Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 126: The Awkward Movie Night

Chapter 126: The Awkward Movie Night

Sky approached the bed cautiously and slowly, his movements measured and deliberate.

You could cut the tension from their earlier confrontation with a knife, it was so thick in that dark room, but Chris didn’t seem to care one bit. He lounged against the pillows, legs stretched out, his gaze unreadable yet piercing.

Sky hesitated before pulling his backpack off his shoulder and rummaging through it. Without a word, he tossed a few snack packs onto the bed. Then, as if needing a physical barrier, he folded his arms and stayed standing a few feet away.

Chris tilted his head, the corner of his mouth curving in a faint smirk. "Really? You’re just going to stand there? After all the effort I went through to make this"—he gestured at the projector and their makeshift setup—"so cozy for you?"

Sky raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You’re impossible. You know that?"

Chris shrugged nonchalantly, the smirk deepening. "And yet, here you are."

That tone. That maddening, self-assured tone. Sky exhaled sharply, finally sitting down—but only on the very edge of the bed, deliberately keeping distance between them.

Chris chuckled, the sound low and almost teasing. He didn’t let it show, but the sight of Sky perched so precariously on the edge amused him. A week ago, he might have second-guessed this moment, analyzed every subtle shift in the atmosphere. But now? Now he knew better. None of these would dare faze him.

He was a determined man.

Sky looked so adorably on edge. Chris couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in that overly controlled mind of his.

He reached for the laptop, his movements deliberately slow, and glanced sideways at Sky. "So, what’s it going to be? Thriller, horror, or..." He paused, the smirk returning. "Romance?"

Sky shot him a look, suspicion flickering in his dark eyes. "Just pick something. Why are you even asking me? You planned this whole thing."

Yes, silly boy. If he hadn’t canceled on him, they wouldn’t be here. Maybe Chris would have splurged on a super-expensive hotel or something. Just the two of them.

No dirty thoughts.

Chris let the question linger, his gaze fixed on Sky longer than necessary.

’Because I want to know what gets under your skin.’ But he didn’t say that aloud.

Instead, he leaned back against the pillows, his voice softening. "Do you hate being here?"

The emotional blackmail and gaslighting Chris was so fond of employing.

Sky didn’t answer; his face was unreadable as he turned his focus to the screen on the wall.

Chris pushed further, leaning in just enough to invade Sky’s space without actually touching him. "Sky," he murmured, his voice low, deliberate. "Do you hate being here...with me?"

Sky’s shoulders stiffened at the closeness, but he didn’t meet Chris’s eyes. "Just start the movie," he said, the words clipped, controlled.

Chris smirked, leaning back as though satisfied with himself.

Sky hadn’t said no.

But wait...

He hadn’t said yes, either.

It was the uncertainty—the push and pull—that Chris found irresistible.

Fucking sexy.

Chris settled for a comedy, hoping the humor might break through the fortress of tension Sky had wrapped around himself.

They sat side by side, backs against the wall, but Sky was practically hanging off the edge of the bed. Chris almost laughed, counting down the seconds until the guy toppled over. Merging the beds had been a missed opportunity—he should’ve insisted they share one. Then, he’d have a front-row seat to Sky’s awkward attempts to maintain his personal space.

Keep trying hard, pretty boy.

The movie started, its upbeat soundtrack filling the room, but the silence between them was thick and buzzing. Chris stretched out, his leg casually brushing against Sky’s. It was an innocent enough move, but Sky reacted like he’d been zapped, his whole body tensing.

Chris, of course, noticed. He always noticed.

"Relax," Chris said softly, his voice carrying that same teasing edge. "It’s just a movie. And I’m just your... friend, right?"

Sky shot him a sideways glance, his lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"

Chris grinned, wide and shameless. "What can I say? You make it fun."

Sky sighed heavily, leaning back against the pillow but keeping his posture stiff as a board. "Just watch the damn movie, Chris."

But Chris knew Sky wasn’t focusing on the film any more than he was.

As the movie played, Chris reclined, arms folded lazily behind his head. He tilted his body slightly toward Sky, taking up more of the bed than necessary. Sky sat ramrod straight, eyes fixed on the screen but with all the relaxation of someone watching a ticking bomb.

Halfway through, Chris shifted, inching closer. His movements were deliberate, slow, like he was daring Sky to call him out. He reached for the snack bag between them, his arm brushing against Sky’s. This time, he didn’t bother pulling away.

Sky froze.

Chris glanced at him, feigning confusion. "What? You’re sitting so far away, I had to stretch."

Sky rolled his eyes, exhaling sharply. "Don’t be ridiculous."

Chris chuckled, enjoying himself far too much. "You’re acting like I’m going to devour you whole," he said, his voice dropping just enough to add a teasing edge.

Sky muttered something under his breath—something about biting—but the faint blush creeping up his neck betrayed him.

Chris leaned in closer, adjusting the blanket covering them. His leg pressed against Sky’s again, and this time, he didn’t bother moving it. Sky shifted, clearly uncomfortable, but still didn’t pull away.

"Comfortable?" Chris asked, voice low, and his smile impossible to miss.

Sky glanced at him, eyes narrowing. "Chris," he said, a warning laced with frustration.

"Hmm?" Chris reached for more popcorn, his fingers grazing Sky’s as they both went for the same handful.

Sky froze again.

Chris didn’t. He let his fingers linger, the touch deliberate, electric. When Sky finally pulled his hand back, Chris leaned in, his breath brushing against Sky’s ear.

"You’re really bad at pretending this doesn’t affect you," Chris murmured, his voice soft, almost amused.