Roommates

It had only been two weeks as college roommates at the on-campus dorms, but the two young men got along well. Jasper was kind, with an easy laugh and a welcoming presence. He had long golden hair that grew to the middle of his back and expressive deep green eyes. He was in basketball, so his frame was muscular and lean. The other man, Clark, had short brown hair that paired nicely with his light amber eyes. He was as tall as Jasper and skinny, but not boney. Their schedules were pretty lined up: they each had two classes in the morning, they ate lunch together, and Jasper came back from basketball practice just as Clark was getting ready for bed. The only difference was that Clark didn't have class in the afternoon but Jasper did.

One night, about another week in, Jasper asked Clark if it would be okay if his best friend swung by and Clark said he didn't mind. He had finished most of his homework and he was curious about the company Jasper kept. He didn't have anything major planned, just reading, and he could still do that if he didn't get along with his roommate's friend. Around 9:30 p.m. Jasper's friend

Demetrius

arrived. He was a very tall, broadly muscular, handsome African American, with hazel eyes and short locs that framed his face well. He came in with a dazzling smile, a case of beer and a bottle of rum. After introductions he invited Clark to drink.

The three of them sat on the floor talking and laughing. Demetrius was just as warm as Jasper, but he was a bit more playful. There was something about the easy-goingness of it all and maybe even a little bit of the alcohol flowing, but Clark began to really look at Jasper. He knew he was attractive, but tonight he noticed him just a little bit more. Like just how graceful his movements were, how deep his laugh would drop if the joke was raunchy, how his eyes widened when he was excited. The curve of his neck and the tanned smoothness of his skin. He ran his fingers through his hair a lot and when he did it showed off the contours of his face, the perfect sculpt of his eyebrows and his naturally tinted pink lips. Jasper wasn't just attractive; he was fucking gorgeous. After a time Clark couldn't look at Jasper without blushing. He feared he would stumble and say something embarrassing. He tried to engage a bit longer, but the moment Jasper caught his eye and smirked at him, he realized he was at his limit and he needed to excuse himself. He said he had to get ready for bed, thanked Demetrius for the alcohol then began gathering his things to go take a shower. Even though he had already taken one that afternoon, he needed an excuse to get away from Jasper and maybe even rub one out real quick.

After Clark had left Demetrius grinned, "Well damn Jazz," at Jasper's confused cocked eyebrow he explained, "he's pretty cute, you get his number yet?"

"He's my roommate Dee, I'm not going to make it weird," Jasper answered easily, "I've got to live with this guy for a whole semester. I'm not going to make it uncomfortable for him," he scooted closer like he had a secret to tell, "You're right though he's cute," he gave his friend a grin, "every once in a while, he'll come in shirtless and I get some eye candy out of it. He's cut under that tee shirt. Hairless, with these nice sized suckable nipples..." he trailed off thinking about just how badly he wanted to nibble on them, "but, uh...anyways..."

"Sure you don't want that number?" Demetrius chuckled.

"Nah, I really don't want to mess up the vibe, you know. He's a damn good roommate."

Demetrius scratched his nose, a sign he was about ask something that might not be received well, "So you're not going to get mad if I try to..."

Jasper shook his head, but still felt a twinge of

something

deep in his belly he didn't like. Nevertheless, he had no real reason to stop his friend so he said, "No, I'm not going to get mad but what about Sheila? Are you not talking to her anymore?"

"We're still talkin'. We're open I told you that."

"Well you kept saying you guys were but I'd never seen it. You two are glued at the hip."

Demetrius laughed, "That's just because the opportunity never came up. But you been holding out on me, didn't tell me about your friend Clark!"

Jasper shook his head, eyes twinkling, "Look bro, do whatever you need to do. I won't get in your way," he forced a crooked grin as that twinge came back.

When Clark returned he saw Demetrius and Jasper leaning on the foot of Jasper's bed shoulder to shoulder looking at memes and videos on Jasper's tablet. Jasper looked up at him and for some reason winked. It made his cheeks flame and he was glad of the dimness of the room.

Demetrius looked up and asked, "Sure you don't want to stay up a little later with us? We were thinking about getting some more alcohol and watching a movie."

"No I should probably go to bed, but thanks for thinking of me," Clark glanced over at Jasper and nodded his chin at him, "he knows I'm a deep sleeper, y'all won't disturb me."

