Sing My Name

Chapter 5 - A shared bed

"Wait, so... are we sharing the same bed then?" Harry raised an eyebrow at Joe when he got out of the bathroom, wearing a freshly dry outfit. "And are you wearing sweatpants? I didn't even know you owned sweatpants."
"Hey, I'm a normal guy when I'm not at the office, alright? It's not that strange. Besides, you think I'm going to wear a suit to bed?"
"Well I wear a suit to bed." Harry chimed.
"Okay, now you're just lying"
"It's true. I wear my birthday suit" He giggled, sticking his tongue out of a cheeky grin.
"Haha, so funny. Well, not tonight, you're not."
"Why does it matter? Are you going to be sharing the bed with me?" Harry asked with wide eyed anticipation to Joe's response.
"Well, no. I guess I'll just be sleeping on the floor then." Joe looked down at the hardwood floor with an unenthused pout. His dropped shoulders clearly expressed his thoughts 'this sucks'.
Harry rubbed his chin in a thinking pose for a moment "Well it is a big enough bed, I suppose we could each have a side. Besides, I don't really want to deal with you whining about your back tomorrow. I am the one who got you into this mess after all, aren't I? I suppose it's the least I could do" He looked back up at Joe. Harry didn't even seem bothered at the thought. Joe knew that Harry was pretty open about being bisexual, so maybe to him this wasn't a big deal, but for Joe, he's never shared a bed with anyone before. Not a woman or a man. Unless you count his brothers when they were in elementary school.
"Well, if you don't mind... I guess. But you are absolutely wearing clothes to bed." Joe pointed a finger at him naggingly.
"Can I at least be shirtless?" Harry pouted.
"No."
"Fine." Harry rolled his eyes and took his shirt off anyways. Joe was anything but enthused at the sight. Although, he wasn't disgusted. Harry was well known for being very attractive and Joe could see why. His body was basically perfect, like it was crafted by the Gods. Okay that has to be the gayest thought he's ever thunk. Harry plopped onto the bed resting his head on his hand while looking up at Joe. Joe had no idea what that man was thinking but he knew it couldn't be good. He hesitantly sat on the bed as far on the edge as humanly possible and snuck himself under the covers. He was about to reach to turn off the bedside lamp when Harry stopped him.
"Wait!" Harry insisted, "I have an idea"
"Oh boy, a Harry idea? No thanks, goodnight." He reached towards the lamp again and Harry reached over him, slapping his hand down to stop him.
"Did you seriously just whack my hand?" Joe's heart was racing again. Harry was quite literally just on top of him, half naked in a motel bed. How would he be able to explain this scene to someone if they saw it? Not to mention, Harry smelled really good, now he really can't think straight.
"I had to do it, you were about to ruin a perfectly good opportunity."
"A good opportunity for what exactly?" Joe asked unenthusiastically.
"Truth or dare, duh. Like a proper sleep over"
"Harry, we're not having a sleepover. This is a very specific series of unfortunate events that has led us here."
"You're such a drama queen, Joe. Just humor me will ya?" Harry gave him a pouty lip along with a set of puppy eyes. Joe felt kind of honored, he knew how many women and maybe even men would kill to see Harry making this face at them. Typical pop star always gets what he wants. Joe threw his arms up defeated. "True or dare?" He sighed.
"Dare"
"I dare you to go to bed"
"Wow Joe way to ruin the fun" He crossed his arms in a grumpy fashion.
Joe rolled his eyes "Fine, fine. I dare you to call your mom and tell her you love her"
"Seriously? You have the chance to make me do anything and you make me do something as wholesome as that? You don't have a menacing bone in your body do you?"
Joe shrugged "A dares a dare."
Harry phoned his mom. "Hey mum, just wanted to say I love you and hope you're doing well. Call me back when you can, cheers"
Harry hung up. "Voicemail. Time zone difference. Truth or dare, Joe?" Harry looked over at him like an excited puppy.
"Truth."
"I knew you would choose that, you're so not fun." Harry sighed dramatically and clicked his tongue thinking of what to ask. He sprang up when he thought of the perfect question. "Are you homophobic, Joe?"
Joe's eyes almost popped out of his head. "What kind of question is that?"
"Just answer it, it's Truth or Dare, it's supposed to be chaotic."
"No, I'm not homophobic."
"Then why do you act like it?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Like in the bathroom earlier you acted so extra when I had to take a whiz next to you. Now when it comes to sharing a bed you're practically hanging off the side of the bed and I'm not even close to you. Then I wanted to take my shirt off and you wouldn't even let me. It's not like I'm naked, unlike you earlier. So explain that behavior."
"I'm not homophobic, I'm just not used to... I mean I just haven't ever been in this situation before."
"Like sharing a bed with a guy?"
"Like sharing a bed with any person. I have never shared a bathroom with someone either. It's completely foreign lands to me. Besides doesn't Truth only warrant 1 question. You asked like 5 already."
"Fine, your turn"
"Hmm. I would ask but I already know you're just going to say 'Dare'"
"Truth"
Joe rolled his eyes for what felt like the tenth time tonight. "Truth, then. Fine. What is... your favorite musical artist?"
Harry's face went completely straight. "You."
Joe was completely shocked. "Did you say me?"
