mari

The 'J' in John Stands For Jealousy

Tags: Jealousy, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss, Crack

Word count: 865

John knew it was silly for him to be this pissed off over something so trivial.

But seeing it put him in a bad mood for most of the night.

A bunch of them were at a restaurant, for no particular reason other than to hang out.

The first thing to really kick start his sour mood was when Matt arrived. Himself and Smitty had been in the middle of a conversation when his friend suddenly clocked something over his shoulder and leapt up from the table. Smitty had bounded over to Matt, and they threw their arms around each other, swaying from left to right on the spot.

John wasn't quite sure why only now he was becoming jealous over seeing them be touchy with one another. Oh, yeah, no, he did know why. He'd recently come to the harrowing conclusion that he was in love with Smitty. How fantastic. John had known for a while before that he had some not-so-platonic feelings for his best friend.

But as he watched Smitty nudge his shoulder into Matt's for a countless time a little while later, wheezing a laugh at something John was too envious to hear, he kicked Smitty's shin under the table, for no particular reason. That Smitty knew of, at least.

He gave John an odd look from across the table.

To which he replied by sticking out his tongue like a petulant child.

Throughout the time it took for everyone to choose, order, wait, and eat their main courses, John had kicked Smitty about six times. And each time, Smitty did not ask him why, likely just thinking it was some kind of bit.

Whilst those who had ordered dessert waited for them to arrive, John announced to the table that he'd be going to the bathroom, jokingly inviting anyone to join him. No one took him up on the offer, but he did make direct eye contact with Smitty, whose eyes narrowed a little, like he was trying to figure out John's angle.

The bathroom was thankfully empty. But John didn't even get a chance to do what he came in there for before the door swung open behind him.

"Does the 'j' in your name stand for fucking jealousy?"

That made him laugh. Like, genuinely laugh. "No, man, but that was fucking gold."

"Thanks. I'm quite proud of it actually." Smitty pointed an accusatory finger at him. "Not the point, mister. You better tell me why you're being all moody, before I start to get angry."

"Seems like you're already angry."

"I'm not. Getting there, though, if you don't tell me."

John dropped his shoulders, deciding to just come straight out with it.

"Are you and Matt fucking, or something?"

And with that, Smitty burst out laughing. Even going so far as to double over and put his hands on his knees. "What?"

John couldn't help but laugh a little himself at Smitty's reaction. "You asked!"

"Matt has a girlfriend, dumbass! You know that!"

"Uh- yeah." John said dumbly, floundering for a coherent response, his mind blanking as he realised he actually had completely forgotten that pretty significant fact. "But you could've been having some kind of gay love affair!"

"What? Are you being for real right now? What kind of assumption is that?"

John's mouth hung open lamely. "A pretty astute one!"

Smitty did a one-eighty, still laughing incredulously. John thought he was going to leave, but then he said, "You really have no idea?"

"Idea about what?"

He faced him again. "Are you shitting me?"

"No?"

"John."

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to kiss you now."

The alcohol he'd consumed was inhibiting John's brain from functioning at its normal speed, because by the time he fully registered what Smitty said, his friend was stepping into his personal space and pressing their mouths together.

"That was the idea," said Smitty, pulling away but keeping close.

"Oh…"

"Yeah, oh," Smitty said, mimicking his dumbfounded response, and reaching up to tuck some of John's hair behind his ear in a way that had him melting inside. "I've known Matt for longer than I've known you, that's why I touch him up occasionally." John gave him an odd look at his word choice, but Smitty just smiled. "And anyway, I'd much rather have a gay love affair with you."

John nodded his head slowly; they'd kissed once, and he was already feeling the ultimate euphoria. Drunk on more than just alcohol. "That's good. Very good, indeed. So do I."

Smitty's eyes lit up brilliantly, and he leaned in to kiss him for a second time. Just once. A soft, lingering kiss that had John chasing after his lips all over again.

"Now, can you keep your unnecessary and unsubstantiated jealousy to yourself for the rest of the evening, or are you just going to keep kicking me under the table?"

"I'll probably keep kicking you."

Smitty hummed like he knew that would be the answer. "I'll suck your dick later if you stop."

"Pinky promise?"

"No."

"Well, then, buddy." He slapped his hand to Smitty's upper arm, moving past him towards the door, his need to piss having disappeared. "Kicking you, it is."