-rainbow cookie, tracob

21,

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The funny thing- well, sort of funny, but no one was really laughing- is that Jacob seemed to be taking The Thomas Situation as badly as Troye was. At least Troye had someone to talk to about it, someone who was his rock. Jacob loved being that for Troye, but the problem was that Troye couldn't reciprocate.

Which wasn't his fault- Jacob just stubbornly refused to allow any of his negative feelings to show through for Troye to see.

And there were negative feelings galore spinning around in Jacob's strange little mind. There was worry that Thomas would hurt Troye, and anger that he dared to show his face again after what he did. There was fear, even, because Troye was the love of Jacob's life and he was hanging out dangerously close to a loose canon.

And -not that you could get Jacob to admit it, but- there might have been a little jealousy.

It was completely stupid. Like, insanely stupid. Somewhere up in his head Jacob knows that Troye has feelings for him, strong ones, and that Troye knows how bad Thomas was for him. Jealousy shouldn't be an issue, because there's nothing to worry about.

But it may or may not be one of the reasons that Jacob rearranges his work schedule a little so that he's always off in time to 'pick up' Troye after his management class.

It's either really impressive or really sad, the way that Jacob can instantly pick out Troye in the crowd of people spilling from the front entrance of the building. He doesn't have to wear bright colors to stand out to Jacob. That silhouette, that walk, that everything is as familiar to him as his own face.

Today, though, there's another familiar frame walking close to his, an arm slung around Troye's shoulders. It's Thomas, as bright and confident as Troye is shrinking and nervous. Thomas must be telling some story, because the hand that isn't cupping Troye's shoulder is gesturing wildly in the air, and when he guffaws wildly it prompts a weak chuckle from Troye.

The whole scene kind of makes Jacob nauseous.

So nauseous that he really can't be blamed for grabbing Troye by the waist as soon as he's within arm's reach. "Hey, babe," he says sweetly. "Thomas," he adds without a trace of sugar.

"Hi Jacob," Troye says happily, body already relaxing in relief. He hasn't said it out loud, exactly, but Jacob knows he's glad to be met at the door. Thomas puts him on edge. Jacob brings him back down.

Thomas has ignored the exchange, continuing on with his story like he's still just talking to Troye and only sparing an irritated glance for Jacob. His desire for Jacob to just disappear off the planet is adamantly mutual, which Jacob demonstrates by putting one hand on the back of Troye's neck, one hand on his hip, and pulling their mouths together in a warm kiss.

At first Troye's stiff with surprise, both at the suddenness of it and the way that this kiss is far too deep for a public place. Jacob's sighing into his mouth and holding him close like how they usually only do behind closed doors. But then, as he always does, Troye melts into it with a quiet little exhale of satisfaction because damn if Jacob isn't perfect.

"Excuse me," Thomas says, put out. Neither Troye nor Jacob is paying him much attention, but if he's addressing Jacob it's the first word he's said to him since returning.

Jacob doesn't give a shit. "He's busy," he replies on Troye's behalf, then nudges him until Troye's back is against the wall and Jacob's whole body is pressed against him. The hand in Troye's hair tugs a little, while the other slips down to cradle the curve of Troye's bum. The kisses he takes are needy.

Troye's already long gone. He's whimpering and sighing in equal parts, a quiet chorus of approval whispered into Jacob's mouth. He's hard, too, unwaveringly ready as always to accept Jacob's touch.