"Yes. Joe Jonas. You actually inspired me to make music. Remember? We took music class together at boarding school. I've wanted to be cool like you ever since."
"Wow. I- I don't know what to say." Joe was stunned, he could barely formulate a sentence.
"You could just say thanks."
Joe rubbed the back of his neck and let out a half smile. "Uh, thanks. That's really nice of you to say."
"I wasn't being nice. I was just stating the truth. Speaking of truth, i would ask truth or dare but I know you're just going to say 'Truth'"
"Dare"
Harry smiled and rubbed his hands together maniacally, plotting. "Yes, now we're talking."
Joe started to instantly regret his decision.
"I dare you to kiss me on the lips"
Joe almost fell out of bed knocking the lamp over as he grabbed for the side table to catch himself. The lamp became unplugged from the wall and the room went completely dark.
"Wow. Smooth move. »
Joe couldn't be more thankful for that moment, he was bright red from what Harry just dared him to do and now even brighter red from the embarrassment of his 'smooth move'. « Do i have to? » Joe groaned.
«It's just a kiss, Joe. I just want to make sure my boss isn't a homophobe. I couldn't continue to work for you in good faith if that was the case »
« Isn't there any other way to prove myself? Anything? »
« I mean I can't really think of anything. Can you? »
Joe felt backed into a corner. He really couldn't think of anything else that would prove it and he couldn't risk losing Harry as an employee. On top of it his brain felt like actual mashed potatoes from the day he's had so as far as he could tell the logic was logic-ing.
« I guess not. Fine. Just don't ever tell anyone about this, okay? I'm not homophobic but I'm not gay either. »
« How do you know you're not gay? Have you ever experimented before? You're not married. Are you asexual or something? »
« I'm not asexual, at least I don't think I am. I guess I wouldn't know... »
« Wait, are you telling me you're a 30 year old virgin? »
« Well, i mean- wait a minute. This is dare, not truth. What's with the 20 questions? »
« I'm just shocked, i mean look at you. You're ripped, you're handsome, successful and talented. Who wouldn't want to hit that? »
Joe was melting into a puddle at this point. He's never received that many compliments at once. He had no idea how to even begin to respond to them. He supposed he could start by saying-
« Uh, thank you. I guess. »
« Don't worry, i won't tell anyone about anything that happened tonight, or anything that I found out. Scouts honor » the room was pitch black but Joe could tell that Harry was putting his hand to his heart as he said that.
That made Joe smile to himself. « Fine. Since you swore. I mean it's just a kiss and I'm not homophobic so I guess it's fine, you brushed your teeth right? Oh right, yea, I remember you did. Okay well I guess I will stop stalling now. »
« Wait »
« What now? »
Harry got out of the bed and walked around to plug the lamp back into the wall.
'The light is back on. Great.' Joe thought sarcastically.
« You didn't think I would let you kiss me in the dark, did you. You have to see that you're kissing a man and not just pretend that you're kissing a woman. That would defeat the whole purpose. »
Joe was starting to think that Harry was bending these rules in order to mess with him but he was too mashed potato brain to argue at this point so he took the L.
« Okay fine, can we get this over with now? »
« Get this over with? You're kind of sounding a bit homophobic, Joe. »
« I'm not homophobic I would just like to go to bed after this. No more truth or dare. Next thing I know I'm running around the motel naked in the rain. No, thank you. I'll stop while we're ahead. »
« Okay well what are you waiting for then, Mr. hurry up. You're sure taking your sweet time stalling. »
« I'm not stalling I'm just... preparing. I've never done this. »
« I know but you're acting like you've never kissed someone in your entire life-« Harry paused and looked down at sheets. « You have kissed someone before right! »
At this point Joe was too mashed potato and numb from the embarrassment to even care anymore so he answered honestly « No. I haven't, okay? »
« Oh... » Harry looked down with what looked like pity in Joes Perspective .
« It's fine. »
« You're right it is fine, because I volunteer as tribute! » he raised his hand like he was volunteering to read for the class.
« Gee, thanks, Harry. So generous. »
« I know » Harry beamed gleefully. « I guess I'm just cool like that »
« Yep. So cool. » Joe barely even had the energy to be sarcastic. He turned to face Harry and grabbed his cheek in this palm. He gulped and slowly leaned in puckering his lips so far out that Harry thought he looked like a duck. Joe placed his duck lips motionless onto Harry's lips. Harry couldn't take it anymore, it was so funny to him. Joe really had no idea how to kiss. Harry pushed Joe lightly off of him and burst into tears laughing. Joe was completely mortified.
« Yea laugh it up. You can't say I'm homophobic now. Goodnight. Joe turned over hiding his face under the blanket to hide the terror on his face. Harry stopped laughing and started to feel guilty.
« Joe, I'm sorry that was rude. Can you look at me »
« No. just go to bed. »
« Just let me say one last thing and I promise we will go to bed »
« Promise? »
« Scouts honor . »
« Just one last thing? »
« Just one. »
Joe popped his head out from under the blanket and before he could say another word, Harry was kissing him deeply, and so passionately that it actually gave Joe a boner. After Harry ripped away from Joe's lips, he reached over and clicked the light off before returning to his side of the bed.
« Night Joe. Sleep tight. »
Joe would not be 'sleeping tight' that night.