Page 24

20 JASON

Strumming his fingers on the wheel, Jason tries not to let his nerves get the best of him. He’s not usually one to get too anxious about things, but this feels big. It is big.

While he’s brought girlfriends to meet his parents before, it was almost always out of a sense of obligation because they’d wanted to meet his family, to check off boxes in the next step of a relationship, and not because Jason wanted the people he loved most to love the person he’s dating.

The weeks following the homecoming dance and their first date have been a whirlwind. Between alerting HR to their new relationship, followed by a subsequent meeting and paperwork to ensure no one like Caldwell can accuse them of misconduct, to his regular teaching duties and the start of playoffs, he’s been run ragged. One bright spot in all of the stressful recent events is that Caldwell announced his retirement. Jason can’t wait until that miserable jerkwad is gone forever. Sure, he hasn’t tried any other shit since things went down with Matty, but Jason can’t forgive him for the stress he caused Emerson. The day he found out Caldwell was finally going to be leaving Santa Leon High was one of the best days of his entire life.

The only downside in recent events is that he and Emerson haven’t had time for a second date, though that hasn’t stopped them from spending all of their admittedly scant free time together. Aside from their morning rides to school and shared lunches, Emerson occasionally comes to watch practice now, often bringing his grading outside, something that earns Jason a lot of chirping from his players. Emerson even came to his first football game last night, as did Theo and Alec, who came to the game for morale and to keep Emerson company. While Jason doesn’t mind if Emerson never cares about football, the sight of his boyfriend sitting in the stands, watching him coach and wearing his coaching hoodie—the name King plastered across his chest for any and all to see—had done funny things to Jason.

Turns out, Jason has a bit of a possessive streak, at least where Emerson is concerned. Knowing that their relationship is now public, that people who saw Emerson wearing his hoodie would know what it means, had driven Jason to coach his best game of the season. After which, he’d taken Emerson home and fucked him in that same hoodie. It had been unequivocally the best sex of Jason’s life.

Emerson rode his cock while wearing his hoodie, a mental image that is now permanently burned into his brain. They spent the next morning in bed, alternating between cuddling and fucking. Inevitably, it devolved into Emerson’s favorite thing, which Jason has affectionately dubbed cuddlefucking. Much like their normal fucking, it involves a lot of nakedness and cocks but also a lot of cuddling, often ending with Emerson stuffed full of Jason’s dick while they cuddle. It’s the absolute fucking best. According to Theo, this is technically called cockwarming, but Jason likes cuddlefucking better.

So yeah, weeks have been full for football and fucking and cuddles, which is basically Jason’s dream come true. Despite his busy schedule, when his parents called and pointed out he hadn’t been to a family dinner since August—his dad all but begging him to come so they could have all their boys under one roof—Jason easily agreed. After he hung up the phone, he turned to Emerson and invited him along because why wouldn’t he?

“Are you nervous?” Emerson questions, dragging Jason out of his thoughts and back to the present. He startles, blinking at the road while wondering when they got all the way across town.

“Me?” Jason asks, feigning what he hopes is a casual tone as he turns onto his parents' street. “What makes you ask that?”

“You’re trying to play drums on the steering wheel,” Emerson answers. He leans his head back on the headrest, angling his body sideways to better watch Jason. Judging by the way he frantically spins his fidget ring, he’s more nervous than Jason is. “If you’ve changed your mind, it’s okay.”

“I definitely haven’t changed my mind,” Jason asserts, refusing to let Emerson worry about that. He takes his right hand off the steering wheel, resting it on Emerson’s thigh and giving it a firm squeeze before turning his palm up in a wordless offering. He’s rewarded when Emerson slips his hand into Jason’s.

“If you’re sure,” Emerson hedges. There’s no outward reflection of his anxiety, but the way he grips Jason’s hand tight enough to make his fingers go numb tells him all he needs to know.

“I’m sure, Emmy. I’m just excited and alright, maybe a little nervous, but that’s not a bad thing.”

