Work Text:
Jeff was wandering through the streets trying to decide what to grab to eat before going to his practice session. He was so distracted scrutinizing all his choices that he didn’t notice someone running in his direction.
Unfortunately he decided to step toward his choice at the wrong moment, and noticed the figure too late to react. The person crashed into him, sending them both to the ground. It took him another moment for his brain to catch up to what had happened.
“Oh my God! P’Jeff!” A familiar voice almost screeched, and the sound of rustling clothes is heard in their rush to get off him. “I am so sorry! Are you ok?!”
Jeff is too stunned to speak, so he just lies on the ground staring up at Barcode dumbly.
They had just kissed… Ok, it was barely a touch of their lips, but it still counted.
Barcode stood next to him, holding his hand out to help him get back up. His body moved on auto-pilot as he grabbed his hand and got up.
Once on his feet his eyes are automatically drawn to Barcode’s lips, which the bottom lip was now being bitten on nervously. Looking up to his eyes he could see the concern in his gaze.
“It’s ok, Code.” He heard himself say, and it’s what brings him back to his senses. “It’s not a big deal. Just an accident.”
Even as he said it his heart was pounding quickly and his face felt hot. He scolded himself for being so weak to Barcode.
“You’re not hurt, right?” Barcode had asked, fretfully touching his arm, his back, and the back of his head. His heart felt like it was beating a mile a minute and he almost melted at the concern and care being given to him.
He just stood there basking in the familiarity of his soft touch and words of concern for a bit.
And he knows it doesn’t mean anything, he knows that, but he wants it to.
Feeling overwhelmed, he grabbed Barcode’s hand once it touched his face. “I’m not hurt.” He assured
Barcode studied his face for a moment before relaxing, pulling his hand free from his grip. “That’s good.”
“What were you in such a rush for?” He asked, slipping his hands in his pockets.
“Oh! There’s a limited edition drink at the cafe shop that’s only sold today and it’s first come first serve. I wanted to try it.” He explained, looking a little emberassed.
He perked up quickly though and smiled brightly. “If you’re not too busy, do you want to go with me?”
Jeff had a million things he had to do for his upcoming projects and mini concerts, and he could already hear the scolding Venus is sure to give him. Even so, he couldn’t pass up the chance to be with Barcode, just the two of them. It’s been a while since they’ve done anything together outside of work.
“Sure. Let’s go.” He smiled, and off they went.
After many calls in which he assured Venus he would be there soon and a few answered texts, he grudgingly left Barcode in the cafe and went to his Studio to practice. He was annoyed, but what can he do? If he didn’t love music and his career so much he would have said screw it.
His annoyance melted when his phone chimed and a smile spread across his lips when he saw it was a message from Barcode.
Barcode: Thanks for spending some time with me Phi! ☺️
Feeling more motivated he got to work.
It’s been a few days since then and Jeff has been absolutely obsessed with wanting to know what Barcode’s lips would feel like against his. What a real kiss would be like between them. As much as he wants to though, there is still a small part of him that fights his thoughts.
At the moment he is in that weird phase between feeling guilty and denying the way he feels towards Barcode and just accepting and embracing his feelings. They weren’t going away any time soon; he knew that much.
He absently strums his guitar as he watches Barcode play around with Apo.
“You might want to control your face.” He hears Bible say as he sits down beside him. “It looks like you want to eat the poor kid alive.”
Jeff grimaces at the word kid. Bible isn’t exactly wrong. Barcode is 18, technically and legally an adult, and he is mature for his age, but there are times his young age really shines through. It’s probably what put people off in the beginning; he was quite shy and timid and hid behind the older cast at every opportunity. People questioned their difference in age regularly.
Despite all of that, it hadn’t stopped them from developing an intimate bond of trust, respect, and care for each other. They held each other in very high regards, being each other’s safe place when away from home, as well as each others cheerleader when promoting something. Barcode has especially eagerly promoted all his music releases.
It’s when he remembers this that he feels guilty for having twisted their once innocent relationship into something perverse in his mind.
“Tell me what’s on your mind?” Bible suggests. “It looks like you’re really struggling.”
Placing the guitar in his lap he drums his fingers on it nervously. He wants to tell someone, maybe talk everything out and hope they can talk some sense into him. Tell him he wis getting his characters emotions mixed up in his own and help him untangle the mess that is his feelings.
“Just…” he trails off. “Barcode.” He admits.
“Never would have guessed.” Bible says dryly.
He gives him a look and Bible puts his hands up in a sign of peace. “The other day,” he can’t help but hesitate; It really isn’t that big a deal, but it feels like it is to him. “We kind of kissed.”
“You what?!” Bible almost shouts in surprise, catching the attention of everyone in the room, including Barcode.
Jeff laughs, what he hopes is a convincing laugh and shakes his head to let them know to disregard them.
Once everyone is turned away from them he glares at Bible.
“C’mon man. You can’t expect me to not be shocked. You act like a pure virgin around him.”
Feeling offended he punches Bible on the arm and goes back to strumming his guitar, ignoring his existence.
“Look, I’m sorry.” Bible says, rubbing his arm. “So you guys kissed?”
Sighing he stops and places the guitar back in his lap. “Well, not exactly. I guess I wouldn’t even really call it a kiss and it was an accident.”
He tells Bible the whole story of what happened and how he’s been feeling and his thoughts lately. It’s easier now that the room is empty and he doesn’t have to worry about whispering.
Bible whistles. “Bro, you’re a mess.”
He groans in dismay and knows he’s definitely screwed. If just a quick (accidental) peck on the lips is leaving him a non-functioning mess, he is equally dreading and anticipating their first actual kiss, even if it’s just for show. He sighs in annoyance and hangs his head low in defeat.
“Yes, thank you for that.”
Patting his shoulder comfortingly Bible speaks. “It sounds like you really like him.”
“I feel like I shouldn’t.” He reluctantly admits. “We have a good thing going, we’re friends, close friends… I don’t want to ruin it.”
“What makes you think you’ll ruin it?” Bible asks. “He might be receptive.”
“Can you honestly say that there is a chance? I’m around him almost all the time when we’re all together and he is the same with me as he is with all of you guys.”
“I dunno.” A thoughtful look crosses Bible’s face. “I mean, sometimes I feel like there could be something there.”
“In what way?”
“If I’m being honest, the way you two are with each other, if I didn’t know you guys; I would think you’re together.”
Hearing that makes him happier than it probably should. “In what way?” He stresses.
Bible hums in thought. “Like when you put your arm around him he kind of folds into you, and when you talk to each other your tones tend to change. Even when other people are around, you guys seem to be encompassed in your own little bubble that no one can enter. And don’t get me started on the eye contact, all the whispering, giggling, and especially all the touching you guys do. Oh! And remember you bought him a guitar after just meeting him? He’s got you completely wrapped around his finger. It’s all hilarious and sickeningly sweet, to be honest.”
Hearing all of that has Jeff feeling off kilter. He hadn’t realized how intimate their relationship looked from the outside. It just felt so natural to be that way with Barcode, he didn’t think it might make others draw a different conclusion other than close friends.
He knows he shouldn’t get his hopes up. He doesn’t want to get his hopes up, so he forces it down and just nods slowly.
“Talk to him.” Bible says firmly. “The worst that could happen is you get rejected. Then you just mend your broken heart and try to move on.”
Sighing he stares at his guitar silently. Talking to him about this is the last thing he wants to do, but it also feels like it’s what he should do.
He nods and Bible gave his shoulder an encouraging pat and squeeze before getting up to leave.
Now to just figure out how he wants to go about this.