Episode 12

The library was deserted, the place had that characteristic scent of books brimming with thrilling tales. Since the end of classes, Jason had been concealed there. Lacking the courage to confront Bill, and although he wasn't ashamed of who he was, he still believed his actions the previous day had been excessive. He was mentally bracing himself to accept that the game was over and that he'd have to consider alternative employment to settle his debt with Bill.

"Jason, aren't you hungry?"

The young librarian approached the boy with the beautiful blue eyes, a sight that she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved watching the seventeen-year-old devour books with such zeal.

"Hey, Emily, to be honest, I'd rather stay here," he indicated the small corner where seldom-picked books lay – the perfect hiding spot. Bill never visited the library, and in the off chance he did, he certainly wouldn't wander over there.

"What are you reading today?" the young woman inquired, moving closer to inspect the book by the seated Jason on the floor next to some shelves.

"The Alchemist."

"Wow, that's profound. Why would a young man like you choose such a book?"

Jason sighed and Emily gently patted his shoulder. At that age, emotions are an uncontrollable rollercoaster – something she understood with just one look into his eyes.

"I resonate with Santiago's story; he went in search of a treasure and found something much deeper."

These months, Jason's treasure had been the money he needed for Shara, but like an oasis in the desert, Bill had appeared, quenching his thirst – a thirst for love and touch, for a sense of belonging. The problem was, it was all a sham, except the feelings he'd harbored for so long.

He severely reprimanded himself for partaking in a charade that had revealed the sensation of being with a long-desired someone, now just an illusion set to vanish, or perhaps, worse, already ended by his folly.

"Interesting. I'll let you enjoy your reading. You know where to find me," Emily smiled and headed back toward her desk across the large room.

"What a surprise!" said Emily, spotting Bill searching for something at the library's entrance.

"What brings our talented wide receiver here?" Emily moved behind the counter, and Bill approached with his alluring smile.

"Hello, Emily – I'm looking for Jason."

"Mmm, he's over there," she gestured subtly towards the secluded corner in the back of the library – "Be nice Bill; he's not quite himself today."

"Why?" Bill asked, puzzled by her candor.

"His beautiful blue eyes aren't sparkling as usual, and since his arrival, he's glued himself to that spot."

"Thanks," Bill quickened his pace, smiling as he saw how engrossed Jason was in reading, hidden behind large, black-framed glasses.

"Focused," Bill noted, joining the secluded alcove as Jason's eyes widened in surprise. Scrambling to his feet, he gathered his belongings.

"Mmh, yes, but I was just leaving—"

The boy with the curly black hair was cornered against a bookshelf, trapped by the muscular arms that framed either side of his head.

"Where do you think you're going? You owe me explanations, sweetheart," Bill leaned in, his nose almost touching Jason's, whose hands trembled, his throat dry and tight.

"No...you...it's—" Jason bit his lip, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath; he couldn't keep stuttering like a child learning to speak – Bill reveled in the charming gestures of the boy before him.

"I came looking for you. Why didn’t you wait?" Bill began to kiss Jason's cheek sweetly, but Jason stopped him by covering his mouth with his hand.

Their eyes locked, Bill raised his eyebrows, surprised by the boy's reaction.

"I needed to think, and don't do this again. I’ve decided to look for another job this afternoon. Don't worry, Brennan, I'll pay back every penny."

Bill was stunned by Jason's words – it felt like watching a film where suddenly the plot switched tracks. "You don’t need to pay me now. At the end of the game, we can—"

"No," Jason raised his voice slightly, cutting Bill off.

"I don't want to, Bill," he pushed against the firm chest before him to break free, but before he could getaway, Bill yanked him back and enveloped him in his arms, pressing their bodies close.

"Jason, what's going on?" Bill asked, a pang of pain in his heart with the unfamiliar sting of rejection.

"Bill—" Jason gazed into his eyes, clearing his throat, "I'm sorry for what happened yesterday, okay? I'm gay, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable, and it's not good for you to be involved in this. This game was just another chance in my life. I can still work… I will pay you every penny, let's just end it here, alright?"

Bill's heart raced as he looked upon Jason's glistening eyes, rosy lips, and the unruly waves framing his face. An uncontrollable urge to kiss him welled up inside, inexplicable, yet he didn't want to understand it – he just wanted Jason.

In a whirlwind of passion, Bill hugged him tightly, cupping his neck and almost fiercely planting the kiss he'd longed for onto Jason's willing lips. They pressed against each other, their passion igniting amidst ancient tomes.

Their mouths parted for breath, their eyes met, and the corner of Bill's lips curled up, a sight breathtaking to Jason.

"Bill this isn't—mmm—" Bill's lips silenced Jason again, unwilling to entertain any notion of refusal, but a slight shove made him step back, still lost in the kisses they'd shared.

"This isn't right, Bill. I don’t want this," Jason’s heart felt pierced by a million needles – he yearned not to stop kissing, but feared the inability to stop after the thirty days were up.

"No, Jason. You're not leaving, not until the game is over." Bill appeared resolute, cradling Jason's bewildered face. "Just ten more days, and I need them, Jason, I need you," he confessed, pressing his forehead against Jason's.

"Don't ask me why; I don't know. All I know is that since you kissed me that morning, I want your kisses. I crave to see you laugh, I enjoy our late-night messages, watching you dash to the car when I pick you up. Everything about you makes me want more," Bill bit his lip, closing his eyes briefly, trying to make sense of the tumultuous feelings Jason stirred within him.

"Just give me these days, Jason. I know it's selfish, but I need to understand why I panic when you're absent, why I search for you like a madman, why your lips affect me so," he said, looking down with a mischievous grin.

"I just want to..." Before he could finish, Jason's mouth crashed against his, their tongues exploring the warmth of desire. Neither wanted to part, but they were interrupted by a disruptive throat-clearing.

Bill turned to see Brithany with a couple of friends.

"I'm surprised, Bill. Are you tired of women?" Brithany glared at him.

Bill stepped forward, shielding Jason, shrugged, and winked at Brithany, who seemed to swallow her ire and walked away. Jason, a step behind, couldn't see what happened and only noticed Bri's irritation.

"Come on, darling, let's grab a bite." Bill extended his hand, which Jason refused, following him with gaze cast downward. A couple of steps later, Bill shocked him with another kiss.

"Shy no more — you’re my boyfriend," he declared, playfully towing the library mouse along.

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