InsaneJournal

Who: Joel and Christophe
What: Joel goes to Christophe’s room to comfort him.
Where: Christophe’s room, Chop Hall
When: Immediately after this
Rating: SFW


To say that Joel was worried was an understatement. As soon as Chris had replied that he needed him, Joel had rushed out of his room. He’d only had enough presence of mind to grab his phone and slide into his boots. Other than that, he was already in his pajamas. It didn’t matter though, what really mattered was Chris, and he was obviously upset. He needed him and Joel would never not be there for him. Not again.

Joel trudged through the snow between buildings and quickly slipped inside Chopp Hall. It wasn’t after curfew, not yet, so he didn’t have to worry about hiding. Not that he’d have been too good at that right hen anyway, he was too concerned about his boyfriend to be stealthy.

As quickly as he could, Joel made it up to Chris’ door. He raised a hand and knocked once before trying the handle. Finding it open, he pushed inside. His green eyes swept over the room, looking for his boyfriend as he pushed the door closed behind him and flipped the lock.

“Chris?”

Chris had been in bed, not expecting Joel to be there for at least another 10 minutes. He to was in bed with his laptop, and he had been crying for a good 15 minutes. He didn’t want Joel to see him like this, he didn’t want Joel to worry about him. He’d just wanted to cuddle.

He shut the lid to his laptop and placed it on his nightstand. He smiled at his boyfriend who had been so sweet for coming over, and motioned for the other boy to come sit next to him on the bed.

Joel’s heart broke a little when he saw his boyfriend. He didn’t like seeing him like this, his eyes all red from crying, cheeks wet. He frowned deeply, making his way over. Immediately he settled in, wrapping his arms around the other boy. “Chris, baby, what’s wrong?” He placed one hand at the back of his head, holding him close.

Chris felt nice in the comfort of his boyfriends arms. “It’s just Gabrielle, you know, my baby sister. She’s all alone, back home. She needs me and I can’t do anything. She doesn’t have a lot of friends or anything.” Chris tried hard to keep his tears in. “I used to take care of her, I would cook for her, put her to bed, spend time with her. Our parents wouldn’t even make her cereal in the morning. We were really close. She was my best friend and I was hers. She’s not even nine years old yet. And she’s lonely without me and there’s nothing I can do.” He’d never admit it to Joel, but Gabrielle was what kept him alive at times. She was the world to him. But everyone at school shunned her because she had a big gay brother, as if it ran in the family or something. “She’s sick and our parents won’t take her to the doctor or anything. I used to always make her soup and sing to her, but I can’t from all the way over here.” He cuddled his head into his boyfriend’s warm chest.

“Chris, sweetheart, you did what you had to do to keep yourself safe. It might be hard, and even more so for her to understand because she’s so young, but it was the best thing to do. You couldn’t help her there if you weren’t safe.” Joel told him gently, rubbing his back as he held him. He hated seeing his boyfriend like this, so vulnerable. “Isn’t there someone there that can look in on her for you? A nanny or something? You could have them make her soup and then call her and sing. Do as much as you can.” He suggested softly, pressing his lips to Christophe’s temple. “And it’ll be summer and you’ll be home before you know it.”

Chris was glad his boyfriend was so sweet and caring. “No, no nanny, her parents don’t care enough.” It was a harsh thing to say about his own father, but it was honest. “I’ll call her in the morning. It’s 6 AM there right now. “Right now I just want to cuddle.”

“That’s what I’m here for. Listening to you, cuddling you. Whatever you need.” Joel told him gently, smoothing Christophe’s hair back from his face. He smiled softly, “You can talk to me, or we can just sit here in silence. I don’t care. I just want to know you’re okay.”

“I think I’m okay, I’m just so worried. I don’t think she’s really okay. I don’t think she would have sent me the e-mails if she was. I mean, I was worried enough when she sent me the one I got on Sunday about her being lonely, but now I have her being sick to worry about.” He sighed, feeling better after having let that all out. His boyfriend was so sweet to him, he began to feel bad that he hadn’t told him about how he’d spent his afternoon with Noah...

He looked his boyfriend into his deep green eyes. “Thank you, bébe. I don’t know how I’d be getting through any of this without you. I would be so alone.”

“You’re never alone, Chris. You have me. Anything you need. You can always come to me, talk to me, tell me anything. I want you happy and safe and I’ll do anything to make sure you stay that way.” He told him softly. Joel nuzzled his nose into Christophe’s hair, taking in his familiar scent. “I’d do anything for you. You know that, right?”

Chris was in awe of what his boyfriend had just said. He felt like he had the most amazing boyfriend in the world. He kissed Joel’s lips sweetly, softly. “Mmm, thank you so much.”