"Alright man, if you're sure," Demetrius looked back at the tablet.

Clark gave Jasper a smile then settled into his bed for the night, tucking the comforter under his chin.

The next day Clark's phone alarm woke him, but when he went to press snooze, there was a piece of paper on it. He grumbled, hit snooze, then lifted the paper and saw that it had a phone number on it. Just then Jasper walked into the room. He was clearly coming back from the cafeteria. He had a to-go bowl of oatmeal in his hand and a piece of toast between his teeth.

Clark lifted the paper and waved it, "What's this about?" he asked.

Jasper spit the toast out and it landed on his bed, "Demetrius wanted to give you his number."

"Oh, I'm glad he wants to keep in touch. I was nervous meeting your friend," Clark looked at the floor, "I was afraid he wouldn't like me."

"What would make you think that? Demetrius likes everyone!" Jasper picked up his toast and took a big bite, watching Clark with his emerald eyes.

"I don't know," said Clark as he looked back at Jasper, "I thought he was just being polite because he's your friend and I'm your roommate."

Jasper tilted his head, looking silly with the toast he had almost finished in his mouth. He realized Clark wasn't understanding so he clarified, "Yeah well, if you swing that way there's his number."

"Oh!" Clark's eyebrows rose, "I didn't realize you meant he wanted to be more than friends."

Jasper cocked a brow, "I know you're not offended. Your sister came up two days ago with that pride pin on her backpack. So you're either an ally, if not in the community yourself."

Clark blinked, "So, what, two days ago you just decided I was gay?"

Jasper chuckled, "Oh no! I had my suspicion since I first met you, seeing your sister just confirmed it."

"Just because my sister had an Ace pin on doesn't mean that I'm gay."

Jasper stuffed the rest of his toast into his mouth, "Okay, true true. You got me there," he swallowed and gave him a devastatingly handsome smile, "But the two of you are very close. It was cute. Anyway, clearly you're not scared of us or anything."

"Us?" Clark lifted a brow again.

Jasper smirked, "Yeah us. Me, Demetrius, your sister and...maybe you?"

Clark laughed and waved his hand, "Yeah yeah, us," he confirmed.

Jasper snapped suddenly and gave him finger guns, "I knew it! So, going to call him?"

"Probably not for anything other than friendship," Clark shrugged, "he's a nice guy and I enjoyed his company a lot, but I didn't feel an attraction to him or anything like that."

"That's cool," Jasper was only mildly surprised by the relief he felt. He actually wasn't sure what he would do if Clark had been excited about getting the number. Leaving the dorm so they could fuck would be awkward as hell. How could he hang out with them if they were dating? That thought gave birth to another one, "Damn man, I mean, I never even thought to ask if you were already taken before I started wingmaning."

"No I'm not, but I'm not really looking though either. I mean if it happens it happens, but I'm not one of those people who doesn't know how to be alone. I don't need to be part of a pair."

"Oh shit, that reminds me, Demetrius has a girlfriend. They're open and all but if that's not your scene then..."

"Thanks for the heads up, but like I said, I'm not interested in him anyway," Clark looked away he wasn't sure what to say after. He hoped Jasper wouldn't be upset and think the rejection meant Clark thought Demetrius wasn't good enough or something.

His worry was on his face and Jasper was suddenly in front of him, he pulled the lid off his oatmeal then squat down. He looked up at him with a serious expression, "Hey, like, if you're uncomfortable that he's crushin' on you, I can meet him at the mall or Starbucks or something. He doesn't have to come back here you know," he took a bite of his oatmeal.

"I'm not uncomfortable, I just don't want you to think ill of me for not giving him a chance. I just I don't feel anything like that, that's all. I figure we can all be adults about it. Demetrius is free to come whenever. Like I said before, I enjoyed my time with him."

"Alright," Jasper reached out and clasped Clark's knee and squeezed, "well anyway, that's settled," he gave him a grin then stood and turned away.

Clark, with his heart thundering, asked, "Well, since we're on the subject...are

you

seeing anyone?"

Jasper looked over his shoulder, pushing his hope way down, "Nope, mostly just don't have time. Between basketball practice and classes it's too hard to date."

"I'm surprised," said Clark softly.

Jasper flopped onto his bed and scraped the last of his oatmeal out of the cardboard container not looking at Clark and asked, "Really? Why?"

