Chapter Text
So Rafe realized he’d broken the rule enough times for it to not even matter anymore. Which is why he actively went out of his way to search for JJ at Sarah’s next movie night, leaning against the doorframe by the entrance as everybody stared at the TV. He was unsure of how to get the guy’s attention without drawing literally everybody else to their feet.
Sarah was leaning against John B, and Pope against Kiara—who was silently trying to get out of his puny little hold. They were all in a trance.
JJ, however, was eating his popcorn in silence, watching the movie intently, yet his ears stayed perked up at the slightest sound.
It was.. kind of weird, actually. Sure, Rafe had seen JJ multiple times over the years just hanging out with his friends. But usually JJ knew Rafe was there, and somehow he’d make a whole show out of it. Now, JJ was just there. Not more than the others, but not less either.
Rafe coughed, moving a little towards the kitchen in case someone turned. But nobody did. Then—after a few silent seconds of the TV playing—JJ’s eyes flickered to the kitchen, landing on Rafe’s figure standing closer to the door instead.
He blinked, popcorn still stuck in his mouth as Rafe moved back towards the door. Then—JJ tilted his head slowly.
Rafe beckoned him over with his hand, eyes trailing over the other Pogue’s backs cautiously.
The kid didn’t dare move—simply stared with those pink lips parted in awe. It was as if he wasn’t entirely sure Rafe was being serious at all. But then, his gaze dropped to Rafe’s hand—the small gesture, and the tension in his jaw slackened.
Still, he took his damn time; brushing off the salt and grease from his fingers, leaning forward quietly to set the bowl down and muttering some excuse about bathrooms that nobody paid any real attention to.
Rafe shifted back impatiently, trying to stay out of view in case anyone decided to look back at JJ retreating into the hallway. The door creaked only slightly when JJ pushed it open an inch as he went, gaze locking onto Rafe’s face as they met eye-to-eye.
The TV turned into muffled noise closely behind them—Rafe’s ears dulling it out for good. He leaned forward a little, towards JJ’s ear. “What was that?” He whispered, maybe a little too quiet.
JJ gaped over his jaw, eyes trailing up to get a good look. Rafe wanted to pull him in closer and fucking devour him. “Could ask you the same,” he replied—hushed as well.
Rafe glared at the open door over JJ’s shoulder, trying to ground himself to reality. If anyone found them like this they’d probably get the wrong idea. “You can’t just leave after saying that,”
“Saying what?” JJ blinked up at him innocently. Like he knew Rafe was struggling and was loving every second of it. The kid smelled like some sort of flower, popcorn, sweat and sea salt mixed together in one, no cologne needed.
Rafe sighed, his warm breath ghosting over JJ’s skin. “You heard that? Down at the beach?”
“Kinda hard not to. Your friends were screaming like a bunch of idiots after you went.” JJ’s lips had parted, staring openly.
Rafe swallowed hard, closing his eyes for a few seconds as to ease the pressure building behind his ribs. He was so fucked. “I didn’t know,” he tried.
A second passed, before JJ shifted audibly, taking a step back-
Rafe latched onto his wrist.
The air around them tensed. It was the third time he’d broken the rule—and fuck, did it even matter anymore? No, he’d told himself it didn’t. So he needed to let go of that guilt he felt whenever their skin touched—but God, it was so fucking hard to. He wasn’t Elsa, for Christ’s sake.
So he let go of only his arm, tilting his head up so he wasn’t breathing the same air as him anymore. “I didn’t know,” he repeated. “They called you..”
“A faggot.” JJ looked at him as if he was trying to figure something out—his brows furrowing and softening a few times before his mouth settled in a thin line. “Are you?”
Rafe blinked. “Are you?” he asked as well, and JJ only smiled, before leaning in.
“If I was, I would’ve kissed you already.” he teased, not even a whisper.
Rafe’s heart stuttered as JJ was suddenly leading again. His heart sank and rose all too fast—like a rollercoaster, and butterflies erupted in his stomach with an unpleasant sensation running through his fingertips as JJ’s own hand brushed against his.
Oh shit, he was closer now, like totally brushing their cheeks together as he breathed in his ear—waiting for Rafe to say something.
Oh shit, he thought again. He was waiting for a response. “Uh,”
Please stop being a fucking idiot, oh my God.
JJ laughed, his exhale coming in sharp against the small hairs at the nape of Rafe’s neck. “That’s it?” he asked, pressing his lips to Rafe’s cheek. Just a small peck to his skin, before pulling away. “Cya,”
Rafe stood and stared like some grand idiot—again. He blinked slowly as the kid walked through the door without even hinting at looking back. Then—the door creaked closed, and Rafe let out a loud and shaky breath.
So he jerked off a few times that night. Sue him.