Don't Go Breaking My Heart [2/?]
Title: Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [2/?] [Sequel to Email My Heart]
Authors: rancid_veggie
Summary: With Benji out of the closet, society’s pressures and standards take a new role in his and Joel’s relationship. The group of friends endure new experiences and hardships all while trying to make it through daily life and deal with growing up. [reminder: *takes place in the 1990s].
Disclaimer: Not ours, only our thoughts. Yadda yadda yadda and all that good stuff. We don't own them.
Rating: NC-17 as a whole.
* We'll be posting every so often, we have multiple chapters already done and worked out. Enjoy! :)
Chapter 1: Touch My Body
The gang of five sauntered out of the mall, exhausted from the trip that turned into four hours because of Billy and Marina’s search for the ‘most perfect and fabulous’ accessories for prom.
“You guys want to come over to the house before we go to the movies tonight? We could order pizza or something,” Joel suggested, wanting to cherish every second with his friends since the end of high school was quickly approaching. Although everyone was staying in state, he knew once college began and they entered “the real world,” their time together would probably be limited.
“Sure, we’ll follow you over and then we can decide what movie we want to go see,” Marina said, heading to her car with Paul as the other three boys headed over to Benji’s truck.
Slipping into the middle seat, Joel put his bags at his feet and snuggled in close to his boyfriend as Benji slid into the truck and they headed back to his house. After last night’s adventure and waking up cuddled in Benji’s arms, Joel felt a whole new level of closeness emerge between them and it felt more amazing than he could have ever imagined.
“Mmm pizza, can’t wait,” Billy laughed, rubbing his stomach for effect. He glanced over at the two boys lost in their own world and he was ecstatic for his best friend, but Billy couldn’t help the sense of longing that washed over him. He wanted someone of his own. He always felt like…well, at the risk of sounding cliché, the third wheel. Or the fifth wheel, if Marina and Paul were around.
Benji drove with Billy and Joel twittering in his ear. Their group had come so far since the first time they hung out with each other. It was like a family now, and Benji was wrecked to know that just as everything was beginning, it was also coming to an end. He wished that he and Joel had gotten the guts to talk to each other sooner, rather than wasting so much time second-guessing. Their bond as a couple, and as a group, would have grown so much stronger had he not been so blinded by his mother’s rhetoric.
Before too long, both cars pulled up to the curb in front of the Madden household and everything just felt right to Joel. His parent never gave him grief over having his best friends at the house, his boyfriend got to spend the night, and while he wasn’t sure what the future would hold for any of them now that their true childhood was coming to an end, he knew that everything right now was perfect. Smiling at the thought, he leaned in a pecked the corner of Benji’s mouth before hopping out of the truck.
Joel waited for Benji, walking with him as the group of five stormed into the house like a herd of cattle. “Dad? Pops?” The teen called out, wanting to at least warn his amazing parents of the extra company before they took over the house.
“What’s the matter honey?” Ethan asked, appearing out of the laundry room and his eyes darting between the group that filled his living room. “Oh hey guys, good to see you all again. You spending the afternoon here?” Joel nodded and gained approval from Ethan. “I’ll call you kids in a few pizzas while you get settled, then.” Ethan always wanted to do whatever he could for Joel’s friends because they took care of his son so well and had become his support system during the toughest times of his life.
Joel grinned at his dad. Ethan always knew the right thing to say. “We’ll be in my room!”
The group herded up the stairs and into Joel’s bedroom. Marina instantly flipped on the radio next to Joel’s bed and took her usual seat at Joel’s computer desk. Joel and Benji claimed their spots on the bed, and Billy and Paul found spots on the floor.
“Can you guys believe prom is almost here? And graduation?” Marina shrieked. “And soon we’ll all be off to college or whatever. This is no bueno!”
“Rina! Everything’s going to be okay. None of us are leaving Maryland. We’ll still see each other when we have the time. And who knows, we’ve all got e-mails. Maybe e-mail is the communication of the future!”