Emerson’s inhale is so deep Jason feels the echo of it in his chest.

“This is going to be great,” Jason intones.

Emerson’s expression is unreadable as they round the corner. He spent this morning showing Emerson photos of the house he grew up in, hoping he might be less anxious if he was familiar with it. Despite their preparations, Emerson tenses up when his parents’ house comes into view.

As expected, his mom and dad’s cars are in the driveway but Theo’s and the twins’ cars are noticeably absent from the front of the house. Jason’s relief at being the first ones here is palpable. He hoped getting here a little early would give Emerson time to meet his parents before anyone else arrived, but there was always a chance someone else might already be here.

Jason pulls alongside the curb, removing his hand from Emerson’s grip long enough to put his truck in park and shut the engine off before returning it to Emerson’s lap. Immediately, Emerson reaches for his hand, linking their fingers, then holding their joined hands tightly with his other hand.

“You aren’t having second thoughts, are you?” Jason questions.

“Me?” Emerson blinks, as if the question has taken him by surprise. “I’m more worried about you. In the span of two weeks, your entire life has changed and…and it’s because of me.” Emerson breathes in slow and deep, holding his breath for long seconds before letting it out in one shuddering exhale. “What if they blame me?”

“First of all, I’m a grown man so whatever choices I make, good or bad, I can take responsibility for. Second of all, you are a good choice, the best I ever made. Not my sexuality because that’s not a choice, but you. Third, and this is important—my parents are going to love you because I do and?—”

“What did you just say?” Emerson interrupts, his grip on Jason’s hand tightening.

“My parents are going to love you,” Jason repeats slowly.

“No, I mean, yes, you said that, but the other part. You said…you said— Jason .”

Jason stares at the man he loves, several things clicking into place. Perhaps he should be panicking, or backtracking. Surely it’s too soon. Yet all Jason feels is a certainty that makes him inexplicably happy, the kind of happy that makes him want to pump his fists in the air or sprint across the field because loving Emerson feels like a goddamn championship win.

“I love you,” Jason repeats, lifting Emerson’s hand and bringing it to his lips. He kisses the back of his trembling hand, eyes never leaving Emerson’s face. “You don’t have to say it back, Emmy. I don’t want you to feel pressured or stressed, but I’m not going to take it back or lie to you. I love you and?—”

Emerson launches himself at Jason, scrambling across the bench seat and into Jason’s lap. With lightning quick reflexes, Jason readjusts his seat as far back as it goes to make room for Emerson who, despite his long limbs, manages to curl himself into Jason’s lap then promptly buries his face in Jason’s neck. Wrapping his arms around Emerson, Jason smooths his palms up and down the curve of Emerson’s spine, breathing easier when he feels some of his boyfriend’s tension begin to fade.

“I didn’t mean to say that right now,” Jason admits, “not because it’s not true but because I’m not sure if it’s too soon. But, Emmy, loving you comes as easily as breathing, and those feelings just wanted to come out.”

Emerson’s nose is shoved into the side of his neck, each of his short and shallow breaths warm against the hollow of his throat. It doesn’t escape Jason’s notice that while his unplanned confession has left Emerson reeling, he’s not pulling away, but rather trying to get closer—his arms wrapping around Jason to smash them between the seat and Jason’s body almost as if he’s trying to make them one.

Though the angle is slightly awkward, Jason manages to press a kiss to the top of Emerson’s head before stroking a hand through his soft red locks. Slowly, Jason breathes him in, his scent familiar now. Everything about Emerson is familiar now and it thrills Jason in unexpected ways.

“You’re an easy man to love, Emerson Miller.”

“No, I’m not,” Emerson protests.

“You are to me,” Jason counters, aware that one confession from him won’t undo the trauma he suffered living with a family who never saw or acknowledged his worth. Thankfully, Jason’s a patient man; if he’s lucky, maybe Emerson will keep him around long enough to show him exactly how loveable he truly is.