Joel gently returned the kiss, smiling a bit. “You’re welcome. You mean the world to me, Chris. Just remember that.”

“I’ll never forget it,” Chris promised. He looked into his boyfriend’s eyes, admiring them the way one imagines a painting in a museum. It was funny how he never tired of them. They brought him so much comfort. He reached for the other boy’s hand and linked his fingers in Joel’s.

With a bright smile, Joel let his fingers twine with his boyfriends. He held him close, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “I’ll stay as long as you need me, okay? All night if you want.”

Chris tried to relax with his boyfriend. He was still feeling a little tense, but Joel made him feel better. Joel made him comfortable and at ease. “Mmm, I’d love that, spending the night with you. Just like this.” He reached with his free hand to dry off his eyes. Now that Joel was there, he was done crying.

“No more crying, okay? You’ll make me cry.” Joel teased softly, reaching out to brush the tears from Christophe’s other cheek. “You’re much too handsome to be crying. Smile for me?” He gave a little smile as well, brushing the hair back from his boyfriend’s forehead fondly.

Chris couldn’t help but let himself grin at his boyfriend’s sweet words. “Stop messing with my hair, it’s messy enough already,” he teased, kissing the other boy’s forehead.

Joel grinned broadly, “But I like messing with your hair. I love your hair...” He ran his fingers through it again, feeling the thick silky locks run between his fingers. “It’s perfect.”

“You’re perfect” Chris replied. He smiled wildly, this time not being provoked. He knew Joel could lighten his mood, make his whole night better, just by being there. “And beautiful and lovely and amazing.” Chris began to wonder why he’d ever doubted Joel. Sure he could be a jerk sometimes to some people when he was in a bad mood, but there, in Chris’ room, in the middle of the night, Joel was the best boyfriend Chris could ever ask for.

“Oh, and now you’re flattering me. What have I done to deserve that? To deserve you?” Joel smiled softly, brushing the fingers of his free hand over the other boys cheek. He wanted so badly to admit that he loved him, because he did, but those feelings were still frightening enough for him, let alone Christophe he was sure.

“I could ask the same about you,” Chris replied. He was running out of words to express how wonderful he thought Joel was. He turned and put his arm on the other side of Joel. He then leaned in slowly and kissed his boyfriend meaningfully. When the kiss ended, he hoped that Joel had gotten his message.

“Mmm... what was that for?” Joel grinned against his lips, “Not that I’m complaining, mind you.” He held Chris close, enjoying the moment. In fact, despite the terrible circumstances, he was enjoying this entire night. He liked just being with Chris, no arguing or feeling like he was upsetting him, just being together and being happy.

“For... you, Joel. Just, for being you, and being here... and being mine.” Chris was a little upset that his message hadn’t gone through, but it was fine. He relaxed, resting his arm on his boyfriend’s chest, snuggling closer to him.

Joel smiled softly, hugging him close, nuzzling his nose into Chris’ hair. “Mm... that’s sweet.” He hummed a little, pressing a few kisses to the other boys forehead.

Chris enjoyed Joel’s kisses, his sweet humming, and his arms around him. “You’re sweet.” He picked up his boyfriend’s hand and began to hold it and play with it. They just lay there together for a while, just being there together, enjoying the moment.

With a grin, Joel watched as Chris played with his hand. So long as he was happy. Joel kept humming quietly, just enjoying the time together. “Mmm... I love you.” he whispered. The words were out of his mouth before he even had time to process let alone stop himself. Realizing what he’d done, Joel’s stomach flopped. Oh God...

Chris had no idea what to do. He wasn’t ready for that. He didn’t not love Joel, he
just wasn’t ready to start saying that, he wasn’t sure. So he stayed quiet for a few awkward seconds, just sitting there playing with his boyfriend’s hand, thinking about that word. It was so fast for him. Even though they’d been together for a year before, to Chris they’d only been together nine days. So much had changed while they were apart, so much time had passed. He decided he had to do something, he couldn’t just let that word linger there. He turned to his boyfriend and kissed him softly on the lips, letting him know that he felt something.

Joel smiled into the kiss, returning it softly. When he finally pulled back, he was still smiling. “You don’t have to say anything, okay? I... it just slipped out. I mean it, but... it’s soon.” The fact that Chris had kissed him meant he wasn’t too upset, or at least Joel hoped.

Chris knew that Joel understood and thus didn’t want to continue talking about it. He just wanted to be in the arms of the boy who loved him. He smiled thankfully at his boyfriend. He thought about saying it back just to make Joel happy, but he wanted to mean it when he said it. He snuggled in close, resting his head on Joel’s chest, holding him tight.

With a smile, Joel kissed the top of Chris’ head, holding him close. He hummed again, running his hands up and down his back. “Want me to stay all night?”

“I think I do.”