Elijah was on his break, and like every day that week, he was sprawled on the apartment couch with Jason- kissing, touching, losing track of time.
Jason was the one who stopped him.
"Wait!" Jason blurted, panic sharp in his voice. "Just- wait."
Elijah froze, confused. "Why? What's wrong?"
Jason stayed quiet, head lowered, shoulders tight.
"I'm not ready."
That threw Elijah completely.
"Is this your first time?" he asked carefully.
Jason's head snapped up. "No!"
Elijah raised an eyebrow. He didn't believe him, but he softened his tone. "Okay. Then am I your first… man?"
"No," Jason said quickly. Then, quieter, "Not in that sense."
Elijah frowned. "What does that even mean?"
Jason wasn't wild. He wasn't bold. He was built like a wall and wore a permanent resting scowl- but inside, he was careful, sensitive, almost fragile.
The fact that Jason had initiated anything still surprised Elijah.
Jason leaned forward and kissed him- brief, hesitant, but sincere. When he pulled back, Elijah was left stunned, his lips tingling.
"You're mean sometimes," Jason said softly. "You're pushy. And you can be really cold." He paused, steadying his breath. "But I like you. A lot. And that's what made the difference."
Embarrassed, Jason buried his face in Elijah's chest.
Elijah didn't move.
He had a past. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't exactly hidden either.
But no one had ever said something like that to him- so plainly, so earnestly.
They weren't even naked. This wasn't about sex.
So then what was it?
Money? Favors? Connections?
Elijah didn't know- and the not knowing unnerved him.
As if summoned by divine timing, April walked into the apartment.
Elijah instinctively covered Jason's face, but it was pointless.
"Hey, Jason," April said casually, already moving past them.
Jason's muffled reply barely registered.
"Can't you knock?" Elijah snapped.
"Don't you have your own room?" April shot back, focused entirely on the kitchen.
"I can't breathe!" Jason gasped, slapping Elijah's hands away.
April turned sharply. Alarmed- not another one with a panic attack on her watch. "Jason- are you okay?"
"I'm great," Jason said, smiling sweetly. "Thank you for caring."
April smiled back- then the situation hit her.
"You two are dating?"
Elijah smirked. "Obviously." He glanced at Jason. "Isn't he adorable?"
Jason blushed.
April stared at them, horrified. "Elijah-"
She didn't finish. She didn't need to.
Elijah nodded. He understood.
"I know," he said, brushing Jason's cheek. "This one's special. I plan to cherish him."
Jason whimpered, happiness spilling over.
"You better," April warned, then turned back to her mission- groceries.
"What are you doing here this early?" Elijah asked. "And why do you look like you robbed a supermarket?"
"None of your business," April muttered, reorganizing the fridge with alarming efficiency.
Jason hesitated. "Do you… need help?"
April studied him, then shook her head. She walked over and knelt in front of him, startling both men.
"Jason," she said gently. "You know I like you, right?"
Jason nodded.
"Are you happy?"
Jason hid his face in Elijah's chest again, managing a muffled, "Yes."
April stood and cupped Elijah's face, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Don't hurt him. Please."
Elijah swallowed. "I give you my word."
And for the first time, he realized just how much he meant it.
April returned to the kitchen, grabbed the groceries, and left without another word.
Jason looked up at Elijah, worried. "Is she angry?"
Elijah chuckled softly and kissed his nose. "She just loves you too much."
Then, quieter- to himself in particular.
"I can take it slow."