Romance First, Sex Later

 Romance First, Sex Later

Hello everybody! I know it's been awhile since I updated this story, but I'm in the mood to pick it back up so here we go!

Chapter 3

It was a bright and sunny Saturday morning in the Carter household. Mrs. Carter was up making pancakes for her children before she had to go to work, softly humming to herself. Jared was still asleep all wrapped up in his blankets, not wanting to get out of bed just yet. Emma was already awake, but she was trying to decide on an outfit. She just couldn't choose between the pale blue t-shirt and dark skinny jeans, or her favourite dragon sweater and the ripped blue jeans. After what felt like forever, Jared finally dragged himself out of bed, and made it downstairs. Emma was following behind. "Morning kids!" Their mom said from the stove, "pancakes are ready!" Emma squealed in delight and ran straight for the table, she loved pancake day. "Morning mom, these look great" Jared said sitting down next to his sister. "thank you dear" As they ate, Mrs. Carter tried to make small talk with her children. "so do you two have any plans today?" she asked. "I'm going to the park with Ashely!" Emma said through a mouthfull of pancake. "sounds fun sweetheart, what about you Jared? Any plans?" Jared didn't hear his mom at first, he was lost in his own world thinking about Shane. Ever since they started hanging out, Jared's feelings for him became more and more complex. He knew that he was attracted to Shane, but was it sexual? or perhaps something else.

"Jared? Hello!" His mom tried again. "Jare bear mommy is talking to you!" Emma shouted at him. "huh? Oh sorry just thinking about something." He said still with his head down. "Are you planning on hanging out with Shane today?" Just hearing the other boy's name sent a warm fluttering sensation through Jared's body, and he blushed slightly. "if that's okay?" "of course it's okay! I'm happy you're making new friends, just don't burn the house down okay" Mrs. Carter said with a wink. "Wouldn't dream of it mom." Jared said with a playful grin on his face. After breakfast, and everyone was dressed, Emma got picked up by Ashely's dad and they were off to the park, Mrs. Carter was off to work, and Jared had called Shane asking if he wanted to come over. He had said yes, and had arrived as soon as everyone else left. "hi, come on in." Jared said inviting Shane inside. "what would you like to do?" Jared asked awkwardly. "how about a movie?" They settled on the couch, while Jared looked through the movies. "how about into the woods? It's a favourite of mine" Shane smiled, "it's perfect" Jared popped it in the DVD player, and they settled in to watch. About half way through the movie, Shane stole a glance at Jared. The soft glow of the sun cascading his features beautifully. He's so beautiful, and nice, but also a little unsure. Shane thought to himself. yet I want to know what it would be like to hold his hand, or hold him when he's having a panic attack. Shane kept staring fondly and Jared, his heart thumped in his chest. Then he decided to just go for it, he caustiously held Jared's hand in his. It's so soft and warm. Shane smiled so big.

Jared was a little taken aback by Shane's gesture, but he liked the feeling of having Shane's hand in his. Shane had nice warm hands, and all the anxiety he had been feeling started to slwoly melt away. For some unexplainable reason, Jared felt really safe with Shane. He felt it the first time he had a panic attack in front of him, and helped him through it. He really felt like he could trust Shane, there was emotional connection in his heart when it came to Shane. He wondered what all of this meant, perhaps he should look it up later. Jared lifted his head to meet Shane's gaze, they shared a sweet smile, and squeezed their hands. It was the most perfect moment of their lives. Until an alarm went off on Shane's phone. "oh shoot, I have to go I have dance practice" Shane said apologectically. "um I'll see you at school" "yeah" After Shane left, Jared went to Google to figure out his feelings. He found a sexuality quiz, and decided to take it. The test gave him Demisexual, he wasn't sure what that meant so he looked it up. As soon as he saw the definition he knew that this was what he was, Jared wanted a romantic, sensual relationship, with someone he trusted then and only then would things possibly turn sexual. Jared was also scared, because he hadn't even told his family that he was gay, what were they gonna think when he told them he was also Demisexual? So many thoughts flooded through his head, he shut his laptop, and went for a little walk around the neighborhood to try to calm his nerves.

"Alright let's run it again!" Madam Ingrid said to the dance team. Shane was in front leading the team in their routine, Shane loved the progress they were making, Madam Ingrid even promoted him to Captain a few months ago since he's the best dancer on the team. But today Shane was very distracted, he couldn't stop thinking about Jared. "okay everyone take five!" Madam Ingrid called with a tap of her cane. Madam Ingrid was a tough but nice teacher, she was in her 60's with curly brown hair that was greying. She was still in dancing shape, and could honestly dance circles around the whole team, she has the most experience after all. Shane walked over to his water bottle and took a few sips. One of the girls on the team Kayla, walked over to him. "hey Shane, you seem a little distracted today, is everything alright?" She asked with concern in her voice. "yeah, it's just this guy I like. He's amazing, but he's so anxious, I just wish I could help him you know?" Kayla smiled and put a hand on Shane's shoulder, "I totally understand, if you really like this guy I think talking to him about how you feel would be a start." Shane knew she was right. "you're right, thanks Kayla" "no problem, now come on let's practice our duet." 

After his walk, Jared was still feeling anxious. The thoughts just kept circling his mind, he couldn't escape them. As he walked into the house, he collasped on the floor struggling to breathe, he was shaking, and the tears were flowing like a waterfall. He started to hit his head, he felt sick, this was a bad panic attack. Fortunately, Emma came home from her park adventure with Ashely, and found her brother like that. Emma was terrified, but she knew what to do after seeing how their mom handled it. "Jare bear, it's okay I'm here. Can you breathe?" Emma asked gently, trying to pin Jared's arms to his sides. "I c-c-can't!" Jared said hyperventilating. "Jare bear, try to breathe with me okay, in through the nose, out through the mouth" It took awhile but Jared finally started to breathe normally, he pulled his sister in for a hug. "thanks Em, you did a good job" Emma smiled feeling proud of herself, she was happy she could her brother feel better. "hey Em, why don't you go play in your room for a bit? Jare bear is tired after all that." Jared said feeling spent. "are you gonna take a nap?" "yeah." Emma understood, and ran upstairs to give her brother some space. Jared crawled up onto the couch, and grabbed his post panic attack items that they kept down there. A huge fluffy blanket, his stuffed penguin "Penny" and a squishy pillow. He tucked his penguin under his arm, got cozy under the blanket, and drifted off to sleep. When his mom came home from work, she saw him on the couch asleep, and imediatley knew what happened earlier. She went over and kissed her son on the forehead, while also pulling the blanket higher on him. 

When Shane came home from dance practice, he showered, had dinner, then went up to his room to text Jared. 

To Jared from Shane: Hey! Um listen, I just wanted you to know that I really like you. Do you want to go out with me? We could go to a movie or the park, where ever you feel comfortable. 💓

Stay tuned everyone!