Marina shot Joel a sardonic glare. “Says the boy who fought against me making his e-mail.”
“Marina made your e-mail?” Benji interjected.
Marina chuckled. “I’m the one who wrote the first e-mail he sent you.”
“I didn’t know that!” Benji scoffed.
“Don’t act like you’re all high and mighty, mister. I’m the one who responded to ‘Joel’s’ first e-mail to you,” Billy said, throwing a strand of carpet fiber at his friend.
The two boys looked to each other with knowing smiles. If it weren’t for their friends, neither of them would have taken that first leap of faith.
“Yeah, so you’re welcome,” Marina laughed, giving Billy a high five for connecting the new love birds who were absolutely perfect for each other.
“Oh hush, Rina,” Joel remarked, smiling as Benji slipped his around his waist and pulled him further into his body to cuddle. The simple touches and moves Benji made gave Joel faith in his growing confidence and their relationship. He’d always wanted his first real relationship to be something special and he had gotten just that with Benji. Having to survive all the trials they have made Joel realize how much he’d never want to give any of it up.
All of the gang’s attention was diverted as Anita nudged the door open with her nose and came to greet the familiar guests. While Marina, Paul and Billy were focused on the overweight puppy, Benji and Joel found time to steal a quick kiss.
“Do you guys think we’ll stay like this forever?” Billy asked, knowing his cryptic question was a lot to handle but with everything he had faced himself this past year, he knew life could change in an instant. He only hoped his best friends would be the one constant they all had.
The room stayed silent for a minute. No one wanted to break the glow of the here and now. No one wanted to say anything that could possibly change the direction of the future regardless of if the future meant friendship forever. They weren’t willing to take the reigns and mold their lives yet, not even with words. Billy’s inquiry was more than a question of whether their friendship would last, and the entire group knew that; Billy was terrified that graduation meant the end of everything he’d ever known. Graduation was the beginning of an entirely new chapter in his life, and he wasn’t sure if he could handle being a responsible adult. It wasn’t just a question of whether or not they would be okay as a group, but whether they would be okay as individuals. It was a question of whether or not they’d make it out in the big bad world alone.
“I’m sure things will change, Bill,” Benji said finally. “But as long as we keep trying, keep sticking it out, I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine,” Marina confirmed. “We’ll all be internet friends, remember? No need to worry, Bill!”
“Yeah!” Both Joel and Paul interjected, attempting to soothe Billy’s woes.
“Hey, why don’t we go downstairs in the movie room and watch something? My dad just bought a whole crapload of new releases,” Joel inquired to take Billy’s mind off the subject. “We can make popcorn and eat junk food,” he coaxed.
“That sounds good…and y’know, that pizza should be here soon…” At even the mention of food, Billy had caused his own stomach to grumble and he was downstairs in a flash. He trusted his friends and while the thought still weighed heavily on his mind, he knew too much worrying would take away from the time they all still had.
Marina and Paul followed quickly, wanting to claim the loveseat for themselves before the other couple did. Joel stood up to follow his friends down but felt Benji tugging at his wrist and pulling him back down onto the bed. As he turned towards his boyfriend he noticed a sad, almost scared look on his face.
“We’ll be okay too, won’t we? Like, I mean…I guess what Billy said just got to me,” Benji sighed, gently rubbing Joel’s hand and lacing their fingers together. “I can’t lose you, Joel.”
“And you won’t, Benj,” Joel smiled reassuringly, moving his free hand to softly stroke his boyfriend’s cheek. “I love you so much. We’re gonna be fine. I just found you, no way in hell I’m letting you go.” He laughed and smashed his lips to Benji’s, letting his boyfriend know that the passion in his kiss meant he planned on being in this for the long haul.
They pulled away from each other long enough to walk downstairs to the movie room. The movie room was technically just a guestroom with a big TV and a comfortable sitting area where Arthur and Ethan kept all their movies, but it was more unoccupied than occupied, so its purpose changed throughout the years from a den to a movie room.
