The Usual Evening (Short Story- Canon)

 A slice of life from JobiePOV, very short 

Again, I am new to writing for these characters and still getting the hang of it :)

   The lazy day had come and gone as most days often did, the sun rising as scheduled and falling just as it should. The television was awake with confidence, sputtering the nonsense of a new episode of Monty Python, though Jobie never really did like them. They were planning an uprising against the television industry, something which only Jobie could predict.

    No no, he wouldn't burden the others with such news, but he himself knew alone that the era of Monty was soon upon them. Truly, only he could pick up the subliminal messaging, so it was a bother attempting to explain it to someone who wasn't him. Only he could tell such things.

    What would the others do without him? It was a wonder they had lasted so long, living without him there to ensure certain things.

    Here in the evening, the day was coming to a close just how Jobie liked it to. He spent his important time on the couch with Rory, tussling and rough housing. It started with the two pressing against one another's hands, trying to show dominance through strength. This quickly escalated. 

    Occasionally, there would come a concerning thud that would draw Ace from his room to ask if both boys were okay, only to be shooed away. With that, Ace would once again go into hiding.

    Despite Rory having the advantage of size, Jobie was incredibly difficult to keep down, it was almost frustrating. He would wriggle and slip out of trouble with ease, even Gene had a hard time keeping him down. Per routine, Jobie managed to squirm his way from Rory’s grasp before scampering into the kitchen to bother poor Gene with their playful banter.

    Despite Gene being in the midst of cooking, Jobie slipped between him and the stove to briefly hide behind him. Rory immediately followed with far less grace, knocking against the larger man’s stomach. A game of cat and mouse ensued, poor Gene being a pillar for the boys to circle which bullied him away from the spaghetti he was trying to stir.

    After an impressive amount of patience, Gene grabbed both boys by the scruff like two pups and tossed them back onto the couch. There was a half assed attempt from Jobie to grab Gene’s wrist, wanting him to join, but a soft flick on the forehead offended Jobie enough to let Gene go.

    Jobie let himself flop backwards onto the couch with a huff, mindlessly raising his legs up into the air. Rory had abandoned him to retry his visit to Gene, the scruffy hippie now holding Gene by the waist as he spoke casually to him. Jobie could hear their chatter from the kitchen, only barely drowned out by the nonsense spouting from the television speakers.

    Luckily for Jobie, a new point of interest teased him as he heard the sound of a shower start. Specifically, the sound of Ace’s shower.

    Ace’s shower had a very specific sound. It would always give a shot of water like it was buffering before starting, then the rough hit of water against the tub would become far more gentle once Ace stepped in. Jobie sat up, crossing his legs under him as he gazed to the closed door that led to his shy lover’s room. A forbidden little area, far more walled than any other room in the house.

    He listened as the water would occasionally become quieter, then louder as if Ace was swaying or moving from the stream of the shower head.

    A twinge of delight ignited in Jobie’s chest, a soft little spark of genius began to stir as he envisioned what a great time it would be to join him. Yes indeed, what a clever idea.

    Though, as he shot for the door with his usual ensured confidence, a tease of doubt grazed his mind. A very seldom event for Jobie.

    His hand was open, hovering just at the handle of the door that was so often closed. He knew well that permission was needed to enter here, and that he risked a harsh scolding if he were to go in without a knock. It was truly something difficult for him to grasp, and he still had his impulses to see Ace on occasion. He simply needed to see Ace at the moment, thus wished to open the door. It was really a simple concept.

    Yet, now he hesitated, unsure. Ace would surely be upset with him, no he would most definitely be upset. Infact, even now Ace was likely thinking about Jobie, and wishing for privacy.

    This quickly became fact.

    “Ace is wishing for privacy, privacy from me.” He muttered under his breath.

    Thank god that Ace was partnered with someone like Jobie, who was gifted to know such things.

    His hand lowered despite his eyes remaining on the handle of the door. Best leave Ace be.