“Other people would disagree,” Emerson says, each word spoken slowly.

“Some other people are stupid, you know,” Jason points out. “For example, not everyone likes football, and they’re wrong about that, so clearly their judgement can’t be trusted. You are excluded, obviously.”

Emerson pulls back to frown at Jason. “Did you just compare me to football again?”

“Suppose I did,” Jason smirks, delighted to be able to see Emerson’s beautiful face, tear-stained and guileless and most importantly his . “I told you, I’m a man who knows what I love, and that’s football and my boyfriend.”

“I’m scared,” Emerson admits.

Jason cradles Emerson’s face in his hands, thumbs stroking over his cheeks and an echoing wetness at the corner of his eyes. Fuck, he is so in love with this beautiful man.

“I’m not going anywhere, Emmy. I love you. It’s okay if you don’t yet but?—”

“Of course I love you,” Emerson blurts, sounding halfway between laughing and crying. “I love you so much and I thought it was just me. I didn’t think….I didn’t think someone like you would ever, that you— ugh .”

Emerson’s adorable frown deepens. Jason can't resist the urge to lean forward and kiss it, knowing him well enough now to know his expressions don’t always match his moods. At least, not in the way Jason’s expressions might.

“You’re so cute.”

“You’re so, ugh ,” Emerson groans, deepening the kiss and clenching his hands in Jason’s short hair. “You big, ridiculous man.”

Jason’s smile threatens to split his face in two. “You mean the big, ridiculous man you’re in love with.”

Emerson huffs, his pale chinks pink with a blush. “Yes, Jason.”

“You love me,” Jason repeats, pretty sure he could run a marathon or lift a car from the endorphins running through his body right now. “My boyfriend loves me.”

“You’re very happy about this,” Emerson says, fingers toying with the strings of Jason’s hoodie.

“Damn right I am,” Jason grins, puffing out his chest.

There’s a very primal urge in Jason to scream from the top of the bleachers, “ I have a boyfriend and we’re in love .” He’s not sure if that goes against school policy. Even if it's not, it would be too much attention for Emerson anyway, but Jason can daydream about it even if he won’t actually do it.

Maybe he can get Emerson to wear his hoodie while he teaches one day. Or something else with Jason’s name on it. Probably not, since Emerson has his own unofficial teaching uniform with his array of green shirts and sweaters that make him look so damn cute.

“I do love you,” Emerson whispers, tugging on his hoodie strings in what Jason now knows is his way of asking for a kiss.

Eager to oblige, Jason tips his head, loving when Emerson is in his lap like this. There’s something intimate and arousing about being the one who has to angle his face up to Emerson. Jason is not a small man by any means, but having Emerson above him in any capacity is incredibly appealing. He lets one hand slide around to cup the back of Emerson’s head, pulling him down into a kiss that promises so much more than Jason can give in a truck parked in front of his parent’s house.

Emerson’s hands roam over Jason’s chest, one of them slipping beneath his t-shirt and hoodie to palm at Jason’s belly while the other slips down the neck of Jason’s hoodie to stroke his chest hair. Slowly but surely Emerson’s getting bolder with his touching, not quite as shy about showing Jason how much he enjoys his body. The thing about Emerson’s touches is that more often than not they aren’t sexual, at least not intentionally. Jason quickly found that Emerson enjoys digging his fingers into the softest part of Jason’s stomach or thighs, or dragging his nails or face over Jason’s body hair in some kind of uninhibited sensory exploration of Jason’s body. He never minds how turned on Jason gets, but it's rarely his starting intention.

“It feels good,” Emerson quietly whispered a few days ago, seemingly content to knead and stroke without an ulterior motive.

“Emmy,” Jason groans, chubbing up in his sweats. “I’m gonna get hard if you keep that up.”

