“This is a long ass game.” Teo stretched his arms. Josiah did the same, and his shirt pulled up, showing Mateo the pale skin of his stomach and a trail of hair, darker than what was on his head.

Teo jerked his eyes away, seeing that Josiah had seen him. He didn’t let himself focus on that, though. All he could think about was that he hadn’t wanted to turn away. He hadn’t fucking wanted to, and that was wrong. That shit could get him killed in his world.

“We can put it on the desk and finish tomorrow.”

Teo nodded. They both stood, carefully picking up the board so no pieces would fall and setting it on the desk between their beds. It was late now, sleep tuggin’ at him, but Mateo ignored it.

And then they both stood there. Lead filled his feet and he couldn’t move. Didn’t know what to do. Josiah did the same. An eternity passed them by, Teo digging for something to say to cut through the tension in the room.

“You know I was going easy on you, right? I mean, I totally could have won. You did not come close to beating me your very first game.” Sarcasm dripped from Josiah’s words. It was just what Teo needed and so damn different than anything he’d ever heard from Josiah before.

A laugh tumbled out of Teo’s mouth and he didn’t hold it back. Second by second the tension eased out of him. And then Josiah was doing the same. They both stood there, holding their stomachs from laughing so hard.

When the laughter died down, Josiah spoke. “That was a lie, just so you know. There’s a good chance you could beat me. You’re good.” And then his hand wrapped around Teo’s arm.

It was warm and soft and now he realized he really liked that fucking softness. His breathing went faster, and he flexed his hands open and closed, wanting Josiah to hold on and let go at the same time. No, hold on, he decided, so when Josiah tried to pull back, Teo held his hand there with his own. “Thanks... for teachin’ me. You’re cool, Jay. I mean...” What the hell did he mean? And what the fuck was up with calling him Jay? It slipped out.

“You don’t call me kid anymore.” Teo let go and Josiah dropped his hand. “It’s Jay, or Josiah.”

Mateo’s head pounded. He was hot all over. Embarrassed, angry at himself, and... “I didn’t know you didn’t like it. Kid, I mean. Which is stupid. Why the fuck would you like kid? I won’t use it.” He raised his hand, almost touching Josiah’s hair, but jerked it back. Josiah’s eyes followed the movement before their eyes locked.

They were just standing there one second and then the next, Josiah pushed up on his toes and pressed his lips to Teo’s. Mateo froze, his insides cracking apart. His lips tingled. Wanted, needed, to kiss back, but instead he’d jerked away. “What the fuck was that?”

He was shaking. Holy shit, his whole body was shaking.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I don’t know why I...” Josiah licked his lips. Closed his eyes and dropped his head forward. His hair fell in his face. “I’m sorry. I thought...”

A pull sorta took Mateo over. Luring him, easing him closer to Josiah. It started somewhere deep inside him, an urge he couldn’t hold back. He’d hurt Josiah. Self-hatred rose up inside him. He never wanted to hurt him.

And he wanted to kiss him. Wanted it so bad, his whole fucking body ached with need.

Teo’s hand shook as he lifted it. As he pushed Josiah’s hair out of his face. As he hooked a finger under Josiah’s chin and lifted. Mateo fingered his hair again. “It’s soft.”

Jay’s chin trembled and Mateo brushed his thumb across it. Josiah’s eyes went wide as Teo leaned forward. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you. No matter what. Not you.”

And then he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Josiah’s. His lips didn’t move, so Teo kissed again. Over and over, until he earned Josiah’s trust and he kissed back.

Electricity zipped through him. Fried him alive. Cupping both Josiah’s cheeks in his hands, he kissed him harder, deeper, letting his tongue slide between his lips.

He froze when Josiah jerked back. “I’m sorry. I’ve never kissed...”

Teo smiled. “Yeah you have. You just did. And you had the balls to kiss me first.”

When Josiah returned his smile, Mateo’s heart started going crazy. They kissed again, and Josiah somehow even tasted innocent. He got closer, walked him backward until Jay went down on the bed. Teo climb on top of him, kissing him the whole time.

He touched Josiah’s hair, let his lips trail down his neck. His whole body buzzed. Came a-fucking-live. It was more than just kissing a boy, when that’s what he’d always wanted. It was kissing this one.