"No, no, no. I have to check things first."

Jack's fingers wrapped around the doorjamb, and he stuck his head into his apartment. Everything looked fine. He stepped around his CD cases, noting their positions. "Yeah… So far, so good. Okay. Don't touch things. I'll know."

"I was under the impression ovens were a standard fixture in American apartments," Kieran said after a moment.

Jack's shoulders slumped as he rolled his eyes. He slowly turned his head to see Kieran giving the empty space in his kitchen a critical stare. "Not this one. At least my bathroom's got a lock," he spat. Why did everyone fixate on his missing oven? If he wanted to bake, Sam and Candace owned a perfectly good oven and baking sheets.

"I've lived alone for most of my life, so I fail to see the point," Kieran said with an easy shrug.

"Yeah, makes perving on people easier, I guess." Jack frowned at his line of wine bottles. Each was in its designated spot. He looked over and barely caught the calculating stare Kieran sent his way. He was being judged for something, he was sure of it. They were talking about locks. "Yeah… Locks aren't reliable. I have a chair for my door."

Kieran gestured to one of the windows. "And sticks for the windows. Clever."

"They work," Jack bit out defensively. Too defensive. He needed to keep his mouth shut. He should have just kissed Kieran goodnight at the door and left it at that.

"Would you be opposed to me buying you a bedframe?" Kieran asked, his judging gaze falling upon the mattress in the corner.

"Don't you dare. Don't you fucking dare buy me anything that costs money." It was bad enough that Jack was being treated to lunch and dinner. He didn't need furniture being added to the mix. Furniture had commitment written all over it.

Kieran raised a brow and crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall. "I see. Do you accept donations?"

"Sam ain't allowed to buy me shit, so you ain't allowed to buy me shit." Jack didn't mention how Sam would sometimes pay his rent without saying anything. Which would have been nice to know when he thought he'd been behind on his rent and was forced to shack up with Kieran. Even though the outcome had been a positive experience.

Sometimes, there were gift cards waiting for him at the local grocery. He paid everything back when he remembered. He wasn't destitute. He just forgot to do things. There was a reason he had a note glued to his debit card reminding him to transfer funds.

"Very well. Might I offer my bed as an alternative?" Kieran asked, pushing off the wall.

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Jack shook his head and looked away. It was the perfect opening. Too bad he didn't want to ruin his night with a breakup. He needed an excuse and quick. Something vague and believable. He may as well go with vague honesty.

"We're too fresh, and you're too creepy for that question," he said, continuing his theme for the night of putting his foot in his mouth.

"Creepy."

"I didn't mean that like it sounded. You have a vibe." Jack ran his hands over his hair and clutched the back of his neck. He meant to stick with vague and kind of honest, not blunt. He stared at a tuft of hair that curled against Kieran's left temple. "I'm sorry. I'm an asshole."

"You're not an asshole, my sweet. You're merely sensitive to the world around you," Kieran replied as he drew closer.

"I'm sensitive to the fact that you hate my apartment," Jack said. He had plenty of issues with his apartment, too, but it was his apartment.

Kieran shrugged. "It's not what I've grown used to, but I have been in a low enough point in life to have experienced worse."

"Yeah, right. I looked you up. You've had a decent life from what I could find." The moment the words left his mouth, Jack regretted them. Who was acting like the creepy stalker?

"Oh? And what did you find?"

Jack avoided Kieran's eyes in favor of his shoes. Kieran didn't sound offended. If anything, he sounded curious. Did normal people do background checks on potential dates? Tara talked about wanting to do it, but had yet to ask him to look into anyone. "Uh… Not much. Just a kinda standard background check. I'm a little on the paranoid side, in case you didn't notice."

"I had noticed that, yes. Do you want me to stay the night? Would that help you relax or make it worse?"

"You don't have to. I don't wanna subject you to," Jack waved his hand at his floor, "this any longer than absolutely necessary."

"It's no bother, my sweet."

Jack glanced at his mattress and the sheets piled on top. He was torn between wanting company and wanting to be left alone. But having company stay the night would require fresher sheets. "I should probably do laundry first."

Kieran smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't have you worry about that. I'll head home."

"I'm not kicking you out, exactly. I…" Jack sighed. "I do like you."

"I like you, too," Kieran said, cupping Jack's cheek. "Very much." He leaned down and kissed Jack.

Jack stiffened for a brief moment then relaxed. He could do this. Kissing was fine. Kissing was great. He blinked in confusion as Kieran pulled away.

"You'll let me know when you're ready for more." Kieran ran his thumb across Jack's lower lip. "Sleep well, my sweet siren."

Jack's heart skipped a beat. Whether it was from elation or trepidation, he couldn't be sure. Not trusting his voice, he nodded.

He locked up once Kieran was out the door, and he retreated to his crummy mattress. Was Kieran slumming it? Seeking out a cheap thrill with what appeared to be a desperate loser? Lure him in with fancy food, then collect on what was supposedly owed? Too bad Jack had no intention of putting out.

He spent the rest of the night rehearsing his coming out speech in his head. None of the potential outcomes were in his favor. Tomorrow, there would be a pretty good chance he'd be single again.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]