Romance Is Boring

I warned you!

Two weeks later. Zero's apartment.

They didn't spend a lot of time there. Part of the reason was that something was unnerving about Zero's apartment. It had stuff in it, but it felt empty. Like a warehouse. Despite piles of magazines and dirty dishes on the sink, it didn't feel like someone lived in the place. If he wasn't such a nice guy, Jude provably called it soulless.

Also, Zero ha did not attempt to provide Jude with a set of keys. 

It as a perfect place for a perfect workout thought. The same atmosphere as a gym. Except Jude and Zero weren't engaged in a workout right now. Zero had been trying hard to tell himself that they were kissing in between sit-ups, but they weren't. They were doing sit-ups in between kissing.

They had started alright with Jude holding Zero's ankles in position and Zero getting a kiss every time he managed to get his back off the floor. It has a nice reward for a relatively easy task. Among the way, though, the exercise in between the kisses became less important, until Jude finally released Zero's ankles. Instantly, the agent snagged the collar of the athlete's shirt and held him in place with his tongue slowly claiming Zero's mouth.

Maybe you'd better play the field.- Zero suddenly suggested, pulling away from a little. His lips them moved to Jude's throat. Maybe that's why Jude thought that he was kidding.

-What?!- Jude exclaimed, laughing

- I've been around. - Zero explained- You're new to this. Guys. Don't you wanna explore?

- No, I don't. Except if it's with you.- Jude responded. He wrapped his warms around Zero's torso and leaned in for some more kissing, but Zero held him at bay with a resolute hand to the chest.

- I think you should explore it. With other guys. - Zero insisted. Jude looked confused

- Are you saying this because you want out? - he inquired, frowning

- Out of what? I'm not in anything. We're not dating Jude. This is not a relationship.

Immediately, Jude got up and retired to the other side of the room. Zero got up too and slicked back his hair. When he tried to approach Jude, he responded by putting even more distance between them. Zero sighed.

- Why do you have to label everything?- he asked - It's fun, right? Then what's the big deal?

- I don't want to have fun. I want to date you.

-Dating is not fun?- Zero joked

-This isn't funny.

Exasperated, Zero points out that Jude couldn't even tell the difference between having fun and dating. Jude glared at him and Zero threw up his hands in defeat.

- Whatever. Call it what you want. We're hanging up and having s*x. What else do you want?

- I want to know you. - Jude slowly said - I told you that's what I wanted.

- And I told you I didn't do that.- Zero countered

-Yeah, and then you said things were better when you share them with me. What did you expect me to think?- Jude replied

- You think what you think. I warned you. - Zero reminded Jude. He couldn't help sounding as annoyed as Jude looked.

-Don't you see how ridiculous and confusing your behavior is? You don't want to date me, you just want to be with me all the time? I mean, what is that? - Jude asked angrily. Zero didn't answer. He knew it was unfair, but he didn't know how to do this.

- Here's a thought: how about he both say what we meant? - Jude proposed-I doesn't want to do this if you don't want me. I don't want to fall in love if you're not going to try.

Zero didn't respond.

- Say you'll try - Jude prompted- That's all it takes. Say you want me and that you'll try.

Zero looked at Jude. The thought that Jude uses this against him was too strong. If you tried, you could fail.

- Are we going workout or what? - Zero demanded, after a lengthy silence, Jude rolled his eyes.

-I'm going - he announced

- Come on, Jude!

- No. I'm going.

Zero grabbed Jude's arm to keep in from leaving.

- I want you.

Unmoved, Jude removed Zero's hand from his arm. Zero kissed him. Jude was unresponsive. And it wasn't because he was surprised. He didn't need to catch his breath or compose himself or think about whether this was a good idea.

- That's all I have to give.  - Zero admitted, his hands still on each side of Jude's face.

- It's not enough. - Jude said

-Jude, please.

It took a lot of effort to get it out and it seemed to have no effects on Jude. The sound of the closing door was especially painful. Zero winced at the sound. And like that, they were no longer having fun.