Step-Brothers

~Chapter Seventeen~

It gets quiet again. Jared has no idea what to do or say.

"Just... Be good for him."

"I will. I wouldn't even think about hurting him. In any way."

"Good. I... I think I'm okay with you having him if I can't." Jared curls up.

"... He's really happy with you. Extremely happy." he chuckles.

"I'm jealous."

"...of me or him?"

"... Both of you. If I'm being honest."

".....you're jealous that he has me?"

"I'm jealous he has ANYONE, Jared. We used to talk about being lonely together. And... And now I'm the only lonely one. So yeah, I guess. I'm jealous he's got you and I've got no one."

"..... you'll find someone. Everyone does"

"thought I did already..."

".........I dunno. Maybe you were meant to be with Evan and I'm not. Maybe it won't work out."

"Wow, you seem pessimistic. That's wishful thinking for me."

"Your welcome"

"Seriously. You make him happy. It's whatever. Long as he's happy, I'm... Not as unhappy as I could be."

"Well.... that's good"

"Mhm." He's quiet again. Jared literally can't scoot back any more. Connors a lot warmer than he thought though. Connor is surprised at how comforting Jared's presence is right now. It's strange.

"........are we gonna talk about this?"

"about what, Jared?"

"This. Us. What are we doing right now?"

"... We're being friends right now. That's it. I'm letting you in my bed. We're having a talk. That's it."

"............alright"

"... If you're uncomfortable I can-"

"Go ahead." He said it too quickly. He needs human contact. He misses Evan too much.

"... I was gonna say I can go sleep somewhere else."

"Oh...... uh, no. This is fine. It's fine"

"..." he turns to face Jared's back. Jared tenses up so much. Connor very slowly wraps an arm around Jared. They're both so starved for contact.

"...Is this okay? I can stop."

"This is fine. It's okay." Jared scoots closer to his chest. He needs this so much. Connor holds him carefully. This is... Exactly what he needs. They fall asleep and wake up like that. Jared thinking it's Evan at first. Connor is fuckin out, still asleep. Jared smiles and closes his eyes again. Turning to face him. About to lean to kiss his forehead when he opens his eyes and freezes. This is not Evan. Connor breathes deeply in his sleep, unlike Evan's shallow, quick breaths, holding Jared so gently in his sleep. He pulls his face back from him and just curls up in embarrassment. The movement jostled Connor, waking him.

"hnn? Evan, baby boy, what's -?" he freezes. Not Evan. That was a dream. This is not Evan.

"...................Oh fuck, Jared......."

"I made the same mistake..."

"Shit..."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean- I mean-"

"It's fine. Forget it. It's okay." They lay there. Not letting go of each other.

"... Are you okay?"