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[sub]A [@GhostMami] & [@smarty0114] Collab
Featuring: [color=997fdb][b]Ma[/b][/color][color=31ba9f][b]mie[/b][/color]
Time: Saturday Afternoon
Location: The Callaghan Residence[/sub]
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[indent][indent]As Jamie whirled throughout his room, picking up discarded clothes and empty cups, he had to remind himself that this wasn’t a second date. It was just a casual hang out session. His parents were both gone with the twins, Katie was out with Joy, and Jamie had the house all to himself. Then again, what if Marshall thought it was a second date, and then when he got up to Jamie’s room, he decided that he didn’t want to be with such a slob? With that thought haunting him, he figured it’d be easier to treat it as a second date. 

Jamie had texted Marshall shortly after he’d gotten home from his meeting with Trixie. He wanted to talk to someone who made him smile, like legitimately smile. Plus, there was the tiny matter of his contractual obligation to keep Marshall away from Owen Lyon. That was gonna be a doozy. But, there’d also probably be kissing, and Jamie liked that. The idea of kissing Marshall made him smile, a wistful, dreamy smile like he used to when he’d been with AJ. He couldn’t help the laugh that burst from his lips, a storm of amusement brought on by his sudden realization of how different his life had been a week ago. It was as if two years had gone by since the New Years party at Damian’s.

Marshall’s Saturday morning had went well. Better than expected, actually. Confronting Ophelia hadn’t been the big bad that he’d thought it would be, they even ended their time together with laughs and smiles. He was supposed to go back to her house to see Trix, but… boyfriendly duties called him elsewhere. When Jamie had texted him shortly after Ophelia and he had paid for their lunch, Marsh practically jumped at the opportunity to take a rain check. Especially after having just heard that Owen paid him a visit last night.

The chestnut-haired boy tapped out a nervous beat on his steering wheel as he thought about what that visit might have entailed. Jamie was obviously okay enough to want to see him. That was good, right? Or maybe he was getting invited over as a comfort call. He could play nurse for a little while. Marshall chuckled at the thought of himself in one of those risqúe nurses outfits, and then wondered if Jamie would be into that kind of thing. He didn’t know [i]what[/i] kinds of things Jamie was into, but the new-romance butterflies in his stomach had him feeling excited and eager to discover them all. Maybe today could involve a learning experience or two.

With that thought in mind, Marsh pulled into the driveway with a grin. He only saw Jamie’s car parked and curiously wondered where everyone else was. He looked up at the sizeable house and smiled in anticipation of meeting up with the pretty boy inside of it. Marshall did his best to smooth out his air drying hair, but he didn’t put any product in it after his post-dance shower, so it was pretty hopeless at this point. Oh well, if they were to be boyfriends they were bound to be seeing each other in less put together states. Marshall knocked on the front door in a musical five note count — [i]tap tap taptap tap[/i] — and waited to be let in.

Marshall’s knock sent Jamie’s heart off, going from a gentle pulse to a sudden and furious beating. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that Marshall was just as into him as he was into Marshall. He ran a hand through his sandy locks before heading out of his room and down the stairs, taking them two at a time in his current state of anxious excitement. The first time AJ had been over while everyone was gone, they’d had sex, lots of it, and in many different places. He wasn’t expecting that, but, you never really knew. Taking one last deep breath, he swung open the large door that separated the inside from the out. The wrought iron and frosted glass gave way to Marshall, standing there looking just as cute as he had when Jamie dropped him off. [color=31ba9f][b]“Hey,”[/b][/color] he said, grinning like an idiot.

[color=997fdb][b]“Oh good,"[/b][/color] Marshall replied and brushed his thumb along Jamie's cheek. [color=997fdb][b]“You're still handsome."[/b][/color] He said in regards to the lack of any additional bruising on his boyfriend's face. Marsh returned the smile and greeting as he dropped his hand back to his side, [color=997fdb][b]“Hey. Feels told me about your visitor last night."[/b][/color]

Jamie’s smile faltered slightly. He shook his head and chuckled. [color=31ba9f][b]“Word travels fast in this town,”[/b][/color] he said. He turned and gestured for Marshall to follow him inside. The entryway of Jamie’s home was well furnished, and nothing short of elegance. On the left, a staircase wound it’s way up the wall, and led to the second floor. Below, cushy armchairs, a grand piano and an ornate marble fireplace made the foyer seem like the perfect setting for an over the top dinner party. Jamie could say pretty confidently that it was.