“Oops,” Emerson mumbles, quickly withdrawing his hands like he’s been burned. “Sorry, I?—”

“No sorry,” Jason assures him, grabbing both of Emerson’s hands between his own and bringing them to his mouth. “I love how you touch me, always. Just uh, probably not a good idea to meet the parents with a raging hard-on. At least not in these sweats.”

“I like your sweats,” Emerson declares in that deadpan way of his.

The statement sounds innocent but Jason’s reaction isn’t—likely because Emerson rubbed his cheek against Jason’s dick in this same pair of sweats a few hours earlier while they watched a movie. In hindsight, he should have worn different pants, given that he’s been popping boners like he’s fifteen again lately. He’s not sure how raging horniness relates to his bisexuality. It’s possible his arousal is because Emerson is a man, or more likely just because it’s Emerson. All he knows is, he should’ve worn pants that allowed for more discretion.

“I can’t believe you love me.” Emerson withdraws one hand from Jason’s hoodie in favor of reaching for his hand, turning it over so he can link their fingers. “You really think they’re going to like me?”

“My parents are going to adore you,” Jason assures him. “My dad is probably going to try and hug you. He’s a hugger. My mom too. Actually everyone in my family is a hugger except Andrew. The only person allowed to hug him is Charlie.”

“I like hugs,” Emerson replies, tone hesitant and hopeful.

“Me too.”

“You give the best hugs,” Emerson whispers. “I could hug you forever.”

“Forever, huh? Count me in.” Jason kisses the tip of his nose, then his lips before sighing with reluctance. “As much as I would love to keep you in my lap all night, if we want to meet them before my brothers show up we should probably get inside. Theo and Alec will likely be late, and Charlie will be too, unless he drives with Andrew, who is never late.”

Reluctantly, Emerson extricates himself from Jason’s embrace so he can climb back into his seat. Jason wastes no time hopping out of the truck and racing around to the other side to open the door before Emerson can, whose shy smile is worth rushing for every time.

“You don’t always have to open my door, you know,” Emerson points out.

“Course I don’t have to,” Jason says, holding out his hand to help Emerson down from the truck. “But I want to. There’s a difference. Boyfriend privileges.”

“You mean duties?”

“Nope,” Jason says with a shake of his head, shutting the door and locking the truck before offering his hand to Emerson again. “I definitely meant privileges. I get to take care of you. That is never a duty.”

Emerson doesn’t say anything, but he squeezes Jason’s hand, leaning into his side in that way Jason recognizes as needing comfort when words fail him. He obliges by giving Emerson’s hand a gentle squeeze before pulling and tucking Emerson against his side, arm draped around his shoulders to keep him as close as possible.

“I thought you hadn’t uh, you know—told your parents about us yet,” Emerson says as they walk towards the front door. “This might tip them off.”

“I haven’t told them yet,” Jason confirms. “I’ve just been busy, and it seemed like something to tell them in person, not in the group chat, but I have no intention of hiding you, Emmy. I never will.”

Whatever Emerson replies is too garbled to make out because he turns to shove his face into Jason’s shoulder, wrapping his own arm around Jason’s middle and holding on tightly as if afraid Jason might let go. Cold fingers sneak under his hoodie, settling on his tummy and lightly tapping the skin in nervousness. Jason barely reaches for the doorknob when it’s yanked open, both of his parents standing there with wide eyes darting between Emerson and Jason.

“Jason, you’re here.”

“You were watching us from the window, weren’t you?” Jason snorts.

“I would never spy on my grown children,” his mom scoffs.

“Liar,” Jason laughs.

“She wasn’t watching you,” his dad tells him. “I was.”

“Damn, Dad, confessing up secrets like that without your lawyer present? You should know better.”

“Your mother is the only lawyer I could ever need,” his dad grins, wrapping both arms around her from behind and kissing the top of her head. It makes Jason’s smile widen, his own feelings for Emerson settling in his chest. If he’s lucky, maybe he’ll have the kind of relationship his parents have—forty years and still flirting like teenagers constantly.

