Say Yes To New Adventures

Jackson Pierce | 30 | Senior Manager of Pierce Industries | Arranged to marry Mercedes Jones

[judekinccde-blog]

Reunited | 001

[devils-zero]

judekinccde‌:

Seeing Zero again after all this time was especially when Zero came face to face with Noah it was definitely awkward but he didn’t find himself uncomfortable in Zero’s presence. Jude arched his brow, his hues locked on Gideon. He was actually surprised the man was agreeing to keep things professional instead of pushing it a little more. He was actually had prepared himself for that but this was definitely a turn of events. Zero playing it cool instead of pushing, fighting to get what he wanted. He swallowed his eyes moving from Zero’ to the glass battle in his hand.

“I’m not uncomfortable” Jude replied quietly before his eyes moved back up to Zero. “And you professional” he asked, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. Jude was totally going to hold that over the man now. He had no clue how he felt about Noah. They were still a new thing. Were they even a thing? Zero’s questions really got Jude thinking. He honestly had no clue how he felt about Noah. Was he in love with him? Jude didn’t know. Could he see a future?  Another question that was throwing Jude for a loop. The last time he seen himself having a future with someone it was with Zero but look how that ended. Jude’ eyes traveled down Zero’s figure and judging by the man’s body language he could tell Zero was nervous about his answer. Jude knew Zero inside and out, probably better then Zero knew himself. He knew what made him tick. What he did when he was nervous, scared. Jude took a long gulp of his beer. He needed something stronger for this. He walked into the kitchen, retrieving the scotch and pouring the two of them a glass

“Noah’…….nice” he replied, biting his lower lip. “I honestly don’t know, Gideon” Jude then muttered before taking a long gulp of his scotch to hide the confusion that was written all over his face but failing miserably. The man grimacing as the alcohol burned traveling down his throat. He set the glass down on the nearby table. “Noah…..We’re still a new thing. What we are…How I feel about him….. I don’t know. Could there be something? Sure but I don’t know” Jude admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. It was something he had to talk with Noah about, where they stood, what they were. There was one thing Jude did know though Noah wasn’t Zero and no one and nothing could ever compare to what they once had.

Zero smiled a little. “Hey, I can be professional... when I want.” Okay, Zero knew that was a lie. When it came to Jude, professionalism went out of the window. Especially when his heart was on the line. He didn’t mind Jude being his boss, and he had to admit that it turned him on a little, but Jude is taken, and that meant that Zero had to play this smart. Or he could very well see himself traded to another team, then everything would have been for nothing. When Jude came back with scotch, Zero knew that his words were affecting him some way. He was getting to Jude, he just didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. He took his glass with a grateful nod before downing it.

“Noah does seem nice, but nice isn’t passion. When we're together, we had passion and I’m not just talking about sex. We were hot, and we never did things ordinary.” He finally looked up from his glass to catch Jude’s eyes. “We had excitement, love, we would do anything for each other. Can you honestly say that you can see you and Noah being that way in the future?” Zero decided to try a different approach. He set his glass down on the table before stepping closer to Jude. He wanted to reach out to touch him, but he refrained from doing so. “I love you, Jude. And I’m willing to fight for you back. No matter how long it takes to earn your forgiveness. I’m not going away unless you tell me to. And for some reason, I don’t think you will tell me to because you still love me, no matter how much you try and deny it.” Zero stepped back a little. “I’m going to give you some time to think this through, but just know that I will wait for you for as long as you need me to. We’re a match made and no one can duplicate what we had.”

[judekinccde-blog]

Reunited | 001

[devils-zero]

judekinccde‌:

There was some truth to that statement. The longer he was in the role, the more he was getting used to running the team. He just honestly wished he had faith in himself like Zero had in him. It was one of the things Jude had struggled with his whole life. No matter how hard he worked and achieved things, he always somehow doubted himself.

