After dinner (and ice cream, to the boy's delight), Jude and Connor returned to the Adams Foster's residence. Seeing as it was a Friday, Connor was allowed to stay a bit later than normal. The days of their sleepovers were long over as Lena, Stef, and especially Adam were not comfortable with the two boys being unsupervised at night, but they still hung out just as much as usual, if not more.

"Open door policy, boys!" Stef shouted up the stairs as the boys retreated to Jude's room. They wouldn't do anything with Jude's moms home anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Their relationship was still new, so they hadn't done a whole lot in the way of physical activity. A bit of kissing, and one makeout session was all. The two agreed to take it slow, seeing as they were still very not yet ready for anything more.

"I know, Mom," Jude replied as they walked into Jude's room. His siblings were all out doing whatever teenagers do on Friday nights, so they didn't have to worry about anybody coming in and ruining the moment.

Jude lied down on his bed, making room for Connor, before motioned for Connor to join him. Jude smiled as his boyfriend's arm found itself draped over Jude's shoulders, pulling him closer.

"What are you smiling about?"

"You. Do you remember the last time we were like this? It was the weekend I lied to you, telling you that my family was going camping, so I couldn't hang out with you, Taylor, and Daria." Connor frowned a bit at the memory.

"Oh yeah. You never did tell my why you lied. I thought you didn't want to be around me."

"No, not at all! I was so sick of seeing you and Daria together. It killed me inside," Jude looked down as he spoke.

"It killed me that you weren't the one I was with. I knew I wanted to be with you, I was just scared. But hey, that weekend turned out pretty great, don't you think? Other than you kicking me. I didn't appreciate that too much." Connor lifted Jude's head, forcing Jude to make eye contact. They both smiled at each other fondly.

"That was when we kissed and really became an item," Jude moved closer into Connor's embrace, if it was even possible.

"And look at how far we've come since then. We came out, although it wasn't our choice. We stood up to my dad and convinced him that we're worth fighting for. Heck, we went to prom, Jude. Prom. Who knows if we'll ever get that kind of experience again!" Connor looked at his boyfriend, nothing but pride and love in his eyes.

"America did a pretty good job of keeping up with us, don't you think? You and I will never have to be worried about being denied marriage now," Jude realized that at 13, it didn't seem like a big deal, but to him, it was. For most of his life, he had felt that he couldn't be who he was. And now, the entire country was finally telling him that he wasn't faulty, or a defect, but a human being deserving the same rights as everybody else. And so was Connor.

"Jude? Do you think that we'll get married?"

"Well yeah.I doubt either one of us is going to be single foreve-"

"No. I mean to each other," Connor said. He knew he loved Jude. He couldn't imagine not being with Jude for the rest of his life.

"I don't know. Let's make it through Junior High before we really consider marriage," Jude giggled as he grabbed Connor's free hand in his own. At this point, any time he thought about getting married, Connor was always the person he was reciting his vows to. However, Jude was also very aware that in an instant, anything could be ripped from him, and he didn't want that to happen with Connor.

"Fair enough," Connor stared at Jude, trying to capture all of his beauty.

"I love you, Jude," he hadn't meant to say anything. but the words came before he could stop them.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to say it back or anything, I- it's just, I look at you, and I see somebody so strong, and so wonderful, and how did I get so lucky? I imagine this is what love feels like, because I don't know how I could possibly feel any stronger for you than I already do, but then again, every day I love you more and I was waiting for the perfect moment to tell you. I'm sorry."

Jude giggled at Connor's rambling, feeling his cheeks flush as he leaned up to kiss Connor.

"Any moment with you is a perfect moment. I love you too, Connor."

And although there was still much work to be done, the two boys rejoice in the fact that they had each other, no matter what.

A/N: I was inspired to write a part two. Thanks to everyone who has read and enjoyed!