[EN] For you are mine at last - JeffBarcode

Chapter 8

Translator's note

This is my first time ever translating a story and this chapter was particularly a struggle, so I'd like to apologize in advance for any mistakes, hope they won't get in the way of you guys enjoying and appreciating this chapter as much as I did the first time I read it. This story is very special to me and hopefully it will be for you too. ♥️

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The entrance to the building is still empty when Jeff parks in a spot right out front. After turning off the car and unbuckling his seat belt, he checks if the food in the passenger seat is still intact before placing it in the backseat, and with a few minutes left, he gets out of the car to wait for Barcode.

With his cell phone in hand, he checks the time again and sends a message to let Barcode know he's already there. Then he checks his social networks, curious about the repercussions of the previous day's event, satisfied with what he finds.

When he hears the movement and the noise increase, he raises his eyes to the gate through which the other must show up. And it doesn't take long to find him, with the usual smile on his face, surrounded by friends. Barcode spots him from afar and waves. Jeff reciprocates and turns to get back in the car. Once he is in, he observes the younger interacting with the other boys.

They say goodbye as the friends they are, acting their age, but one in particular catches his eye. He walks with Barcode to where the boy needs to cross to get to Jeff. He narrows his eyes from where he is when he notices the boy's care for Barcode and, before he finally comes to himself, he notices a subtle touch from the other on his back.

The younger one turns around and quickly gets in the car, but Jeff's attention is riveted on the boy from before. What makes him curious is the way he looked at Barcode and still looks in the direction he went. Then he realizes he would only recognize that look from miles away because he sees himself in it.

"Hey, P'Jeff." He calls and looks at him with a smile.

"Hey, how are you? How was your day?" He answers as he takes his backpack and puts it in the back seat, placing the takeout in his lap instead. "I brought you something to eat, I hope you like it."

He doesn't even need an answer when he hears a hum of satisfaction as Barcode nearly sticks his face in the bag.

With a light laugh, Jeff gets ready and starts the car, following in the rearview mirror the boy from before getting smaller until disappearing from his sight.

"Who is that who came with you to the street?"

"Hm?" He glances at the older one quickly, Jeff can see it from the corner of his eye, then goes back to nibbling at his food. "Nuea. He is new."

"New?"

"Yeah, he started a few weeks ago." He explains with his mouth full. "Why?"

"Nothing" He starts, but ends up talking when they stop at a traffic light and he can look at him. "I thought it was thoughtful of him to take you almost to the car."

For a moment he thinks Barcode isn't going to answer, but as he pays attention to the traffic once more, the other man starts to laugh.

"P'Jeff is jealous!"

"Of course not." He chuckles, completely sure he's sounding cool.

"Yes, you are. Very jealous, dying of jealousy." He hits Jeff's arm who ends up laughing more and denies shaking his head.

"I'm driving!"

Barcode says nothing else - although he still laughs for a while - much more interested in eating than continuing the conversation.