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Jonesy and Nikki had had a good run. But in the time that their relationship became a long distance one, Jonesy ended up figuring out he was gay and Nikki grew close with a girl in Iqaluit. They both agreed they should break up, but stay friends. They still talked about as often as they did when they were dating, except now Jonesy was growing comfortable with his true sexuality and Nikki had an Eskimo girlfriend who she called ‘adorable’.
Without Nikki around to physically hang out with, Jonesy hung out with Jude more often. The whole gang still hung out too, but Jen and Caitlin had grown closer since Nikki left and spent a lot of one-on-one time together (being oblivious to each other’s feelings), and Wyatt had a new enbyfriend and spent a lot of time writing love songs with the correct pronouns for them.
Yup, Jonesy wasn’t the only one who had a sexual awakening (Jude had started it actually, coming out as pansexual, and creating a chain reaction). To be honest though, it wasn’t very surprising.
After awhile, Jonesy found himself thinking about Jude a lot. And talking about him a lot. And picturing his smile. A lot. So then, he paid a lot of attention to Jude. And upon picking up some of the signs, thought he might have felt the same way. Eventually, after gathering up his courage, he asked him out.
His reaction wasn’t what Jonesy had expected.
He frowned and asked, “Are you sure?”
Jonesy blinked.
Jude went on, “Because I’m not like Nikki, y’know. I’m not sassy, or as cool as her—“
“Jude,” Jonesy tried.
“Or smart, so I can’t help you with your homework—“
“Jude.”
“And I don’t have purple hair—“
“Jude!” Jonesy grabbed him by the shoulders.
Jude blinked up at him. He had his attention now.
Jonesy smiled at him. “I know. I don’t want another Nikki. Her and I make better friends anyway,” he said.
“Then why do you wanna date me?” Jude asked.
“Because you’re Jude!” Jonesy exclaimed with a laugh. “Who I happen to like.” He smirked, but it was soft, “A lot.”
Jude’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really.” Jonesy grinned. His hands had slid to Jude’s waist.
“So what you’re saying is you want a Jude?” he asked, slow smile growing on his face. He’d put his hands on Jonesy’s shoulders.
Jonesy laughed out loud. “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying,” he replied. “My question is…” Jonesy’s smile turned nervous, “do you want a Jonesy?”
Jude hummed in thought, tapping his chin. “Just to be clear, you mean this Jonesy, right?” he said, pointing his forefinger up at Jonesy.
Jonesy snorted. “Yeah. And I mean this Jude,” he said, poking Jude’s nose.
Jude grinned. “In that case, this Jude would love to go out with this Jonesy.”
Jonesy sagged like a ballon that’d lost its air. “Oh thank goodness. Uh. I mean,” he straightened up and cleared his throat, “Great!”
Jude chuckled. “Were you really that nervous to ask me on a date?”
“Eh, a little.” Jonesy made a so and so gesture.
Then Jude frowned. “Wait, how do two dudes date? Who’s gonna pay? Does this mean I can’t call you ‘dude’ anymore?”
Jonesy blinked and thought for a minute. “We’ll take turns paying,” he finally said, “And you can still call me dude. I think. I’m not completely sure, but we’ll figure it out.”
Jude shrugged and smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
They went and saw a movie for their first date. Jonesy paid. They shared the popcorn, and laughed until they cried, and shushed back anyone who shushed them, and burst into laughter again. Then when Jude was coming down from his laughing high, he accidentally let his hand fall on top of Jonesy’s. They made eye contact for fifteen seconds. When Jonesy leaned in, they forgot about the movie.
An employee had to shoo them out of the theatre long after the movie had ended.