Secrets we keep in bottles

Taking a chance

A ring of his doorbell brings a confused Jacob downstairs. He hadn't remembered seeing any cars pull up. "It's probably Bill." He thought. Opening the door he found it wasn't Bill standing on the other side but Eric, grinning brightly at him.

"Miss me Chee?"

That damned smile. 

He cant help but grin widely back, his cheeks gaining some color. "Sure did."

Stepping aside, Eric enters and slips off his shoes. He immediately takes notice of the absence of his hoodie.

"Not wearing your usual?" He raises and eyebrow as if this was a rare moment he got the privilege of witnessing. In all fairness it was. He had hardly ever gone without his (well tecnically Eric's) hoodie since he gave it to him. He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, mama has to sew up one of the arms."

Suprised, he grabs his wrists and raises his arms, examining them. Jacob lets out a sound of protest but doesn't move from his grip. His eyes fall on the now scabbed cut planted on his elbow, releasing him. "Ohh. How did it happen?" He asks, entering the living room and lowering to the floor without much care to how heavy he landed. Sprawling out, Jacob has to step over his legs to reach the couch.

"I just tripped, you know how clumsy I can be." Lying to him leaves a bad taste in his mouth but he couldn't tell him the truth. What would I even say? A big bad bully pushed and taunted me because I'm in lo- He stops the thought abruptly scowling, unamused at where it had come from. 

"I'm not gay." He forces on himself.

Eric notices the scowl and looks over at him, drawing his brows together. He looked distressed, and he began to question his response to what he had asked him. Just tripping doesn't raise such emotions. What was actually bothering him he wouldn't have the chance to ask, Mr. Barly calling them from the kitchen.

"Soups on boys!"

Jacob gets up faster than expected, leaving Eric halfway off the floor in the den. He makes a mental note to ask him later. Upon entering the kitchen, two 6" subs were waiting for them. Both boys happily dug in, barely a word spoken until both plates were empty and both bellies were stuffed.

"Do you need money for the movie later?" Mr. Barly asked, turning off the tap and popping a final cup into the dishwasher.

"If you dont mind Dad. I thought i had a ten on me but I'm not sure where it's gone." Jacob licks the mustard off his fingers thoroughly, one at a time. He didn't feel like getting up to wash his hands, so his tongue would have to do. Eric eyed him from across the table, his mind beginning to wander as a warm feeling began to surface in him. He watched as his tongue rolled slowly over his index finger, his mouth closing over it to suck off the last bit of remaining substance.

"What are you staring at?" Jacob asks, giving him a funny look.

He snaps out of it startled. "Oh sorry, nothing. I was just thinking." He grabs his plate embarrassed and walks it to the sink, passing it off to Mr. Barly.

                           ---------------

"Alright so the movie starts at seven. Are you okay with that?" Eric asks, tossing a rubber ball off the far wall of Jacob's bedroom.

"Yes. That works fine." He replies contently, checking the time on his alarm clock. It was already 6:15. "We should probably head out in twenty." School had wiped him out today, his books and backpack laying in a pile at the end of his bed. Homework had long been finished so he could have the whole night to just him and Eric. Eric agrees, tossing the ball agian and it misses its intended target spot, ricocheting off a shoe and into the closet. Too lazy to retrieve it, he joins his friend in bed.

"Scooch over." He complains, giving him a push.

He groans but complies, scooting to lay against the wall, Eric laying beside him on his back. Being a twin bed doesn't provide much room for them both but neither of them minded. Propping his head up with his hand, he snickers.

"What?" Jacob snaps defensively.

"Jeez, always so quick to assume I'm going to make a joke about you. You wound me chee." He fake frowns, placing the same hand over his heart.

He rolls his eyes. "Fine fine. What were you snickering about?"

"Well if you had let me speak the first time, I would have asked you if you wanted to bring your blanket along with us. Since its no secret you're a scardy ca- ouch!" He cries out, a red mark painted agianst his arm from the slap it received. Jacob glares at him and he bursts into laughter despite the dull throb in his arm. He definitely was, in all seriousness, a scardy cat. He hated scary movies, horror books, Halloween ect. The only reason he went along with Eric to such films was because it was Eric's favorite genre. A little scare was worth it if he got to spend time with him. He wasn't sure if Eric ever caught on but sometimes he wondered if a part of him wished he would.

Laughter gradually died down and focus shifted to the soft glow of the ceiling stars. A couple of glow in the dark star stickers clung to the dried paint of the ceiling, not casting much light but they were fun to observe. Shoulders touching, the moment felt peaceful. The soft hum of a sewing machine down the hall and their breathing was the only sounds that filled their ears. Eric was certain that if they didn't need to make a movie later he would easily fall asleep right there. He closed his eyes and sighed quietly, relaxed.

Moving his index finger to scratch alongside his thumb momentarily, he becomes aware of just how close their hands are. He lets his hand rest back in its previous position, it's back pressing agianst Jacobs. Maybe if i just...

Hesitating, he slowly brushes his pinkie with his. Seconds pass and he begins to regret his action. Just as he was about to pull back, he feels Jacob's pinkie link with his. His heartbeat speeds up and he wonders just how far he will let himself go. Careful Eric, don't ruin it. With a hitched inhale, he cautiously slides his fingers agianst the inside of his palm, lacing his fingers with his. Relief washes over him as Jacob accepts his hand, squeezing slightly. Eyes still closed, he allows his mind to wander agian and a smile dances on the corners of his lips.

Beside him Jacob lays wide eyed, staring past the stars on the ceiling. Holy shit.. Loving the feeling of his soft skin agianst his, his heart threatens to beat out of his chest. Daring to look at him, he turns his head. Tracing his face with his gaze, his chest swells with a loving ake. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

The tick of the bedside clock indicates it's 6:40.