What The Heart Wants

 

Chapter XII

 

     Jason and Seth kicked up their relationship a notch. Jason had become bolder, less shy, and was now willing to explore a little. They were on Seth’s bed, the door closed, Jason’s body covering Seth’s as he lay above him on the bed, kissing him, touching him. He slipped his tongue into the other’s mouth, deepening the kiss as he reached a hand up the other’s shirt, hand moving up his side, across his stomach and chest, enjoying the feeling of the brunet’s warm skin under his touch.

     Seth moaned softly as a hand found its way up his shirt, to his bare chest. He bit his lip as they parted briefly, and snuck his hand up the back of Jason’s shirt, hand roaming freely over the soft, smooth skin of the other’s back. The two teens smirked at each other briefly before they continued kissing once more.

     Seth’s eyes drifted closed, letting out a small gasp as he felt a hand grab his clothed erection. He heard a pleased noise from the other, and opened his eyes to look at him. He was smirking confidently as he gave the bulge in the brunet’s pants a gentle squeeze. Seth bit his lip stifling a moan. He sat up and removed his shirt; it had to go, and so did Jason’s. Jason didn’t seem too fond of the idea, however. As Seth tried to remove his shirt, he pulled back, his smirk fading. Seth quirked an eyebrow in confusion.

     “Jason? What’s wrong?” the Australian asked carefully. Jason bit his lip, deflecting his eyes toward the floor. Seth leaned forward ever so slightly.

     “Hiding something from me?” he asked softly. Jason managed a glance back, and Seth felt his breath leave his lungs. The look on the other’s face was absolutely beautiful, yet so sad at the same time; he looked like a lost puppy dog. Jason sighed heavily and slowly began to raise his shirt. Seth gasped when he laid his eyes upon a large bruise on the other’s side. Seth’s eyes went wide with shock. He dared to move closer, to let his fingers brush over the wound. Jason flinched slightly at the contact, but let it continue for a few moments before lowering his shirt.

     “Your dad?” Seth asked softly, though it was more for a statement than a question. Jason simply nodded. Seth reached out and gently grasped the other boy’s wrist, tugging him into a light embrace.

     “I’m sorry,” he murmured as he nuzzled into the other’s throat. Jason sighed deeply but otherwise, didn’t respond.

     “Jason…you can’t keep livin’ like that,” Seth whispered. Jason didn’t answer.

     “You need to tell someone,” he added. Jason shook his head slowly and got up, moving slowly across the room.

     “I can’t,” the raven-haired teen replied in a soft tone, leaning back against the wall. Seth huffed in annoyance. He moved, letting his legs dangle over the edge of the bed as he crossed his arms and looked directly at the other male.

     “Jason, ya can’t keep letting this happen! Ya deserve better than that!”

     “It’s not about what I deserve! I just…I can’t okay?! Can we please drop this? I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” Seth got to his feet, pinching the bridge of his nose.

     “Fine, whatever,” he snapped, stalking out of his bedroom. Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair as he followed his boyfriend out. He understood; Seth was worried about him.

     “Seth? Jason? What’s up? You two fighting?” Cole asked as he passed the two teens on his way toward the kitchen.

     “No, we’re fine dad,” Seth said deadpanned. His father didn’t look convinced but let it go. Finally, Jason reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

     “Pissed at me now?” he asked. Seth sighed, but never turned to face the other.

     “No, just frustrated. I’m worried about ya,” Seth replied tiredly.

     “I’m sorry, but…” Jason couldn’t finish. He wasn’t sure why he refused to tell anyone. It wouldn’t take much to get himself out of the hell that was his home. Perhaps, deep down, he held out hope that his father really could change. That one day things might go back to the way they used to be, when he was little. In a sense, some part of him wasn’t any better than his mother; hoping for something that was beyond hope, with odds that were beyond astronomical.

     Jason approached his boyfriend from behind, slowly. He carefully wrapped his arms around the other’s waist and buried his face in his neck. Seth couldn’t help but to smirk.

     “Fuck you for being so adorable,” Seth murmured, grinning when he felt the other smirk against his neck. They stood there for a while, just savoring the moment. They finally parted and Seth turned to look Jason in the eye.