[color=997fdb][b]“You're one to talk, Mr. Gossip Columnist."[/b][/color] Marshall teased light-heartedly and followed behind Jamie. He took in the opulent decor in silence, mentally noting that his boyfriend really did live in a bit of a different world from himself. If Marshall's parents were still together, he might have a home somewhat close to this, but they weren't, so, he didn't.

Jamie turned and smirked at Marshall. [color=31ba9f][b]“Everybody gossips, Marsh. It just so happened that my job was to collect that gossip and put it down on paper.”[/b][/color]

Passing through the entryway brought them to the family room, where a leather sectional rested behind a glass coffee table.  A large flat screen hung on the wall in front of the couch, flanked by a multitude of pictures of the Callaghan family. His dad posing with his colleagues at an ASMR banquet, his mom with her first Emmy, him and Katie and the twins on every first day of school. His mom had done her best to fill this room with memories. Jamie took a seat on the couch, sinking into the leather cushions. [color=31ba9f][b]“You’re right though, Owen did come by. He wanted to talk to my mom about the article,”[/b][/color] Jamie’s head fell back as he let a laugh fly from his mouth. [color=31ba9f][b]“He’s not even in the damn thing for more than three sentences, but who gives a fuck about that? Right? The article is about Hailey Fucking Green, yet everyone’s making it about Owen Fucking Lyon! I make Owen look better than he has in forever and he repays me by telling on me? Like fucking kindergarden all over again.”[/b][/color] Jamie sighed, feeling the anger drain out of him as his rant ended. [color=31ba9f][b]“I’m sorry, it’s just been a long couple of days. But I’m happy to see you, really.”[/b][/color]

Marshall took a seat beside him on the couch, tucking one of his legs underneath himself because that's how he usually sits when comfortable. The couch was cozy and the nearby fireplace lead Marshall's romantic mind to color scenes of them cuddled up together under a blanket watching the fire on cold nights. If only they had been dating sooner, then they wouldn't have to wait nearly a year for Christmas lights to set the mood even more. Jamie's rant brought him back to the present and Marshall listened attentively. He'd already said his piece on what he thought about the article, there was no use beating a dead horse, especially when Jamie clearly had some regrets. [color=997fdb][b]“Feel better now?"[/b][/color] He asked with a soft smile. If you angrily say versions of the word 'fuck' enough times, it's basically therapy. [color=997fdb][b]“I'm happy to see you too, it's been crazy. What can I do to make it better?"[/b][/color]

[color=31ba9f][b]“A little,”[/b][/color] Jamie said, grinning at Marshall as he took his hand and squeezed. He’d forgotten what it was like to be with someone, to want and be wanted. It was such a welcome rush that for a moment, he was able to push his anger to the background. He leaned forward and kissed Marshall, gently at first, and then with more passion. Kissing Marshall was the closest thing he’d gotten to a natural high since AJ. One moment they were sitting up and the next they were falling onto the couch, lips locked and hands running all over, working on instinct and teenage lust. Finally he pulled away, taking in a breath. He smiled wistfully at Marshall, toying with a piece of his dark hair. [color=31ba9f][b]“That helped,”[/b][/color] he said, laughing.

[color=997fdb][b]“Happy to be of service.”[/b][/color] Marshall replied, his voice a little raspy from the sudden rush of hormones. Jamie was a whirlwind, one minute he was angry and the next they were locking lips in a way that left Marshall breathless. Did this happen [i]every[/i] time Jamie got angry? Because that would be kinda hot. The dancer leaned forward and stole another quick kiss before sitting back up and looking around. [color=997fdb][b]“Not that I mind making out here, but can I see the rest of your house?”[/b][/color] Marshall by nature was a little nosey, but also, he wanted to see more of what made Jamie… Jamie. There were some first day of school pictures on the walls, which were adorable, but Marsh had a feeling those were just the tip of the iceberg.

