Brian made himself comfortable far too quickly.
Shoes off.
Drink in hand.
Talking loudly as if he paid rent.
"This place is insane," Brian said, looking around. "If I had this house, I'd never go outside."
"You barely go outside now," Calvin replied dryly.
"I go outside all the time."
"To gossip."
"That is social engagement."
Jarnell ignored them.
Mostly.
He stood near the kitchen counter, pretending to arrange things that did not need arranging.
Because it was easier than acknowledging Jayden.
Who was standing only a few feet away.
Quiet.
Watching.
Too aware.
The interrupted moment still lingered in the room.
That almost-touch.
That almost-kiss.
That almost surrender.
And Jarnell hated that he kept replaying it.
Brian and Calvin argued over snacks.
Something meaningless.
Something loud.
It should have made the atmosphere casual.
Normal.
Instead, it only highlighted how silent Jayden and Jarnell had become.
Calvin noticed first.
Of course he did.
He looked once between them.
Then said to Brian—
"Come help me outside."
Brian frowned.
"There's nothing outside."
"There is now."
Before Brian could protest, Calvin dragged him toward the door.
Brian looked back dramatically.
"If romance happens while I'm gone, I expect details."
"Get out," Jarnell said flatly.
The door closed.
And suddenly—
the house was quiet again.
Jarnell kept facing the counter.
Not because it was interesting.
Because turning around felt risky.
Behind him, Jayden spoke softly.
"You're avoiding me with a fruit bowl."
"I'm busy."
"You moved the same orange three times."
Silence.
Jarnell set the orange down.
Slowly.
Then turned.
Jayden was leaning lightly against the wall, arms crossed, looking far too pleased with himself.
"You're irritating," Jarnell said.
"You've mentioned that."
"And yet you keep proving it."
Jayden smiled faintly.
"You like that about me."
"I don't."
"You do."
Jarnell exhaled sharply.
"You're impossible."
Jayden straightened and walked toward him.
Slowly.
No rush.
No hesitation.
He stopped close enough to matter.
Far enough to be kind.
"You never answered me," Jayden said.
"I answer plenty."
"Not the important things."
Jarnell looked away first.
"What now?"
"Do you want me to stop?"
Silence.
That question again.
Simple.
Cruel.
Precise.
Jarnell's throat tightened slightly.
Because if the answer were yes—
he would have said it already.
"hm.…You ask annoying questions."
Jayden's voice softened.
"That's still not a yes."
Jarnell frowned.
"And if I said no?"
Jayden held his gaze.
"Then I'd stop."
The sincerity in that answer disarmed him more than flirting ever could.
Jarnell looked down briefly.
Then said quietly—
"I don't know what I'm doing."
Jayden's expression changed immediately.
Less playful.
More careful.
"You don't have to know yet."
"I don't like this feeling."
"What feeling?"
Jarnell hesitated.
Then regretted speaking at all.
"This… waiting for you."
Silence.
The words hung there.
Bare.
Unprotected.
Jayden took one step closer.
"You wait for me?"
Jarnell glared instantly.
"Don't make it worse."
Jayden's smile was soft now.
Not teasing.
Warm.
"I'm not."
A pause.
"I'm trying not to smile too much."
Jarnell turned away.
"…I hate you."
"No you don't."
Jayden moved closer behind him.
Not touching.
Just there.
"You used to push me away," he said quietly.
"I still do."
"No."
Another pause.
"Now you just complain while staying."
Jarnell hated how accurate that was.
He turned back sharply—
and ended up much closer than intended.
Jayden didn't move.
Neither did Jarnell.
The air changed again.
That same charged stillness.
That same dangerous quiet.
Jayden lifted a hand slowly.
Waited.
Jarnell looked at it.
Then at him.
He could stop this.
He knew that.
But he didn't.
Jayden touched the side of his face gently.
Thumb resting near his cheekbone.
Then leaned in.
This kiss was different.
Not jealous like the first.
Not overwhelming like the second.
It was patient.
Warm.
Intentional.
And this time—
Jarnell kissed back first.
Jayden stilled for half a second in surprise.
Then smiled against his mouth.
Which only made Jarnell more annoyed.
And somehow kiss him deeper.
His hand caught Jayden's shirt again.
A habit now.
Jayden's hand moved to Jarnell's waist carefully.
Holding.
Not taking.
The kiss slowed.
Lingering.
Soft enough to ruin defenses permanently.
When they parted, Jarnell's breathing was uneven.
Jayden's was too.
"Well," Jayden said quietly.
"That felt like progress."
Jarnell stared at him.
"…Don't speak."
The door opened suddenly.
Brian walked in first.
Then froze dramatically.
"I KNEW IT."
Jarnell stepped back so fast it was almost violent.
Calvin sighed.
"You always ruin timing."
Brian pointed wildly.
"His hair is messed up!"
"It was already like this," Jarnell said coldly.
Jayden, entirely shameless, replied—
"I can fix it again later."
Brian screamed.
Calvin looked impressed.
Jarnell considered murder.
That evening, after everyone left, the house was quiet once more.
Jayden stood at the door.
Ready to go.
"Tomorrow?" he asked.
Jarnell leaned against the wall.
Trying for indifference.
"…Come after class."
Jayden smiled slowly.
"That sounds dangerously close to wanting me here."
Jarnell opened the door for him.
"Leave before I change my mind."
Jayden walked out laughing softly.
Jarnell closed the door.
Smiled gently as he stood in the silence behind the closed door.
Touched his lips once.
Then muttered to himself—
"…This is getting out of hand."
Because somewhere along the way, resisting Jayden had changed forms.
Jarnell still argued.
Still complained.
Still denied everything.
But now—
he kissed back and he was enjoying it.