#para:jay

Montauk had been a good idea.  It was great to get away from the city, and with the exception of taking pictures, everyone seemed to be content to leave their phones alone and just enjoy each other’s company.  They were playing frisbee on the beach when Hunter crossed his arms in front of his face.  “I’m going to head up the beach a little and explore.  Keep playing, I’ll come back or call if there is something worth exploring.”

He wasn’t far down the beach when he heard footsteps behind him. Hunter turned with a grin, expecting it to be Sebastian but his grin didn’t falter when he discovered it was Jay.  “Hey, coming to join me?  Are you having a good time?”  Hunter couldn’t help but be worried, which was somewhat rare.  

Gillian unbuckled Matthew from his car seat once they arrived at the pier.  “Thanks for coming along today, Jay.  I’m sure Sebastian will appreciate the help as well, and you guys can catch up too.”  Once Matthew was on the ground, he and Annabelle ran ahead, until they spotted Sebastian stepping off the boat.  

“Sebastian, Sebastian,” they called running to him.  “What are we doing today?”

After the unfortunate incident with Blaine Anderson, Sebastian and Rob had disappeared, no doubt because Sebastian needed to smoke and drink.  He didn’t understand how Anderson could still affect Sebastian after all this time.  It was a little insulting, actually, and to make matters worse, their display wasn’t going to go over well with Catie, the museum board or the donors.  Even though he and Sebastian gave as good as they got in the matter, in Hunter’s eyes, this was 100% on Blaine Anderson.  

Hunter could feel the meds he’d taken earlier wearing off a bit already.  And he still didn’t have a drink.  Sighing, he headed to the drink table and ordered himself a double sidecar.  His hand slipped into his pocket, fingering the extra pills still here.  Hunter headed for a mostly quiet corner, and pulled the pills out of his pocket, taking two and gulping them down with his drink.  When he turned back around, to attempt and join the party, Hunter found himself practically eye to eye to Jay.

“Well hello.  Don’t you look gorgeous?” Hunter purred.  “Finally decide to come find me and collect on that drink or something?”

@jaybakernyc​

Hunter knew it was a mistake to stay at the Museum even after Catie had left.  He was getting anxious about the exhibit opening and even though she’d told him not to touch anything, Hunter had been moving things around all night, trying to make things look better, and to calm his anxiety, but in truth only making it worse.  Even though he was mostly alone, despite some janitorial staff and contractors getting things ready for the opening, Hunter knew he couldn’t risk taking something to keep his anxiety at bay.  He arrived at the door to let Jay in, barefoot, in his standard work dark slacks, jacket and tie long ago discarded, and shirt pulled out of his waist and mostly unbuttoned.  His hair was tousled due to the sheer amount of times he’d run his hands through it in frustration.  Hunter beamed at Jay.  “You’re a lifesaver.  Catie told me not to touch anything, but of course I didn’t listen.”  

Even though Sebastian had suggested that ignoring and avoiding Jay for a little bit might help the feelings he was having for Jay lessen and turn to something more appropriate, Hunter couldn’t stop himself from agreeing to coffee with Jay on Monday afternoon.  The weekend had been so weird, and had run the whole gambit and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, he just wanted things to start to feel normal.  He arrived at Parliament Espresso before three and snagged a booth near the back and watched the door for Jay to arrive.   When he spotted the familiar face, Hunter couldn’t help but smile wide.

@jaybakernyc​

[Sunday evening, after Thanksgiving, in NYC]

Since speaking to Jay the day before and making plans to meet at the airport, Hunter had found himself slipping into thoughts about it.  It was hard to believe that it had come to this; that it had worked out like this for them.  It made Hunter smile a little just thinking about it.  Sebastian was great, perfect, his anchor through all of this, even though he didn’t need to be, and the Deans had been so friendly and welcoming, that Hunter wished he’d come to Ojay years ago with Seb.  So it was easy to enjoy the rest of their weekend, and not wish it away.  

