4. Jealousy

Magnus POV

 Ming is not as irritating as he seems. He is just... Clingy and fun. So much energetic. Seems like I have started to like his company. Though not much as Jeremy. I miss him a lot. 

But god. Our busy schedules. 

Anyway. We were having some fun time at Cafeteria.  And as always Ming tagged along. 

"Are you free this evening"? He asked and I thought for a while before saying a yes. 

"Great. I want to go to the Arcade, Magnus". He chirped excitedly. 

"And what does it has to do with me"? I asked him back. His face turned down immediately and Lam looked at me like SERIOUSLY MAGNUS look.

"It is okay, Magnus. I guess I would check myself". Ming stood up still gloomy. I held up his wrist stopping him. Call me softie. I can’t see anyone sad. 

"Sit. I just asked. Not that I turned your offer down. What time"? I asked him and his face lit up with fairy lights. 

"You are the best senior. I will meet you at your dorm parking. 5pm sharp". He was jumping with joy and hugged me tight. 

I was shut for a while before returning the hug slightly. Well not hug actually. It was umm an awkward arm wrapping maybe. Actually I have never hugged anyone besides Jer. So... But Ming didn’t notice. He ran away from the Cafe shouting happily and i sat down smiling. 

"It seems like someone is getting along". Park interjected and I threw the empty chips pack at him.

"It’s nothing. I am going to workshop. Lam, are you coming"? I grab my bag pack and he stood up too with Park. It’s still 12 in the noon. I have time to get ready for Arcade.

Well. I didn’t know i was in big trouble for my, er, slight show of affection. 

***********

Jeremy POV

Finally I was free. I decided to check on Magnus since Olivier was at his parent's place. I knew he would be at Cafeteria of Engineering department and here i was at my parking spot. I locked the car and rushed to the cafe... And... Oh my god. I felt heat coming out of my ears. 

Magnus. Hugging someone. In the Cafe. Smiling. Damn fuck you Magnus. I was fuming with anger. Yeah i know am acting a douche. But he never hugged anyone besides me. And who the hell is the person now? 

I stood there watching him exit from the other door. And i didn’t know what to do. For the first time am feeling jealous. I can’t share Magnus. He is just my friend. Am I being selfish? Okay call me selfish. 

I called him right away. 

"Hello Magnus. Where are you"? 

"Hey Jer, I am at workshop. Where are you"? He asked in his warm tone. No. He is still my bud. Nothing changed. 

"I am at your cafe". 

"Owh. I was there five minutes ago. Why didn’t you tell me you are coming"? He was concerned. 

"It’s okay Magnus. Where are you now? Can we meet up"?

"Why not Jer? I am at the workshop. Can you come or want me to fetch you"? I heard him jiggling his keys. 

"No Mag. I will be there in ten minutes. Need anything"? I asked him. 

"Well I already have lunch. But how about a Latté"? He said and i said an OK before ending the call. 

"Magnussss". I screamed as soon as I entered the workshop. Not to mention that I ran into his arms once i placed the drinks and snacks for Lam and Park too. 

"Hey Jer. How are you"? He hugged me tight. Twirling me around. 

Lam clucked his tongue and I blushed. I usually don’t act so clingy in public. 

"We should go out for a bit". Magnus said and Lam waved his hands like shutting us up.

We were sitting at the benches outside. Enjoying the coffee. Discussing about the projects. When i caught him looking at his watch. 

"Magnus"?

"Jer I got to go. I have promised my junior, Ming to meet at Arcade. I have to get ready. How about we meet this weekend"? He said and another pang in my heart. 

"Arcade? With who"? I didn’t know I raised my voice a bit. He flinched but brushed it off. 

"My junior, Ming. I told you about. The one who apparently has a crush on me". He chuckled.  

"Ohh. I am sorry to disturb your date. I should be getting going". I left the bench but he held my hand. He was confused. 

"Jer, it’s not like that. You know i only ...." 

"Yes yes. You only love me that’s why you are moving on. Good luck Magnus Prescott". With that I left him. Alone. 

**************

Magnus POV

What the hell happened to Jer? Me dating? He knows I never date anyone. He knows I love him. I wanted to run after him but I have to get ready too.

I was still contemplating when Lam approached me. 

"Aren’t you going to get ready"? He said and i sighed.

