Stay With Me

Unrequited Love

"Has anyone seen Simon?" Josh asked, walking into Tobi's room. Tobi and Ethan both shook their heads.

"Check JJ's room," Tobi suggested.

"Already looked there. He wasn't there."

"They went out," commented Harry as he walked past.

Josh turned. "Do you know where?"

Harry shook his head. "But don't worry mate. They'll be back. Was Simon suppose to do a video with you?"

"Umm... yeah." Josh smiled and headed back to his room. Staring at his ceiling, as he lay on his bed, Josh sighed. Simon needed to know that he had kissed Josh first. Josh hadn't told him at first, he didn't know if Simon remembered that much, and he didn't want to be seen as a total bad guy. Of course, Simon had thought that he was drunk at the time.

"Well, I might as well film a video," Josh said out loud. "Nothing else to do." He stood up and walked over to his computer, then remembered how much editing he had to do. Shit! He had totally forgotten about it!

An hour later, Josh leaned back in his chair, his editing done. Josh looked at his watch. Goddamn it! Where were Simon and JJ? What could possibly be taking them this long? What the hell were they doing?

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"Isn't that exactly what you needed Simon?" JJ glanced over at the blond man sitting beside him.

Simon grinned. "Yes. Much better than lazing around the house, nervous and chewing off my nails."

JJ laughed. "And what gorgeous nails they are!"

Simon rolled his eyes in return.

JJ glanced back over to see Simon staring intensely out the window. "Josh?" he asked.

"Yep."

"You'll figure it out."

"But that's the problem JJ! I think we have figured it out, and it's not what I wanted!" Simon exclaimed.

"Then keep figuring it out til it becomes what you want!"

Simon shook his head. "It isn't that easy."

"Well, why the hell not?" JJ retorted.

"Because he's my mate, he has his girlfriend Freya, he's straight, and he thinks this problem is solved!" Simon yelled back.

JJ waited, letting Simon reel his temper back in.

"Sorry JJ."

"It's okay man. You're going through a tough time, that's all." JJ smiled. "Yell at me all you want, I'll always support you."

"Thanks JJ." They rode the rear of the way in silence, the only noise coming from the speakers.

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Josh woke when he heard the laughter from downstairs. Simon and JJ were home! Shit! How long had he slept? Two hours! That was ridiculous! Josh got out of bed and hurried downstairs to welcome JJ and Simon back.

"Hey Simon! Hey JJ!" he called out.

"Hey," said Simon and JJ, almost in unison.

"Josh, Simon's back, so you two can do your video now, right?" Harry asked.

Simon looked puzzled, then his expression cleared. "Should I meet you in your room Josh?"

Josh looked temporarily surprised, then nodded. "Umm.. Yeah."

"What video are you guys doing?" asked JJ.

"Up to Josh," Simon said at the same time as Josh as he said "Up to Simon."

JJ nodded. "Mmhmm."

Simon and Josh looked at each other, then walked upstairs, away from JJ's prying looks.

"So..." Simon began, once they were in Josh's room. Josh had shut the door behind them.

"So what?" Josh asked nervously, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants, before sitting in the chair next to Simon's.

"I didn't have a video planned with you today Josh. And we both know it."

Josh nodded. "Listen, Simon. It's about the kiss. I know you remember me kissing you, but that isn't entirely it."

Simon shifted his weight in his chair. Josh was too busy looking at his hands to notice.

"You... ah... kissed me first. And I know you were drunk, that I should have known better and I shouldn't have kissed back, but I did, and shit, I'm really sorry Simon." Josh looked up at Simon, hesitant to see his reaction.

"Wait. Are you implying that you weren't drunk, that you should have known better? Because I thought you were as drunk as I was." Simon stared at Josh, who sighed and shook his head.

"I was sober. Only had a beer," he admitted.

Simon leaned back in surprise. So he kissed first, but he could play it off as him being drunk. Josh had been sober, and he had kissed Simon back. Why would Josh kiss him? Unless... Simon felt his stomach tighten and begin to do flips.

"I was drunk Josh," he began. Josh nodded slowly. "And when you are drunk, you do stupid things. However, I don't regret kissing you." Josh looked up in surprise. "It was one of the best ideas I'd ever had," Simon continued. "And it only got better when you kissed me back." Simon meet Josh's eyes. "If I could go back in time and change anything, I would. I wouldn't get drunk. Everything else, I'd keep the same."

Josh locked eyes with Simon, and this time, when Simon leaned in, Josh leaned in too, and meet him halfway. The kiss was everything Josh could have hoped for. It was confident and joyful, happy and hopeful, full of beginnings and promises. Simon twisted his long fingers in Josh's hair, as Josh pulled Simon closer towards him. Their kiss deepened, til they just weren't close enough. They both wanted, needed more.

"Not here, not now," whispered Simon. "All of the guys are here."

Josh made a small whine as Simon pulled back. "What does it matter Simon?"

Simon looked ruefully at Josh. "Freya, Josh, Freya."

Josh sighed. "Don't worry Si. I'll end it with her," he promised.

Simon nodded before standing up.

"What about the video?" Josh complained.

Simon laughed. "Sorry, but I've got a tight schedule, and a lot of editing to do."

Josh stood up to protest as Simon ducked out through the doorway, and walked swiftly down the hall to his room.

Josh sighed and turned to his computer. Life was about to get hectic.