Jamie grinned. There was the difference between Marshall and AJ. Nine times out of ten, AJ would have picked making out. Marshall wanted to know about him, though. There was something far more satisfying about that. He stood up and took Marshall’s hand to lead him through the house. He gave him a quick glance of the dining room, where a large family photo hung on the wall. Personally, he hated the thing. They were all dressed to the nines, and looked so prim and proper. Nothing like the chaos that was normal for them.

After the dining room, Jamie led Marshall upstairs. The first door on the left was his room, but he walked down to the end of the hall to show off the game room. Inside, toys from the twins were strewn everywhere. Three large bean bag chairs dominated the room, each big enough for at least two people and a large TV was set up against the wall. Nextdoor was his parents' room, and then the twins’. They took quick peeks inside of those as well as Katie’s before Jamie swung open the door into his own room. 

[color=31ba9f][b]“Yeah, so, uh, here’s where I sleep”[/b][/color] Pictures of Jamie posing with various people were hung across the walls, with the majority of them clustered above his head board. Selena and Katie made plenty of appearances, as did his parents. There was one that showed him and Selena posing with Trixie and Owen at the Halloween Carnival, what felt like a million years ago. He took a seat on the bed, looking around. To him this was just his room. He’d woken up here for the past seventeen years of his life, it hardly interested him anymore. He knew that Marshall was seeing it all for the first time, and so his gaze followed Marshall’s, hoping he could see whatever it was the theatre star was seeing for himself.

Marshall followed beside Jamie obediently, grinning from ear to ear at the warmth of Jamie’s hand holding his. There wasn’t any awkwardness or hesitation, Jamie just took both his hand and the lead with a confident ease that sent Marshall’s heart aflutter. He enjoyed the tour of Jamie’s home, soaking in all of the photos and decor — particularly the family photo. The Callaghan’s certainly cleaned up to look like the picture perfect family, but Marsh knew both Katie and Jamie, and assumed this snapshot was not an accurate depiction of the everyday life of the loud and opinionated siblings’ family.

The house tour ended in what was arguably the most exciting destination for Marshall. Jamie’s room. He took in everything: the sights, the textures, the smell. It was a perfectly fitting space for his beloved newsie. Being a bit of a bookworm himself, Marsh was drawn first to the bookshelf. He trailed his fingers along the shelves as he scanned the titles with a smile. Jamie’s collection was far less embarrassing than Marshall’s, he wondered if he would be judged for that in the future. His eyes next found the desk where Jamie had no doubt sat writing many an article — it was a simple, efficient, and masculine workspace. Lastly, Marshall sat at the edge of Jamie’s bed and looked at all of the pictures above the headboard. His gaze naturally lingered on the photo with Owen and Trixie and, for the first time since the couch kissing, his smile faltered slightly. Quickly recovering, he looked away towards all of the other photos.

[color=997fdb][b]“Selena is like… stupid pretty.”[/b][/color] Marshall stated of Jamie’s best friend. He knew Sel a little bit because they ran in similar social circles, but the girl was quite the mystery. Truth be told, he knew very little about her, and as far as he could tell she didn’t really open up to people. Except for perhaps Jamie. [color=997fdb][b]“I can’t believe she’s never had a boyfriend. But, I mean, even us Candies are at a loss as to who to ship her with so I guess that’s why...”[/b][/color] There was the failure attempt with Kit, but that was just as described: a failure. 

Jamie laughed, simply because he was alone in his room with his boyfriend and they were talking about Selena. She’d love that. [color=31ba9f][b]“Selena is not an especially easy person to impress,”[/b][/color] Jamie said, smirking as he remembered the multitude of men that Selena had shot down. [color=31ba9f][b]“Not to say that plenty haven’t tried.”[/b][/color] Jamie brought his hand up to his mouth and began chewing on a fingernail, before quickly bringing it back down in an effort to curb his least favorite habit. He had to bring up Owen. [color=31ba9f][b]“Have you talked to Owen at all?”[/b][/color]