When they arrived to the room in the back hallway, Billy was already positioned on one end of the couch while Marina and Paul overtook the loveseat. The TV was already rolling previews, and Benji and Joel squeezed in beside Billy on the couch.
Sneaking in before the actual movie started, Ethan laid out a case of soda and a few bowls of chips and popcorn to tide them over before the pizza came. With the success of Aida’s and all the town buzz, the family had finally starting bringing in some disposable income for things like spoiling their son’s friends and being able to provide Joel with nicer things like he deserved; they wanted to offer support to Joel in every way. They also had a few surprises up their sleeves with the end of their son’s high school career, and Arthur and Ethan could only hope Joel loved them.
“If you guys need anything else, just let me know,” Ethan smiled, excusing himself to not keep interrupting the group for too long. Joel sent an adoring smile to his Dad, knowing he was lucky to have such loving parents when people like his boyfriend didn’t. He wouldn’t trade his dads for anyone in the world and he knew that he had been blessed in life. “Oh, and I’ll bring the pizza when it comes. I ordered you two, just incase you’re all really hungry.”
“Thanks Mr. Madden, you’re the best,” Marina laughed. She and Billy could probably eat all the snacks and pizzas themselves.
Ethan laughed heartily at Marina’s comment. “I know, sweetheart. I know.” Marina had become a vital part of the Madden family. Ethan knew that when Joel thought he had no one to talk to, he turned to Marina. She was probably one of the only things that helped Joel get through his coming out process alive. Besides, she was sweet as pie, witty, and always gave him compliments on his dishes. That alone made her good in Ethan’s book.
“Alright, Dad, get outta here!” Joel teased as the movie began.
Ethan snuck out quietly.
“Your dad is so adorable, Joel,” Marina squealed, like she hadn’t said the exact same thing every time Ethan gave her cake or complimented her or, hell, every time Ethan opened his mouth.
Rolling his eyes, Joel couldn’t help the quiet laugh that snuck out. He was truly one of the luckiest kids; his parents and friends got along and both of them seemed to understand each other perfectly; always putting Joel at the center to simply ensure his happiness. Already he had seen a few kids at school who saw their parents go through divorce or would overhear petty arguments between friends in classes, but after seeing his boyfriend persevere through so many struggles, Joel knew he had it made better than so many others and he didn’t want to take that for granted.
“Your dads are adorable, but not even close as adorable as you,” Benji whispered, blushing at how cheesy Joel must have thought he sounded. He was just tired of hiding around Joel and constantly wanted to remind his boyfriend just how much he meant and how happy he was to be with the gorgeous boy. Kissing the side of Joel’s head, Benji snuck his arms around Joel’s waist and held the boy close.
He’d never been too physical outside themselves, despite that he knew the group of friends held no judgment on their relationship. Benji just felt somewhat insecure as he dealt with coming to terms of himself and being able to show that others after being so secluded and trapped because of his mother’s religious issues after his father had passed years ago.
Joel relished in Benji’s hesitant touches, nuzzling further into Benji to reassure him that they were safe. “You’re pretty adorable too,” Joel murmured as the two of them sank further and further into the couch. He was hyperaware of the three individuals sitting on the couch, which made it too uncomfortable to take things as far as he wanted with Benji. Light touches and secret kisses would have to suffice until later tonight.
-
“So….Joel,” Marina smirked, grabbing her history book from her locker and turning to her best friend. “You and Benji seemed super snuggly this weekend.”
Instantly Joel knew the tone of voice meant that the inquisition was about to start. Rolling his eyes, he wanted nothing more than to run away, but he really couldn’t expect any less. “Rina, you know Benji is going to slaughter me the day he finds out how much you know about OUR relationship, don’t you? You know, the relationship that you aren’t a part of? Just because you and Paul aren’t against practically swallowing each other in public, doesn’t mean you have to know about everyone else,” Joel whined, hating that no matter how much he even protested, Marina always seemed to win these battles.
