Episode 17: Stars in your eyes
Josh's eyes went wide, then back to normal as he had forgotten about the doggo thing when he got lost in those Adonis-like features on the blonde's face.
Yet he felt the need to defend himself too, "You didn't move your finger either. You kept it on my lips, I was just playing. Not meaning it in a bad way, just like friends do"
He had a point and it itched Teo the wrong way as he didn't want to lose either, "Let's not elongate this chat or we're gonna end up at each other's throat. Just next time I talk with my brother on the phone just stay quiet" he meant it, but wasn't sure if he came off too strong.
Josh nodded, now doubting himself what moved him to go that far at that moment, "Got it. But I'm not a dog" not liking being compared to a pet.
Teo tilted his head silently, "dogs bite" he stated bluntly.
The ravenette couldn't keep quiet after that, "I didn't bite you. I grazed your finger, it was a joke, man. Could you let it go already? It wasn't a big deal".
The blonde young male narrowed his eyes, measuring the male sitting in front of him, "Fine, just because I'm knackered".
He turned on his heels to go back to bed, yet he didn't step forward, his face flaring up again as he needed to say it out loud as the male didn't have any intention of getting up.
"Now bring your pretty butt back to bed. I told ya you could sleep in bed if you were to take a bath and you did it so consider it your reward" his voice came out emotionless as he tried to keep it neutral, letting it out in a single blow.
Josh looked at the blonde, questioning himself if it was a good idea, "The bed is too small for the both of us, so I'll sleep here for your and my own sake" he wasn't joking about that.
Teo looked at the bed then looked back, not showing hesitation, "I said come to bed this instant. Don't make me repeat myself".
Josh stood up out of instinct to reply, as stubborn as the younger, "I said I'll sleep in here. You take the bed"
"Ok, if you sleep on the ground then so will I" Teo turned to face him, eyes firmly holding the older's wavering gaze.
The ravenette walked past him as that gaze was burning him up, making his way towards the bed.
Teo smiled as he saw him approaching bed by the corner of his eyes, /Yas! I won!/- he sang within his head.
The older one spoke sitting on the edge of the bed, "Are you coming or what?"
Teo made his way towards it, grinning, proud with his small victory.
They got comfortable in bed, but the quietness in the room was a little too much.
Not like they disliked it, it just felt a bit awkward as sleep didn't come.
Josh broke the silence, trying to keep it light, "It'd be good if there was a Tv in here. Don't you think so?"
Teo nodded, staring at the wall, "yeah, I do…"
The ravenette spoke his mind as he couldn't stand the short reply, "ok, this is hella awkward, I'll sleep on the ground" pushing the blankets away.
To which Teo replied fast, holding his hand as it pushed the covers, "No!" He moderated his voice to keep going, "I mean, you might wake up with back pain. It's not good for the body"
Josh narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "are you calling me old?" He would never admit it'd, indeed, cause him pain.
The blonde stared at him in what seemed hours avoiding to meet his eyes, grinning smugly, "Mature is closer to what I mean. Like a classic, never gets older just better"
The ravenette stared at the laying blonde next to him, his smile testing his will. The young male wasn't only beautiful, but smart. A soft smile painted his striking handsome face, "So you like maturity? Is that what you mean?"
Teo used his elbow to prompt himself up, his challenging gaze making his blue sea eyes sparkle alike to the sun illuminating the waters insea.
"What if I do? Classic is not bad. That just means I have taste and not looking to babysit kids"
His voice was as deep as the ocean, the boldness he showed in his eyes was too much for the older, yet his gentleman side had to overpower him to keep his composure.
"Get it, anyhow. It 's pretty late. We gotta rest up" he pulled up the blanket on top of him as the boy glanced at him.
"Did I tell ya my brother would come pick us up in the morning?" The blonde said as the older one snuggled up to his nose, looking soft and defenseless.
"You mentioned something, but couldn't grasp it clearly," looking up to Teo, his large being looking smaller as his eyes became bigger as he looked at the blonde, his stoic appearance turning into an adorable one.