"Look Magnus. I understand you still love Jer. But you promised Ming. And you are being unfair now. Go with Ming and once you are free. Talk to Jer. It’s your life and you have all the rights to move on". He patted my shoulder and went inside. 

He was right. I shouldn’t do it to Ming. And besides i can always catch Jer. He might be sulking but he understands me. Right. 

I didn’t know how much fun I would have at the Arcade. I love gaming but been long that I came here. Jer prefers long drives and food. And movies yes. But tonight I felt myself after so long. Competing with Ming, fighting like little kids. I don’t remember when I laughed like this last time. Carefree. By the end we managed to grab one teddy each. Though it was all me doing the work. 

I didn’t want to have a teddy. Who takes a teddy? But. Jer. He loves. So I got one too. Replacing the One Piece I had in my hand. It was almost 9 when we reached at our dorms. 

I went to the convenience store after Ming bid me good night. I bought few beers and light snacks before going to Jeremy's room. Surprising his room was dark from outside. But his car was parked. That means he was there. 

"Jer. You sleeping"? I opened his room and it was dark. 

"Jeez why so dark"? I talked to myself before switching the low power bulb. It won’t disturb him even if he is sleeping. 

"Jeremy, where are you"? I checked his room he wasn’t there. Not in washroom. Not in the balcony. And then. 

"Oh shit". I cursed myself before going out of his room. I locked it and ran to the stairs that go to the rooftop. 

There he was. Sitting at the corner of the roof. 

"Jeremy". He didn’t flinch. He knew I would find him. "I was looking for you in your room". I joined him and he didn’t spare a glance. 

"Jer".

"So how was the date"? He asked calmly. 

"What date, Jer"? I was again confused. 

"Date with your junior. Magnus". His expressions were cold. 

"Jer. Come on. It wasn’t a date. We were to the arcade. Games and....."

"Had fun"? He cut me half sentence. I don’t know why he is behaving like this. He isn’t okay. I can see in his eyes. There is something bothering him. But why he isn’t telling me straight away. 

"Yes I had fun. And I won this teddy for you. See". I gave him the teddy and... The way he looked at me.

"Save it for your boyfriend Magnus. I don’t need anything from you". He spat in anger and stood up to leave. I held his hand quickly. Stopping him to go.

"Jer. Come". I pulled him down to sit. And he did but at a distance. 

"Beer"? I gave him a tin and he took it. He is stressed. I know. I sighed before starting. I need to clear it out. It’s already hard for me and he is making it harder.

"Jer. I don’t do boyfriends. You know it. I don’t go out with anyone but you. I don’t date. Only one night stands that too with strangers if I have to blow some steam. How long since you know me. More than a decade, Jer. It’s always you. No one can ever replace you Jer. Why are you feeling insecure? I told you. Ming is just a junior. Being in same faculty and direct line, he is just close to me. But I don’t love him. Heck I don’t even like him like you. 

When I am talking with him I search for your words. Even today. I was missing you at the arcade although we have never gone to arcade together. I know I shouldn't have gone with him at first place, but I was free and he pleaded so. I couldn’t say him no. Even if there is no comparison between you two, but i will always prefer you Jeremy. You should know it by now". I said it out. And the next moment he was at my shoulder. The wetness on my inner shoulder blade told me he is crying. He is like that. He can’t stay angry for long. Ends up crying. Typical Jeremy.

"I don’t know, Magnus. It’s so confusing." He was silently sobbing in my arms.  

"What’s confusing, Jer. Talk to me".  

"I know you love me. And only me. I trust you. And I do love you too. But it’s all different. I want you all for myself Magnus. I know it’s selfish of me. But I can’t share you. Even with Beam and Kit, it was always you I would come to. You remember you said that I always take care of everyone. But Magnus, I love when you took me in. To take care of me. To pamper me. I didn’t know I had this side in me. You explored the aspects of my personality that i had kept hidden. You always listened to me. Bear all my mood swings. Even when I get moody. Bossy. 

I know Magnus it’s your life. You should move on. You can’t spend the whole life in one way love. Especially for a stupid like me. But why does it hurt Magnus? I get jealous whenever I see you with Ming. Laughing or touching. 

You are all mine Magnus. I don’t know what to do without you Magnus. I am scared to lose you". Finally. He said it all. 

I smiled before pulling him more into me. Warming him up.

"I am only yours Jer. Nothing and no one can ever replace you. You don’t need to be jealous or insecure. There are few things I can’t avoid. Being a senior and a head hazer, it’s my responsibility to take care of my juniors. But Jer at the end of the day, i would always return to you". I assured him and it worked. 