     “I love you,” Seth said softly, gently caressing the other’s cheek. He waited for Jason to reply, but the other remained silent. No reply came. Seth tried not to let his annoyance show, but couldn’t stop the slight display, as he huffed and made his way into the living room. He understood why Jason couldn’t say it, but a small part of him hoped he’d be able to by now.

     “I’m sorry.” Seth turned to face his boyfriend, flashing him a weak smile.

     “It’s alright. I understand,” Seth replied. Jason simply nodded, then following the other into the living room. He glanced up at the clock and sighed.

     “I should get home,” he said deadpanned. Seth looked at the other over his shoulder.

     “Be careful, okay?” he asked. Jason managed a smile as he approached his boyfriend and wrapped his arms around him.

     “Of course. No worries.”

 

* * * * * *

 

     Jason hopped out of his car and made his way inside his house. He immediately headed for his bedroom. His father was passed out in front of the television in the living room. His mother and his brother and his brother’s girlfriend Lyssa were sitting at the kitchen table, conversing, and Blitz was asleep at Michael’s feet.

     Michael looked up from his conversation and greeted his brother with a smile.

     “Jason, hey!” he said cheerily. Jason smiled and hugged his brother.

     “Hey Mike, Lyssa! What brings you here?” Jason asked.

     “He was just introducing me to your mother,” Lyssa chimed in. Jason gave his brother a meaningful glance, a glance only his brother could read. Michael simply shook his head. Jason looked a bit relieved as he continued on his way toward his bedroom.

     “So how are you and Seth doing?” his mother asked casually. Jason stopped dead in his tracks, his blood freezing in his veins and his eyes wide with shock. He glared over at Michael who either didn’t notice, or was ignoring it.

     “I’m not sure what you mean,” Jason lied. He turned back toward the stairs to make his escape, but fate had other plans for him that day.

     “You don’t have to hide it from me, Jason. I’m not going to tell your father,” she said. This confirmed that Michael had told her. He was a dead man. Jason slowly made his way back into the kitchen and sat at the table, his eyes fixed upon Michael, glaring darkly.

     His mother leaned toward him and gently cupped his cheek.

     “Sweetie, I don’t care who you’re with, as long as you’re happy,” she said softly. He glanced at his mother, then back to Michael, and then his eyes once more settled back on his mother.

     “Michael only confirmed what I already suspected,” she said. Jason’s glare softened as he looked back toward his brother. He sighed and shook his head.

     “What’s the point of all this?” Jason asked tiredly, leaning back in his chair. He tilted his head back, closing his eyes as he let out another tired sigh.

     “I thought I could meet his family,” Angela replied. Jason’s head snapped up so fast, it was amazing he didn’t get whip lash from it.

     “Excuse me?!” he nearly shouted, glaring hotly at Michael again. Michael raised his hand sin surrender.

     “Calm down little brother! My hands are clean in this one!” Jason snorted in response.

     “It was my idea. I’d like to meet the parents of the one who makes my son happy. Is that so wrong?” Angela asked innocently.

     “What about dad?” Jason asked, trying to hide the obvious concern.

     “Michael and I have that covered. Don’t worry,” Lyssa said sweetly, flashing him a smile.

     “I called and arranged it while you were out. We’ll be having dinner with them tonight,” Angela explained. Jason groaned, firmly planting his face on the table.

 

* * * * * *

 

     They’d ended up taking Jason’s car; the teen had absolutely refused to be caught dead in a station wagon, his mother’s car, much to her amusement. When they arrived, he wasn’t exactly in a hurry. In fact, he intentionally moved slowly toward the door.

     He was so entrenched in his own thoughts that he hadn’t even heard it when his mother knocked, nor when the door swung open. It wasn’t until he heard Seth’s voice that he was snapped out of his thoughts.

     “Hiya! C’mon in!” Seth said cheerily with a smile on his face. Hearing the other’s voice, and seeing his face, Jason was able to manage a smile. His mother entered first, then Jason followed, enlacing his fingers with Seth’s as he went.

     “Hello! I’m Angela Davis; Jason’s mother,” Angela said sweetly, shaking Seth’s parents hands.

     “Cole Jones,” Cole replied.

