Page 49 of Spoonful

Now she actually looked kind of concerned. He must really look like shit.

“I–” Jaylin bit down on theI’m fine.He wasn't, he really wasn’t, and while what he really wanted to do was just hope that Ernie would magically go away so Jaylin could go back to Hiro’s, the latter couldn't happen without the former, and he could absolutely see Ernie waiting around until the lights clicked off, growling under his breath the whole time.

Jaylin needed someone in his corner and Serena was the only one here. She was a good TA, all things considered. Fair. Made sure that it wasn't the same three loudest people getting their questions answered.

His brain scrambled for the fastest explanation that kept the spilling of too many messy secrets and feelings to a minimum. “My…my ex.” He stumbled to say it. “He’s waiting outside, and I don’t—I can’t—”

Serena’s eyes sharpened. “Jaylin, are you in danger?”

Jaylin bit his lip, unable to meet her eyes.

“Alright,” Serena said evenly, pulling out her phone. “I’m calling campus security. What does he look like?”

Jaylin looked at her for a beat too long before he rattled out an approximate description, which Serena repeated to the person on the phone. She smiled at him after she hung up, even though it was tight. Kind of like she was trying to comfort him but knew she wasn't the best person for the job. “Campus security will escort him off the premises and then someone will be returning to walk you to your car.”

“That’s okay,” Jaylin said quickly. He had already caused enough trouble. “I bus home anyway.”

“Is there someone you could call to pick you up?” Serena asked carefully.

Hiro came to mind immediately. But it was ten o’clock on a Wednesday night, and Jaylin had already spent the last week convincing Hiro that he didn’t need to go out of his way to pick Jaylin up from class. Hiro worked hard and often got home late as it was. He didn't need to worry about going out again. Jaylin shook his head.

Serena’s lips pursed. “I am offering you a ride home,” she said, and her expression added that while Jaylincouldsay no, she strongly advised against it.

“I’m staying in Park Heights,” Jaylin said instead of arguing. Park Heights was twenty minutes from campus.

“What a coincidence,” Serena said. “I’m going in exactly that direction.”

***

Serena gave Jaylin her number before she dropped him off, as well as the number to campus security. Jaylin punched them both into his phone, feeling awkward but oddly grateful. He thanked her again and got out. The tail end of March meant that there was a bit of a breeze in the air, but it was still comfortable even with how late it was. Peaceful.

He unlocked Hiro’s front door and took off his shoes once inside. Then he headed to the couch to decompress for a minute, slinging his backpack off his shoulder and onto the floor, sighing as he flopped down.

“Jaylin,” Hiro’s voice came a moment later, sounding pleased but confused. “You’re home early.”

Oh. Yeah. If Jaylin had taken the bus, he still would have been at least twenty minutes out. The wonders of having a car. He hummed, eyes closed, and felt the couch dip. Then a warm hand touched his shoulder, and Jaylin immediately leanedforward so Hiro’s arm could drape around his shoulders and pull him in. He pressed his cheek to Hiro’s chest and sighed out. Hiro had been touching him more lately. Carefully, as if worried Jaylin might spook, but Jaylin welcomed every offering. Hiro’s hands on him made something pleasant fizzle down Jaylin’s spine.

Sometimes he’d glance up and just catch Hiro watching him with the softest expression on his face. As if Hiro was the one who couldn’t believe Jaylin was real.

They still hadn’t kissed yet, but Jaylin was pretty sure they both wanted to. He got the feeling that Hiro was waiting for him to be ready. Jaylin wasn't exactly sure what he was waiting for, but he appreciated the consideration. He didn't want to feel like kissing Hiro was taking something else from him.

“You didn’t have to wait up for me,” Jaylin mumbled after a minute. The adrenaline was fading, leaving him exhausted in its wake. He could drift off like this, safe and warm with Hiro’s hand gently stroking his back.

“I wanted to,” Hiro said, like all other times he had said it. And then, softly, “Is everything okay?”

Jaylin kept his eyes shut and exhaled. “He showed up at my class.”

Hiro’s stiffened. “What?” His voice had turned steely.

“Nothing happened,” Jaylin said, reminding himself of that, just as he was assuring Hiro. “And I—it wasn’t even him. He sent his driver. But I don’t think he saw me. I told the TA and she called campus security. Then she, uh, gave me a ride home. That’s why I’m early.”

“I’m glad she was able to help you,” Hiro said after a second. He didn't say,I’m glad you were able to ask for help,but Jaylin heard it anyway. He was trying to get better at it. It was a process.

Jaylin opened his eyes and, after a moment’s hesitation, reached out to take Hiro’s free hand. Initiating the touches he craved was also something he was getting better at. “It was nice to be able to come back here, after,” he said quietly. “Being able to see you.”

Hiro sucked in a breath. “Jaylin.” It was all he said. Just Jaylin’s name, but it sounded like so much more. It sounded like Jaylin was important. That he meant something.

That he meant something to Hiro.

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