“Oh, come on!” Marina jeered. “You don’t have to tell me all the nasty bits…” Her pouting mastery always worked on Joel, even when he pretended it didn’t. “Just give me a couple hints. I’ll fill in the blanks on my own,” she said with a smirk. “Did he at least get his hands down your pants?”
Joel tried not to blush, but his body betrayed him.
“Knew it! You guys are such sluts!” she teased. “Is that all? Don’t tell me he stopped at that!”
Joel turned away from his boasting best friend, trying to ignore her prying stare. He knew that she knew that she could get whatever she wanted out of him. The only thing Joel could do was stand his ground.
Marina grinned evilly, taking Joel’s silence as a sign that she was correct rather than Joel trying to get her off his back. “Joel,” Marina whined. “Just tell me!”
Gnawing on his lip, Joel felt the heat spreading profusely through his face. “Rina…” A quiet grumble left his lips and he clung to his text books even tighter. “Hegavemeablowjobtheotherdayanditwasthebestorgasmofmylife,” He mumbled out at lightening speed, the heat and flush color rushing all the way to the tips of his ears.
“He WHAT?” Marina shrieked, a girlish giggle delightedly leaving her lips. “Benji? The shy little boyfriend of yours gave you a bl-”
“Yes!” Joel interjected, not wanting her to publicly finish the sentence just in case unwelcome ears were listening in. “Now hush, it’s bad enough you know, don’t let anyone else in on it too.” Of course Joel felt guilty for revealing their intimate secrets, but Marina was his best friend and despite how much of a snoop she was, he fully trusted her. “But oh my god, Marina…he…I thought I was going to die. It was the best thing I’ve ever experienced.”
“That’s exactly what Paul says when I do it-”
“EW,” Joel squealed, turning into their classroom and shaking at the thought of Marina giving anyone a blowjob.
“But it’s TRUE,” Marina cackled. “It means he’s doing something right!”
Joel snorted and blushed. “He definitely is,” he murmured as he took his seat. Marina, unfortunately, would not let it rest. She even went so far as to sharpie “DETAILS!” in a note and scoot it across the table to him.
“He came home and I jumped him,” Joel wrote, pushing the note towards her.
“And then?” was Marina’s only reply.
“And then we made out, and B was really into it…and it went on from there. You don’t need DETAIL details, sheesh! I‘m not writing homoerotica for you, you creep!”
Marina’s next note made Joel choke on embarrassed laughter. It read: “It was a warm spring night. Joel Madden sat on the couch watching a The Simpsons (because I KNOW that’s what you were doing), waiting for his beautiful boyfriend to arrive home from work. B, as we shall call him, had had a long day, and he was exhausted. Before he entered the door, Joel attacked him with kisses. They fell onto the couch in a heated passion, the tension of being away from each other only adding to the pleasure they felt when their hardening cocks rubbed against each other…see, you don‘t need to write porn for me, I can do it for myself.”
Joel glared at Marina and crumpled the paper, mouthing “shut up!” in her direction.
“You. Need. Help.” Joel wrote back, his face flush from the nature of the note’s subject matter. He couldn’t say that the memory from that night didn’t absolutely drive him wild. Joel was definitely looking forward to the next time it happened; hell, he was even anxious to reciprocate…or more. “Besides, we didn’t do it on the couch. Duh, the parentals sleep downstairs, you nitwit” he quickly scribbled, “…and shut up, the Simpsons rule,” he added, passing the note back to his best friend and knowing he was lucky to have such an outlandish and loyal girl beside him.
The bell rang and snapped the pair into school mode, sending matching smirks to each other. Marina folded the note and put it in her pocket to dispose of later. She knew she’d win and get it out of Joel; she always won.
Note: It's so surreal that we're still here writing with each other. Keepin' it alive despite all the haters we've had in the past, telling us to give it up. :) Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed Email My Heart and to the people who continue reading/reviewing this. Love you all so much.
