𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝒀𝑶𝑼 | 𝑱𝑱 𝑴𝑨𝒀𝑩𝑨𝑵𝑲

Chapter Eighteen - Photograph

"Shhh." Devon brings her finger to her lips as she leads JJ into her house by holding his hand. "My parents are sleeping." JJ mimics her actions, bringing his finger to his lips and nodding with a smile. They creep up the stairs slowly, trying not to make any noise. Eventually they make it to Devon's room, which is fortunately on the other side of the house from her parent's room.

JJ watches as Devon moves around her room, grabbing towels. "What are you doing?" He asks.

"I'm gonna take a shower, I can't go to sleep feeling this dirty. I'm pretty sure I could fill a pool with the amount of sweat I produced when Mrs. Crain went psycho." Devon says as she pulls out a pair of pajamas from her dresser. "I'll be quick, make yourself at home." Devon goes into the bathroom before quickly adding, "And don't sit on my bed, you stink too." JJ raises his hands and moves away from the bed. Devon smiles and closes the door.

JJ looks around the room as he hears the shower water turn on. He walks over to her desk and sits down. Noticing a bunch of picture frames, he picks them up to get a closer look. All of them consist of Devon and her friends or family. He smiles as he notices a recent picture of Devon with the Pogues the night of Midsummers. There's another photo from that night, but this time just Devon and JJ are in the photo. The photo brings back memories from that night. The way Devon looked beautiful in her light pink, silky dress, John B bringing back hope for gold, and most importantly, his first kiss with Devon.

Devon comes out of the bathroom in a T-shirt and shorts, her damp hair tied back in a loose braid. She smiles as she walks over to him, "I love that picture of us, I wish we had more together." She looks at the photo from behind, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Devon's hand falls from his shoulder as he swivels the desk chair so he is facing her. He grabs her waist, pulling her toward him. She smiles as she wraps her arms around his neck and straddles his lap. "We'll take more." JJ says, his voice low as his eyes flicker to her lips. "We'll take tons with all the gold once we get it up."

"I still can't believe we found it." Devon laughs. "Maybe we should celebrate."

JJ hums, leaning in and connecting their lips. This kiss isn't like the others, it's passionate and filled with a want for more. Devon smiles against his lips as his tongue slips into her mouth. His hands trail down her back as hers run through his hair. JJ moves away from her lips and starts leaving a trail of kisses down her neck. Devon's hips move slightly at his actions, causing JJ to groan against her neck.

Devon pulls back, the two out of breath. "Why'd you stop?" JJ complains.

She lets out a soft laugh, "I left you clothes and a towel in the bathroom for when you get out of the shower." She gets off his lap and pulls him up by his hands. "It's pretty late so you can just stay the night." JJ pouts his lips, wanting to finish what they started but Devon tells him, "go!" and pushes him into the bathroom.

...

When JJ gets out of the shower, the lights are off and Devon is already in bed, scrolling on her phone. JJ hops into bed next to her and she turns around to face him, putting her phone down. "Hey." she whispers.

"Hey." JJ says as he gets under the covers.

Devon looks him up and down, noticing his lack of clothes in the upper region. "You're not wearing the shirt I gave you."

"I don't sleep in a shirt. I feel it constricts me." JJ smirks, "Does that bother you?"

"I think I'll learn how to get through it." Devon responds, shuffling closer to him.

JJ hums and they fall into a comfortable silence. "Those weren't Rafe's old clothes, were they?"

Devon stiffens beside him, "No." She bites her lip, "my relationship with Rafe wasn't like that."

"I still can't believe you dated him." JJ says.

"I can't either." Devon's whispers.

"Why did you?"

"It sounded like a good idea at the time." Devon says, looking down. "I've always wished for Sarah to be my sister and Rafe could make that a reality. I was so happy that he wanted to date me, it felt like my wishes were coming true. But he wasn't a good boyfriend. He made me do things I wasn't comfortable with and whenever I stuck up for myself he made it seem like everything was my fault. I was so ashamed of myself."

"You didn't deserve that." JJ says, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

Devon leans into his touch, "I wish younger me realized that it's the bond that makes you family, not the last name."

"I like that." JJ says.

Devon looks into his eyes, "Really?"

JJ nods, "Almost as much as I like you." Devon smiles and gives him a soft kiss.

Devon's head lays on JJ's bare chest, their legs tangled together as they both fall into a deep sleep, excited for the next day to come.

Notes

Sorry for the lack of updates today, I've been really busy and I'm about to go to the movies to see Bikeriders. Mike Faist ;)