“I think what your dad means to say is we noticed you brought someone,” his mom interjects, those keen eyes of hers studying Emerson. “You mentioned bringing someone special but we thought, well?—”

“We thought you were bringing a girl home,” his dad finishes.

“I was not going to say that part out loud, amor .”

“That’s because you’re more tactful than me. That’s why you’re the court lawyer, and I just work on legal documents in my office.” He turns his gaze on Emerson, smiling friendly. “Kim is amazing. Best lawyer in Southern California. They’re going to cry when she retires next year.”

“You’re retiring?” Jason gapes.

“I told you not to mention that yet.” His mom swats his dad’s arm which is still wrapped around her. “Who cares about retirement, I want to know more about your friend . Introduce us.”

The way she says friend means she knows exactly how friendly they are. Then again, the way Jason’s all but wrapped himself protectively around Emerson was likely the first giveaway.

“Mom, Dad—this is Emerson.”

“Nice to meet you, Emerson,” his dad says, extending a hand which Emerson awkwardly shakes.

“You too, sir.”

“Oh no, no ‘sir’ around here. You just call me ‘Art.’”

“Can I hug him?” his mom blurts, looking like the only thing stopping her from throwing her arms around Emerson is the way his dad is still hugging her.

“Why are you asking me?” Jason laughs. “He’s right here.”

“Well, you’re kind of holding on to him, sweetie.” His mom smiles, pushing a stray curl out of her eyes. “Emerson, sweetheart, do you mind if I hug you?”

“Oh, um, sure ma’am,” Emerson says, straightening himself stiff as a board.

“Ma’am,” his mom laughs. “Just call me Kim. Or Mom.”

“Mom,” Jason groans.

“What?” his mom laughs. “You haven’t brought anyone home in years. I’m not stupid. Besides, I've never seen you look so happy. Anyone who makes my boy smile like this can call me Mom. Well, if he wants. I’m sure he’s got his own mother, but?—”

“She’s dead,” Emerson offers.

Both his parents go very still, until his mom practically twitches.

“Can she hug you before she starts crying?” Jason whispers to Emerson.

Emerson nods, that permission all Kim needs before Emerson’s got an arm full of Jason’s mother. Despite her small stature, it’s Emerson who curls into her, his shoulders hunching as he hides his face in her curls. She tightens her hold on Emerson, whispering something Jason can’t make out. Whatever she’s said makes Emerson’s shoulders drop further. They stay like that for long seconds, and when Emerson pulls out of the hug, both their eyes are watery.

“So,” his mom says, clearing his throat. “A boyfriend. Can’t believe you didn’t warn me.”

“Sorry, I know I should’ve told you I was bisexual before.”

“Sweetie, I’ve known you were bisexual since you were seventeen and couldn’t take your eyes off Theo’s date to prom.”

“What the hell, Mom?”

“No, it was earlier than that,” his dad counters. “Remember that boy Theo went to homecoming with sophomore year? Jason kept checking out his ass.”

“What the fuck, Dad?” Jason groans.

“You’re right,” his mom nods, ignoring Jason. “I forgot about that. You’ve got a good memory.”

“Hard to forget the first time you notice your son?—”

“Oh my god! Stop it!” Jason laughs, relieved at their easy acceptance of his sexuality and also deeply embarrassed. He also really wants to talk to Theo now because he has no memory of that specific event.

“Sorry,” his mom says, not sounding sorry at all. “Besides, you know we only care about our boys being happy. You don’t ever have to come out to anyone you don't want to, Jason. I meant you should’ve warned me you were bringing home someone special. You said you were bringing a friend over. I would’ve made a home cooked meal instead of ordering takeout if I’d known you meant someone special .”

“Takeout is probably for the best,” his dad soothes, kissing the top of her head.

“I want to know more about this homecoming thing,” Jason demands. “I don’t remember—” but his words are cut short by the sound of very loud voices coming up the driveway.

“I don’t understand why we had to rush,” Alec sighs. “You’re being so weird today.”