However, it became evident once they got to the airport in Santa Barbara that things were not going to go to plan.  A series of events lead to Hunter and Sebastian’s (and Rob and Karen and Jett’s) flight being delayed arriving in New York. Much, much later than anticipated, actually.  Hunter texted Jay and they made alternate arrangements, with Jay suggesting a late dinner for the two of them at a restaurant not far from where Hunter and Sebastian lived. Hunter tried not to let the delay, and slow moving people affect his mood but by the time they got back to the penthouse he was already keyed up. Sebastian too had been agitated on the flight too, no doubt because of the delay, and it was probably for the best that they weren’t both going to be hanging around the penthouse tonight.

 He dropped his bag in the spare room, his room, and looked around. It didn’t feel as weird as he thought it might. Out in the kitchen, Hunter poured a glass of water and drank down almost the whole thing.  “I already texted Catie and work so I could take a couple of extra days off work,” he explained.  I figure I’ll just take care of the rest of my stuff in the master tomorrow while you’re at work.”  His phone lit up with a notification telling him Jay was on his way to the restaurant. Hunter went back to his room and took his wallet and keys out of his bag and headed for the front closet where his heavier jacket and boots were. “I’m going out for a bit. Don’t wait up,” Hunter said to Sebastian, with a clap to the back of his shoulder as he passed. He put his phone down on the hall table and put on his boots and coat before leaving, phone still in the penthouse. 

In the lobby, Hunter was surprised to spot a familiar figure leaning against the concierge desk. His mouth turned up in a genuine smile as he walked over and opened his arms to Jay.   “You little sneak. What are you doing here Jay?” Hunter laughed. Still it was good to see Jay, and he couldn’t t stop smiling, even as he was careful of the bruises he remembered seeing the morning before.  “It’s so good to see you again, even if it was just yesterday. It feels like days ago.” Especially with all that had happened. Hunter took Jay by the hand and tugged him outside, still smiling.  “I can’t believe you’re here, we’re together and I could literally just kiss you right now if I wanted”, he laughed.  But he sobered for a minute, his smile faltering slightly, and he put himself at arms distance.  “I could kiss you right now if I wanted, right?” Hunter asked trepidatiously.

Still, it seemed not everyone was in as high of spirits as she was. Jay had been in on the drinking games some, too, but in comparison to her drunken giddiness, he seemed so down. Excusing herself from the rest of her friends for a second, Mary Kate spun towards him, trying to show off exaggerated martial arts moves en route to make good use of her Black Canary costume “Youuuuuu,” she slurred as she reached Jay, putting an arm on her friend’s shoulder partially to steady herself, but mostly as an act of comfort. “Aren’t supposed to look so sad right now. It’s a party,” she reminded him in a whisper that veered more towards a shout in order to be heard over the music. “And also, I’m a superhero. I’m here to save you from yourself!”

“-Oh fuck.” Casper hissed as he looked at the woman in front of him. She was the one that had been with him when he was tripping to hard. Oh god, wait, had he vomited on her? No, no. Not on her but right next to her. Yeah, he had totally almost thrown up on her. Her face. He’d actually seen it a few times while he was sleeping. But she wasn’t her while she was sleeping. This one, this woman in front of him was called Jayson. IN all his dreams he’d called her Crystal. What the fuck? It must have been something else they were giving him. The mixing of drugs always got you weird results. Not that Casper minded but he did feel a little bad about nearly throwing up on her. That was not a good look on anyone and she was really pretty. Oh he was a fuck up. At least he wasn’t as fucked up as last time. No, he was high, but not throwing up pills high. No, he wouldn’t do that again. To much of a waist. 

Shuffling on the spot, Casper looked away from her. “Yikes. I guess I really made a first impression. Not a good one but I made one, huh?” He asked looking up at her again. Normally he was pretty shameless about everything he did but nearly throwing up on someone was pretty bad. At least in Casper’s mind it was pretty bad but that didn’t mean much. Casper’s mind was a fucking mess. “You wouldn’t happen to be able to just fuckin’ shrug the whole throwing up thing off, would you? Because I don’t normally make a habit of blowing chunks all over pretty girls.” He pointed out. “At least not the first time I meant them.” Casper joked a lighter laugh leaving his lips. Self deprecation he could do. Easily. Even the smallest of jokes fell from his lips without a second thought. Besides he deserve this one.