Clark just shrugged, looking at the floor again, "You know, the usual...you're a nice guy, smart, handsome...yada yada yada," he glanced up and he was met by Jasper's beautiful eyes looking at him over the rim of his cardboard bowl. Spoon in midair, the man frozen, but smirking. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, before Jasper dropped his eyes and finally ate the last of his oatmeal. He threw the empty container into the trash then leaned back on his hands and smiled at Clark.

Jasper looks sexy

Clark thought. He wanted to know why he wasn't speaking. Had he said something wrong? Stupid? But there was an atmosphere building in the air and he was too afraid to break it to ask why his roommate was just looking at him. He couldn't pinpoint Jasper's expression, but he looked almost smug, like he had won something. But Clark had no idea what in their conversation made Jasper feel victorious.

Finally, the blonde spoke, "Thanks, but yeah it's not lack of confidence. It truly is lack of time."

They looked at each other for a few minutes longer and Clark knew something had changed between them, but it wouldn't be for a while that he would realize what it was.

As the days passed Clark and Jasper began hanging out more often. Anytime one of them found themselves with unexpected free time they would text the other to see if they happened to be free also. More than a couple of times it was clear the other man was ditching a class or study time to hang out, though neither of them acknowledged it. There was something about both of them acknowledging their sexual orientation and Clark's disinterest in Demetrius that seem to bring them closer together. At first in a friendly way, but as the days progressed they became a little flirtatious with one another.

They began to use inuendo and double-entendres in their speech to one another. More than once Jasper had gotten Clark to blush and Clark had gotten Jasper to lose his train of thought. Then began the touching. Nothing sexual in nature, just a hand on the shoulder or a steadying grip on an elbow. Clark began to use Jasper's thigh as leverage whenever he stood up. Jasper would touch the small of Clark's back when they were side by side, speaking to others. Clark would study on the floor next to Jasper's bed and enjoy his friend's fingers carding though his hair every now and again. So Clark, using their study habits as justification, rustled up the courage one night to ask Jasper if he could comb his hair. Jasper had agreed and it had led to him sitting on the ground between Clark's legs while they watched

Alien 3

. Clark had combed his hair then braided it and was pleased that Jasper didn't move until the movie was over. Once ended the two friends said goodnight to one another and went to their respective beds, neither one of them pushing for anything more. Still though, Clark was fairly sure he had felt a charge between, and he really really hoped it wasn't one-sided.

The next day Demetrius came over and he brought Sasha his girlfriend. She was cute and kind and Clark liked her immediately. Her skin was a lighter shade of brown than Demetrius' and she was short, plump and very curvy. She wasn't dressed provocatively but she did look sexy in her tight black skinny jeans and low cut red t-shirt. They decided to go out for lunch instead of the campus cafeteria.

They found a small diner that served breakfast food all day and the four of them spoke easily and laughed often. Demetrius had started watching Clark and Jasper, they seemed to be flirting a bit and he was intrigued. When Clark announced he needed to use the restroom Demetrius was going to ask Jasper what was up, but Sasha spoke first.

"You two are adorable together," she said with a smile, "how long have you been dating?"

Jasper looked surprised and his eyes darted over to Demetrius' quickly then back to Sasha, "Uh, we're not."

"Maybe y'all should then..." she smirked.

"He's just a good roommate that's all. He's my friend so we're close."

Demetrius laughed, "We're close Jazz and I've never seen you look at me like you wanna climb me like a tree!"

Sasha chuckled, "Yeah and I'm pretty sure Clark would spread his branches for you too," that line just made her boyfriend laugh louder and Jasper blush up to his ears. She reached forward and touched Jasper's hand, "make a move. I'm pretty sure he likes you."

"Yeah bro," Demetrius nodded, "plus, it's near the end of the semester, if we're wrong, then request for a transfer to another dorm. J building is always open because it's close to the train."

Jasper nodded, then took a deep breath, "Maybe...I'll think about it though," he glanced at Demetrius, "hey, uh, thanks for being understanding."

Demetrius waved his hand with a grin, he had long ago given up on Clark when the man never called him. Clark came back and slid into the booth, closer to Jasper this time. After a while Demetrius noticed a strand of Jasper's hair closest to Clark was moving while they ate and he realized that Clark must be whirling it underneath the table. He kicked Jasper's boot and when the man looked up he gave him a smirk, just then Clark looked up and both men blushed then looked back at their food. The hair movement stopped.

