Justin put one hand on JC's waist and the other on his arm, looking at him with his eyes very, very wide. "Okay?" Justin breathed, and JC leaned back against the wall.

"Sure, go ahead," JC said, and Justin pulled back. He let one hand drop from JC's arm and froze there, blinking at JC in confusion.

"You're not going to get anywhere if you have to ask like that," JC said, and Justin let his other arm drop and took a step back.

"Sorry," he said, "I thought - I'm sorry," and he stumbled down the hallway.

Once Justin was safely in his own room, JC laughed. He wasn't going to let Justin kiss him until Justin was ready to mean it.