Authors: rancid_veggie
Summary: With Benji out of the closet, society’s pressures and standards take a new role in his and Joel’s relationship. The group of friends endure new experiences and hardships all while trying to make it through daily life and deal with growing up. [reminder: *takes place in the 1990s].
Disclaimer: Not ours, only our thoughts. Yadda yadda yadda and all that good stuff. We don't own them.
Rating: NC-17 as a whole.
* We'll be posting every so often, we have multiple chapters already done and worked out. Enjoy! :)
Chapter 1: Touch My Body
The gang of five sauntered out of the mall, exhausted from the trip that turned into four hours because of Billy and Marina’s search for the ‘most perfect and fabulous’ accessories for prom.
“You guys want to come over to the house before we go to the movies tonight? We could order pizza or something,” Joel suggested, wanting to cherish every second with his friends since the end of high school was quickly approaching. Although everyone was staying in state, he knew once college began and they entered “the real world,” their time together would probably be limited.
“Sure, we’ll follow you over and then we can decide what movie we want to go see,” Marina said, heading to her car with Paul as the other three boys headed over to Benji’s truck.
Slipping into the middle seat, Joel put his bags at his feet and snuggled in close to his boyfriend as Benji slid into the truck and they headed back to his house. After last night’s adventure and waking up cuddled in Benji’s arms, Joel felt a whole new level of closeness emerge between them and it felt more amazing than he could have ever imagined.
“Mmm pizza, can’t wait,” Billy laughed, rubbing his stomach for effect. He glanced over at the two boys lost in their own world and he was ecstatic for his best friend, but Billy couldn’t help the sense of longing that washed over him. He wanted someone of his own. He always felt like…well, at the risk of sounding cliché, the third wheel. Or the fifth wheel, if Marina and Paul were around.
Benji drove with Billy and Joel twittering in his ear. Their group had come so far since the first time they hung out with each other. It was like a family now, and Benji was wrecked to know that just as everything was beginning, it was also coming to an end. He wished that he and Joel had gotten the guts to talk to each other sooner, rather than wasting so much time second-guessing. Their bond as a couple, and as a group, would have grown so much stronger had he not been so blinded by his mother’s rhetoric.
Before too long, both cars pulled up to the curb in front of the Madden household and everything just felt right to Joel. His parent never gave him grief over having his best friends at the house, his boyfriend got to spend the night, and while he wasn’t sure what the future would hold for any of them now that their true childhood was coming to an end, he knew that everything right now was perfect. Smiling at the thought, he leaned in a pecked the corner of Benji’s mouth before hopping out of the truck.
Joel waited for Benji, walking with him as the group of five stormed into the house like a herd of cattle. “Dad? Pops?” The teen called out, wanting to at least warn his amazing parents of the extra company before they took over the house.
“What’s the matter honey?” Ethan asked, appearing out of the laundry room and his eyes darting between the group that filled his living room. “Oh hey guys, good to see you all again. You spending the afternoon here?” Joel nodded and gained approval from Ethan. “I’ll call you kids in a few pizzas while you get settled, then.” Ethan always wanted to do whatever he could for Joel’s friends because they took care of his son so well and had become his support system during the toughest times of his life.
Joel grinned at his dad. Ethan always knew the right thing to say. “We’ll be in my room!”
The group herded up the stairs and into Joel’s bedroom. Marina instantly flipped on the radio next to Joel’s bed and took her usual seat at Joel’s computer desk. Joel and Benji claimed their spots on the bed, and Billy and Paul found spots on the floor.
“Can you guys believe prom is almost here? And graduation?” Marina shrieked. “And soon we’ll all be off to college or whatever. This is no bueno!”
“Rina! Everything’s going to be okay. None of us are leaving Maryland. We’ll still see each other when we have the time. And who knows, we’ve all got e-mails. Maybe e-mail is the communication of the future!”