“I’m not being weird,” Theo counters.

Jason turns to greet them, his bulk temporarily shielding Emerson from view as he watches his best friend and brother amble up the walkway. Despite Alec’s grumbling, he and Theo are holding hands, and Alec’s expression is light.

“What’s up, asshole?” Alec grins, throwing his arms around Jason in a hug. He moves when Theo demands a turn, clapping Jason on the back before pulling him into a bear hug.

“How’s it going?” Theo quietly inquires.

“Good,” Jason answers, clinging to Theo for a few extra seconds. “Really good.”

Theo pulls back from the hug with that familiar smile of his, and Jason’s heart is so damn full having most of his favorite people in one place.

“Emerson is here,” Alec loudly announces from behind them. “How come no one told me he was coming?”

Jason turns to reply, automatically slipping his arm around Emerson’s shoulder to pull him close. Before Jason can get a word out, Alec’s eyes widen comically, and he lets out a string of colorful expletives in both English and Spanish.

“Motherfucker,” Alec curses again, having already drawn the attention of everyone in the house. “I lost the fucking bet.”

“What bet?” Jason asks.

Alec doesn’t answer, turning his attention to Theo. “All afternoon you reminded me about this dinner, making sure I kept on track so we weren’t late. Did you know?” Alec jabs his finger in the center of Theo’s chest not taking a breath or waiting for his reply. “Fuck you, you knew.”

Alec huffs, crossing his arms in what is unmistakably a pout.

“Alec,” Theo tries.

“Don’t ‘Alec’ me, asshole,” Alec grumbles, turning his attention to Emerson. “Sorry, Emerson. Hi.”

“Um, hello,” Emerson replies, clearly unsure how to take what’s happening.

“He’s not mad,” Jason whispers. “He’s just a nosy fucker like Charlie who hates being the last to know anything.”

“I’m not a nosy fucker! I?—”

“Hello,” Andrew says, appearing out of seemingly nowhere in the doorway. He’s so damn quiet it’s hard to believe he’s a King sometimes.

In stark contrast, Charlie’s loud voice echoes up the walkway. “Annie, you left me in the car. What were you in such a hurry—oh, what’s all this then?”

At his side, Emerson tenses under the scrutiny of Jason’s entire family, everyone staring at them as Charlie and Andrew work out what everyone else already knows.

“Ah, fuck,” Charlie curses, draping himself over Andrew’s back dramatically. “I lost the bet.”

“I didn’t,” Andrew smirks. “Nice to see you again, Emerson.”

“Hi Andrew,” Emerson says, tightening his arm around Jason’s waist.

“I see you boys all know Emerson,” his mom says, eyeing them keenly.

“Emerson went to pizza night with Theo and Alec a few weeks ago,” Charlie says. “Jason’s been crushing on Emerson forever.”

“The fuck, Charlie?” Jason gapes.

“Behave,” Andrew hisses to Charlie.

“What?” Charlie shrugs. “He has. We can all stop pretending we don’t know now.”

Emerson squirms beside him, clearly uncomfortable. As if reading Emerson’s unease, Andrew effectively draws everyone's attention off Emerson with one single sentence.

“Charlie’s seeing someone.”

“You are?” both their parents gasp.

“What the fuck?!” Alec yells, throwing his hands in the air. “Is everyone keeping secrets from me?”

“Thank you,” Jason mouths to Andrew, who winks at Emerson.

“You threw me under the bus,” Charlie groans, shoving Andrew like they’re thirteen and not thirty-two. “Andrew has a crush on a hockey player.”

Andrew’s cheeks flush a deep red while he turns to shoot daggers at Charlie with his glare. “I do not have a crush. I said he was aesthetically pleasing to look at. I don’t even know him.”

“You know you can have crushes on people you don’t know. You can even fuck them,” Charlie points out.

“I don’t want to fuck him,” Andrew hisses. “Besides, you’ll fuck anything or anyone so you’re not one to talk about the parameters of a crush. Which again, I do not have.”

