Series/Sequel: may well be the first in a series
Pairing: Jake/Kyle
Rating: PG
Category: pre-slash
Notes: I know, another fandom- bad idea, but Jake wants Kyle, what can I say?!
Warnings: spoilers up to and including 'Prince and the Revolution'
"That was a good thing you did," Kyle commented quietly.
"Thanks," Jake replied, staring strangely at him.
"Why?" Kyle asked, unable to comprehend why his friend would give up the chance to escape a life that made him unhappy. Kyle was NSA through and through, but Jake wasn't. The reality of being an agent hadn't held up to Jake's romantic concepts and moralistic ideals. It actually affected Kyle emotionally, both that Jake had given up his chance for a new life and that, most of the time, Jake felt unhappy and inadequate as an agent of the NSA.
Jake stared at him, eyes wide and unblinking before he suddenly flushed and dropped his gaze. Kyle frowned in bemusement. "Jake?" he asked.
"I, uh," Jake paused and cleared his throat. "You."
"What?" Kyle was confused.
"I stayed for you," Jake repeated, rushing over his words as he stared determinedly at the ground.
All sorts of reactions and responses swept through Kyle's mind; most defensive and shocked, none appropriate. If he was honest though, Kyle didn't know what to do because the biggest surprise was that he wasn't reacting with disgust or distaste. Indeed, the fact that Jake had stayed for him had made him aware of feelings that Kyle hadn't ever realised were there.
Jake looked up again, eyes seeming to pierce right into Kyle's soul. "I'm not expecting anything, I just wanted you to know," he said quietly, "That's all."
Kyle realised that he still hadn't said anything, was still standing there, staring, when Jake sighed and turned to walk away. "I... wait," Kyle said hesitantly.
"Kyle, it's fine," Jake said, not turning round, the hunch to his shoulders making Kyle feel bad.
"But I don't want you to walk away like this," he whispered.
"Like what?" Jake asked.
"Thinking that there's nothing to expect from me," Kyle managed to say quietly, flushing under his tan.
Jake span round, mouth open, shock written all over his face. "What?" he gasped, "You mean..."
"I don't know what I mean, Jake," Kyle sighed, "I know I'm very glad you stayed though."
"Really?" Jake blinked at him, looking a little uncertain.
Finding himself wanting to reassure his friend, Kyle nodded. "Yeah."
"So, uh," Jake cleared his throat, "Maybe we could grab a coffee sometime and talk?"
Kyle shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to react still. Jake was both male and his partner. "Talk, sure, sounds good," he replied eventually, not quite able to make eye contact.
Jake reached out quickly to squeeze his arm. "See you tomorrow."
"Sure," Kyle nodded, somehow able not to reach for the spot on his arm where he could still feel Jake's touch, until Jake had turned to walk away. Kyle watched him go, sighing quietly. Just what had he got himself into? But even though he was unnerved, maybe even a little freaked, at the turn his relationship with Jake had taken, Kyle couldn't deny that he was glad he hadn't let Jake walk away.
end