The very last chapter of Room and Board is now up, for those who care to read: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7055920/37/Room-and-Board
There are also two stand alone pieces (one Jaxter, one Phoenix/Razer) that show some little (nsfw) adventures the boys get up to during the summer, which I had written ages ago and will post on AFF as soon as I get them cleaned up.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has read and supported this fic for so long. And biggest thanks to @grimreaperchibi for being my constant encouragement all along the way.
And now back to the semi-regularly scheduled cute.
Outside, the morning was still cool and dewy, lingering clouds hiding the promise of spring sunshine. Eight o’clock classes seemed to have just released, the sidewalks bustling accordingly.
“Are you hungry?” Jak asked as they passed the student center, which boasted the best breakfast buffet on campus. “We can grab something on the way back. Or I can take you home and then go get something for you, if you want.”
“Waffles?” the redhead asked immediately. If he was missing class and felt like a football after practice, why not milk it.
Jak gave him a fond smile. “As many waffles as you want.”
Daxter looked up at his roommate. Best friend. Boyfriend. “Have I told you lately that you’re wonderful and perfect and far too good for someone undeserving like me, Jak?”
The quarterback had the nerve to laugh. “All that just for some waffles? I think you need to raise your standards.”
With a huff, Dax slowed his pace. He let Jak get a few steps ahead before shuffling behind him. On the quarterback’s opposite side, he caught Jak’s elbow with the hand not encumbered by sling. “My standards are the very highest, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jak also slowed obligingly, ears perked questioningly as he was grabbed. He nearly tripped in surprise as Daxter slipped a hand into his own, deftly entwining their fingers.
“I’m tryin’ ta tell you I love you, fake jock. I know, I know, I’m awesome, but you don’t need ta go fallin’ down in amazement or anything.”
Jak stared at their joined hands uncomprehendingly for a moment. Then he smiled stupidly and returned the squeeze. “I love you too, you sarcastic little ass.”
Because I unfailingly do this on a weekend or a Friday night, when normal people are busy elsewhere...
“Notice how when Jak wears the hat, he looks like he ought’a be cuddling baby sheep or somethin’. When you wear it, you look like you ought’a be wrestling man-eating crocodiles and makin’ necklaces out’a their teeth.”
“I’ll have you know I make a damned fine Crocodile Dundee, thank you.” Phoenix grinned at Daxter in the mirror as he tipped the cowboy hat on his head to a jaunty angle. “Nice hat, Jak-o. What made you bring it to campus?”
Trying and failing to suppress a flush, the quarterback grabbed his headgear back. “I’d rather not talk about it. Ever.”
From his bunk, Razer huffed an amused snort. “Tell me, did you impossible oafs do anything over the break besides have slightly disturbing sex?”
“Did you do anything over break besides get run over by a goddamn car?” Daxter shot back, jamming a smiley faced pizza sticker just a bit too hard onto the wrist brace draped across his lap.
Hissing in annoyance and discomfort, Razer promptly flipped him the bird with his unoccupied hand. “I did not ‘get run over,’ miscreant. Rabbits ‘get run over.’ I was struck by a vehicle and rolled up the hood.”
“And you’re damn lucky you did, or you really would have been run over.” Phoenix frowned, ears lying back.
“But I did not.” Razer waved him off in the shushing manner of one who had been over the same topic several times already. “I am fine. Everything is fine.”
Jak smiled at their exchange. It was pretty obvious that something had changed between them in the week they’d all been apart. He didn’t want to pry, but until Phoenix told him otherwise, he was just going to assume that his teammate had finally tackled Razer firmly into the boyfriend zone.
He dropped his hat on Phoenix’s desk, fluttering a stack of papers. “You’ve got a lot of homework for the first day back.”
Phoenix groaned in the most put-upon of ways. “Lord, don’t remind me. My dietetics prof is already breathing down our necks about the term project.” Seeming to be at peace once more with his roommate’s state of wellbeing, he considered the stickers now adorning Razer’s wrist. “Daxter, would you be able to get me some of those? I’m making a poster board to go with my presentation about good nutrition at the campus preschool next month.”
“Yeah, sure. Taryn buys ‘em in bulk for the kids’ meals, so there’s a ton of ‘em floating around the storage room.” The redhead eased Razer’s arm away and rose from the edge of the bunk. “Speakin’ of, I better get movin’.”
Jak chuckled as Daxter shrugged into his coat. “Have fun. I know you will.”
“Work for the greater good,” Razer bade smoothly. “Make a difference. Seize the day.”
Daxter pointedly flipped them off and left.
“Will you quit picking on Daxter, you impossible arse?” Phoenix huffed fondly, giving Razer a gentle cuff on the shoulder.
“No, I will not. There’s a quota that needs met before the end of the semester and I’m a week behind.”
I had more fun than I should have writing this part.
- - - - -
“Jak, I’m just plain offended that I’m gonna have to share a room that’s twice the size of the one we’ve been sharin’ fer three months,” Daxter deadpanned. “Words can’t describe my level of offended. I’m gonna file a formal complaint. I’m gonna smack yer face with a glove. I’m gonna—oh. My. God.” He came to an abrupt halt and did a double take. “Is that a cowboy hat?”
The quarterback rolled his eyes heavenward as the hat was snatched off the bedpost. “Yes, it’s a cowboy hat. And before you even ask, yes, I also have boots. They’re in the closet. That’s the standard uniform around here. I never would have made it through high school without at least one pair.”
Daxter cackled evilly. “Oh, wow, this is too great. Here, here, put it on! I gotta see this!”
The hat was ceremoniously placed on Jak’s head. His ears flicked as the edges of them touched the underside of the leather brim, a sensation they had almost forgotten. “Don’t diss my hat. It was a present. Keira bought it for me Sophomore year when she figured out I could—” Wait, what was he even saying? There was no way the redhead would ever let him live it down if he finished that sentence. “Never mind. You want a snack? Something to drink? We could watch some TV if you want.”
“No, no, hang on a sec. She bought it for you when she found out you could do what, now?” Daxter asked. His ears were pricked at high alert.
“It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“Oh, no. No no no no. Come on, Jakkie-boy, you can’t say somethin’ like that an’ then leave me hangin’. You gotta tell me now! What is it?”
Jak sighed deeply. It was come clean now, or have the daylights pestered out of him until he did. He knew how the redhead operated. “… sing,” he muttered, pulling the brim of the hat down over his eyes.
Daxter blinked. “Say what?”
“She found out that I can sing,” Jak said louder, feeling his ears heat slightly. Damn it. It had been embarrassing enough when only Keira knew. “But don’t say anything to anybody else, okay? Especially not Phoenix.”
“Sing,” Daxter repeated, disbelief clear in his voice. “Seriously? No offense, Jak, but a quiet guy like you, sing? Kind’a hard ta wrap my brain around that.”
Jak opened his mouth to reply. Closed it. Mentally debated with himself over what he was about to do. Adjusted his hat. Cleared his throat. And opened his mouth again. “Baby, lock the door and turn the lights down low…”