     “And I’m Robin Jones,” his wife said. Jason smiled as he watched their parents talk. They seemed to have hit it off famously. Perhaps things wouldn’t turn out so bad after all.

     “Dinner’s almost ready boys!” Robin called back to the teens as she led Cole and Angela into the kitchen. Jason glanced over at Seth. The brunet smiled and squeezed his hand reassuringly.

     “Relax a little, yeah?” Seth said smoothly. Jason smirked as he pulled Seth to his chest, placing a kiss to his lips.

* * * * * *

 

     Dinner went quite well, and things hadn’t turned out as bad as Jason had first feared. His mother helped Robin in the kitchen to finish dinner, and then they conversed, laughed, and joked around the table. It was quite nice. Jason had to wonder though what had brought about this change in his mother. He made a mental note to ask his brother if he knew anything about it.

     “So what does your husband do?” Robin asked. Jason’s face paled. He’d known they would ask about his father eventually, but that didn’t mean he was prepared for it. He continued eating, hoping his hair would hide his panic-filled eyes. Angela however, seemed unfazed.

     “Oh, my husband works as a janitor at the local hospital,” she answered casually.

     “Oh well isn’t that a coincidence! My husband Cole is a doctor there!” Robin said cheerily. Jason froze, staring down at the table wide-eyed. This was bad. He chanced a look at Seth, who wore a look of concern as he stared back.

     “Well we’ll have to arrange a meeting with him some time! A little get together!” Robin said cheerily.

     “Dad doesn’t know I’m bi yet!” Jason blurted out. All eyes turned on him. He blushed and slowly continued.

     “I…haven’t told him yet. He…um…he’s not as easy to talk to as mom is.” Angela simply nodded.

     “Indeed. The man doesn’t come by emotions easily, but he is really sweet.” Robin and Cole both smiled, the man wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

     “Aye, that can be said about most men, hmm?” Robin teased, playfully poking her husband in the side. Cole chuckled and nodded.

     “Indeed. My wife here knew about our son’s preferences before I did,” Cole answered. Seth blushed slightly as he scratched the back of his neck.

     “God ya guys are embarrassin’,” he muttered. His parents chuckled at him, making him sink down in his chair a bit.

     “Well, ta be technical, I came out ta my brother first,” Seth put in. Jason looked over at Seth in surprise. Why hadn’t he ever told him he had a brother? Seth, as if reading his mind, shrugged and said to his boyfriend “it never came up. I never saw a need to mention it either.”

     “Well, it’s not surprising really. You and Scott have always been close,” Robin said sweetly.

     “I also have a sister, if you’re wondering,” Seth said then, to Jason.

     “An older sister. Her name’s Danielle,” the brunet added.

     “Where are they?” Jason asked.

     “Back in Australia,” Cole answered, glancing up from his meal.

     “Danielle is in college and Scott is helping his uncle at the crocodile farm back in Australia,” Robin explained. Jason simply nodded in response. As dinner ended, Jason and Seth snuck upstairs to be alone for a while, while their parents continued to chat away. It wasn’t until an hour or so later, when the sun started to go down, that Angela wrapped up their conversation and was ready to go home. Jason would have loved to stay a little while longer, but sadly, it was his car they had taken.

     “Well it was nice meeting you!” Angela said with a smile, shaking Cole and Robin’s hands one last time.

     “And you as well! Don’t be a stranger now! You’re welcome anytime!” Robin said cheerily. Angela waved once more and headed back to the car.

     “Be right there mom!” Jason called back. He turned back to Seth, who was still standing in the door way, a smirk on his face. His parents flashed them a smile before retreating back into the house to give them some privacy.

     “So, I guess tonight wasn’t so bad, hm?” Seth asked with a sly grin. Jason smiled, playfully shoving the other.

     “No, I suppose not. Though now I’m going to have to hear my brother say ‘I told you so’,” Jason responded. The teens shared a quiet laugh, then Jason leaned forward and placed a tender kiss to his boyfriend’s lips.

     “I’ve got to get going. I’ll see you tomorrow though,” the raven haired teen said in a gentle tone. Seth blushed lightly and smiled, nodding in response. As Jason made his way back to the car, smile lit up his face. For the first time in his life, things were going his way, and he was genuinely happy.