You All Over Me [BxB]

Twenty-Three

"I'll see you tomorrow, Theo!" Austin exclaims before closing the door of Stella's car. Theodore and Jacob wave goodbye as the vehicle exits the parking lot.

Soon, they buckle up in Theodore's SUV and merge into the busy road. The rain has stopped, but the pavement remains wet, and a cold, dewy breeze fills the air. Jacob rolls down the car window and gazes up at the sky, the wind tousling his hair.

"Are you moving tomorrow, too?" Theodore asks, glancing at him.

"Yes, but I have very little stuff to bring with me. It's a fully furnished apartment. What time is Austin coming?"

"Probably around noon."

"It's nice of you to let him stay. I wonder how long you'll last."

"I made it clear that I can tolerate everything except clutter and mess," Theodore explains. "Dishes need to be washed immediately, and dirty clothes go in the hamper."

"We'll see."

"You're one to talk. I can tolerate you; I can tolerate everything."

Jacob guffaws and crosses his legs, his knee lightly bumping the dashboard. "I'm not as unkempt as you think I am."

"Not in my place, at least. Or else..."

"Relax, Theo. When we move in together, I promise I won't be."

Theodore nearly slams on the brake, his cheeks burning up.

Jacob hasn't flirted with him lately, courtesy of the piling school work and the fact that he and Austin have just had to concentrate on one of their courses after failing a midterm.

Theodore has made a rookie mistake of forgetting how direct Jacob can be.

"What... Where did that come from?"

Jacob gazes outside the window again. "A man can dream, can't he?"

Theodore loosens his tie to give himself some room to breathe. "You're still not letting go of this, are you?"

"Why? Have I reached the deadline?"

Regret crawls up Theodore's chest. He should have left it at that. It's been almost a couple years since Jacob confessed his feelings, and they're still exactly where they started. Why Jacob is still waiting for him is beyond Theodore.

Because why him? Jacob can have anybody he wants.

"Do you like someone else?"

Theodore grumbles, "Are you kidding? You know I only hang out with you guys."

"True," Jacob murmurs. "Should I just start using dating apps?"

"Why are you asking me?"

Jacob smiles faintly. "I suppose it's been two years..."

"Yes," Theodore mutters under his breath, and then steps on the gas pedal. "It has."

******

Jacob doesn't contact Theodore for the entire week following the start of the internship.

Theodore thought he wouldn't notice his absence since he is equally swamped with work at the Human Rights Center, and Austin staying at his place has kept him company. But he does.

How can he not?

Jacob used to text him every bedtime to say good night. Or he would randomly knock on his door, bringing food and drinks. Then they'd study or watch movies or simply chat.

Jacob would sometimes try to hold his hand, and he would let him. Or he would lay his head on his lap. Or he'd wrap him around his arms.

But that was it. Jacob never tried to do anything more. And Theodore was perfectly fine with the crumbs of intimacy and affection.