Marina shot Joel a sardonic glare. “Says the boy who fought against me making his e-mail.”
“Marina made your e-mail?” Benji interjected.
Marina chuckled. “I’m the one who wrote the first e-mail he sent you.”
“I didn’t know that!” Benji scoffed.
“Don’t act like you’re all high and mighty, mister. I’m the one who responded to ‘Joel’s’ first e-mail to you,” Billy said, throwing a strand of carpet fiber at his friend.
The two boys looked to each other with knowing smiles. If it weren’t for their friends, neither of them would have taken that first leap of faith.
“Yeah, so you’re welcome,” Marina laughed, giving Billy a high five for connecting the new love birds who were absolutely perfect for each other.
“Oh hush, Rina,” Joel remarked, smiling as Benji slipped his around his waist and pulled him further into his body to cuddle. The simple touches and moves Benji made gave Joel faith in his growing confidence and their relationship. He’d always wanted his first real relationship to be something special and he had gotten just that with Benji. Having to survive all the trials they have made Joel realize how much he’d never want to give any of it up.
All of the gang’s attention was diverted as Anita nudged the door open with her nose and came to greet the familiar guests. While Marina, Paul and Billy were focused on the overweight puppy, Benji and Joel found time to steal a quick kiss.
“Do you guys think we’ll stay like this forever?” Billy asked, knowing his cryptic question was a lot to handle but with everything he had faced himself this past year, he knew life could change in an instant. He only hoped his best friends would be the one constant they all had.
The room stayed silent for a minute. No one wanted to break the glow of the here and now. No one wanted to say anything that could possibly change the direction of the future regardless of if the future meant friendship forever. They weren’t willing to take the reigns and mold their lives yet, not even with words. Billy’s inquiry was more than a question of whether their friendship would last, and the entire group knew that; Billy was terrified that graduation meant the end of everything he’d ever known. Graduation was the beginning of an entirely new chapter in his life, and he wasn’t sure if he could handle being a responsible adult. It wasn’t just a question of whether or not they would be okay as a group, but whether they would be okay as individuals. It was a question of whether or not they’d make it out in the big bad world alone.
“I’m sure things will change, Bill,” Benji said finally. “But as long as we keep trying, keep sticking it out, I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine,” Marina confirmed. “We’ll all be internet friends, remember? No need to worry, Bill!”
“Yeah!” Both Joel and Paul interjected, attempting to soothe Billy’s woes.
“Hey, why don’t we go downstairs in the movie room and watch something? My dad just bought a whole crapload of new releases,” Joel inquired to take Billy’s mind off the subject. “We can make popcorn and eat junk food,” he coaxed.
“That sounds good…and y’know, that pizza should be here soon…” At even the mention of food, Billy had caused his own stomach to grumble and he was downstairs in a flash. He trusted his friends and while the thought still weighed heavily on his mind, he knew too much worrying would take away from the time they all still had.
Marina and Paul followed quickly, wanting to claim the loveseat for themselves before the other couple did. Joel stood up to follow his friends down but felt Benji tugging at his wrist and pulling him back down onto the bed. As he turned towards his boyfriend he noticed a sad, almost scared look on his face.
“We’ll be okay too, won’t we? Like, I mean…I guess what Billy said just got to me,” Benji sighed, gently rubbing Joel’s hand and lacing their fingers together. “I can’t lose you, Joel.”
“And you won’t, Benj,” Joel smiled reassuringly, moving his free hand to softly stroke his boyfriend’s cheek. “I love you so much. We’re gonna be fine. I just found you, no way in hell I’m letting you go.” He laughed and smashed his lips to Benji’s, letting his boyfriend know that the passion in his kiss meant he planned on being in this for the long haul.
They pulled away from each other long enough to walk downstairs to the movie room. The movie room was technically just a guestroom with a big TV and a comfortable sitting area where Arthur and Ethan kept all their movies, but it was more unoccupied than occupied, so its purpose changed throughout the years from a den to a movie room.