After eating Demetrius suggested they go walk around the outside mall of outlet stores. It wasn't too cold, but they each still needed a hoodie. Well Sasha was wearing an adorable black denim jacket. They decided to get coffees as they shopped and after leaving the third store Jasper, not saying a word, reached over and took Clark's hand into his. Sasha glanced over at the movement, then smiled to herself and nudged Demetrius to look over too. He caught Jasper's eye and gave him a wink, but that was the last it was acknowledged.

Clark nor Jasper brought up the hand holding, which didn't stop until they piled into Demetrius' car to go back on campus. Back at the dorm, Jasper said he was going to take a shower and Clark, still nervous about what had happened that afternoon, just pulled on his pajamas and went to bed. He would shower tomorrow after lunch since he didn't have an afternoon class.

The next day things went as normal, Clark and Jasper got up, shuffled around the room getting ready then left for morning classes. During class Clark made up an excuse not to meet Jasper for lunch and texted his apology. The morning had been difficult for Clark. He was hyper aware of every move his roommate made. The hand Jasper had held still had the subtle scent of his cologne on it. His heart had been beating wildly and he knew they should probably have a proper discussion, but all he could think about was just how cute Jasper looked sleep mussed and yawning. So he would address the ramping up of their flirtations later. Right now, he wanted time to get his thoughts in order.

~*~

Jasper huffed and placed his hands on his hips as he stood outside of his classroom door after lunch. He wished his professor had sent an email to cancel the class not just put a sign on the door after he's run across campus to not be late. Marigold, a woman in his class, stepped up then let out of growl of frustration.

She spoke, "I mean, I know I should be happy for him, pretty sure this means his wife is finally giving birth, but also, I had to pay for bus fare to get here. Feel like I should get reimbursed or something," she pursed her lips in aggravation.

Jasper chuckled, "Yeah," he glanced down at her, "not a fan."

He clapped his hands then turned and left. He didn't know what he was going to do now that he had all this free time. He should go to the library to study, but he knew Clark didn't have afternoon classes and the thought of spending time with him was far more appealing. Jasper was slowly getting used to the fact that anytime he thought about Clark it made him a little giddy. He was 95% sure Clark felt the same way seeing as he hadn't pulled his hand away at the outlet mall. He didn't know how to bring it up though, it had been years since he actively pursued someone. He figured he'd just play it by ear like he had thus far.

Jasper already had his card key out when he approached his dorm room door and threw it open. He heard a yelp and things falling to the ground and his eyes grew wide when he saw Clark. Clark was standing in the center of room completely naked, hands over his crotch, but he hadn't been fast enough and Jasper had gotten a clear view of his body.

"Oh," Jasper whispered softly.

"Did you see?!" Clark cried looking horrified.

Jasper knew what he was talking about, there was no reason lying to him about it, so he simply said, "Yeah."

Clark groaned and turned his back to Jasper, "Why are you here?" He whispered.

"Class was canceled. Guess Mr. Steven's wife is finally in labor," he shrugged. It was silent for a while as Clark rummaged through his drawer. Jasper didn't like the awkward feeling in the air. He didn't want Clark to think he was judging his body negatively so he felt like he should say something, "like, I don't care you know. I mean...about your body," he shut and locked the door, "it is what it is..."

Clark quickly pulled up a pair of boxer briefs then looked over his shoulder, "I don't want to talk about it," he snapped.

"You don't have to, just listen," Jasper sighed, "like it's not a deal breaker or anything."

Clark lifted a brow, "What," he chuckled with no mirth as he turned around, "am I auditioning for something?"

Jasper shrugged, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. He licked his lips then decided to be a bit more obvious, "Nah, I'm just saying I'm not a size queen or anything."

Clark blinked, stunned. He knew what Jasper's words were implying but he didn't know if that was Jasper's true intent. He realized he'd have to pick his next words carefully, "So, you had experience with this before then?"

"No."

"Then how do you know it won't be a problem?" Clark demanded.

Jasper took a few steps further into the room and threw his backpack to the floor by the foot of his bed. He never took his eyes off Clark, "Because you're still you," he said softly, sincerely.