bigger (richbone)

chapter 5

AJ had been crushing on Kevin since the day they met. It was impossible not to, with his piercing green eyes and perfect raven hair. He was everything AJ wanted in a boyfriend and more. Now, as they're lying in bed together, familiar thoughts are creeping up on him again. Thoughts that he isn't good enough for Kevin, that he should just leave before he can do any damage.

After muttering a quick 'be right back', Kevin gets up and heads to the bathroom. AJ sits up on the side of the bed, and as he waits for Kevin to come back, his mind starts to wander again. He sits there, his head in his hands. AJ still doesn't feel like he deserves Kevin- not when he's so messed up.

"Alex."

Kevin says softly, reappearing beside AJ. He sits down, wrapping his arms around him.

"What are you thinkin' about?"

"Nothin'."

AJ replies, Kevin doesn't press him any more about the subject, instead just kisses his cheek and soothingly rubs his arm.

"You know I love you, right?"

Kevin says, and AJ's eyes widen for a moment. His heartbeat spikes, and his eyes finally meet Kevin's.

"You're perfect for me, okay? No matter what."

He continues, and AJ finally smiles.

"I love you too."

Kevin gently tips AJ's face upward, bringing him in for a sweet kiss that they both smile into.

"That came out a bit sooner than intended. But I didn't mean it any less."

Kevin says after they separate. AJ blushes, looking away for a second.

"I, um... I just feel like sometimes I'm, like... Not good enough for you, Kevin. Like I just got lucky somehow."

AJ sighs. Kevin frowns, never once taking his eyes off of him.

"You are more than good enough for me, baby. I'm the lucky one."

Kevin brings AJ's hand to his lips, placing a light kiss to his knuckles. He then pulls AJ into a hug, letting him nuzzle into his chest. AJ breathes in the familiar scent of his lover enveloping him, and it's hard to protest anything he says. In that moment, he knows that Kevin's right. They are perfect for each other.

♡

That night, the guys all head out to a restaurant together. It's nothing really special, just some diner that Brian found down the road from their hotel.

The building doesn't have many customers, and the guys get a booth in the corner. Kevin and AJ sit next to each other on one side, with Nick and Brian on the other. Howie scoots in next to AJ.

"Man, I'm starving!"

Nick exclaims as he reaches over Brian to grab a menu.

"You're always starving."

Brian says.

"Hey, it's normal for a growing b-"

"AJ, don't you dare finish that sentence."

Nick glares over at AJ, who's snickering as Nick tries not to laugh.

"You said it first."

"I said that one time!"

"Still said it."

"Kevin, tell him to stop it."

"Oh, come on, that's a low blow!"

As Nick and AJ continue to joke around, a waitress comes up to their table. Brian kicks Nick's shin under the table.

"Ow! Why'd you- oh."