The morning ended abruptly when Jess's parents barged into the room to find the two boys still intertwined in each other, Thomas pressing Jess into the bed beneath him. Even with the lust filled movements, there was still something gentle, pure about the encounter.
Regardless, Mrs. Winther cleared her throat to let the boys know that they were here. Both flew apart with incredible speed and grace.
"I'm sorry, I was going to tell you and dad, it just happened so fast, I didn't have time..." Jess flew through his reasoning. With everything that had just happened, he couldn't take having to argue with his parents.
Inside Mr. and Mrs. Winther's minds was a little different however. Neither was surprised when they saw the boys together but it didn't make it any easier. After all the pain their family had gone through, it was hard on them to think of their son being with Thomas especially right now.
With every fear they held for Thomas it was a reminder of the struggles Jess had had when he had been younger. Jess's parents had spent years pretending they didn't see the struggle behind the green eyes. They said to themselves that it was a phase, that he would tell the when he was ready but truly, they were afraid. So, they pretended that they didn't see the hints he dropped, the sad smiles when he thought no one was looking.
And now, they were still afraid especially when it came to Thomas. All they wanted was their son to be happy but with Thomas, they didn't know if Jess could handle it.
"It's...um...okay, I just was a little surprised... that's all" Mrs. Winther struggled through her answer because she wanted him to be happy but she also knew she couldn't dictate his life. Thomas looked abashed with hints of shame peering through.
"Um... anyways, how are you Thomas?" Mr. Winther croaked. Even though Thomas was no longer straddling Jess, their bodies were pressed against each other and their hands were intertwined. Thomas had only dreamed of this, it was a selcouth feeling but one that he didn't shy away from.
Jess's parents only stayed a little while but promised to talk more about the new found relationship when Thomas gets out of the hospital. With everything that had been happening, Thomas's anxiety was through the roof but for whatever reason, Jess was keeping him grounded.
Maybe it was the hand that had intertwined within its own or maybe it was him just physically being there but whatever it was, Thomas was grateful. The next few days were chaotic, especially after he had been released from the hospital. It was chaotic emotionally, physically, mentally.
With the blossom of Thomas's and Jess's relationship, Thomas felt the normal relationship jitters but it was combined with sorrow, shame, everything that he had been dealing with before he tried to kill himself. He felt relief from being out of the hospital but it didn't make his emotions any easier to deal with.
Telling Ariel that they were together had been the worst part.
Since Thomas had moved in with them, he hadn't really talked to Ariel. They would exchange pleasantries but never a full conversation, and Thomas couldn't blame her for not wanting to. It was the same day they had told Jess's parents. Ariel came in shortly after they left and it didn't take her long to notice the shift between the two boys.
"Are you guys...?" Ariel hid her emotions well but not well enough that Thomas didn't notice the subtle pain behind the green eyes so similar to her brother's.
"Um, yeah...I'm really sorry Ariel. I know you can probably never forgive me for hurting you so much, but I'm sorry." Thomas sputtered, putting his hand on Jess's to silence the boy. "No...um...no...I was just surprised. And Thomas, I have forgiven you. Look, I know what Jess went through when he was coming to terms with him being gay so I understand. I was just hurt, that's all but...um...we should probably put it past us now, seeing as..." Ariel trailed off, eyes locked on their intertwined hands. "It'll just take some getting used to, that's all."
Thomas looked back at the memory with mixed feelings, but mostly content with the way it panned out. It was the day he had got home from the hospital and Jess's parents finally made promise of the talk that they were going to have.
They started off talking to Jess privately, expressing their concerns but ultimately their support about the respective relationship. When it came time for both boys to join the conversation, it turned to more of a necessity rather than expressing concern.
"Paul and I have been trying to figure out the rooming situation considering recent events..." Mrs. Winther started, unsure of the decision they had come to. "As much as I am hesitant to have you sleep in the same room as Jess, Thomas, considering your history with Ariel, I can't very well put you with her. And I don't want you to have to sleep on the coach so, please, both of you, don't do anything. There is a door open policy at all times. Please don't make me regret this." She breathed out a sigh when her speech was done.
Jess breathed out a sigh as well. He knew it took a lot for his parents to let them stay in the same room but Jess had been able to convince them. All in all, Thomas was glad when the day was over.
The night came like a beast waiting to attack in the brush. For Thomas, the night had always offered nightmares and fear so even as he grew into an adult, the night still haunted him like when he was young. This night was no exception to that. Thomas made no effort to hide the fact that he slept better when he was with Jess and this didn't escape Jess's notice either.
"Hey...uh...Thomas? Would you...um...do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?" The lack of confidence surprised Thomas. Jess had always seemed so confident in himself and to hear him sound unsure was endearing.
Thomas who had been standing behind the other boy came up and wrapped his arms around Jess's waist. "You know you're cute when you're nervous and I would love that, Jess." Thomas mused, secretly relieved at the prospect of having Jess near him. The boys were more than eager to go to bed that night, Jess's parents not as eager.
When the pair had gotten changed and were climbing in to Jess's bed, Thomas mumbled something that took them both back, with the vulnerability it contained.
"Jess? I think I'm ready to tell you what happened the night I told my dad I'm gay." Thomas never would have believed that he would ever be able to trust someone enough to tell them what happened, but Jess was the exception.
So that night, Thomas told Jess everything. He told him what happened, why he dated Ariel, about his anxiety and depression, Wren but debatably the most important, he told Jess about his mother and Jess listened.
When he was talking to Jess, he realized that that was the first time he really talked about his mother. Not how she died or how he dealt with it but the good, the bad and all the in between. The last word slipped past his mouth and it was the first time he had really felt happy.
It was crazy and unexpected but it was pure, unadulterated happiness. He knew the feeling would be gone in the morning, clouded by his worries but at least it had been there. It wasn't that he hadn't felt happiness since his mom died, it was more that every time he felt happy, he felt guilty.
Somewhere deep within his soul, feeling happy was a sin. Happiness had no place in his life when his mother died. But in this moment, nothing else mattered. He could only see Jess, only feel Jess and maybe, just maybe, Jess could be his happiness.
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Three Simple Words
General FictionThree Simple Words is a heart-wrenching and moving account of a boy struggling with his sexuality, persecuted by his religion and drowning in depression. Thomas has always struggled with his sexuality but it's not until Jess comes into his life that...