Jude let out a sigh of relief. The man couldn’t help but feel a weight had been lifted off his shoulders especially when Zero said he wouldn’t be causing any trouble with the team or Derek. The last thing he needed was drama brewing on the team. Now he just had to talk with Derek eventually about Zero being back on the team. If he had problems, Jude was going to have a great solution to get these two to work together and one neither would be able to fight him on nor get out of.

Jude found his reasoning so hard to believe especially when Gideon was the one giving him the signs that he was ready for the next step. All the signs were there, Gideon was getting a house for them for heaven’s sake. Or maybe Jude had just misread everything. Jude hated he seen marriage as something permanent making it sound as if it was a life sentence. He swallowed as Zero stepped closer to him, his heart skipping a beat. Of course Jude missed him. He missed them, the couple they used to be. Of course Zero still had that effect on Jude. Even after all the hurt Zero still had that effect on Jude. The effect that made his heart skip a beat and his heart race. He swallowed, his breathing hitching as his mind raced reminding Jude of all the things he and Zero experienced in the very bedroom just a few feet away as well as the thoughts the risky risks they did out of the bedroom. Some of the thoughts making his face blush a shade of red. “I-I don’t….” he stammered with the shake of his head, taking a step back and walking into the wall behind him. “And no m-my mind isn’t racing with those thoughts” he swallowed but his words were hardly if at all convincing. Jude swallowed, the man officially tongued tied, he couldn’t bring himself to admit he loved Noah because honestly he didn’t know how he felt and Zero was just making him even more confused and stirring up old feelings for him.

Zero knew Jude well enough to understand his body language. He could tell that his mouth was saying the exact opposite of how he felt. But Zero wasn’t going to push. He understands that Jude may not be ready to forgive him, or try and rekindle anything. So Zero would play it cool until Jude was ready. He just didn’t want to lose Jude in the process, especially to that reporter of a boyfriend. Zero can’t lie that seeing them together did make him jealous in a way he hasn’t been in a very long time. But that’s what happens when you let a man like Jude get away.

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable or put you in a weird position since you are obviously moving on. And since you are my boss. I will keep things professional.” Zero put his hands in his pocket, a nervous tick from when he was a kid, that he hasn’t grown out of. He rocked on his heels not sure if he wanted to ask this next question. He had a strong belief of not asking questions that you didn’t want to know the answer to. But he couldn’t help himself. He had to know. “This guy Noah, is he someone special? Can you see a future with him? Are you in love with him?” Zero was afraid of what he would find out from Jude, but he had to know. If Jude was in love with him and truly happy, then Zero would fall back and be a friend to Jude. Because even though Zero loves Jude and wants to be with him and only him, he cherishes their friendship also, and if somehow he misread all of Jude’s body language and signs, then he would be okay with having him back as a friend. Because through everything, they used to be thick as thieves even before they started a relationship.

[judekinccde-blog]

Reunited | 001

[devils-zero]

judekinccde‌:

Jude knew deep down Zero was right. This was his empire, he was born for this role - taking over the Devil’s. There was just always that little voice in his head that got the best of him a lot of times and made him doubt himself. It still did. That little voice sometimes managed to get the best of him and hold him back at time - personal life and professional life speaking. That little voice in his head even got to him after Zero had turned down his proposal. “It’s going good so far, so I must be doing something right” he said with a soft chuckle.

That was honestly something he was worried about. Both Zero and Derek often let their emotions get the best of them and he wasn’t really sure how they would both handle being back on the same team again and was hoping they could at least be somewhat of an adult and manage to bury whatever hatchet they had and be civil with each other. The past was the past after all. “You and Derek both need bury whatever it is and suck it up. Pete may have put up with whatever beef you guys have but I won’t”.

