PSYCHO ― John B. Routledge ✓

26. A Small Gesture of Intimacy

John B nodded before letting his head rest on Norman's chest. "You know I'm 6'1," right? Like, I am in no way short."

"Yeah, but I'm 6'5" so I win. What's your point?" the boy teased as he let one hand drift up to run his fingers through John B's wet hair. "You don't smell like shit anymore, thank God."

"Wow, you really just say the most romantic things, don't you?"

Norman shrugged, "I try my best. Hey speaking of romance, remember when you told JJ that we were official... when were you gonna tell me that?"

John B paused, saying, "I thought... it was implied? I don't know, I feel like too much has happened between us for it to not be official. Why? Do you wanna have the boyfriend talk right now?"

"Kind of, yeah," the boy said with a shrug, "You know... I don't remember you asking. There's so many catches in the Outer Banks, if you're not quick I might... have to go fishing."

"You are so lame! Why are you talking in a metaphor?" the other boy asked with a laugh as he pushed himself up with one hand on the bed while the other reached for Norman's chin to pull him in for a kiss. Norman may be teasing about the labels, but when John B kissed him like this, he knew that the boy was undoubtedly his. When he pulled away, John B spoke again, "Okay, okay, Norman Rockwell--"

"What are you? Proposing?" he teased before catching the boy's lips in another quick kiss despite his offended look, "I think we're a little young for marriage."

"I can't believe you managed to make me forget how much of an asshole you are long enough to get me to like you and as soon as start dating you remind me every time you speak," the boy marveled as he moved to sit up. Although he seemed mad, the corners of his lips still quirked up in a small smile. "Anyway, if you're done --" He waited, Norman said nothing. "Norman, will you be my boyfriend?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Norman said with a stupid, giddy smile on his face as he grabbed the other boy and pressed their lips together. Kissing John B made Norman feel alive, as ridiculous as that sounded. His mind recalled when he had been asked to choose who was hotter between John B and JJ at a party that seemed like it was centuries ago. Even then, he picked John B. He never imagined that stupid boy kissing him at a party on a petty dare would lead to this, but he was thankful it did. John B kissed him with a passion that managed to be rushed but not frantic as they stopped for just a moment to breathe. Still, he pressed their foreheads against each other, as if Norman was afraid he was going to leave. Looking into his eyes, he knew that wasn't going to happen. John B was his and he couldn't be happier about it. Maybe it was stupid, maybe a boy didn't have to mean this much, but he did. He meant everything.

John B chuckled after a moment, "Why are you staring at me like that? There isn't still some dirt on my face, is there?"

Norman shook his head, "No, no, you look perfect. I just... I don't know. It's stupid."

"No, no, tell me," the boy insisted as he pulled away only to pull the boy closer by his waist. The two were practically on top of each other with how tangled they had managed to become, but it wasn't like Norman minded. "Is something bugging you?"

"Not exactly," he gave a half-assed answer as he struggled to think of a way to explain the massive amount of thoughts running rampant in his head, "I just... never saw this happening, you know? The way my life was going, I was probably going to end up marrying some Sarah Cameron lookalike and never leaving this stupid island only to go to the mainland and have a mid-life gay affair like in the movies and then eventually a messy divorce where she steals all my money and my gay lover and I move across the country to get away from it all."

"I see you've thought a lot about this," the boy commented with a half-smile gracing his features, "Are you mad that didn't happen?"

Norman laughed, "No, not at all. I just... didn't expect to be happy in my teen years. Right now, I'm happy, like genuinely. Although I also didn't expect the treasure hunt, beggars can't be choosers, I guess."

"I just can't believe we actually did it," John B sighed, "And I can't really believe it either -- the us thing. I just... I wish you could meet my dad. I'm sure once he got past the rich asshole vibe you constantly radiate --"

"Thank you I try very hard on that."

John B rolled his eyes, but the smile was still evident on his face as he continued, "I think he would really like you."

"I hope I get to meet him someday," Norman remarked, deciding to lean forward and press a kiss to the boy's forehead. It was a small gesture of intimacy, but judging by the boy's expression it clearly brought some form of comfort. "Do you really think he's still alive out there? Lost at sea and trying to find a way back?"

With a slight second of hesitation, John B nodded, "I... I think hope in this situation is stupid and dangerous since it's been almost a year, but I think he could be. I just hope if he's out there that he's looking for a way back. A way back to me."

"If he's anything like what I've heard," Norman began, his voice gentle and sweet as he kept his arm around John B tightly, "He's doing everything in his power to get back to you."

"You think so?" John B asked the glint in his eyes a reflection of the aforementioned hope. Either that or it was tears beginning to well up, but Norman commented on neither.

Instead, he nodded, "Yeah, I really think so."

this is like the shortest chapter ever but as y'all know after episode six literally everything goes to shit so i figured i'd give y'all a sweet little moment before all of that!!