Unspoken Bonds

Part 18: Getting Comfortable

A week had passed since that night on the couch, and things were definitely different now. Kion and AJ had gotten closer-much closer. What started as small touches here and there had turned into full-on cuddling sessions, kisses that lingered a little too long, and the quiet comfort of just being around each other. The tension that had been there before-where Kion wasn't sure how to act, what to say-had eased up.

Kion didn't know if it was because he'd finally started accepting it or if it was just easier now, but something about being with AJ felt right. It was simple. Natural.

Tonight, they were at Kion's place again, just kicking it like usual. Kion had his feet up on the coffee table, scrolling through his phone, while AJ sat back on the couch, his arm casually draped over the backrest. The TV was on, but neither of them were really paying attention.

Kion moved to get up, his legs cramped from sitting too long, and as he walked past AJ, something unexpected happened.

AJ's hand shot out, grabbing Kion's wrist and pulling him down. "Where you goin'?" he asked, voice playful but low.

Kion stumbled a little, caught off guard, but before he could pull away, AJ tugged him into his lap.

"What the hell?" Kion said, his heart skipping a beat at the sudden move. He was still trying to wrap his head around how comfortable AJ was with this whole thing, and here AJ was, making it feel like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Shut up," AJ said, a grin spreading across his face. "Come sit with me, Pa."

Kion froze for a second, but there was something about the way AJ's voice was so smooth, so at ease, that Kion didn't know how to respond. He wasn't sure if he should push AJ off or just let it happen. But something about it felt good. He wasn't uncomfortable; he just didn't know how to act.

He hesitated, eyes flicking between AJ's face and the floor, then he sighed, letting himself relax. "This is new," Kion muttered, still skeptical, but the tension in his shoulders had already started to melt away.

"Get used to it," AJ replied with a smirk, pulling Kion closer so that he was fully seated in his lap. Kion's back was to AJ's chest now, and his heartbeat kicked up a little when AJ's hands slid to his waist, holding him firmly but gently.

Kion shifted awkwardly for a moment, unsure of where to put his hands, but eventually, he relaxed. His fingers brushed lightly over AJ's dreads, the soft strands slipping through his fingers like silk. AJ let out a low hum, the sound vibrating against Kion's back, and it made Kion feel something deep in his chest, something that felt good but a little foreign.

"Don't get shy now," AJ teased, his voice smooth as he leaned his head against Kion's.

Kion smirked, rolling his eyes, but his hands found their way to AJ's neck, fingers gently massaging the tight muscles there. He wasn't thinking about it too much anymore; it just felt good. He leaned back slightly, letting AJ's arms support him, his body relaxing into AJ's hold.

This... wasn't so bad. It was kind of comfortable.

"I ain't shy," Kion muttered, but the way he said it made it clear he was slowly getting used to this new dynamic. His fingers kept playing with AJ's dreads, and he felt AJ's breath on his neck as AJ shifted slightly, making sure Kion stayed right where he was.

AJ chuckled softly, his hands moving to Kion's chest now, rubbing small circles there. "You sure? Look a little shy to me," he said, teasing but with a softness in his tone that made Kion's heart skip a little.

Kion shook his head, fighting a grin. "I'm straight, just never done this shit before."

"Yeah, well... ain't no rules to this," AJ said with a shrug, squeezing Kion's waist gently. "You just do what feels right."

Kion let out a breath, letting his body lean into AJ's more comfortably. The back of his head rested on AJ's shoulder, and he closed his eyes for a moment, just feeling the warmth of AJ's body behind him. It wasn't about the physical touch, not really. It was about the way it made him feel safe, the way it felt like this thing between them-whatever it was-was starting to make sense.

AJ was gentle, his touch light and reassuring, not pushing him into anything, not asking for anything more than what Kion was comfortable with. That was new too, but Kion liked it. He liked the way AJ was patient, the way he didn't make it awkward when Kion hesitated.

And then, without thinking, Kion leaned back and pressed a soft kiss to AJ's jaw.

AJ froze, his hand resting on Kion's waist, but he didn't say anything. He didn't need to. He just pulled Kion in closer, as if to tell him he was welcome here, in this space, with no judgment.

Kion pulled away slowly, glancing at AJ, unsure of what that kiss had even meant. But AJ didn't say anything, didn't look for an explanation. Instead, AJ just cupped Kion's chin gently, lifting his head and kissing him back-slowly, softly, with a tenderness that Kion hadn't expected.

When they pulled back, AJ's smile was small but genuine. "You good?"

Kion nodded, but this time, there was no hesitation in his movements. His hands slid back to AJ's neck, fingers curling into his dreads once more, and this time, Kion felt more at home with the touch.

"Yeah," Kion said quietly, eyes meeting AJ's. "I'm good."

And for the first time in a while, Kion didn't feel so unsure about all of this. He didn't have to have it all figured out. Not right now. All he had to do was keep going, and maybe-just maybe-this thing between him and AJ wasn't as complicated as he had once thought.