Teo almost squealed at the cuteness, yet he laid down on his back, smiling as he spoke again, "yeah, by noon. So you better be ready"
Josh shook his head, just when the boy looked his way, "No, I won't. I mean, I'll be present because he is coming but that doesn't mean I'm going back" his voice cold which contrasted with his adorable self, one couldn't get mad at those innocent large doe-like eyes.
Teo would have snapped at the answer, but seeing him soft even though his words were a bit cold helped him to keep his enquiries within line, "Don't you miss your house? Your parents? When you talked about your work you sounded like you love it".
Josh shook his head, looking at the blonde who turned his body under the blanket towards him, his hands under his chin as his eyes became large, full of curiosity, "Nope!" The ravenette chuckled seeing him like an inquisitive kitten.
"Don't get me wrong, I miss them, especially my friends in the navy, but… my house is not my home" the last words came out a bit cutting as if he didn't feel anything for a place which should be considered his home, his refuge.
"Why are you so cold?" Teo asked, noticing the sudden change and how he stared at the ceiling avoiding his inquisitive gaze.
Josh still avoided his eyes, his ears getting hot as he felt eyes on him, his voice softening, but not even he knew why, "I'm not cold, but I'm enjoying this new sense of freedom, it feels good. Don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not to meet their expectations of me"
The blonde asked again, this time reminiscing the talk Josh had with the elder since he met him, "Were you serious about the restaurant and the small huts around here?" His eyes focused on the man laying beside him.
The ravenette chuckled, barely moving his head to meet those big eyes stuck on him, his heart jumped, although it must have been because he didn't expect the boy to turn even more adorable and handsome than he witnessed already.
"I wasn't joking if that answers your questions. Have some ideas, y'know, like planning this idea in my head of how I want it to look."
The boy nodded softly, eyes on the older one all the time.
"A project of about 10 to 7 houses around the place where we arrived last night, it was fresh, the sight was wonderful"
"But building there would destroy the trees around" Teo's nature protector instinct activated.
Josh sighed and looked up again finding an answer as he had a bunch of ideas rolling within his mind, "If I get the approval I'd get eco-friendly materials, making sure of not destroying the environment as it's the main focus. I mean, I ,personally, would love to spend some time in a place like that, just relaxing and doing what hits the mood."
Teo narrowed his eyes, analyzing his words, "so your main plan is building your own house in here, am I right?"
This caught Josh off guard as the boy nailed it, his eyes as wide as two round mini moons, "..."
"..." Teo stared at him silently, awaiting for confirmation although his reaction was enough, yet he didn't want to assume, "am I wrong?" he asked again, trying to get the ravenette out of his stupor.
"If I'm gonna build them I might as well build my own" he chuckled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.
The boy snuggled on his side, his head buried itself on the crook of his neck, almost seeking warm, grinning, "I like that idea, the place is not ugly, anyone would fall in love with it"
Josh didn't know what happened with him at that instant, not like he was foreign to affectionate people, but it was the first time an unknown felt cozy with him, let alone sticking so close, his heart ratio spiked up, he gulped as he looked at the top of his head, "yeah, one might fall in deep".
Teo giggled, his hair tickling his neck as the small action shook his body a little, "yeah, I also love the sea as much as I love cooking, the downside is I don't know how to swim… but yeah, if you establish here we might hang out more often"
Josh nodded, smiling to himself, a soft smile reaching his eyes as he stared fondly at the boy curled up into him.
"I'd love to try your cooking if you drop by. You're more than welcome into my place anytime."
Teo's eyes sparkled like shining stars, he lifted his head to find the kindness gaze he's ever seen looking his way with a new found feeling he couldn't pinpoint, maybe it was what feels like finding a true friend, but a forever lasting one.
Josh on the other hand was attacked by those bright galaxy eyes showing him the infinite possibilities the universe has to offer to a lost spacial wanderer.
"Thank, buddy! You're a great pal," he wrapped his arms around his chest, muffling a yawn.
"Sorry… I'm kinda sleepy…" the younger blinked slowly, his breaths regulated as he drifted off, slowly.
"Worry not, sweet dreams, pal" Josh patted his head adoring the way he clung onto him.
"Brwuu"
Teo mumbled something unclear in his sleep which made Josh chuckle a little.
"From a brave tiger to a baby kitten, what a contrast" soon he yawned, falling into a deep slumber.