Chapter Text
Lane's band was going to have their first gig at a birthday party on the following weekend and Rory had dragged him to watch them practice. Jess had no interest in getting to know anybody in Stars Hollow, and usually he would've refused to go, preferring to just be alone with Rory. But lately that hadn't felt so comfortable either, so he had agreed.
They were sitting at the front of the garage, listening them play. The music sounded good, but Jess was feeling anxious. There was the discomfort that he felt with almost any people, the feeling of not fitting in. But there was also something specific to the guitar player, that made Jess feel nervous in a way he didn't really wish to examine.
Zach and Brian were arguing about band names, with the occasional comments from the other members. Dave turned to look at Jess, asking him and Rory whether they had any suggestions.
Jess felt his heart start beating faster. Jesus. What the fuck is it with this guy. He glanced away, but looking back at Dave, he was unable to stop himself from smiling. He motioned Rory to leave, and she finally caved.
But of course she wanted to talk.
“I like that you're getting to know Dave a little.”
Jess glanced back at the garage where they had left the band. “Yeah, he's a cool guy.” For some reason Jess felt awkward discussing Dave with Rory. He had also failed to correct her assumption that Jess had only met him recently in Stars Hollow.
He remembered seeing Dave in a music store near Walmart, browsing through their CD selection. Jess's attention was caught by the enthusiastic smile that had lit the guy's face when he'd picked up an old Dead Kennedy's single, leading him to comment on the choice.
“You've got a good taste.”
“Thanks.” Dave had smiled at Jess. “God, I've been looking for this for ages, didn't think to check here, it's such a small store.”
“If you're ever in New York, I know a really good record shop you should visit.” Jess had given him the address, and they had talked about music for a while.
Jess wasn't usually the kinda guy to start conversations with strangers. Maybe that was the reason he had hesitated mentioning it to Rory. She would've thought it weird, him being so friendly with somebody when, besides sarcastic remarks, Rory was most often the only person he bothered to talk to.
What intrigued Jess was that, when Lane had “introduced” them, Dave hadn't mentioned their meeting either. He seemed like a friendly enough guy, so him exchanging pleasantries with strangers probably would've surprised nobody. But despite the flicker of recognition in his eyes, Dave had just smiled at him nonchalantly.
Jess focused back on Rory, who was going on and on about the prom. Jess felt uncomfortable. He really didn't want to think about the dance that was coming up in a few week's time, even less about going with Lane and Dave. But he had promised to Rory, it was important to her. So, he kept his thoughts to himself and they parted ways.
***
Apparently there was no longer a way to hang out with Rory without it including the band. They had been waiting for the party to start for hours.
Jess was in a foul mood. School stuff was bothering him, but that wasn't all. It was not just that he had failed to graduate and had no idea what the hell to do next. That was bad, but it wasn't as immediate as the way he felt around Dave. Jess was feeling pretty much invisible to the guy, who was focused on Lane and Young Chiu. He felt annoyed, and then mad about the fact that he cared in the first place.
Rory was there again, complaining about his mood. Jess knew she was right, but her hovering annoyed him. If only she'd let me be alone for a while, he wished. To clear my head. But Rory wasn't going anywhere. He gave her a reluctant kiss, following her around the party.
You've got to be kidding me, he thought when Lane joined them, whining about her problems with Dave. No fucking way I'll listen to this shit.
Jess would have left, had he had anywhere else to go. He paced around the place anxiously, but when the band started playing he leaned against the back wall to listen.
They were good, there was no denying it.
Jess was feeling so many things, mostly contradictory and confusing. He couldn't help noticing Dave. He felt tiny shivers of excitement whenever Dave happened to look his way through the crowd. Watching him play even brought a smile on Jess's face a couple of times.
But then the band took a break, and Dave was arguing with Lane again. The jealous way Dave was acting with Lane made Jess feel like he'd been dashed with cold water. Staring at Dave's back, he urged Rory to leave with him, “let's go, let's get out of here.”
Despite his pleas, Rory was reluctant. “I don't wanna leave. Now come on, try to have fun, talk, mingle.”
“I don't wanna talk to anybody else, I don't like anybody else.” Rory may have believed him, but Jess wasn't sure if he was convinced by his own words.
Rory refused to leave until the band finished, so he followed her around again. But making small talk with Dean and his moronic girlfriend was the last thing Jess wanted to do. Fuck it. He bailed, climbing upstairs, closing the door of an empty room after him. He sat down and rested his head to his hands, thoughts circling in his head.
Jess was so tired of feeling guilty about his relationship with Rory. No matter how much he tried, he was a constant disappointment to her. And despite the fact that he liked her, Jess was restless, he needed something else.
It felt scary to even think about it it. Jess was having a hard enough time with contemplating the fact that he had a thing for a guy. But the odds for Dave being interested in him felt non-existent. Fuck. Jess pushed back the thought that was trying to emerge, refusing to look at it, to admit it. He stared at the floor for god knew how long.
And then Rory was there, with her endless questions.
“You were looking forward to this party, what happened?”
“Nothing.” He refused to look her in the eye.
“You're not tired of me, are you?”
That hit closer to home than Jess wanted to admit, so he kissed her.
That seemed to put Rory's mind at ease. And she was there so conveniently. Maybe it could still work, Jess let himself think, deepening the kiss. Even as Jess descended on top of Rory, he hated himself – and he hated himself even more when he made her cry.