When they arrived to the room in the back hallway, Billy was already positioned on one end of the couch while Marina and Paul overtook the loveseat. The TV was already rolling previews, and Benji and Joel squeezed in beside Billy on the couch.
Sneaking in before the actual movie started, Ethan laid out a case of soda and a few bowls of chips and popcorn to tide them over before the pizza came. With the success of Aida’s and all the town buzz, the family had finally starting bringing in some disposable income for things like spoiling their son’s friends and being able to provide Joel with nicer things like he deserved; they wanted to offer support to Joel in every way. They also had a few surprises up their sleeves with the end of their son’s high school career, and Arthur and Ethan could only hope Joel loved them.
“If you guys need anything else, just let me know,” Ethan smiled, excusing himself to not keep interrupting the group for too long. Joel sent an adoring smile to his Dad, knowing he was lucky to have such loving parents when people like his boyfriend didn’t. He wouldn’t trade his dads for anyone in the world and he knew that he had been blessed in life. “Oh, and I’ll bring the pizza when it comes. I ordered you two, just incase you’re all really hungry.”
“Thanks Mr. Madden, you’re the best,” Marina laughed. She and Billy could probably eat all the snacks and pizzas themselves.
Ethan laughed heartily at Marina’s comment. “I know, sweetheart. I know.” Marina had become a vital part of the Madden family. Ethan knew that when Joel thought he had no one to talk to, he turned to Marina. She was probably one of the only things that helped Joel get through his coming out process alive. Besides, she was sweet as pie, witty, and always gave him compliments on his dishes. That alone made her good in Ethan’s book.
“Alright, Dad, get outta here!” Joel teased as the movie began.
Ethan snuck out quietly.
“Your dad is so adorable, Joel,” Marina squealed, like she hadn’t said the exact same thing every time Ethan gave her cake or complimented her or, hell, every time Ethan opened his mouth.
Rolling his eyes, Joel couldn’t help the quiet laugh that snuck out. He was truly one of the luckiest kids; his parents and friends got along and both of them seemed to understand each other perfectly; always putting Joel at the center to simply ensure his happiness. Already he had seen a few kids at school who saw their parents go through divorce or would overhear petty arguments between friends in classes, but after seeing his boyfriend persevere through so many struggles, Joel knew he had it made better than so many others and he didn’t want to take that for granted.
“Your dads are adorable, but not even close as adorable as you,” Benji whispered, blushing at how cheesy Joel must have thought he sounded. He was just tired of hiding around Joel and constantly wanted to remind his boyfriend just how much he meant and how happy he was to be with the gorgeous boy. Kissing the side of Joel’s head, Benji snuck his arms around Joel’s waist and held the boy close.
He’d never been too physical outside themselves, despite that he knew the group of friends held no judgment on their relationship. Benji just felt somewhat insecure as he dealt with coming to terms of himself and being able to show that others after being so secluded and trapped because of his mother’s religious issues after his father had passed years ago.
Joel relished in Benji’s hesitant touches, nuzzling further into Benji to reassure him that they were safe. “You’re pretty adorable too,” Joel murmured as the two of them sank further and further into the couch. He was hyperaware of the three individuals sitting on the couch, which made it too uncomfortable to take things as far as he wanted with Benji. Light touches and secret kisses would have to suffice until later tonight.
-
“So….Joel,” Marina smirked, grabbing her history book from her locker and turning to her best friend. “You and Benji seemed super snuggly this weekend.”
Instantly Joel knew the tone of voice meant that the inquisition was about to start. Rolling his eyes, he wanted nothing more than to run away, but he really couldn’t expect any less. “Rina, you know Benji is going to slaughter me the day he finds out how much you know about OUR relationship, don’t you? You know, the relationship that you aren’t a part of? Just because you and Paul aren’t against practically swallowing each other in public, doesn’t mean you have to know about everyone else,” Joel whined, hating that no matter how much he even protested, Marina always seemed to win these battles.