[color=997fdb][b]“Not since the world’s worst family dinner Wednesday night.”[/b][/color] The night just before Jamie’s article, but he didn’t need to bring that up again. They’d already talked about it. The curious thing was why Jamie was asking him about it. [color=997fdb][b]“Why? Did he… say something about me last night?”[/b][/color] Marshall’s voice was more hopeful than it probably should be. [color=997fdb][b]“I had lunch with Feels today and she said that I should give it another shot because things are going well with him and Trix, so I probably will. Ya know, when it’s not so fresh…”[/b][/color]

Was there a good way to tell your boyfriend that you are currently contractually obligated to keep him away from his ex-best friend? Jamie had decided that there wasn’t. Once again, he found himself between a rock and a hard place. [color=31ba9f][b]“Maybe you shouldn’t. See Owen, I mean.”[/b][/color] He took a deep breath. [color=31ba9f][b]“I saw Trixie today and she more or less said that you should stay away from him.”[/b][/color] Turns out the best way to tell your boyfriend about your contractual obligation is to not tell him. A little white lie couldn’t hurt anyone.

[color=997fdb][b]“Wh-what?”[/b][/color] Marshall was stunned speechless — truly a rarity for the king of drama. His eyes studied Jamie’s face and then looked down, clearly a little heartbroken. Pix… Pix wouldn’t say that. Would she? Was it because he was dating Jamie now? What had changed since the last time they talked? Heartbreak turned into denial. [color=997fdb][b]“No.”[/b][/color] Marsh shook his head back and forth to solidify his point. [color=997fdb][b]“No, I’m not going to do that. I’m not a coward and I’m not just going to give up. I love him, Jamie.”[/b][/color]

Fuck. Fuck. FUUUUUCK. Easy was clearly not in the vocabulary of whatever vengeful deity had placed Jamie on this Earth. [color=31ba9f][b]“I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Marsh. Owen’s fucking unhinged! [i]You[/i] should know that better than anyone,”[/b][/color] he said. He placed a hand on Marshall’s shoulder in an effort to ease the pain of the dilemma that he’d just introduced to him. [color=31ba9f][b]“You shouldn’t have to explain yourself to him anyways. You did the best you could with the information presented to you, we all did,”[/b][/color] Jamie said. How hard was it to get one juiced up psychopath out of his life?

Marshall’s facial expression softened. Of course Jamie was scared, Owen had beaten him over this whole situation. Jamie was just being protective of his new boyfriend, and that was obviously a bit endearing to his hopelessly romantic heart. Marsh put his hand on top of the one Jamie had placed on his shoulder and squeezed it. [color=997fdb][b]“I didn’t, I should have been a better friend. I should have listened to his side before assuming, and I’m owning that fuck up. It’s sweet that you want to keep me safe, but I’ll be okay, I promise.”[/b][/color] At that, Marshall brought Jamie’s hand to lips and kissed it. As far as he was concerned, that was the end of this conversation. Also as far as he was concerned, Jamie was just being a caring boyfriend, not a contractually-bound liar.

Jamie’s insides were a tangled mess as he struggled to find a solution out of this predicament. Clearly, Marshall wasn’t going to just let Owen go, which would have been the ideal series of events. He could just let Marshall go talk to Owen, and hope it went well. Of course, if it didn’t, who was to say Trixie wouldn’t get him for breach of contract and make his life hell. Who was to say this all wouldn’t go very, very wrong? [color=31ba9f][b]“What if I went first? To at least soften the blow,”[/b][/color] Jamie said, an insistence in his voice that wasn’t commonly heard. Jamie had no desire to talk to Owen again, but if it meant he could sweep this entire thing under the rug, he’d do it.

That made Marshall laugh. [color=997fdb][b]“Soften the blow?"[/b][/color] He asked with an amused smile and touched Jamie's cheek. [color=997fdb][b]“He's far more likely to hit you than me, sweetheart."[/b][/color] Marsh leaned forward to kiss Jamie reassuringly. [color=997fdb][b]“I promise I'll be okay. Now, let's do something else, I didn't come here to talk about Owen."[/b][/color]

Jamie sighed and dropped the topic. He wasn’t going to win this, and it was better that he stop trying now, rather than drag it out. He could figure this out, he’d just have to think on it later. He turned his look of defeat into a smile quick enough and kissed Marshall again. [color=31ba9f][b]“Did I mention that I’m now editor-in-chief of the Black and Orange?”[/b][/color] Jamie said, in the moment between the gentle meeting of their lips.

