Episode 10

A week had passed since Jason took care of his mother, foregoing school, while Bill and the guys rotated to keep him company. And just like that, the days dwindled until only a few weeks remained in their relationship.

"Okay Mom, head to your room and I'll bring you lunch, okay?"

"Yes, Dad," Shara taunted as she went upstairs.

"Thanks for bringing us over, Bill."

"It's no trouble, Mrs. Jason's my friend."

Smacked back to reality, Jason smiled and headed toward the kitchen, though Shara didn't miss her son's fleeting expression.

"Don't call me Mrs., I'm Shara, and if you want, stay for lunch."

"Sure, thanks Shara."

Bill walked into the kitchen and found Jason rifling through the fridge, dancing while listening to music on his headphones. He took a few steps and perched on the kitchen island, watching as Jason's firm rear swayed side to side.

Jason turned, inadvertently dropped a glass, and it shattered, scattering across the floor. He crouched to pick it up but a shard sliced his palm, causing blood to flow.

"Hey, let me see," Bill moved toward Jason.

"It's nothing," Jason washed his hand under the tap.

"Ouch, damn, that hurts like hell."

Bill chuckled at Jason's grimacing face.

"Don't laugh, it hurts." Jason feigned a sullen pout.

"Okay, come here," Bill grabbed a clean towel and wrapped it around Jason's hand.

"Press on this. Where's your first-aid kit?"

"In my room."

"If you wanted me in your room, you didn't have to fib." Bill winked playfully to tease his boy.

"Bill, you're such an idiot. Just go, it's on the computer shelf, a blue box. My room's the first door on the right."

"As you wish, sir." Bill saluted mockingly before adding, "Stop fooling around, I need to cook."

Bill ascended the stairs and entered the room, which was calm, adorned with blue quilts, a guitar in the corner, and diverse posters reflecting Jason's innocent, lustful, and rebellious personality.

He found the blue box on the shelves. As he lifted it, a photo fell out. Bending down, Bill picked it up, his eyes widened, and he smiled—it was of him holding last year's championship trophy with Daniel beside him and Magy in the background.

"What are you doing?" Jason's voice startled him.

"Sorry, this fell. I'm just putting it back."

"Ah," Jason said nervously.

"Come on, sit down." Bill patted the bed, and Jason hesitated briefly by the door before walking over, agitated, and taking a seat.

Bill removed the towel, cleaned the cut with hydrogen peroxide, then bandaged it tenderly.

"You have a photo of me," Jason said as Bill secured the bandage.

"Magy gave it to me—it's a funny picture, I wanted it."

"Ah, because of Magy," Bill edged closer, smirking at Jason's nervously bitten lips and downcast gaze, then traced Jason's arm, eliciting shivers and goosebumps.

Bill's tongue grazed Jason's neck up to his ear. "What's wrong, you nervous?" he teased at the blush on Jason's cheek.

Jason refused to look foolish and faced Bill, lips inches apart.

"Nervous? Don't flatter yourself, Brennan."

Tenderly stroking near Bill's sensitive area, Jason elicited a soft moan just before playing his tongue along Bill's warm, smooth neck.

"What are you doing, Jason?" Bill panted.

With a sly smile and a gentle bite to Bill's ear, Jason whispered, "Rule One: Treat your partner as you would someone real." He savored Bill's heavy breaths as he sucked on his neck.

"So this is how you treat your partners, Jason?" Bill replied, his breath hitching at the sight of Jason's enticing blue eyes.

Jason shrugged and inhaled near Bill's lips, "Never had a partner, just making it up. Am I doing it right, Bill?"

Bill's eyes flew open as he was consumed by desire, for the boy before him stirred feelings he'd never felt, even with the girls he'd been with. Without a word, he captured Jason's inviting mouth with fierce need and hunger. Jason, meanwhile, subtly caressed Bill, drawing muffled groans into their desperate kiss.

"Jason, honey, I need water!"

Shara's voice made them jump. Jason quickly adjusted his clothing, unaware of when Bill had lifted his shirt. Bill, too, tried to compose himself, wiping away traces of their passionate kiss.

"Coming, Mom!" Jason hurried out of the room.

Bill lay back on the bed, dazed and thinking, "What am I doing? Damn, HE'S A BOY."

Jason ran to the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and brought it to Shara's room.

"Here you go, Ma."

"Thank you, dear." Shara took the medicine with the water.

"Lunch will be ready soon." Jason rubbed his mother's shoulders before heading off.

"Jason, come here," Shara tapped the bed, gesturing for the blue-eyed boy to sit down. Jason settled next to her, resting his head on her shoulder as she stroked his chin.

"You know I never minded that girls weren't your thing; I understood from when you confided in me. All that matters is your happiness," Shara reassured him.

"Mom, I know what you mean, but..." Jason started, but Shara silenced him with her hand.

"Shh… Listen, if that boy," she nodded toward the door, "is who you want, just be careful not to get hurt. I love you, no matter whom you choose to love."

Jason smiled and nodded.

"Now go, I'm hungry," Shara pushed her son, smiling as he stood, "Take care of our guest." She chuckled, waving him off.

"Ma!" Jason protested but left the room with lips curled in contained joy.

Returning to the kitchen, the sight captivated him: Bill, the object of his affection, skilfully chopping vegetables and stir-frying meat. Jason observed as Bill swept his disheveled hair back—a trait Jason adored.

"I didn't know you could cook." Jason approached, donned an apron, and began to assist.

"Just me and my grandma at home; she deserves breaks," Bill said, his thoughts on the kind woman who'd cared for him since his teens.

While stirring the meat, Jason realized how little he knew of Bill beyond his admirable looks and friendly demeanor.

"You live with just your grandma?" Jason asked, stirring the skillet.

"Yeah, after my parents’ divorce, I chose neutral ground. I'm fine with both, but it's odd living with them and their new partners."

Bill reached for the salt, fluidly moving around the kitchen, an image Jason wished could be permanent.

"Hey, turn that off; it's burning!" Bill shouted, snapping Jason out of his reverie, too late to prevent the meat from scorching.

"Ahh, damn!" Jason yelled, reflexively grabbing the skillet, searing his flesh.

Bill laughed as Jason glared back.

"Think that's funny?"

Bill nodded. "Honestly, it'd be tragic to let you cook. Do you actually help Shara?" he jested while Jason ran his hand under cold water.

"It's your fault I'm distracted," Jason retorted without thinking, then quickly wished to retract the words.

Bill drew near, inspecting the reddening hand and applying a cold compress, watching Jason's pained grimace.

"You..." Bill hesitated but needed to know, curious about Jason's comfort with his kisses, suspecting it was a game, but pondering Jason's true feelings. "You mentioned you never had a partner; was that just practice?" Bill carefully probed, directly aiming for Jason's surely racing heart.

"Mmm," was all that Jason managed amidst his nerves.

"And you... touched me," Bill affirmed, searching for confirmation in Jason's blue eyes while lifting his chin. "Do you like boys?"

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