Work Text:
As Jerome reaches his house, he's forced his mind completely away from the note he left for Jinn in his notebook. Instead, his mind is locked on his upcoming rut because he's got a feeling it's going to be his worst rut yet since he laid out his feelings.
Jerome shuts the car off and climbs out, heading to the door only to freeze at seeing his shadow.
He turns to see Jinn's car in his driveway, the other man's head popping out.
"J, what the hell is this?" asks Jinn as he waves the note while climbing out of the car and slamming the door shut.
"Did you read it?" asks Jerome instead of saying the sarcastic remark he was thinking.
"Not yet. But why write this?" Jinn's voice holds anger as he poses the questions, brows pinched in confusion.
"As cute as you look right now," starts Jerome without thinking as he smiles at Jinn. "I wrote it because saying the words out loud are scary when you don't know what to expect. Either text me, or don't say a thing. That'll be your answer."
"Stand there and let me read it then," grumbles Jinn as he jogs the distance and wraps his fingers around Jerome's wrist.
"You're supposed to read it in your own time," huffs Jerome as he gently tests the limit of Jinn's hold. "Seriously? Can I sit down?"
"Nope, stand there and let me read," grumbles Jinn as he squeezes his wrist.
Jerome sighs in defeat before crouching down and resting on his arm. He waits there, with eyes growing heavy until they slide shut, for his release.
Then he falls on his ass because there's something soft pressing against his cheeks.
Lips.
When his eyes fly wide, he meets Jinn's watery eyes, and his heart comes out of his throat, "Did you just kiss my cheek before accepting my courtship?"
"I— How was I supposed to react to that?! You were so friggin' sweet!" yelps Jinn loudly as he crouches next to him.
"Respond like a normal person?! I— Are you accepting?" asks Jerome as he waves his hands.
"Yes! Why else would I have kissed your cheek?!" Jinn sounds as exasperated as Jerome feels.
"You're accepting," Jerome can't quite believe the words that are leaving his mouth as he looks at Jinn, needing confirmation again.
"Yes, I'm accepting," replies Jinn with a stiff nod. "But slow as a turtle, J. I need time to believe you're serious about courting me."
"I am," says Jerome genuinely as he looks at him, standing up with Jinn and turning to face him, opening his posture. "I will go at your pace, and if I overstep, just say the word."
Jinn presses a kiss to his cheek before letting go of his wrist and taking off to his car like the idea of staying and dealing with what just happened is too much. Jerome watches him leave with a giddy smile.