[for Bobby] Secrets and Lies [Late April]

[prodigalflame]

They were snuggled up on the couch watching an animated movie, because it had been a long week: a long week of marking and frustration for John, and a long week of studying and planning for Bobby. But things had started to take shape, now that there was a List, and an increasing determination to hold onto this, to hold onto London, as if the rest of the world was on another planet.

Because here they could be dorks and live together and snuggle on couches. Here John could drop a kiss to Bobby's hair as his boyfriend rested his head on his shoulder. Here John could actually be a sappy-as-fuck asshole who could admit to liking animated movies. Here, nothing else much mattered beyond their shared language of grins and kisses and morning coffee and lazy blowjobs.

Here, John had said 'I love you', and meant it.

And then the house phone rang, and John shifted a little to look at his boyfriend, one hand still on the side of Bobby's head, keeping him close and warm. He certainly wasn't expecting any calls: most people in London used his cell (sorry, mobile) number. It was mostly his mom who used it, and ugh. There was an unspoken question in his eyes: You want me to get that?

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[cold_blueeyes]

Bobby smiled at him and blew a silent kiss, the smile fading as he listened to the phone. "I know, mom, but--this is my choice. It'll be okay. I promise." He paused, listening again. "No, I'm okay right now. Thanks. I'll probably come back to Boston at some point this summer to take care of some loose ends. I'll let you know what my plans are."

[prodigalflame]

They could get through this. Really. Even with crazy parents and lies and general world-weirdness, they could get through this. John felt that even as Bobby's smile faded, because they had something, here. And getting Bobby Drake to be willing to lie for you was a big effort. So he waited until the call was done and didn't push things any further.

[cold_blueeyes]

"Okay. I'll call you soon, okay? Love you. Bye." As the call disconnected, his shoulders dropped, tension easing from him as he ended the call and went to hang up the receiver. "Sorry," he said with a small smile, turning to John.

[prodigalflame]

Seeing that tension ease, John went to him and gave him a loose hug, inching up to brush his lips across Bobby's forehead. "It's okay," he promised, "I understand." Bobby had never wanted to disappoint his parents - hell, he'd never wanted to disappoint anyone, which probably explained why he didn't talk to anyone from school anymore. Cutting himself off seemed like the reasonable option. "We can finish the movie or we can go to bed a little early," John told him, easing him back the way they'd come to the living room with a hand on Bobby's back.

[cold_blueeyes]

Bobby shook his head a little, heading back to the living room at John's side. "Let's go back to the movie. I just want to relax for a little bit." Because though he wasn't as tense as he'd been during the call, he was still fairly keyed up after dealing with his mom in front of John. He needed a little bit of nice, mindless distraction and maybe some snuggling, and some physical reassurance that John didn't take his little white lies personally wouldn't hurt, either.

[prodigalflame]

"Sure thing," and John moved ahead to jump over the back of the couch like a loon and situate himself, ready and comfortable. Glancing back at his boyfriend, John spread his arm across the back of the couch suggestively: "You get your ass here, Drake, because I wanna snuggle, and I'll grab someone off the street if I have to," he mock-threatened, smile in his eyes and the remote in his free hand.