Secrets

Curiosity, Among Other Things

Calvin wasn't particularly sure what was going through his head as he grinned behind Jasper, a mere ten feet from his seated position. He drew closer, his stomach flipping, and then gripped the back of Jasper's chair. Jasper started, his hand moving from his place in his book, and turned to face him with a bewildered expression on his face. Calvin's name was barely out of Jasper's mouth when Calvin leaned in, pressed his lips against his, took hold of Jasper's hands. Jasper shivered and made an involuntary sound, but his eyes closed and his body softened. He could feel how chapped Calvin's lips were, could taste the coppery leftovers of whatever blood that had been there before. It was rough against his own otherwise soft lips, giving the moment a degree of texture that somehow comforted him. The simple kiss contorted into something moving, warm, alive, and Jasper leaned against the table he was seated at. His fingers gently went through Calvin's hair, appreciating how soft it was. Calvin cupped Jasper's face and Jasper could feel the kiss ending. He clung only a little, just a little, to the kiss as Calvin separated from him and kissed his cheek matter-of-factly.

"Hey there, little prince," Calvin greeted, ruffling Jasper's hair.

"Heck of a hello," Jasper remarked with a lazy smile. He chuckled and played with his dark hair, tugging at it a little bit.

Calvin grinned. "Was it?" He pulled out a chair and sat beside him, folding his hands beneath his chin. He kicked his legs childishly. "How's my favorite sophomore?"

Jasper laughed again, quietly. "Fine, thanks. What brings you again to the library? This is my spot."

Calvin thought for a moment. "Well," he said, "I was reading, if that's shocking. I was also neurotic about what you said the other day, so I enlisted the help of notorious self-help books, of which are giving me boosts of optimism about finding my true inner self." He said most of this with a hint of sarcasm. He flashed a famous grin. "I didn't know this was your spot."

"It is," Jasper replied, a little startled by Calvin's audaciousness.

"Neato," he chirped, running his hand through his hair. "Do you think I need a haircut, Jas?"

"You could use one," Jasper agreed. "Haven't you had the same haircut since like...forever?"

Calvin laughed, not bothering to keep quiet. Jasper tried to shush him, ending up snorting laughter too. "I guess you're right! Should I get my hair cut all short, like Tyler's," he matted down his hair for effect, "or should I go all out and impersonate Brendon Urie?" Calvin pushed his fingers through the sides of his scalp and shook his head, making his hair stand up a little bit. He smiled with his perfect white teeth. "Yeah?"

Jasper chortled and closed his book. "You're acting different. It's weird. I mean, it's not bad, but it's different."

Calvin let his hands fall from his messy hair and he grasped Jasper's hands. Jasper looked at him, a little surprised. "That's good, then? I'm glad," he smiled softly, toying with Jasper's pinky finger, "I'm glad you've noticed my attempts. I know you know me as Mr. Strong-and-Stony, but I'm a lot more fun in my head... I thought this would be a good way to start."

Jasper leaned in and kissed his cheek. "It's a great start," he told him. Calvin looked up at him with a happy look on his face. Jasper's eyes softened and he returned a soft smile as well. "I, um...I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome," Calvin said. He slid Jasper's book back closer to Jasper's arm. "If you want, you can keep reading. I'm sorry if I interrupted you."

Jasper looked down at his book. He shook his head as he smiled, getting up from his seat and settling into Calvin's lap, pulling his face down and kissing him warmly. Calvin's eyebrows lifted but he didn't protest, pulling him instead closer by his hips. This would be the second--no, third place they'd made out in public, and Calvin found it to be kind of exciting. He pushed Jasper down only slightly onto his lap, and Jasper readjusted himself. Calvin pressed his tongue through Jasper's lips almost effortlessly, and he could feel Jasper smiling.