secrecy {1} boyxboy

26

(UNEDITED)

Josh sat by the door, a smile evident on his face as he listened intently from behind the wooden surface. Aaron and Josh had decided to surprise everyone with Josh's presence, and they thought it would be a good idea to get back in the good life once more.

They also decided to become steady, which was also another surprise.

At the moment, Aaron had gathered all of their friends in their dorm, but Josh hid. He was the surprise, after all.

Sitting outside in the hallway, Josh could hear Aaron talking about Josh. He could hear laughter, and he could also hear the familiar voices of his friends. His heart swelled, because even though he had truly missed Aaron, he still insanely missed his favorite people in the world.

Suddenly, the door opened, swinging into the side of Josh's head.

"Ow!" Josh winced, bringing his hand to the pain.

"Josh?" A familiar voice.

Looking up, without rubbing the side of his head, stood Gabby. Even though it hadn't been centuries, it sure felt like it had. Gabby's eyes were still dark, but she was wearing glasses and her hair was down and long.

Josh stood up from his place and ignored the pain in his head, and he wrapped his arms around the long time best friend. Gabby tightly hugged back.

A chorus of Josh? echoed from the dorm, and soon everyone was in the great group hug.

Minutes later, they all pulled apart and rushed into the dorm room, and Aaron shut the door.

"Josh, you're back!" Sadie exclaimed. She looked different.

"Your hair is brown?" Josh questioned, eyeing the used-to-be-blonde. Sadie laughed, flicking her dyed hair off her shoulder. Josh laughed, feeling great that she was okay. He noticed Louis holding her hand, and he felt better that Louis was there with her through the whole ride.

"You didn't die!" Faber shouted from the side, pumping her fists into the air. Her hair looked straightened and also dyed an ash blonde.

"I told you he wasn't dead," an Irish voice spoke up. Niall.

"Niall, what are you doing here?" Josh asked.

"I came because I'm with Clara, you dolt," Niall laughed. Oh, yeah. Niall's arm was safely around Clara's waist, and it was good to see Clara smiling.

Looking around the room, Josh felt warm. He liked seeing all the familiar faces. An hand linked with his own, and Josh looked to his right.

"Hey." Aaron smiled.

"Hi." Josh grinned back.

"Holy shit, they're holding hands." Sadie pointed.

"Oh my fuck, is this even real life?" Faber cried. Liam, who stood next to her, cracked up into laughter. He had stubble now, but it looked good. Great, even.

"Wait, does this mean-"

"Yes," Aaron interrupted Louis, "I'm gay."

"And I'm gay, too!" Josh cheered.

"We already knew that, moron," Clara laughed, "but does this mean you two are a, well, thing?"

Aaron looked at Josh. Josh glanced back. Instead of answering, Josh asked, "Where is Andrew?"

"With Emma." Aaron shrugged.

"Did you not invite them?"

"I did," Aaron sighed. "but they were a little too close for a no-straighter's liking."

"'No-straighter'?" Josh rose an eyebrow. "wow. You really are gay."

Aaron laughed, and Josh joined him. Soon, everyone else was laughing. They laughed because everything was okay, all was good and nothing was bad. Josh was back and they were happy.

"Does this mean we can get pizza?" Liam had asked.

"Yes, it does," Faber kissed his nose. "and it also means you're paying."

~

Josh had forgotten how good SGP Palace was. He had survived off of Ramen Noodles and Niall's occasional granola bars for so long, and the taste of Italian food made him feel rich again.

After the meal, and Liam paying (Faber's orders), they all started walking back home.

Home. Josh liked the sound of that. Orchid University was his home; well, at least for now. He liked it.

"Look at the stars," Clara said as the reached outside. The sky was dark, and twinkling lights scattered around the night.

"Look how they shine for you," Niall sang, pitching it with the Coldplay song; Yellow. Their hands were locked and swinging.

"You listen to Coldplay?" Liam asked Niall.

"Of course, mate. You'd be lame if you haven't heard that song." Niall replied.

"It is beautiful." Faber spoke softly.

"Just like you." Liam smiled, his arm draped around her waist.

"Woah, chill bruh," Josh winced, "I can smell the cheese from here."

Crossing over the main road, the rest had gotten back to their dorms. Everyone- but Louis, who claimed he was too "punk rock"- hugged Josh goodnight. They left Josh and Aaron alone outside, but the two didn't mind.

"It's going to be winter soon, isn't it?" Aaron spoke. He was mainly asking himself, but Josh took this as a reasonable question.

"It is,"

"I'm not ready for the cold." Aaron whined.

"Me neither," Josh shrugged, "but it will give us an excuse to hug each other all night."

Aaron chuckled, but then stopped abruptly. Instead, he turned towards Josh. "What are we?"

"Hm?" Josh misheard.

"What are we? A couple? Friends with benefits?"

"Well," Josh cleared his throat. Then again. "I don't know. What do you want to be?"

"Together." Aaron whispered. The two were close together again, both eyeing each other's lips. A breeze filled the air, causing them to become even closer.

"Then together we shall be." Josh mumbled faintly on Aaron's lips, and then once more they kissed.

It was short and sweet, and it made Josh's entire night.