A/N- This is for all my wonderful reviewers whom I love sooo much! It's the sequel to Collide. So if you haven't read that, I would suggest you do so. But it's not completely necessary. This is some JJxDrake fluff.
Disclaimer: HA! I wish they were mine. Damn Sanami Matoh for owning them.
Summary: After crashing Drake's wedding and getting him all to himself, Drake's family isn't too thrilled with JJ. An unexpected visit puts JJ into an awkward position. Meeting thefamily isn't as smooth as he'd like.
These Days
Chapter 1- Blue Topaz
JJ wandered aimlessly throughout his apartment. His patience was starting to thin. Where on earth was he? JJ flipped himself over the couch and landed with a soft thud. Impatiently his rolled around and buried his head in the pillows. He began humming to himself, unable to keep his mind off what was going to happen.
"Hello!"
JJ groaned into the pillow, finally relieved that the show was finally going to start. He slid of the couch and onto his feet. He turned to face his very, very late friend. He was about to shout out in anger, but shut himself up quickly. Drake was smiling shyly in a nice suit, carrying a large bouquet of red and white roses.
"I'm sorry--"
JJ cut him off. "It's okay." He eyed the flowers. "Hot date tonight?"
Drake smiled and glided over towards the shorter man. "Very hot date," he replied.
"Oh?" JJ wrapped his arms around Drake's neck. "Who?"
"Mmm. This cute little blondie."
"Blonde, eh?"
"Mmhmm." Drake leaned in closer. "Do you want these?" He prodded JJ in the chest with the bouquet.
"Oh yes." JJ grabbed a hold of the flowers. Drake leaned closer ready to accept a kiss, but got none. JJ quickly untangled himself and ran off toward the kitchen with flowers in hand.
Drake sighed at the retreating back. He heard clinks and clanks, then water running. He waited patiently, figuring JJ was a little more upset at him then he let on.
JJ returned with a cheeky grin. But his lover knew better than that. That was a false smile that wouldn't go away until the matter was settled.
"Alright," Drake began. "I know you're upset that I was late."
"No, no," JJ countered still with the fake smile. "I'm sure you were busy with something else. God forbid you be on time on our one-year anniversary…"
"Don't take me on the guilt trip," Drake warned. "I got here as soon as possible. But things took longer than I expected."
"What exactly took two extra hours!" JJ asked angrily.
"Uh, that's confidential."
JJ raised an eyebrow. "Whatever. Can we just go? I'm starving."
"Yea." Drake extended his hand and snagged JJ's hand. He tugged him out of the apartment and outside. JJ appeared to be angrier than Drake expected; but hopefully his mood will lighten up over the next few hours.
In the car, JJ blurted, "Where the hell were you?"
Not taking his eyes off the road, Drake answered, "Places."
"That answer won't get you anywhere tonight."
Drake sighed. "I can't tell you."
"Why?" JJ narrowed his eyes. "You weren't--!" Drake didn't answer. "Fucking bastard." Drake thumped the steering wheel and pretended he didn't hear the last comment. JJ was dumbfounded. How could Drake do such a thing? And on their anniversary! JJ felt abandoned.
"I couldn't help it," Drake replied dumbly.
"Sure… You could have just not have picked up the phone."
"I thought it was you."
"You have caller ID."
"I didn't look at it."
"Well, you should have."
"But I didn't."
"Then you should have hung up."
"That's rude."
"And she's using you!"
Drake didn't respond. This argument wasn't going anywhere and never would. JJ would never accept that she still called. That she was a part of Drake's life no matter how hard he wished she wasn't. For a brief time Drake almost spent the rest of his life with her. If JJ hadn't interrupted, Drake would still be with her whether she really love her or not.
"Why'd she call you?" JJ spat.
"None of your b--" Drake shut up quickly when he realized JJ's eyes narrowing dangerously. "She wanted help."
"What? Her cousin--I mean baby's daddy is leaving?" JJ boo-hooed dramatically.
"No. The baby's fine and so is her cousin."
"Well goodie. I was hoping she was planning to kill herself."
"You're so kind."
"I could have said much worse."
"Touché."
For the millionth time, JJ asked, "What did she want?"
"To ask me something."
"She wants you back."
"God no!" Drake thumped the steering wheel again in agitation.
JJ frowned. "Money."
"Does it look like I have money?"
JJ eyed his lover. Years old suit, dirty shoes, scroungey hair…everything that attracted JJ to Drake. That ruggedness and worn in feeling. JJ felt suddenly very guilty. Who was he to tell Drake who to talk to or not. He knew who Drake loved. But he also knew who was the ex. JJ should be grateful that he got the man.
"You do have money," JJ answered.
Drake snorted. "Yeah because I have such a high paying job and all my relatives are dead and left me a huge inheritance."
"No need to be sarcastic," JJ said. "If you have me, you have money."
"I wish." Drake rolled his eyes. He had never seen much of that money.
JJ replied, "Well, aren't I just enough?"
Drake smiled. "Yeah. Your worth a million dollars any day."
JJ grinned widely. He knew Drake meant what he said. It made him feel all tingly inside. "I love you," JJ stated. He leaned over and rested his head on his lover's shoulder.
"Aww. I wuv you too," Drake replied. He petted JJ's blonde hair with his free hand.
"I'm sorry," JJ apologized. "I'm just a little edgy today. Work didn't go well, then you had to work overtime, and then I had trouble getting ready, then you were late…and I just really wanted to see you."
"Well, we're together now. And we have the rest of the night."
JJ giggled excitedly. "Remember the first time. Hahahaha. Man you were terrible."
"Well, sorry. I was inexperienced." Drake swatted JJ's head. "But I'm better now."
"You learned from the best."
"That I did."
Drake drove to the fancy restaurant with JJ nibbling on his ear. When they arrived, Drake didn't even want to go inside. JJ was driving him completely crazy with lust. At least the emotions changed like Drake had hoped.
Dinner went through smoothly. Soft talk, no arguments, just a wonderful time. Drake steadily began to sweat with nervousness. It wasn't like he was going to admit or ask some life-changing event. He waited until dessert to begin.
"Uh, I'm stuffed," JJ expressed while rubbing his stomach. "Except I wouldn't mind a little more dessert…if you know what I mean." He winked and grinned sexily.
Drake chuckled. "I wouldn't mind that either. But…"
Drake reached into his inside pocket and picked out the small box. When JJ spotted what Drake was holding, his jaw dropped. No way it could be.
"I love you. Always have, always will," Drake said while opening the velvet box. "It's a promise ring. So each of us knows that the other will forever be there."
JJ was speechless. It was the most gorgeous thing he had ever laid eyes on. A diamond centered with two blue topazes on its side all set in white gold and wasn't girly at all. Then he realized the engraving on the inside that said, "Always." JJ's eyes began to tear.
"The tears are a good thing?" Drake asked. JJ nodded and smiled a bit. "It took me forever to find that. Then one day I spotted it in the mall and knew it was so you. Blue topaz for your birthstone and your eyes. It was perfect."
JJ fell in love even more.