Marshall pulled away with a wide-eyed expression. [color=997fdb][b]“No way! Really?”[/b][/color] He asked excitedly, knowing how much Jamie wanted that position. [color=997fdb][b]“Congratulations! How’d you manage that so soon? Did Trix step down?”[/b][/color] 

[color=31ba9f][b]“More or less. She told me that if I got her the story on Owen that I could have the position, and I mean, I did that. So I told her to hold up her end. It was the least she could do after having her attack dog show up at my house,”[/b][/color] Jamie said grinning with the talk of his achievement. No matter what anyone else said about his methods, he’d earned this.

The drama king stared with his mouth agape for a few moments. [color=997fdb][b]“That’s…”[/b][/color] He tried to find the most gentle words, but they wouldn’t come. [color=997fdb][b]“That’s kind of fucked up. Ya know, like, in retrospect, I hope you can see that. I mean, I’m happy that you got your dream position but I also really hope use it to be better and turn away from fucking with people like that.”[/b][/color]

Jamie looked at Marshall, pain flashing across his face. [color=31ba9f][b]“Marshall, I did my job! A week ago, everyone thought Owen Lyon was a cheater and you know what I did? I told everyone he wasn’t! I cleared his fucking name, and I gave everyone a good enough reason to stop letting Hailey Green run the school like Nazi Germany. Should I have stopped and waited to make sure Hailey’s feelings didn’t get hurt? Hailey, who drugged me at Damian’s party?”[/b][/color] Jamie stood up and began pacing the room. His voice was shaky, and exasperated, but he kept as calm as he could. As much as he wanted to scream, he didn’t. [color=31ba9f][b]“Or maybe Ophelia? She went along with the whole thing, but sure, let’s act like she’s the fucking victim here! I didn’t fuck with anyone who hasn’t fucked with anybody else!”[/b][/color]

Jamie collapsed into a chair across the room, a great sigh rushing out as his head fell into his hands. Just as quickly as the anger had come, so did the embarrassment and shame. [color=31ba9f][b]“Why are we even arguing about this? Is that what this is always gonna be? Me, paying penance for this stupid article? Because truth be told, I’d do it over again. I’m sorry if that sounds shitty to you, but the world isn’t just handing out opportunities. You have to make your own.”[/b][/color]

Marshall blinked in surprise at that outburst. He matched Jamie’s fire with a tone as calm and cool as a flowing stream. [color=997fdb][b]“We aren’t arguing, Jamie. I didn’t even raise my voice. I’m just saying that was fucked up. Yes, the people involved in the situation all messed up in their own way, but an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Using drama and hurting people to get ahead [i]is[/i] shitty, even if those people have their own faults. You can be better than that. You can make a positive mark on the world and seek opportunities that benefit others in [i]addition[/i] to yourself.”[/b][/color] The brown-haired boy got up from the bed and walked over to his clearly disgruntled boyfriend and sat in his lap. Draping his arms over the other boy’s shoulders he looked him square in the eye. [color=997fdb][b]“The paper is yours now, make it better than it was before. I know you can, I believe in you.”[/b][/color]

[color=31ba9f][b]“I am, you know. Gonna make it better I mean.”[/b][/color] Jamie rested his head on Marshall’s shoulder as a soft smile crept across his face. [color=31ba9f][b]“I’m gonna cut the gossip column out, and I’m gonna put a bunch of new rules in. It’s gonna be different now,”[/b][/color] he said. He had fucked up, he’d been fucking up for a while now. That didn’t mean it had to stay that way.

[color=997fdb][b]“Good.”[/b][/color] Marshall replied with a genuine smile. He felt overcome with a warm and fuzzy feeling when Jamie rested his head on his shoulder. Marsh brought a hand up to comb his fingers through the messy blond locks and leaned in to kiss the top of Jamie’s head. With his nose buried in his hair, Marshall breathed in the scent of Jamie’s shampoo and sighed happily. [color=997fdb][b]“I can’t wait to read it.”[/b][/color][/indent][/indent]