A bright light shined through the curtains awakening me from my deep slumber. I laid my head on Jo's chest, letting my hand trail along his stomach and detailing every ab. He twitched and flexed beneath my touch, my hand going deeper into the covers. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness of the room. I remember Jo making love to me before I passed out. A smile curled as I recollected the events and how hot it all was. I sighed in contentment, moving my hand to Jo's chest and rubbing small circles on his skin. His brows knitted as he buried himself deeper beneath the sheets.
"Mmm, good morning, sleepyhead," I whispered, softly capturing his lips. His eyes fluttered open as he realized what I was doing.
It only took a second before Jo hovered over me again and passionately kissed me back, his hands holding my hips. We stayed in this position for a minute, embracing each other. I felt as happy as I could be. A wide child-like smile on my face as I giggled with every teasing Jo would say or do to me. I was finally truly happy.
"Is your back sore?" Jo asked and slid a hand to the base of my back.
Fuck, I am sore. I couldn't feel it when Jo and I played, but now that he mentioned it, I could sense the heat rising and a stinging feeling pulsing through my spine. I flinched when Jo moved his hand higher up, caressing my skin.
"I'll be okay. I'm just going to have to get used to you," I chuckled.
Upon rising off the bed with Jo carefully observing my every move, I managed to get some pants on. There was a shockwave of pain, but I brushed it off; not to worry, Jo.
"Remind me what day it is." The shirt I wore the day before lay sprawled on the ground and wrinkled from staying overnight in the same position. I wanted to wear that shirt again, but the thought of having the same rag on me felt strange, so I decided on Jo's oversized hoodie.
"It's Monday," Jo replied, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my forehead softly, "why?"
"I was just wondering cause my parent's anniversary is- today." I froze, squeezing my eyes shut.
When I thought everything was perfect, something had to ruin it. I knew if I didn't call my mother, she would flip her shit. I palmed Jo's chest and gently leaned against it, sighing. Jo is aware of my relationship with my parents. He's seen them treat me like garbage firsthand and make excuses for why.
"This is the last time I am ever buying you a present! Do you understand me!?" My mom yelled from across the kitchen with a spatula swinging, "I have had enough of your shit, boy. The disrespect I have gotten from you this past year is unacceptable!"
Jo was sitting in the living room waiting for me so we could go to the park. I'd asked my mom for five dollars for Jo and me to get something to drink at the little market down the road from our house. I made sure to be polite in asking and even told my mother I would pay her back, but she took it a completely different way. She and my father had previously fought before I'd brought Jo to my house, and I guessed I was getting the lash back.
"You know what, no, you can't have my money. Do you know how much I paid for you? I ensured you were fed, that your ass was wiped, and that you wore clothes," she hissed, pointing the spatula in my direction.
"I'm sorry, mom. I won't ask again." This was my way to make her stop yelling at me.
"Oh, so now you're making me the bad guy? I'm nagging at you right now because you don't appreciate what I do for you." The venom that seeped through her teeth as she said those conniving words felt like knives piercing through my skin.
That was always her excuse that I never appreciated her for what she did for me. But she doesn't understand that I never asked to be brought into this world, let alone be treated like total garbage for things I never did.
"Oli?" Jo cut the silence, cupping my cheek.
I happily pressed into his touch and glanced at him through my lashes. A warm smile and bright eyes stared at me as he rubbed his thumb along my cheekbone.
"You don't have to call them to wish them a happy anniversary. If I'm being honest, they don't deserve it," Jo admitted.
"Oh, trust me, I know they don't deserve it. They also don't deserve to hear from me after what happened last year's family day. Did I tell you about that one?" He shook his head, "you might want to sit down for this one."
Jo sat on the edge of the bed, almost bracing himself for my epically catastrophic storytime.
"Dad was drunk when I arrived, and Mom yelled at him again. We sat around the table and prepared our plates when supper time came. Mom passed me the mashed potatoes, and Dad went off. He started yelling at my mom that she should have passed him the potatoes first, not me because he was more hungry and shit. Then dessert came, and he ate the whole fucking cake and glared at me through it all. When I went to leave, Mom asked me if any of the food was good, and I said yes, but then she assumed I was lying and went off, so I decided to leave as quickly as possible. I haven't talked to them since." Jo adverted his gaze and rubbed his face.
"So we're not having them over any time soon?" He asked, which made me laugh.
"No. They don't even know I'm living with you, let alone in your parent's old house." Jo shook his head and stood, standing inches from me.
"You're crazy. But in a good way," he admitted, pecking my nose. I giggled and hugged him tight.
The moment was cut short when a doorbell rang across the house, alerting both of us. I stared at Jo, confused as can be. He gently cupped my hand and led me down to the kitchen. The front door was not far; I could see it from my spot as Jo walked towards it. He opened the door, my mom and dad awkwardly standing before Jo. My chest tightened, and my stomach flipped when my mom's eyes landed on me. I did not want to see them right now. It's still too soon.
My mom started for me, but Jo swiftly placed his arm out to stop her. She stared at him with confusion, her brows knitted. My father stepped forward, inches from Jo, a snarl painted on his face.
"I'm sorry, but Oliver doesn't want to see you right now," Jo pointed out, earning a tsk.
"What the hell do you mean?" My dad yelled, his finger jabbing into Jo's bare chest.
I frowned and cautiously approached the situation, my hands rubbing Jo's back to calm him as I could feel him vibrate.
"He means I don't have anything to say to you. I don't know if you two have noticed, but lately, you haven't been much of a parent to me," I said, glaring at both of them, "I haven't recognized you and Dad since I was eight. You started acting differently, and Dad began drinking like a fucking fish."
"Watch your tone! Your mother has been there for you through a lot." My dad roared, reaching for me past Jo, but Jo pushed him back.
"You need to leave, or I'm calling the cops," Jo spat, keeping his hand on my dad's chest.
Mom's hand reached out to me as she cupped my cheek, a warm but fake smile on her face.
"You know I'm here whenever you-" she started.
"Are you mom? Are you there for me when I need you? Because I've been feeling lonely for years now, and it's only thanks to Jo that I'm still alive! Yeah! He fucking saved me from getting kidnapped by some pedophile while you guys were out gallivanting and getting drunk and only caring about your fucking selves again!" I didn't expect to be yelling, but there was so much anger inside me that I longed to rid myself of it, and it felt amazing to let it out.
"Next time you want to care so much about me, remember all the shit you put me through. Smacking me when I did nothing wrong, yelling, throwing shit, bullying me! Think about all those times I didn't deserve to be treated like you've treated me for years!"
They stood frozen on our porch, mouth agape as they listened to me rant and rave about what they put me through. My father had genuine tears in his eyes. I've never seen him cry the way I saw him today. And my mom could barely stand, like everything I was saying hit her like waves crashing against boulders.
"You need to leave," Jo managed, slamming the door shut and turning to face me.
I could feel myself slowly crumbling, and before falling to my knees, Jo hoisted me into his arms and hugged me tightly to his chest. He hushed soothing words and praised me for being the person I am. He reminded me how much he loves me and will not let anything hurt me. For once in my life, I've felt open to being better.
There was no more hatred, no more sadness inside of me. I felt open to being calm and having a sense of stability I could not imagine myself having before I fell for Jo. It's all thanks to him I can finally breathe.