Fools

Six

Ralph's aunt came home that evening to see Ralph's head in Jack's lap while he snoozed quietly. Jack was still watching The Munsters while he mindlessly  played with Ralph's hair. Anastasia leaned over the back of the couch to speak to Jack so she wouldn't wake her sleeping nephew.

"Are you staying for dinner, Dear?" Anastasia asked Jack quietly.

"If it is okay with you, I'll stay." Jack whispered. "I don't want to impose."

Anastasia smiled warmly at the boy. "You're welcome to stay anytime you please."

"Thank you." He smiled. Anastasia gently squeezed his shoulder and disappeared into the kitchen to make dinner for the three of them. Jack brushed Ralph's hair away from his face. He felt extremely lucky in that moment. He knew they were yet to be in a relationship, but knowing that Ralph trusted him enough to sleep with him made Jack feel like he was on top of the world. He hoped that the date Friday would go over well because if he messed up with Ralph again he didn't know how he would handle it.

"Jack?" A soft voice broke Jack's thoughts. He looked down at Ralph and smiled at his tired expression. "Did my aunt come home?" his voice was breathy and quiet.

"She's cooking supper now." Jack whispered. "You can go back to sleep, it'll be a while." Ralph nodded his head and rolled over, burying his face in Jack's stomach. Jack smiled wide at the fair boy, admiring his adorable quirks. He rested his hand on Ralph's shoulder, the pad of his thumb rubbing the white fabric of his school shirt.

***

The rest of the week seemed to fly by to Ralph and he found himself rushing around his room on Friday with a towel wrapped around his waist as he searched for something decent to wear.

"Ralph, he's going to be here soon, you need to get dressed!" His aunt said as she walked up the stairs. She sighed at the boy and rubbed her forehead.

"Go comb your hair and I'll find clothes for you." She ordered. Ralph nodded his head and turned to go back into his bathroom. His aunt quickly found a white button up shirt and black jeans for Ralph. "Wasn't that hard." She mumbled to herself. She set the clothes on the edge of the sink as the doorbell rung. Ralph groaned to himself and shooed his aunt away so he could dress himself.

Jack stood at the doorstep anxiously tapping his foot against the concrete step. He was wearing a blue flannel buttoned down and loosely tucked into his jeans. He held a white rose in his clammy hand. Ralph's aunt answered the door and he smiled at her.

"Is Ralph ready yet, Ma'am?" Jack asked politely.

"He'll be down in just a moment if you'd like to come in." She stepped aside and let him into her house.

"Did Ralph wait until last minute to get ready, again?" Jack asked. Anastasia chuckled and nodded her head.

"He's quite the procrastinator." She replied. They continued on with their small talk until Ralph came down the stairs in the clothes his aunt picked out for him. Jack smiled at the smaller boy with admiration evident in his features. Ralph smiled back, his dimples indenting his cheeks.

"Ready to go?" Ralph asked.

"Yeah, um this is for you." Jack said handing Ralph the white rose awkwardly. Ralph smiled and accepted it.

"Thank you." He giggled before turning to his aunt and asking her to put it in some water. The two boys left the house, walking along the sidewalk to the diner Jack decided on going to. He was nervous that Ralph wouldn't like going to a diner and would prefer something fancier, but what he didn't know was that Ralph was happy as long as he was with Jack.