pout. "Rude."
"Shut it then," says JJ firmly, going back to his book. He hears Bella scoff and huff away to her room but ignores her, frowning down at the page in front of him. Missing one date night doesn't mean anything and he's glad to be able to support Yuri, even if he would admittedly have preferred to spend this evening with him.
After a couple of weeks however, even JJ—who's always been teased for being endlessly patient—starts to grow sick of rain checks and apologetic texts. It feels as though Yuri spends all his time with Jack and a lot of the rest of the time telling JJ about him. JJ swears he knows everything about Jack—and all against his will. As pleased as he was for Yuri to have someone on his course who he got on with, the feeling has decidedly soured, not least because he can't remember the last time he's been able to spend any real time with his boyfriend. Sure, Yuri still sleeps over (or JJ goes to his) but never before has their time together felt so rushed and for that alone JJ has to admit he's beginning to harbour some resentment. The feeling only grows worse one evening after another rain checked date when Bella points out that Jack (or at least a form of it) is part of JJ's own name and how funny the coincidence is—apparently since he called her out on being a pain previously she's decided to be as big a pain as possible. JJ irritably goes to bed early that night to read—since Yuri's project started his TBR pile has taken a pummelling.
Eventually the day comes when Yuri and Jack hand in their project—JJ waits by Yuri's favourite campus coffee shop for him, excited to finally have his boyfriend back. When Yuri appears out of the crowd and gives him a grin, JJ swears he feels his heart skip a beat.
"Hey stranger," JJ says as Yuri reaches him. "You all done?"
"Yep," nods Yuri. "That's going down in history as the best group project ever."
"So modest," chuckles JJ.
"Seriously, some of the stuff Jack suggested was fucking monumental," says Yuri.
"Right," JJ says, trying not to visibly cringe at hearing Jack's name yet again. Instead of dwelling he asks, "So how do you want to celebrate?"
Yuri pauses thoughtfully, clearly pondering his options. "Can we go out? Like dancing and shit? I feel like I've done nothing but type and research all month."
"Yeah, of course," nods JJ.
"Also..." Yuri steps closer, going up on his toes to kiss JJ. "Thank you for putting up with me all this month. I know it's been a pain."
"You know I'll always support you getting the grades you want," says JJ diplomatically.
"You're the best," Yuri beams. "I'll make it all up to you."
Again JJ's heart skips. "Can't wait."
The club is a flurry of sound and movement, dazzling lights bouncing off dancing bodies sheened in sweat. Alcohol wafts on the air and the beat of the music thumps in JJ's chest, helping loosen the knot that's been there over the past month. Dancing with Yuri lifts a weight from his shoulders, Yuri's enrapturing gaze and stunning smile drawing him in; all at once the distance of the past weeks vanishes. Eventually he grows hot and thirsty and (with a swift kiss for Yuri) leaves the dancefloor in search of water. As he sips from the plastic cup, JJ feels someone beside him and turns to see Bella with a drink in one hand.
"Evening," she smiles. "You look happy."
JJ nods. "Yuri's project is done so we're out celebrating."
"Oh of course," says Bella, glancing out to the crowd where Yuri is still dancing. "I thought you looked less constipated."
"Nothing you can say can make me sad right now," insists JJ.
Bella raises an eyebrow at him, nodding out to the dancefloor. "What about him?"
Following her gaze, JJ looks back at Yuri—and at the handsome guy approaching him through the dancing crowd to tap him on the shoulder. JJ is no stranger to people hitting on his boyfriend—Yuri is objectively gorgeous after all—and he waits for Yuri to dismiss the guy as usual. When Yuri instead grins and leans in to talk to him, not even shrugging the hand from his shoulder, JJ's stomach lurches.
"Who the hell is that?" he asks, a foreboding feeling growing inside him.
Bella gives an incredulous snort. "Some jealous boyfriend you are—that's Jack."
Ice drops into JJ's stomach but he frowns. "I'm not jealous."
"Okay, tell your face then," says Bella. As they watch, Jack says something and Yuri laughs, his nose crinkling in a way only JJ normally gets to see. Stirring her drink with her straw, Bella says, "I don't blame you though—he's hot."
JJ's eyes narrow. "Only in a really obvious way."
Bella cackles. "Is there a better way?" When JJ doesn't answer, she adds, "They look awfully cosy though, don't they? He's looking at Yuri like he's the only guy in the world."
The plastic cup in JJ's hand crumples and cracks, spilling water over his fingers, though he scarcely notices: Yuri gives Jack another grin before starting to weave through the crowd towards JJ. As Yuri escapes the dancefloor, JJ makes his way over to him.
"Hey you, co—"
Yuri's words vanish as JJ kisses him deeply, fiercely, all the frustration of the past month giving the kiss a fervour that sets both their blood alight. The club around them blurs, the sound seeming to fade out, and Yuri's fingers clutch at JJ's jacket as his knees weaken at the insistent swipe of JJ's tongue. By the time they part, panting for breath, Yuri's eyes are glazed and JJ can feel his hands trembling on his chest.
"Let's go," he says, barely giving Yuri time for a breathless 'okay' before taking his hand and leading the way.