“Oh, come on!” Marina jeered. “You don’t have to tell me all the nasty bits…” Her pouting mastery always worked on Joel, even when he pretended it didn’t. “Just give me a couple hints. I’ll fill in the blanks on my own,” she said with a smirk. “Did he at least get his hands down your pants?”
Joel tried not to blush, but his body betrayed him.
“Knew it! You guys are such sluts!” she teased. “Is that all? Don’t tell me he stopped at that!”
Joel turned away from his boasting best friend, trying to ignore her prying stare. He knew that she knew that she could get whatever she wanted out of him. The only thing Joel could do was stand his ground.
Marina grinned evilly, taking Joel’s silence as a sign that she was correct rather than Joel trying to get her off his back. “Joel,” Marina whined. “Just tell me!”
Gnawing on his lip, Joel felt the heat spreading profusely through his face. “Rina…” A quiet grumble left his lips and he clung to his text books even tighter. “Hegavemeablowjobtheotherdayanditwasthebestorgasmofmylife,” He mumbled out at lightening speed, the heat and flush color rushing all the way to the tips of his ears.
“He WHAT?” Marina shrieked, a girlish giggle delightedly leaving her lips. “Benji? The shy little boyfriend of yours gave you a bl-”
“Yes!” Joel interjected, not wanting her to publicly finish the sentence just in case unwelcome ears were listening in. “Now hush, it’s bad enough you know, don’t let anyone else in on it too.” Of course Joel felt guilty for revealing their intimate secrets, but Marina was his best friend and despite how much of a snoop she was, he fully trusted her. “But oh my god, Marina…he…I thought I was going to die. It was the best thing I’ve ever experienced.”
“That’s exactly what Paul says when I do it-”
“EW,” Joel squealed, turning into their classroom and shaking at the thought of Marina giving anyone a blowjob.
“But it’s TRUE,” Marina cackled. “It means he’s doing something right!”
Joel snorted and blushed. “He definitely is,” he murmured as he took his seat. Marina, unfortunately, would not let it rest. She even went so far as to sharpie “DETAILS!” in a note and scoot it across the table to him.
“He came home and I jumped him,” Joel wrote, pushing the note towards her.
“And then?” was Marina’s only reply.
“And then we made out, and B was really into it…and it went on from there. You don’t need DETAIL details, sheesh! I‘m not writing homoerotica for you, you creep!”
Marina’s next note made Joel choke on embarrassed laughter. It read: “It was a warm spring night. Joel Madden sat on the couch watching a The Simpsons (because I KNOW that’s what you were doing), waiting for his beautiful boyfriend to arrive home from work. B, as we shall call him, had had a long day, and he was exhausted. Before he entered the door, Joel attacked him with kisses. They fell onto the couch in a heated passion, the tension of being away from each other only adding to the pleasure they felt when their hardening cocks rubbed against each other…see, you don‘t need to write porn for me, I can do it for myself.”
Joel glared at Marina and crumpled the paper, mouthing “shut up!” in her direction.
“You. Need. Help.” Joel wrote back, his face flush from the nature of the note’s subject matter. He couldn’t say that the memory from that night didn’t absolutely drive him wild. Joel was definitely looking forward to the next time it happened; hell, he was even anxious to reciprocate…or more. “Besides, we didn’t do it on the couch. Duh, the parentals sleep downstairs, you nitwit” he quickly scribbled, “…and shut up, the Simpsons rule,” he added, passing the note back to his best friend and knowing he was lucky to have such an outlandish and loyal girl beside him.
The bell rang and snapped the pair into school mode, sending matching smirks to each other. Marina folded the note and put it in her pocket to dispose of later. She knew she’d win and get it out of Joel; she always won.
Note: It's so surreal that we're still here writing with each other. Keepin' it alive despite all the haters we've had in the past, telling us to give it up. :) Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed Email My Heart and to the people who continue reading/reviewing this. Love you all so much.