4th of July // JOJI

Glad You Came

Back at the house, Adam eyes you but says nothing as the two of you stroll in. On the boat you sit in between them, admiring the lit up night sky reflecting against the water.

The fireworks burst loudly, fiery blooms amongst the stars. You’re so transfixed that you almost don’t notice fingers brushing against your own. You feel them snake up your thigh to the hem of your skirt. Your head snaps to Joji’s direction but he remains focused on the sky, his head tilted back, completely ignoring you. You take a large gulp of your drink, trying to ward off the building arousal in the pit of your stomach and in between your legs.

A few minutes later, his fingers deftly creep their way up further. You squeeze your legs together tightly, desperate for some sort of friction, some sort of mercy. His fingers are warm and gentle as they stroke the crease at the top of your thigh, sending waves of electricity throughout your body. You see him grinning out of the corner of your eye as he pretends to not notice you shudder against him.

You take a deep breath, composing yourself and then pull his hand away. His lips move close against your ear, you can barely hear him over the deafening explosions, “Meet me in the cabin.”

He gets up and soon disappears. You look around. Everyone’s gazes fixed upon the brilliant light in the sky, completely oblivious to your arousal.

“I’m going to get some more to drink,” You lean into Adam who simply nods and waves you off.

You rush to the cabin, locking the door behind you. Joji is waiting, his eyes burning into yours as he bites his bottom lips and studies you for a few moments before making his way towards you. You keep his gaze, watching his every move until he is in front of you, his hot breath meeting your exposed neck.

“You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted you all day.” He murmurs into your ear. Your entire body tenses at his words. His tongue meets the crook of your neck, tracing circles over the sensitive skin. You exhale deeply, shutting your eyes.

“Joji,” You sigh, placing your hands on his chest, knowing there’s something you need to address. Something that’s been weighing on you since he first touched you.

“Hmm?” He hums against you. You gasp as he drags his fingers lightly up your back and then kneads your breast through your thin shirt.

“What…” You pause, barely able to compose a sentence, “what are we doing?”

“I thought it was pretty obvious.” He laughs before kissing you deeply. You want nothing more than for him to continue so it pains you to pull back.

“Joji,” you groan breathlessly, “I mean us. What are we doing? What does this make us?”

He moves back, taking a seat on the bed, running a hand through his hair.

“That night last summer… I can’t do that again. I can’t do this with you and then not see you again.” You speak, starting to feel nervous just like at the beginning of the trip.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know…” You move to stand in front of him, “But I mean I can’t do this and not have it mean something.”

He reaches out and grabs your hands, holding them gently, “I like you, alright. I more than like you. You’ve been my best friend for so long, of course this means something.”

“I can’t be what Natalie is. A friend to fuck.”

“You’re not.” He’s watching you so intensely, you feel your face flush under his watch, “I was thinking about you all year, so much that it was driving me crazy. She was just… someone that was there. It never went beyond that for me. Maybe that’s f****d up, but that’s not what this is.”

You nod and sit down, straddling his lap. Your lips are close, achingly close. Yours tingling at the sole thought of attacking his, an all consuming want. You want him as yours and only yours.

“I’ve loved you for a long time, George.”

Eyes flutter shut and your lips meet. You let out a muffled moan at the touch, your lips parting to allow his tongue in. Despite the urgency you feel, his tongue works slowly and skillfully against your own.

“Me too.” He breathes heavily into the kiss. He’s yours.

A loud voice and a series of forceful knocks boom from outside the door, causing you to pull back urgently.

“Hey, are you guys about done f*****g in there?” It’s Adam. Joji falls back against the bed, rolling his eyes. You jump up from his lap, smoothing your skirt down and feeling mortified.

You unlock the door to see Adam’s obnoxiously drunk face, a huge grin plastered on it.

“There you guys are!” He slurs, moving past you and falling onto the bed on top of Joji. “God, am I happy to see you two.”

“Are you okay, dude?” Joji asks, shoving Adam off of him.

“My two best friends... “ He trails off, shaking his head. You and Joji look at each other, unsure of where this is going.

“It’s about damn time you got together!” He explodes into laughter. “I fuckin’ knew it!”

Joji shoves him, “You’re so gay.”

He shrugs, “I told you that’s what happens when I’m drunk!”

---

You’re standing in the entryway of your apartment. Joji sets your duffle bag down on the floor and looks around.

“Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve been in here.”

“I know,” You smile, coming up behind him, draping your arms over his and pressing your cheek against his back.

“I almost forgot about that evil creature.” He points to your roommate’s cat who’s glaring up at him from the kitchen floor. The two of them have never gotten along.

“Shut up,” You laugh, “He’s never done anything to you.”

“He wants to though. Look at his eyes.” He spins around in your arms, placing a kiss on the top of your head.

“Whatever you say.” You joke.

“So you’ll be at the show Thursday right?” He asks for the thousandth time.

“Yes, yes, Joji, I’ll be there.”

“Good,” he smiles, “I want to see you before that though.”

“You will.”

He leans down, catching your lips with his. He pulls back too soon and you already miss him as he makes his way to the door.

“I’m really glad you came this weekend.” He winks, pulling the door closed behind him.

“Me too.” You say outloud to yourself, “Me too.”