Jude’s eyes moved from Zero to the drink in his hand upon Zero’s confession. He bought the bottle up to his lips and took a long drink. Gulping down the cool liquid. Zero’s confession left Jude feeling so many emotions. Part of him was happy to hear Zero still felt that way about him. His heart skipped a beat at those words. The other part of Jude however was pissed! What gave him the right to tell him he was still in love with him after all this time? That he missed him? He missed waking up next to him? Just as Jude was moving on with his life after Zero had basically ruined him, here was admitting all this. WHY NOW? When he was finally moving on, finally being happy after all this time. It was all Zero’s fault they were in this position. If he hadn’t turned down his proposal they could honestly have all that right now but they didn’t because of what he did. Jude took in a deep breath, setting the bottle of beer down on the table in front of him. He could relate to everything Zero had said. Of course Jude still loved Zero. He was the first person to make him feel wanted, loved, like he mattered. While he was tempted to blow up at Zero for telling him all this now, he had decided to keep his emotions under control and be civil, remain calm. “Me too” he apologized for how things had ended between them. “I guess we just weren’t meant to be. The universe must have other things in store for us” Jude added with a shrug of his shoulders, his eyes landing on Zero’s once more. It was obvious what they once had both still effected them, maybe this is what they needed to finally be free of each other. To move on. Closure! “I agree maybe you being here is the right time to get closer. We both deserve it”.

“I think the longer you’re in this role, the better you’ll be. Just know that you’re not Jelena nor your father so you don’t have to run this team the way they did.” Zero didn’t have faith in most people, but he had faith that Jude can carry this team all the way and make history. He was smarter than anyone Zero knew and he had many ideas. Zero was proud to be on a team owned by Jude. He would do anything to make the transition smooth.

“I’m not worried about Derek and I’m here to play. If Derek still has a chip on his shoulder about things that happened in the past, that’s on him. He still has to pass me the ball and be a team player. And Pete can’t play favorites.” Zero knew he had to turn over the new leaf and that meant dropping some goals he had originally. “I’m not going to try to take captain away from him this season. I just want to play on the team that you’re the owner of Jude. I give you my word that I won’t start any trouble this season.”

“I don’t believe that we weren’t meant to be. I believe that you’re my destiny and I’m yours.” There was nothing that Zero was more sure of. “I got cold feet. Marriage was so permanent and I didn’t want to end up hurting you or something. I thought to let you go was the best decision instead of dragging you down with me.” Zero put his glass down and stepped closer to Jude. “Can you honestly say that you don’t miss me or us? That your heart doesn’t skip a beat every time I come closer to you? That your mind isn’t racing the things we used to do in the bedroom?” Zero stepped closer to Jude. “I’m standing here telling you that I want you and that I’m willing to fight for you. No amount of closure will stop me from feeling that way. Unless you tell me right here and right now that you’re in love with that Noah guy and that you don’t love or want me anymore.” Zero was nervous that Jude would tell him that. He didn’t know if he would believe Jude or what, but he knew that he could never make him uncomfortable. Though he did want to fight for his heart any means necessary.

[judekinccde-blog]

Reunited | 001

[devils-zero]

judekinccde‌:

Of course he deserved being the Devil’s owner. He was after all the heir of the one that started it all but even as true as those words were, Jude still questioned if he was the right choice to run this place. Sure he had the skills and knew the history of the place and everything but this was an empire. A brand. An established image. The last thing he wanted to do was run it into the ground by making one little mistake. Maybe he was in over his head taking the reigns over The Devils after Jelena left him it.

“Thanks. Although I still question if I was the right choice to run this team, this….. empire” Jude spoke, shrugging his shoulders in the process. “Jelena knew this team, this place like the back of her hand. Me I don’t know”. He looked over at Zero, of course their was not going to be any problems with Gideon being back on the team. Maybe it was just best to address the elephant that was in the room. Their relationship. “If I thought you being back was going to cause problems I wouldn’t of bought you back. Let’s just address our past” he mentioned as he looked over at Zero, his eyes locking on those dreamy eyes of his. “There is no hard feelings on my part, Z. We weren’t right, we just weren’t in the right place. So it’s all good, no worries” he assured Gideon. Jude was determined to leave what they had in the past. Of course Zero being back was going to make it that much harder. There was a part of him that was hating that they would be in the same orbit yet again but Jude could keep it professional, he could keep it professional with Gideon, they didn’t have to talk about the past they shared or were going to share before the basketball star threw it all away. 