“If you say so,” Charlie shrugs, entirely unabashed by everyone listening to this conversation.

“Was no one going to tell me anything?” Alec butts in, clearly still put out.

“I wanna know about the bet,” Jason interjects.

“Oh that,” Charlie shrugs. “We’ve all had a bet going for years about when you’d finally realize you weren’t straight and bring a guy home.”

Jason blinks, entirely unsure how to respond to this.

“To be fair, we were not all part of the bet,” Theo clarifies.

“Theo wasn’t part of the bet because Theo would’ve told you about the bet,” Alec pipes up. “You two can’t keep secrets from each other for shit.”

Theo looks like he wants to argue then shrugs, making Jason laugh. He fucking loves his family, ridiculous antics and all.

“I think I’m going to go put on a pot of coffee,” his mom announces, reaching for his dad’s hand. “Help me, amor .”

“Of course,” he answers, following her out of the entry like a besotted teenager.

“You’re coming with me,” Alec says, grabbing Theo’s hand and dragging him towards the stairs. Jason does not want to know what they’re going to do, so he turns his attention on the twins who are back to quietly bickering.

“I can’t believe you told them about—” Charlie stops when he realizes Jason and Emerson are watching them.

“Told us about who?” Jason prompts, dying of curiosity. To his knowledge, Charlie hasn’t had a relationship in almost a decade, seemingly content to fuck his way through Southern California without care or commitment.

“No one,” Charlie answers. “By the way Emerson, you’re looking enchanting tonight. Green is really your color.”

A now familiar feeling burns in Jason’s chest that he finally recognizes as not heartburn. He frowns at Charlie. “Get your own boyfriend.”

“I don’t want a partner, thanks. I’m very happy being a manwhore.”

“Manwhore implies women are the default. You’re just a whore,” Andrew supplies with a charming smile.

Charlie opens his mouth then closes it. “Shit, you’re right. Fucking internalized misogyny.”

“Are they always like this?” Emerson whispers.

“Afraid so,” Jason replies, realizing that his brothers were on much better behavior at the tailor’s. Now that he’s brought Emerson home, he’s privy to their unfiltered chaos.

“Okay,” Emerson nods, taking it in stride.

“If you will excuse us, me and Charlie have to discuss the terms of my winning bet.”

“No we don’t,” Charlie tries. “I want to talk to Emerson, and?—”

Whatever Andrew whispers makes Charlie change his tune. Jason really wishes he knew how Andrew controlled Charlie because he’s the only one who ever has been able to.

“Never mind, me and Andrew have to talk.”

With that, they disappear down the hallway, quietly whispering in that way they do like no one else exists. It’s not until their voices fade into the sitting room off the kitchen that Jason fully relaxes.

“So,” Jason laughs. “Are you ready to run away? They’re a lot.”

“They’re amazing,” Emerson whispers. “I like your family, Jason. Maybe not for like prolonged periods, except for Andrew, but uh, they’re nice. And they obviously love you.”

“They’re pretty great,” Jason agrees, because he loves his nosy, noisy family. “They’re going to love you, you know.”

“Because you do?”

“Well partly,” Jason answers, turning Emerson so he’s directly in front of Jason. He cups his cheeks, “but just because you’re you. I told you, Emmy, you’re an easy man to love.”

Uncertainty shines in his eyes, but this time he doesn’t argue. What he does do is rise onto tip-toes, pressing his lips to Jason in a kiss that floods Jason with pleasure. He wraps his arms around Emerson's neck, kissing him once more before pulling him into a hug.

The front door is still wide open, cool night air and the glow of the street light filtering into the warmth of the house. Jason takes it all in, the stars outside twinkling brightly while the sound of his family’s playful teasing filters out from the other room.

“I’m so happy, Jason,” Emerson whispers, burrowing into his chest.

Jason holds him all the tighter, everything he’s ever wanted in his arms. “Me too, Emmy. Me too.”