Club toilets are never overly romantic; fortunately for JJ these ones are relatively clean and there's no attendant to bear any kind of witness. Furiously kissing once more, the two of them find their way into a cubicle and lock the door before JJ presses Yuri against it. Pure instinct guides his hands possessively to Yuri's hips, heart racing with a beat of mine, mine, mine. Yuri's hands are in his hair now, fingers tugging on the longer parts and sliding over the shorter, seeming to scrabble for purchase when JJ rolls their hips together. A strangled gasp escapes Yuri's lips, breaking the kiss, and his back arches to chase the feeling.
"JJ," he breathes, a moan catching on his tongue as JJ continues to grind their hips together, lips finding their way down the side of Yuri's throat. A savage blaze of satisfaction lights in JJ's chest as Yuri moans his name again, his body trembling in JJ's arms. "Fuck!"
JJ lets his teeth graze over the spot where he can feel Yuri's pulse skittering under his skin. "What do you want?"
"You," Yuri says on a whine almost before JJ has finished asking.
With a soft laugh, JJ slides one hand down Yuri's chest, down his stomach to his jeans, where he presses his palm over Yuri's crotch to a fresh whine. "So hard for me."
"Please JJ!" Yuri begs, his face flushed and hips twitching into JJ's touch. The sight stokes the satisfied flame in JJ's chest as he takes pity on Yuri and unbuttons his tight jeans. A sigh of relief passes Yuri's lips but it's short lived when JJ wraps his hand around his cock. Yuri's grip on JJ's shoulders tightens and he whimpers in JJ's ear, trembling against him as JJ starts to stroke. "Sh... shit!"
"You're so fucking pretty kitten," JJ murmurs in his ear, knowing just the tone to make Yuri melt. "And all mine."
The words feel satisfying on JJ's lips, especially as they send a fresh shiver through Yuri, coaxing a gasp to catch in his throat. His cock twitches in JJ's grip, a mewl escaping him when JJ starts to tease his thumb over the head on each upward stroke. As Yuri holds back more desperate whimpers, JJ can tell his teeth are clenched, hands in danger of ripping JJ's jacket where they're similarly clenched in the fabric. The beat of music from the dancefloor pounds distantly but neither of them pays it any attention, tangled together as they are; all JJ can hear is the gorgeous way Yuri's moans hitch in need and his own racing heartbeat. When he squeezes a little harder, Yuri gasps, back arching.
"Fucking shit, JJ!" he almost sobs.
JJ smirks. "You close, kitten?"
Yuri shivers against him, just about gasping out a 'yes' between ragged breaths and moans.
"You going to come for me?" JJ asks him, stroking steadily to drive him wild. "Going to make a mess of yourself all for me?"
"JJ!" Yuri grabs the back of JJ's hair, tugging him into a hard kiss to muffle his cry as he comes. His lips tremble against JJ's and his fingers twist painfully in JJ's hair. As Yuri comes down from his high, his grip eventually loosens and he slowly lowers his weight back down onto his heels, knees still shaking.
JJ presses their foreheads together before grabbing a handful of toilet paper and starting to clean up. When they've finished and Yuri has fixed his clothes, JJ expects they'll go back out to the dancefloor but Yuri makes no move to open the cubicle door, instead looking up to meet JJ's gaze with those dazzling green eyes.
"So what was that about?" he asks.
JJ's heart jumps like he missed a step going downstairs. "Wh... what do you mean?"
Yuri raises an eyebrow at him. "Something's bothering you—what is it?"
"It's..." JJ hesitates on his words. "I... I just missed you, that's all."
Yuri's questioning look opens out into realisation. "This is about Jack, isn't it?"
Hearing Jack's name on Yuri's lips yet again makes JJ's stomach squirm and he knows it shows on his face; he sighs. "I'm sorry."
Yuri reaches up to put one hand on JJ's cheek, urging him down into another kiss. "Don't be—fuck knows I would be the same in your shoes."
"You would?" asks JJ.
"Are you kidding?" laughs Yuri. "If you were spending all your time with someone else and blowing off date night I'd be such a fucking bitch about it. I felt awful doing all that to you."
"You did?"
Yuri nods. "Lucky for me I have the best boyfriend in the world." He pauses before smirking. "That said, it was really fucking sexy seeing you all possessive like that."
For what feels like the first time in weeks, JJ properly smiles. "Really?"
"Mmhmm," nods Yuri, "and I think I still have some things to make up to you."
His seductive smirk makes butterflies flap to life in JJ's stomach and he grins back. "Shall we get out of here then?"
"Yeah now we're done being horny it smells in here."
On Monday Yuri heads to his Oral Traditions lecture, heart lighter than it has been in weeks. As he enters the lecture hall he spots Jack and nods to him before taking a seat nearby.
"Lost you on Friday," Jack says as Yuri takes off his coat. "I thought you wanted me to meet your boyfriend."
Yuri snorts. "I did—we got a bit distracted."
He takes off his scarf to a laugh from Jack. "I can see that."
In the past, Yuri would have been horrified at the obviousness of the hickeys on his neck—now he feels a curious sense of fondness and amusement knowing just how crazy JJ can be over him.