You All Over Me [BxB]

Thirty - Censored

Theodore and Jacob spend the rest of the evening in excellent spirits, a wall forged around them that not even the veiled glances and hushed whispers could breach. Fueled by mild sips of champagne, the banter and light teasing flow effortlessly.

Laughter comes easily to Jacob, his hand finding its place on Theodore's, their fingers entwined. He gives him gentle squeezes every now and then, as if speaking in a language only they can grasp.

Theodore can look at him 'til hell freezes over.

Oh, great.

He's absolutely, so utterly, in love with him. He doesn't even know when it happened—but he's plain stupid for ever doubting his feelings, for ever wondering if it would work out between them.

For ever thinking Jacob was someone he couldn't reach.

"Hello," the waitress interrupts—reluctantly. "Um, we're about to close..."

"Oh, of course!" Theodore replies, releasing Jacob's hand and springing to his feet, blushing.

Jacob follows suit, flashing a grateful smile at her. "Thanks."

"Y-Yes, um. Thanks for coming. We... we hope to see you again!"

"Likewise."

Theodore swears he sees smoke coming out of her ears, and he grins in spite of himself.

He understands. He'd blush too, if he were in her position. Although he is always going to be in her position—the sole recipient of Jacob's affection.

Theodore secretly squeals.

Jacob will never learn how much he's stanning him. He can't even understand why his thought process is going haywire.

Theodore puts on a bogus deadpan expression and says, "I can drop you off in front of your building."

Jacob scoffs and sucks his teeth. "I don't want to go home yet."

Cheeks blazing, Theodore kneads his shoulder and tries to concentrate. He pulls out of the parking lot and steers them to the highway. "I don't have anything else planned."

"I want to stay with you."

He doesn't respond, though he wholeheartedly agrees. He wants to stay with him, too. The time apart during the internship had been dreadful, and he's not supposed to say this—realistically—but he can't wait for school to start. Suffering together under endless schoolwork is better than being distant from each other.

So, Theodore drives past Jacob's building and heads to his place. They wordlessly walk to the elevator. With every step, his stomach knots tighter, his heart leaping to his throat.

Meanwhile, Jacob's face is blank and unreadable. Business as usual. Which is the fitting reaction since Theodore's had him over a thousand times.

This is nothing. Just boyfriends hanging out. In one room.

Alone.

Yet, despite his attempts to downplay it, Theodore's muscles tense up. He's tingly all over.

Theodore fumbles for the keys in his pocket. He inserts one into the doorknob, but with his fingers shaking and the blood gushing as fast as a bullet train beneath his skin, he unwittingly stalls.

"You're shaking," Jacob whispers from behind, stepping closer, his warm breath on Theodore's nape aggravating his tremors.

Jacob wraps his hand over Theodore's, turns the key, and Theodore practically melts.

"I thought you truly didn't notice that I've been dropping hints."

Theodore's unit is unveiled. Not even the sight of his cluttered closet can distract him from his nervousness.