“I’m doing alright. Just trying to keep the Devil’s afloat” Jude joked as he turned on his heel and made his way to the kitchen, an inaudible deep breath leaving his lips. He retrieving two bottles of beer and handed one to Zero before taking a seat on the couch. “How you been”?

“Jelena knew this team, but you’re a Kinkade. This is your empire. I like to think of it as she held the seat for you. You were born for this.” He knew that the Devil’s were in good hands and he was happy to be back under Jude’s leadership. Jude wasn’t underhanded, was fair, and professional. So though Zero had some reservations about being back, he also knew that Jude wouldn’t let their personal feelings about each other get in the way of business. It did stink when he said there were no hard feelings because, for Zero, his feelings for Jude are still there and won’t ever leave. But he didn’t know how to voice that since it’s been a while and Jude is dating.

He took the beer that Jude handed him and immediately opened it and took a big sip. He needed to feel the cool liquid sliding down his throat. It made him feel a bit better. More at ease. “I’m doing okay. Just trying to get back into the swing of things with the Devils. Getting to the know players, though being back on the team with Derek is an adjustment.” Zero knew him and Derek was never going to see eye to eye about anything, but they are team-mates and have to find a way to get along so they can have a decent chance to win this championship.

“I have a confession to make. I kind of lied about why I’m here at your place.” Zero didn’t know if this was the right time to confess his feelings for Jude, but it was either now or never.  “I didn’t come here just to congratulate you or to thank you... I wanted to see you because I missed you, and miss being with you, and waking up to you. I know you moved on, but my feelings are my feelings. It’s hard seeing you with someone else, but maybe I needed to see that for closure.” That was also a lie. Yea, it hurt seeing him with someone else, but Zero knew he would never get closure. Not the way he wanted it. “I know it’s probably too late, but I just had to let you know that I’m still in love with you, and that won’t ever change. I’m sorry about the way things went, and I’m going to take the time I’m here to make things right between us.”

[judekinccde-blog]

Reunited | 001

[devils-zero]

judekinccde‌:

Jude simply nodded in response. The cat definitely had his tongue. He simply didn’t know what to say to Zero at the moment. It’s been TWO years. Two years and now it’s literally like he’s dropping from the sky and back into his life. Just when he finally gets his life together and is finally happy and even dating again after not having dated for a long, the man who he thought was the love of his life suddenly returns and now everything was going to be awkward. Jude could already feel the tension in the air especially with Noah right before him.

Jude swallowed the lump that formed in his throat before simply nodding in response. “Yeah. Jelena told me. I was going to call you tomorrow when I got into the office and set up a meeting so we can over proper paperwork and suit you up for the season so we can get you back on the court”.

Noah bit down on his lower lip as he watched the two. The tension was indeed high between the two former lovers. Just then his phone beeped, reading over a message from Lionel. “Duty calls..” he said as he stepped up behind Jude. “Lionel needs me at the office”. Noah then looked to Zero, greeting the man with a smile. “Names Noah. I’m a sports reporter for Sports Network Now. I’ll be in touch with you soon. We’ll chat on your return to The Devils”. Without even waiting for a response, he grabbed his things and planted a soft kiss on Jude’s lips before saying goodbye to men and leaving but not before telling Jude to call him later.

As if it was’t awkward then it was definitely awkward now especially since Jude knew Noah was marking his territory especially with Zero now back in the picture. Jude breathed in deeply before he stepped aside inviting his ex inside. “Come on in…”.

If Zero had any sense, he would just excuse himself and try to catch Jude at the arena. Standing in front of Jude and his boyfriend has to be the most awkward thing that Zero had to face in a while. Zero didn’t know what to make of Noah, or the kiss he planted on Jude. He took it as him confirming that they’re together, and there was nothing that Zero could really say about it. Jude was free to date whoever he wanted, but it stung. He waited until Noah was out of sight before stepping into Jude’s apartment. He walked to the center, eyes sweeping his surroundings, before facing his ex. 

