Unexpected

Part 3

John Paul tossed and turned half of the night, unable to put his mind at rest just to be able to get a few moments sleep. It was getting frustrating, and in the end he just sat up, rubbing his palms together. He looked over at Matthew who was soundly asleep, and he smiled to himself. "You're the only sane one around here little one." He muttered to himself fondly. His mind kept wandering back to Ste; the deli, the fight, the heart to heart, the kiss..

He wondered if he'd been able to sleep? Did the kiss mean anything? Nah, it couldn't, could it? They hated each other not so long ago. But all he felt towards Ste now was curiosity, and a little nervous. He stood, bending to kiss his sons head gently, before going downstairs. He squinted at the clock. 6am. He sighed out loud.

Trying to distract himself, John Paul raided the fridge, making his favourite treat, strawberries and cream. Damn to it being 6am. Finally sitting down, he was about to tuck in when he heard a knock on the door, causing him to jolt and the cream splattering down his shirt. "Oh-- for fu-." He shook his head and wondered. Could this be Ste? The thought sent shivers down his spine. He walked to open the door, which he rolled his eyes, a hungover Mercedes stumbling through the door. "Alright little bro." She slurred.

"Alright." John Paul mumbled, grabbing a towel to dab his shirt. He was a little dissapointed.

Okay, a lot.

"Why are you up so early? Had any cheeky late night rendezvous with loaded fit men, eh?" She smirked, flinging herself on the sofa.

"Mercedes, I was sat there!" He groaned, but decided there was no point arguing with her.

"Well? Why are you looking so shifty? Come on. Who's bothering you?" She asked.

"It's nobody.." He replied deflatedly.

"Oh so it is a man!" She cheered, obviously proud of herself.

What? Did she not hear what he just said? Maybe she knew him better than he liked. "No! Maybe. Yes. Yeah, it is."

"Well, what happened? Shouldn't you be happy you've finally broken your dry spell?!"

"We didn't do anything like that. We just..kissed.." He shrugged, his feet being interesting again.

"And? You're acting like it's some sort of crime! Why is that such a big deal?" She quizzed.

"Because it was Ste, okay?! I kissed Ste.." He admitted, it sounding weird when he said it aloud.

Mercedes laughed, as though she thought John Paul was having a laugh. "What? You're..oh." She saw his face. "You're being serious aren't you?"

John Paul nodded.

"Come on, sit down." She moved up and patted the space next to her. He obliged. "What happened?"

John Paul knew he might as well tell the truth now. "We were arguing at first, then I went to apologise and we ended up talking about things. Exes, life in general, before I knew it. I just kissed him. And he kissed me." John Paul bit his lip harshly.

"I know you two haven't been the best of mates, but maybe you should talk to him. I personally don't really like him for hurting you, but he could be good for you." She said more seriously now.

"What if he just laughs at me? He might of thought it was nothing, just a sympathy thing."

"You won't know until you talk to him! Go on, I'll look after Matthew for you. But..put some nicer clothes on.." She smiled.

"What? Thanks Mercy." John Paul grinned back and gave her a quick hug.

"Err, you just wiped cream all over my dress you plank!" She scowled, and John Paul laughed. Same old Mercy.

***

Ste hadn't had much of a better night once he'd gone home and tried taking his mind from the previous nights events. In fact, he'd not stopped pacing the house all night. He was glad when the clock finally struck 6am and he could go and set up the deli. He hadn't made much effort, and had slung on his creased uniform.

"Ste!" A voice shouted from behind him and he automatically panicked, fixing his hair quickly. He turned, seeing John Paul, his smile came out awkward and false.

"Uh, hiya." He said quietly, stopping in the middle of the village, glad not many people were tottering about.

"About last night--.." John Paul started, but Ste quickly cut him off.

"I know. It was a mistake." He said all in one and turned around, heading to the deli and unlocking it.

John Paul blinked, not really wanting that reaction, and he followed him. "No, actually. I was going to offer to talk about it."

"Oh." Ste said in surprise. "You'd best come in then." He nodded sheepishly, stepping aside.

John Paul walked over to the seats, last nights images flashing through his brain. "What we did was definitely...unexpected. But it made me think. It wasn't as bad as I thought."

Ste scoffed. "Aw thanks! Right charmer aren't 'ya?" He remarked sarcastically. "Just get to the point would you? I've got a deli to run."

"I actually liked it, uh.." He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling on the spot. "I couldn't stop thinking about it actually, about you. Erm. Help me out here Ste can't you see I'm a bit fuddled?!"

Ste had already felt his ears burn red, and he went to sit on the chair next to John Paul's. "Me too. You're not half bad. It was just a kiss but, I don't want it to just be that." He admitted shyly.

"So..We're cool?" John Paul asked, mentally slapping himself.

"More than cool.." Ste agreed, giving him a soft nudge and a slow smile spread across his face.

Once John Paul saw Ste smiling he couldn't help but smile his own wide one, accompanied by a little chuckle. "How about a drink, tonight? I'll pick you up after work and we'll go to the dog." He nodded. "If you want.."

"Yeah. We can do. Give me an excuse to get my glad rags on." He laughed, looking at John Paul in a whole different light.

"Great! See you at six?" He stood up and straightened himself out, going to open the door. Feeling relieved everything was spoken about.

"Yeah. Six." Ste concluded, before perking up again. "Oh, and John Paul?" He called after him, making the other male turn around.

"...I still hate you." He said, smirk apparent in his voice.

John Paul laughed genuinely, rolling his eyes. "I hate you too." And left.

But that sealed the knot of something that was well and truly sparking.