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Tom snuck into the bunk area of the bus, as quiet as possible. He was a man on a mission - motivated by a curiosity that struck him out of nowhere, he decided that he absolutely needed to check what Jeff was up to.
He left the door open so as not to make any more noise than necessary. Then, he froze in place when his ears caught a subtle sound - a ruffling of bed covers. Ah. That's what he was hoping to hear.
The singer slowly walked up to one of the bunks. What he found was Jeff lying on his side, facing the wall, covers tangled up at his feet. Without much thought, he poked the blond's shoulder.
"Yo. You asleep, dude? Or are you just pissed 'cause of something? Or someone." he smiled slightly, "Hope it's not me."
His friend grumbled something under his breath, then reluctantly turned his head to give Tom a side glare, his long, blond hair falling off his face.
The bassist understood immediately. He had just interrupted Jeff's private time, which was very important to the guitarist. While they were out on the road, there was barely any time for him to unwind without anyone disturbing his peace. Tom was well-aware of that and he instantly felt a bit guilty.
"Oops. Sorry, man. I'll just go," he mumbled, a little embarrassed.
However, just as he was about to turn on his heel, he felt a tug on his forearm. He glanced down again and noticed the blond's hand wrapped around his wrist. The guy was dragging him back towards the bunk. By the time Tom sat down on the edge of the bed, Jeff had already turned towards him. The guitar player huffed softly.
"Lie down," he muttered. The singer could tell it was part request, part plea. Once Jeff made a bit more space for him, he obeyed, facing the man without getting too close.
"What now?"
His friend didn't answer. He just grabbed him by the arms, basically manhandling him until Tom was rolled over onto his other side. Jeff wrapped his arms around the man's middle, nose nudging the dark, thick curls away just enough to be able to touch the skin of Tom's neck. It sent a shiver through the singer - he hadn't expected such boldness from his bandmate.
He heard a whisper near his ear. "Stay."
And he did. They lied in silence for a few long moments, the only sound being their calm breathing. Then, Tom felt it was finally appropriate to ask:
"I thought you wanted to be left alone..." he murmured, head turned just slightly in Jeff's direction as he spoke.
"By everyone else. You're... You're alright," was the response he received. The blond nuzzled his neck a bit, "Want you here. Close."
The short sentences were a sign that Jeff was tired, and so was the fact that he was clearly trying - and failing - to keep the exhaustion out of his voice. It was honestly a little endearing to the bassist.
"Oh, so I'm getting special treatment? How'd I earn such an honor?"
"Shut it. You just..." his friend huffed in irritation, "...piss me off the least."
"Chill, I'm just messing with you," the brunette grinned as he turned his head to the side, trying to steal a glance at the man glued to his back. The guitarist raised his head from Tom's neck. Just as suspected, his eyes were only half-open, clearly sleepy.
"What, you're gonna take a nap while clinging to me like I'm your girl or somethin'?" the singer continued the relentless teasing, "You fa– Ow!" he yelped when Jeff's hand suddenly fisted in his hair and pulled hard.
"Good. Stay quiet."
And he rested his face against the man's skin again. Tom felt another small shiver go through his body at the sensation of that steady, rhythmic breath on him. It was... strangely pleasant. He couldn't help but let himself be cuddled, starting to relish in the warmth of his friend's arms.
Jeff didn't stir for another few minutes, eyes closed, but he hadn't started snoring yet. In the meantime, Tom was mulling over what he could say that wouldn't anger the blond. He scratched his chin scruff thoughtfully.
Maybe if Jeff was drunk, it would make sense that he was clingy. However, Tom could tell the man was sober - he stank of beer, but it was just that vague smell that surrounded him at all times.
"Are you tired?.." Tom finally uttered, cautious.
"Mhm," the guitarist just hummed.
"I'm not surprised. Tour's been exhausting for you, yeah?"
"Yup."
"But you haven't kicked me out yet. Why aren't you asking me to leave you alone?"
"You're warm," a mumble right into Tom's neck, "and I like touching you. You... feel nice."
Wow. That was something the bassist couldn't have predicted.
"You like touching me, huh? In a gay way?" he joked quietly, a lopsided smile on his face as he rolled over onto his other side.
Jeff shoots him a tired, disapproving glance, before mumbling:
"You're not the brightest, are you?"
"Whatcha mean?"
"Dude. Yes, it's in a gay way. You're hot, alright?"
"I know I'm hot, just-" Tom paused, his cheeks flushing slightly as the realization dawned over him. "YOU think so? Like, no shit?"
"Are you dumb? 'course I think so. I..." the guitar player sighed. A faint blush crept up his face despite himself. "I like you. You're really pretty, and you get me. You don't piss me off, at least not as much as other people."
"Shit..." the brunette huffed. "How long have you felt like that?"
"Months. Just didn't wanna tell you. You'd call me a fag." Jeff didn't exactly seem happy about that possibility.
"Dude... I like you too." Tom blurted out.
His friend went silent. For about ten seconds, he stared straight into Tom's eyes, searching for a sign of sarcasm or mockery, but to no avail. He had never been good at reading people.
"You're not joking, are you?"
"No, why'd you even ask that?" the bass player seemed confused.
"I dunno, I can't read your mind." his friend responded as if it were obvious. "Are you?"
"I'm not a complete asshole. I wouldn't say I like you if I didn't mean it."
"So... You do like me. I mean... I didn't expect you to actually... say that." Jeff finally smiled a bit.
Tom grinned too, a little sheepish. "What do we even do now?" he whispered.
"I guess we can kiss if you want." the guitarist tried to look nonchalant, even though he was anything but – his face was red and he could feel his hands sweating like hell.
"Yeah, I- I'd like that." his bandmate nodded softly.
Slowly, the two moved closer and closer, until they were just inches apart. Their breaths mingled as they closed the gap between them, lips finally connecting. It was a bit awkward at first, as if they had never kissed anyone before. Then, once they got more comfortable, it grew warmer.
The long, surprisingly sweet kiss lasted a little bit, before Tom pulled away.
"Geez... You're a good kisser, babe." he breathed. 'Babe'. That was new.
"Thanks, " the blonde grinned a tad in response. "Does that mean we're, like, dating now?"
"Well, duh. You're mine now." his lover smirked. His hand wandered down to pat Jeff's hip, as if to show that he was, in fact, all Tom's.
"Alright. I'm yours." the guitarist chuckled, "And you're mine, yeah?"
"Yes. All yours." Tom nodded in agreement.
And so, after months of dancing around their feelings for each other... The two friends were finally honest with each other.