Confliction ; Joetrick

eleven; of being a liar and playdates

The week came and went too fast, and before Patrick knew it, it was Friday. He hadn't had time to call Joe all week, like the note said he should've, but he didn't worry about it too much, knowing Joe would be at his house that Friday.

He temporarily forgot about the situation with Meagan.

When Patrick heard the doorbell ring, his calm attitude turned into one of excitement; happy he was going to see Joe after what felt like too long. He was too emotionally​ attached to Joe, and couldn't help it.

A brief thought crossed his mind, but he shook it away as quickly as it came, not wanting to even consider thinking about it.

He heard Elisa open the door from the other room, and he tried not to seem too desperate; instead taking his time to get up and walk to the door. Declan, however, had other ideas, and dashed straight past Patrick to the door. He was so close to knocking over his father in his personal stampede, but he didn't seem to care, as he was occupied with yelling Ruby's name as he made his way to the open door.

After a moment to compose himself, Patrick looked up. Declan was hugging Joe's daughter, and Elisa was making polite conversation with Joe -- presumably inviting him in.

Although Joe was talking to Elisa, and Patrick was on the other side of the corridor, he could still feel Joe glance over at him occasionally; likely urgent to talk to him. It made him smile, and he made his way over to say hi (and because he still got uncomfortable when his two lovers spoke to each other).

"Hey, pal." Oh god that was worse than the time he called Joe his buddy. "How are you?" Patrick put on a pained smile as he cringed at his own words. He really needed to work on that. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Elisa shift her concentration to the two toddlers, and she turned to guide them to Declan's room.

"Pretty good, man." Joe grinned, inviting himself in. After saying this, he paused for a moment​, and Patrick presumed he was waiting for Elisa to leave.

His guess was right, because as soon as he could no longer hear her footsteps, Joe moved his focus from over Patrick's shoulder directly to his lips, and immediately pressed his own against them for a kiss.

It was a bit of a surprise -- not that Patrick minded, of course. It was the best way to be greeted, but what worried Patrick was that they could get caught at any second.

Or did that just make it more exciting?

Joe pulled away after what felt like a split second -- his kisses were always passionate and always left Patrick wanting more -- and he placed a hand on the small of Patrick's back, his face only an inch from touching Patrick's.

"Even better now, though." He whispered, which made Patrick want to shiver.

Before Patrick could respond, Joe literally pushed him away. He took a couple of steps back to avoid falling​ over or anything, and gave Joe a completely puzzled expression -- not understanding why he'd just do that -- temporarily forgetting that his wife could walk in at any moment.

And, as if on cue, Elisa walked back into the corridor they were standing in a second or two later. Patrick suddenly realised that Joe had just saved them from being caught, and he had a lot of respect for that. Joe was now rambling about something, pretending to continue a conversation they never had, but Patrick could only look at Joe with complete admiration.

Joe could've easily been selfish and let themselves get caught, so he could have Patrick all to himself, but he didn't.

And Patrick didn't really know why.

"You boys want to sit down?" Elisa laughed from across the corridor, beckoning them over. Patrick and Joe followed her like sheep, and Patrick could swear Joe was purposely brushing his hand against Patrick's as they walked.

"So, Joe," Elisa began as they were all now sat down, Patrick and Joe sitting together on the couch opposite her, but not too close so it didn't seem weirdly suspicious or anything. "What's it like looking after a child on your own?"

"It's not bad, really. But I guess it helps that Ruby's an angel. She's the only girl I need." Joe smiled politely as he continued the conversation -- Patrick could only begin to imagine how painful it must be to talk in a nice, civilised way to the woman he possibly was most jealous of and despised most. He personally would hate having to talk to the woman who had the guy he liked's heart.

Conversation basically continued like that for at least half an hour, Elisa really trying to get to know Joe. Patrick could tell she was just excited that her husband actually had a friend again, and in a way, he felt sorry for her, because she had no idea. And Patrick would never want to break her heart.

Patrick felt very uncomfortable when the topic moved to Joe's love life, and he could tell Joe was as well, by the embarrassed blush that crept up his neck. That was the first time Patrick swore he had ever seen Joe blush, which totally wasn't fair because he wanted to be the one to make him blush like that.

But again, he was surprised, because Joe didn't give away anything about their relationship, insisting he was single and uninterested. Patrick reckoned it was the most selfless thing anyone had ever done.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask, but do​ you guys fancy a drink of anything?" Elisa kindly asked after she concluded an earlier conversation they were having.

Patrick purposely asked for a drink he knew was hard to find in the fridge, just so he had a chance to talk to Joe. He realised he still had to tell him about the whole Meagan incident. Joe had to be made aware that they had been caught, and are edging closer to what Patrick would consider the end of his life. He'd probably never be able to leave his house again, because Elisa had a whole community of friends who would be shooting him dirty looks for the rest of his life every time he did something even as simple as going to the post box.

Maybe he'd have to hold some sort of break up with Joe (even though they never officially confirmed they were together, it's still obvious to the two of them that they were something) in order to get rid of this whole ordeal. Although he could never bring himself to do that, and it would solve nothing.

As Elisa left the room, Patrick gravely turned to Joe, ready to explain everything about Meagan as he opened his mouth to speak -- but Joe caught it with his own before he could form a sentence.

Patrick could immediately feel Joe's tongue roam around his mouth and he felt the couch move as Joe went to straddle him, hands moving over Patrick's hips.

Although they were lost in the moment, Patrick could sense Joe's tenseness -- alert and ready to react if he heard Elisa coming.

Patrick really had to know why Joe was being like this. Sure, he'd never had an affair before, but he always thought the person played by Joe in this situation would be trying their hardest to ruin the marriage and keep the cheater for themselves. Either he was a little delirious, or Joe was being extremely nice. Even at the Christmas party he wasn't this concerned about staying secret.

"My apologies," Joe breathed out after pulling away, resting his forehead on Patrick's, "I couldn't keep my hands off you for much longer."

Patrick looked up at him, wide-eyed and out of breath. "Why are you being so nice?" He asked, voice just as hushed as Joe's.

"What do you mean?" Joe sat up straighter on Patrick's lap so he could get a better look of his face.

"Like, you could easily let us get caught, but you're not. Why?" Patrick was sure Joe probably disliked Elisa. Despite how likable she is, the fact that she's married to Patrick most likely meant he couldn't like her. This must be torture to Joe.

Joe sighed, shifting awkwardly and rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, uh, I want you to be happy, yeah? And I know you're happy with your wife, and I don't want to stop that. I know you'd never forgive me if I did. Even though I know you love her, I can't help but be nice. Because,"

He paused, hearing Elisa's footsteps approach.

"Because I love you."

Joe got off Patrick's lap seconds before Elisa entered, leaving no evidence of what just happened except Patrick's​ wide eyes and racing heart, unable to say another word due to Elisa's presence.