Inside the hallway, outside the washroom…
Amber and Jonathan were still inside.
The moans hadn't stopped for almost an hour.
The walls seemed too thin for Justin and Eric.
justin: red from head to toe 😳
(why are they still going…?!)
eric: face blank 😶
(but his mind wasn't blank. not at all.)
He had heard these kinds of sounds too many times in his past —
in a way that was painful, humiliating, frightening.
But this time…
watching Justin's ears go red,
watching him fidget and avoid eye contact,
the sound made something different stir in him.
Something warm.
Something confusing.
Something he didn't know he was allowed to want.
justin: "I-I think we should… go. They're… busy."
He grabs Eric's wrist, pulling him away.
Eric doesn't move.
He suddenly pulls Justin back —
Justin's back hits the wall with a soft thud.
justin: "E–Eric?" 😳
Eric looks at him…
eyes full of fear
and longing
and hunger he doesn't understand.
eric: voice small, trembling
"…you said we'd wait until marriage."
He lifts his hand slowly, hesitating.
"But at least… can you hold me?"
His voice cracks.
eric: "Touch my back… my shoulders… anywhere.
Just… just so I know it's not like before."
Justin freezes.
Not out of disgust —
but out of shock at how much pain was hidden in those words.
justin: heart dropping
"Eric… hey…"
He lifts his hand carefully, slowly, like approaching a frightened animal.
His fingers brush Eric's cheek — feather-light, not claiming, not taking.
Eric flinches automatically.
Then realizes it's gentle.
Safe.
His eyes widen.
He looks confused.
Like he never knew touch could feel like that.
eric: "…you're not angry?"
justin: "Angry? No."
He cups Eric's face fully now, thumbs brushing his temples.
His voice softens in a way Eric has never heard from an adult.
justin: "Eric, I'm only waiting because I want your first real moment…
to be yours.
Not forced.
Not stolen.
Not something you regret."
Eric's throat tightens.
He steps closer unconsciously,
his forehead resting against Justin's chest
like he's drawn to warmth he never had.
eric: voice tiny
"…but when you blush like that…
I think maybe you don't want to wait."
Justin exhales shakily —
because yes, he wanted him badly
but not enough to hurt him.
He wraps his arms around Eric's shoulders,
pulling him into a real embrace —
firm, protective, grounding.
justin: whispering
"I want you.
But I want you safe more."
Eric's fingers grip Justin's shirt like he's afraid to lose him.
The sounds from the washroom fade into the background —
meaningless now.
Because for the first time,
Eric was being touched with care.
Not ownership.
Not violence.
Not demand.
Just warmth.
Just safety.
Just love.
Eric buries his face in Justin's neck,
voice trembling but brave:
eric:
"…then don't let go.
Just hold me like this."
Justin tightens his arms around him instantly.
justin: "I won't.
Not now.
Not ever."
---continue