The memories were still fresh. He could see parts of the bed from where he is standing, and that was the first place they made love. And the many nights and days before they were together where Zero would come over and just sit on the couch with Jude and talk. Talk about anything and laugh with him. The many showers they took together, and the plans they made, it was all coming at him full force. Memories that won’t go away no matter how hard he tried in those two years apart. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t want to be faced Jude moving on and making new memories, even if he deserved it.

“I meant to congratulate you on being the Devil’s owner. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.” He didn’t expect things to be this awkward between them. “I hope me being back on the Devil’s doesn’t cause any problems with you or anything.” Zero knew Jude was professional above anything else, but even he had his limits. "So how have you been?” Though it was small talk, maybe it would buy him some time to think of something better to say.

[judekinccde-blog]

Reunited | 001

[devils-zero]

judekinccde‌:

“You know you can’t avoid the arena forever right? I mean after all you are the owner” Noah said as he stood to his feet, a glass of wine in hand as he walked over to the Jude. 

Jude knew Noah was right. He couldn’t avoid the arena forever. He after all was the one running that place. The rightful one to run the place at that. After hearing from Jelena who Jude still secretly communicated with on the down low while she was on the run with Raquel’s son to protect him and learned Zero was coming back to The Devil’s to strengthen the team. That news didn’t really sit well with Jude. The last thing he wanted was to face his ex - the one that broke his heart after he turned down his proposal. Zero turning down his proposal just didn’t make sense at all. They were growing strong, they moved into a house together and even talked about kids and then he thought for sure Zero was ready for marriage even more so after he caught the bouquet at Derek and Ahsha’s wedding and he seen Jude’s reaction. After proposing and being turned down he felt like such a fool.

“I know. I’ll go in tomorrow” Jude said breaking his own silence as his eyes moved to Noah. The man leaned against the counter as he let out a deep breath.

Noah set his glass down on the kitchen counter. “How about I take your mind off him for a while” he asked, a smirk growing on his lips as he closed the space between him and Jude. His lips met Jude’s in a deeply seated kiss, his body pressing into his.

It wasn’t long before it started becoming heated between the two and their shirts started being undone. Just then a knock was heard on the door interrupting the two. 

Jude let out a groan as the two pulled away, both breathing heavily as they fixed their clothes. “Let me see who this is” he muttered as he fixed his shirt as he made his way to the door. Jude opened the door, his eyes widening in surprise. He couldn’t believe who was standing there. It had been nearly two years since he last saw him and now he was here again. “G-Gideon”.

@devils-zero

For the past two years, nothing made sense to Gideon. He didn’t understand how he could leave the love of his life. How he could turn down a proposal. Why was he so scared of commitment? It made no sense to him, and it has taken him two years to realize that. Leaving the devil’s and just traveling and trying to figure out life didn’t really help ease the pain of breaking Jude’s heart.

Jude was the love of his life. The only person to love every part of him and love him enough to want to spend the rest of his life being Zero’s husband. The only person who didn’t make him feel like a bad man. Why couldn’t Zero just say yes? They were already inseparable, living together, and making future plans. Jude was the only one Zero wanted in his life and the only one he could see forever with. He was more than just his boyfriend. He was his partner in crime and best friend. Zero knew he had to make this right.

He knew that Jude was now owner, so he figured it would be a matter of time before he saw his ex. But after a week of not seeing him, Zero knew he had to take matters into his own hand. He just hoped that Jude still lived at his old place.

He wasn’t expecting for his heart to start pounding when Jude opened the door. And Zero couldn’t help the smile that came across his face. There Jude was and Zero missed him. “H-hey.” Zero was about to say more when a figure past Jude stood out to him.”Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt or anything. I just wanted to let you know I’m back.” Zero had no choice but to stand their dumbfounded. What could he possibly say?