"Promise"? He held his pinky finger and I looped mine. 

"Promise Jer". He was relaxed and I was relaxed too. He is stupid. But he is like this. And I love him. 

"Where is my teddy"? He pulled off asking for the teddy and I laughed. 

"Ohh I thought someone said I should keep it for my boyfriend". I teased him and he glared. Snatching the teddy from me he stuck his tongue out. I am happy. I can do anything for Jer...

*******

Jeremy POV.

********

I had two days of very busy surgeries. I didn’t go home either. Olivier dropped by to get me clothes and food. He was complaining me of being busy but... it’s my job. Being a doctor is not easy. And especially when you are a surgeon. I tried to make him understand. I don’t know if he understood it completely or not. I tried to compensate it by showering kisses until he giggled. He is adorable. 

I tried to call him to say that am free but his number was not reachable. Before I could try again I got call from Magnus, asking if I was free this weekend. He was planning to visit his dad. 

I thought for a while. Checking my schedule. I was free. But i didn’t want to commit to him before talking to Olivier. Magnus told me he would wait for my reply till Saturday Morning and then he will leave. I assured him to reply. And left my office. I had a plan. 

I took Olivier's favorite street food and planned to crash his room tonight. Mine was just a floor away so I can manage to get ready for tomorrow office. 

Balancing the food in my hand I softly knocked at his door. Once. Twice. And then I heard a rustling sound before the door swing open. 

"Olie... Who the hell are you"? I looked at the boy standing in front of me stupefied. 

"Who is it Lee?  Jeremy? What are you doing here"?  Olivier came too and he was surprised? No, shocked to see me. And that wasn’t in a good term. 

"I am sorry. I guess I disturbed you guys. I just came to spend some time with you to compensate my busy schedule that made you suffer. But I guess I interrupted you doing something important". I said taking in their appearance. 

"Jeremy. Wait. It’s not like this". Olivier held my arm but i shrugged him off. I ran away from the door trying to hide my tears. 

Fuck. Why am I a cry baby?

I ran to the parking lot and I heard someone calling me. 

"Jer! Wait. Jer. What happened"? Before I could start the car and sped away i saw Magnus sliding in the passenger seat. I wasn’t in a mood to confront or welcome him. I just hit the gas and off we go. 

Pulling in the breaks I stopped at our usual pub. 

Magnus didn’t ask me anything. He stepped out, walked to my door and pulled me out. Without even asking he took me inside and ordered our favorite usual. 

"What happened, Jer"? He was rubbing circles on my arm, racking my deshelved hair. He knows how to calm me. 

"Magnus". I couldn’t speak anything. I was hiccupping. .

"Shush. It’s okay. I am here. It’s okay". He comforted me. And i just stay silent. Basking in his warmth.

We were enjoying our drinks slowly. I know i have a shift tomorrow. I can’t take the risk of a hangover. So i chose beer and Magnus followed the suite. Dropping down his whiskey. 

"I went to see Olivier today". I started and he turned to me. Giving me full attention. 

"He was with someone else". I said and this time Magnus stiffened.

"Someone else? Must be his friend". He said and i shook my head. 

"They were in shorts only". I muttered under my breath. I couldn’t face Magnus. But he read my thoughts. He simply engulfed me in his strong arms. 

"Did you talk to Olivier? Did you ask him"? 

"I didn’t. What’s in to ask Magnus"? I was stubborn. 

"Sometimes what we see it not the truth. You should have asked him. He is your boyfriend. You love him. These doubts can weaken your relationship. Talk to him. Listen to him. I know he must have some reason". May be he was right. See i told you. Magnus is my calmative. 

"Let’s go. You have a shift tomorrow. After shift go and talk to Olivier. Clear the doubts as soon as possible. I want my smiling Jeremy back. Okay". He pinched my cheeks and i smiled. 

"Let’s go"......

************

"What the fuck." Olivier pulled his hair in frustration.

"I told you to get rid of him". Lee was fuming with anger. They were having so much fun. 

"And why the hell he has the key to your dorm"?

"Shut up Lee. Let me think how to make up with him". Olivier said.

"You still worried about him"? 

"Well. I have to. I have to properly execute my plan. Just a little more wait. Just wait and watch". Olivier turned with an evil smirk..

*******

Tabby