Jason stared down at the man lying in his bed. He'd never thought he'd be seeing this sight much less experiencing the feelings coursing through him. This need to not only protect, but to feel romantic toward another man. Something about Colton called to him, brought something out of him that he never knew was there. It wasn't about being gay, he knew that. He could still look at a woman and the curves of her body and feel attraction. It was Colton himself. That light red hair, those crystal blue eyes, his voice, his mannerisms, his easy going acceptance of the world around him. All of these things plus the fact that they had so much in common made Colton easy to be around all the time. That first time he'd held Colton while he'd been having a nightmare had been a fluke. He'd snuggled his little brothers and sisters plenty of times while they were growing up. It had seemed instinctual to hold the smaller man, to make him feel safe. But it had felt like more after he'd lain down fully. It had felt right. Different, but so very right. And that is how it had felt since then. When they'd sat so closely their legs brushed against each other as they studied. When their hands brushed reaching for different paints and model parts. When Colton tried to steal the last wonton tonight and Jason had swiped it back by sticking Colton's fingers in his mouth. The feel of his fingers on Jason's lips had been a turning point. It had made him realize that not only could he care about this man, but he could be physically attracted to him as well.

Watching him now, his small mouth parted slightly as he breathed in his sleep, Jason realized how beautiful he truly thought the other man was. The soft blush of his cheeks, his hands clutching one of Jason's to his chest. Jason was fascinated by it all. Everything was so different than when he was with a woman and yet, it wasn't. Easing his hand out of Colton's, he smiled at the pout that turned his lips down. Making a comforting sound in his ear, he brushed Colton's hair from his forehead. Colton reacted, turning his face slightly into Jason's hand. He liked the feel of his hair, his skin. He used moisturizer, he'd told Jason, because it had a built in SPF that he needed for his skin tone. When he'd felt embarrassed about it, Jason had shown him Kurt's shower caddy that contained nearly a dozen different bottles of products. They'd laughed and Jason had told him that he liked his skin and it was good that he protected it. Colton had blushed and Jason had caught himself thinking how pretty he looked with a rosy hue to his cheeks.

Curiosity continued to build with his thoughts and he leaned down, pressing a light kiss to Colton's hair. It smelled nice. Much nicer than his own generic shampoo. It didn't feel bad though, so as Colton would suggest, he wouldn't freak out and maybe see if something else felt good. He brushed a his lips against the smaller man's forehead, feeling a tingle in his lips that ran through his entire body. Colton sighed contentedly, seeming to tilt his head closer to Jason, inviting him in for more.

Jason decided now was as good a time as any for some uninterrupted exploring. He laid gentle kisses on Colton's nose, cheeks, chin, before staring down at his rosebud mouth for long seconds. Biting his lip, he asked himself if he was ready for this. If it went as he thought it might, it would change everything. He knew that if he enjoyed this kiss, he wouldn't stop. He would let the relationship progress to where it deserved to be. He would claim Colton as his own. He would tell his parents he had a boyfriend, if Colton would have him.

Finally, gathering all of his courage, he leaned down, and pressed his lips to Colton's. His lips weren't as soft as a girl's but they felt nice and warm. Backing away, he gasped lightly at the electric shock that seemed to run through his body at the contact. Had he been rubbing his feet on wool before bed? Had it been their lips or had he indeed been shocked? Only one way to find out, he decided, and leaned down for another kiss, putting a little more pressure into it. It was their lips. Definitely their lips. Colton's lips. Colton. Jason couldn't prevent the tiny moan that escaped his mouth as he touched their lips together again. It seemed like Colton's mouth was shaping itself to his and he leaned back.

"Are you awake?" he breathed, just in case he wasn't.

"Guilty," Colton said quietly, smiling with his eyes still closed.

Jason moaned. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Colton opened his eyes and looked at Jason seriously. "I wanted you to have the chance you needed to find out how you feel. I hope you don't think that was wrong of me."

"No, I guess not. I feel kinda creepy like I was preying on the sleeping kid, though," Jason muttered.

"Hey, if I hadn't been enjoying it, I would have said something. Despite my being horizontally challenged, I am a man and I know how to say no," Colton said, giving him a gentle smile.

"Mind if I try something since you're up?" Jason asked, butterflies erupting in his stomach at the thought of kissing while Colton was awake.

"Of course not," Colton said, his eyes wide and accepting. He seemed to know this was a pivotal moment for them both.

Jason leaned down hesitantly. Colton simply tilted his chin up, letting Jason take the initiative. Softly, Jason let his lips brush against Colton's, once, twice, a third time. Colton sighed contentedly in the back of his throat. That tiny sound did something to Jason and he began putting more pressure into the motion of his lips. Soon their lips were moving against one another almost hungrily, but hesitant to make the bold move into passion.

Jason sat back, staring down at Colton, his brown eyes wide with the surprise he felt over his feelings. Colton looked breathless, his lips darker pink from being kissed. It turned Jason on, knowing he'd done that to him.

Moving back in, Jason kissed Colton, slanting his lips just a bit more so he could lightly run his tongue along the seam of Colton's mouth. Colton couldn't hold back a gasp of pleasure. Feeling his lips open, Jason let his tongue dip hesitantly into Colton's mouth. Both of them moaned at the sensation. Jason had had no idea he could feel this way, about anyone, male or female. Their lips moved more confidently together, their tongues exploring hotly, learning one another.

When they finally parted, breathing heavily, Jason smiled down at him. Colton beamed back at him, his cheeks rosy with passion.

"Colton, I, uh, don't know if this works the same with guys as it does girls...," Jason hedged.

"What is it?" Colton asked, smiling gently.

"Will you.. uh, will you be my.. uh boyfriend?" Jason stuttered, blushing deeply. He felt like an ass and if Colton laughed at him, he didn't know if his ego could handle it. He closed his eyes against the giggles he was expecting. Instead a soft hand brushed his cheek. Opening his eyes, he stared down into Colton's brilliant eyes, shining with emotion.

"I would be honored," he whispered.

Jason grinned, knowing he probably looked like an idiot, and not giving a damn. "Excellent. Though I do think we need to practice some things in order to make our relationship work."

"I would agree," Colton said wisely, a twinkle in his eyes.

Jason cupped his hand against his cheek and lowered his lips to kiss his boyfriend.