“You didn't do anything.” Jess tried to make Rory hear the truth in his words, convince her that it wasn't her. She didn't listen, and Jess couldn't really blame her. He rushed after her, wanting to explain, even though he had no idea how to do so.
And then, at the sight of Rory with Dean, there was finally a feeling that was clear, that was familiar. Anger. Jess knew, at the back of his mind, that Dean had nothing to do with the anxiety tightening inside him, but the physical release of a fight was within his reach with a quick sarcastic remark to the guy.
When the cops came to break off the party, Jess looked at Rory. In her eyes, there was the disappointment, again. Jess wanted to make her feel better, wanted to explain, but there was nothing to say.
It's over.
He turned his back and walked away.
***
“You're such an asshole.”
Jess was startled, hearing Dave's yell from behind him. The guy was usually so calm, speaking in a soft voice. Jess had never really seen him angry before. He was so surprised he almost stepped back when Dave approached him, arms crossed over his chest.
“We played awesome, and you have to come along and ruin the first gig we've had by starting a fight before we even had time to begin the second half.” Dave was standing in front of him, staring at him adversely.
Jess felt annoyed at the twinge of guilt. More often than not, that would've been enough for him to react, escalating the conflict to a fight – especially when he was already feeling shitty. Jess had special talents, and was pretty sure he could make even Dave take a swing at him. But he simply tried to lighten the mood.
“Come on, fights at gigs are totally what rock 'n roll is all about.”
Dave looked at him with contempt. “I play for the music,” he snapped.
“Seriously, the gig was great, tonight,” Jess tried.
“Oh, really?” Dave glared at him. “Which part, exactly, was great? The part where you looked bored as hell watching us play, the part where Lane made damn sure her mother will never let us date, or the part where you and Dean trashed the whole fucking downstairs?”
Jess felt himself heat up. “Hey, your girlfriend problems are none of my doing,” he growled. “Besides, what the hell do you care about my listening to your band play?”
Dave glanced away quickly, color rising on his face. Jess's anger disappeared as fast as it had surfaced. He felt his heart miss a beat, studying the guy's face. Dave was staring at him with a stony look again, but Jess felt a rush of excitement. He couldn't suppress a tiny smirk.
“Rii-ight,” he said slowly. The redness deepened on Dave's face. The look in his eyes was defiant, refusing to admit anything. To Jess it read like a challenge. He took a step closer. Dave gulped, but he didn't move away.
When Jess kissed him, there was no resistance left. Dave's soft lips pressed against his, warm mouth opening for Jess. Dave's tongue brushed against his lips, his hands were in his hair.
Jess held him close, continuing the kiss until Dave stepped back from him, grabbing his wrist hastily. It seemed that the other guy, at least, had some brain function left, for he dragged Jess onto an alley behind the school. Jess looked around, flustered. Even though it was late, in this fucking town it was a small miracle that nobody had been around to see them.
In the alley they were invisible to the street, which somehow made Dave's touch feel even more electrifying. Dave's eyes glinted, dark, as he backed up to the brick wall behind him. Jess needed no encouragement, pressing himself against Dave, kissing him deep. Dave answered with his mouth, with his whole body, pushing against him.
Dave's hands were all over him. Jess felt him explore, running through his hair, digging under his shirt, touching his stomach and chest and back.
“Fuck,” Jess panted, as Dave reached for his zipper, opening his pants, fingers wrapping around Jess's dick.
It was quick and messy. Dave was jerking him off with a strong grip, and Jess groaned against his shoulder. He clutched Dave's arms, eyes shut. Feeling Dave, breathing him in, it only took a few moments before Jess came.
He was breathing heavy against Dave, focusing on the feel of the other guy. Jess's hands came to rest on the small of his back and moved downwards to grab his ass. Dave inhaled sharply, when Jess moved his right hand to touch his dick.
Jess kissed him hard, moving to kiss his neck, rubbing him through the fabric.
“Would you...” Dave's voice was soft again, but deeper than usually. He was blushing, faltering in his words, “um, could you... suck me off?”
Jess felt his heartbeat stop, then become faster. Wordlessly, he sunk in front of Dave, whose expression was that of anticipation. Dave opened his pants swiftly, and elicited a low moan when Jess took him in his mouth.
Jess begun moving, slowly engulfing more of Dave, looking at him. Dave's pleasure was evident. His chest was heaving, he was breathing hard as he watched Jess from above. His cheeks were flushed. Jess was fixated on Dave's eyes, which were becoming increasingly glazed with lust.
Dave's hand touched lightly behind his head, his fingers entangling themselves with his hair. Jess still had one hand on Dave's ass, and he could feel his muscles tense. Jess sucked him harder and Dave let out an uncontrolled gasp, as his head jerked backwards to rest against the wall. His eyes were closed and he was no longer keeping quiet, increasing moans escaping him.
And then Dave was trembling, coming in Jess's mouth. Jess swallowed only the first of it, spitting most on the ground before standing up. He didn't let his eyes avert from Dave's face for a second. Fuck that's hot, that expression of enjoyment and pleasure. Dave opened his eyes, smiling at Jess. He didn't seem apprehended as he kissed Jess gently, though Jess was sure Dave could still taste himself.
“Mmh, that was good,” Dave breathed.
“Definitely.”
It was only a little awkward. “I should get going...” Dave said in a little while.
“Yeah, me too.” Jess brushed quickly through Dave's hair, smirking before he turned to walk away. “I'll see you around.”