Utterly Mixed Up

It was a clear, warm, and lovely night. And Jesse was too miserable to properly enjoy himself. As a few hours ago, he not only lost his job. But, he had broken up with his girlfriend of three years. After finding out that she had cheated on him with his older brother. Another person that he had cut contact with. Along with some of his family members that stood up for them. Now, Jesse was utterly alone as he walked down the sidewalk. What few items he had been in his backpack.

As his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth, had kicked him out since she owned their apartment.

So, he was broke. Alone. And homeless as well. It was turning out to be the worst night of his life. While Jesse walked, someone honked their horn behind him. Causing him to jump as he wheeled around. Finding an obnoxious neon orange car pulling up alongside him. One that he recognized immediately as his ex-girlfriend's Father's car, Harrison. The older man stopped when Jesse stopped walking. Rolling down the passenger window to ask,"Need a lift, Sunshine?"

"Nah, I'm fine sir. I don't want to inconvenience you.",Jesse answered. It wasn't true. But he didn't want to get in a car with his ex-girlfriend's Dad. Even if he was nice to him and treated him like family. He wasn't really in the mood to be around him just yet. Harrison raised an eyebrow at this and tilted his head to the side. Then he said,"C'mon, get in the car. I'll take you wherever you want to go."

"It's really not inconveniencing me, Sunshine. Just get in.",Harrison added. Giving the younger man a strangely pouty look. It made him feel slightly guilty about not just giving in. Especially when it was just a ride to anywhere that Jesse wanted. Possibly to a cheap motel so he could get himself together. Yet, the younger man didn't want to be a burden. But figured that if he tried to argue against it he would lose. So, Jesse just accepted the ride. Putting his backpack into the back seat. Then slid into the front seat. Before he could be properly buckled in, Harrison started driving. Smiling slightly as they drove down the street. As they drove, Jesse asked,"So uh, I take it that Lizzie told you we broke up?"

"Yeah, she did. I take it you're the one who dumped her?",Harrison questioned. Nothing about his tone sounded angry with Jesse. It seemed like the older man was just concerned. As if he was more worried about the younger man than his own daughter. Jesse answered,"Yes, she was..well...cheating on me."

"You know who the other guy is?",the older man asked. When Jesse told him that it was his older brother, Harrison sneered. Then smoothed his features as he said,"Christ, what an asshole. I'm sorry that happened to you, Sunshine."

"You really didn't deserve any of that.",Harrison added. Reaching over to Jesse and gently gripping the younger man's upper thigh. Squeezing it lightly before putting his hand back on the wheel. The intimacy of the older man's touch thoroughly confused him. But, he did his best to ignore it as Harrison stopped at the traffic light. While they waited for the light to change, Harrison asked,"Do you have any place to stay the night?"

"Well, not yet exactly. I was actually hoping you could just drop me off at the Super Eight and I'd figure it out from there.",Jesse answered. It wasn't a great plan but it was the only he had. Especially since he really had no where else to go. This didn't seem to sit well with Harrison. Who frowned deeply at this and shook his head. Looking over at the younger man, Harrison said,"Nah. You're not going to the Super Eight, Sunshine."

"I insist that you stay at my place.",the older man insisted. That made him slightly uncomfortable. As Jesse really didn't want to put Harrison in that position. Especially when the person was his ex-girlfriend's Dad. Who he might run into on accident. Pushing these thoughts to the side, Jesse stated,"No. You giving me a ride is one thing. But I'd really rather not be a burden on you."

"You're not. Trust me, you're not. And I'm totally not taking no for an answer.",Harrison stated. Using a tone that indicated he was completely serious. And Jesse guessed he could talk until he was blue in the face. There was absolutely no way that he could change the older man's mind. So, he took a deep breath. Then Jesse said,"Okay, okay...thank you, Mr. McDaniel."

"C'mon, Sunshine. You don't need to call me that. I've told you a million times before. Call me 'Harrison'.",Harrison reminded. Which unintentionally prompted Jesse to apologize. The older man told him that he had nothing to apologize for. Then he reached over and grabbed Jesse's hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze as the light finally turned green. Taking his hand back as they drove toward Harrison's home. Part of him feeling a little uneasy as they did. It felt strange accepting help from his ex's Dad.

But figured that maybe he was just worried about him. And ashamed of his daughter for her terrible actions. That Harrison was probably just doing this out of guilt. It made the younger man slightly angry. Jesse didn't want to be someone's charity case.

But, kept this to himself. Figuring it wouldn't be wise to bite the hand that feeds. And it wasn't going to be very long. A few days at best. Two months or so at worst. It was going to be something that he would deal with. Possibly pay Harrison back once he got the chance. A little while later, they were at Harrison's place. Soon as they pulled up, the older man got out of the car first. Walked over to Jesse's side and opened his door for him. Something that the younger man found slightly strange. But, again, Jesse didn't say anything as he got out of the car. Then the older man took Jesse's backpack out of the back seat. Insisting on carrying it in for him despite it not being all that heavy in the slightest bit. Yet, he couldn't convince Harrison give him the bag back. Who all but frog marched him into the house. Shutting the car door with his foot as they walked past it. There was a strange feeling about Harrison's actions.

But he wasn't sure how to approach it. Instead, Jesse went along with it and headed into the house. Walking with the older man upstairs to the room that Jesse would be sleeping. Figuring that he would be sleeping in a guest room. Or something like that. But, the younger man was surprised to find that Harrison was putting his bag in the older man's room instead. Setting the backpack on the ground near the bed. Jesse asked,"Uhh, Harrison? Where're you going to sleep?"

"In my bed? Where else would I sleep?",Harrison questioned. The tone of his voice suggesting he found it silly Jesse asked in the first place. Jesse said,"I uh...I kind of assumed that we'd sleep in separate beds. Like, me in the guest room and you in your own room."

"We're both grown-ups, Sunshine. I think we can handle sharing a bed.",Harrison said. A small smile on his face as he gave him a wink. One that the younger man wasn't entirely sure what it meant. Was it teasing or did Harrison just have something in his eye? Putting this to the side, he just followed the older man to the living room. Sitting with him on the couch as he turned on the T.V. Putting an arm around him and sitting super close to him. Almost as close as Jesse used to sit with Lizzie when they were dating. It felt weird. Not bad weird but just weird. His face turned slightly pink as they watched the show Harrison put on. Gently setting his hand on Jesse's upper thigh.

A strange thrill went up his spine at this. One that Jesse couldn't entirely understand why. Carefully, he glanced up at the older man from the corner of his eye. Noticing that Harrison was staring down at him. Eyeing him over like his older brother used to eye Elizabeth. This made him feel strange as well but, he couldn't understand why. Jesse felt his heart race as the older man gripped the side of his face. Turning his head slightly as he leaned in. Harrison turning his own head slightly as he pressed his lips to Jesse's. Gentle at first and then picking up intensity. Of which Jesse found himself pressing kisses back. Gently gripping the older man's shoulders as Harrison pulled him onto his lap. Deepening the kiss as they both closed their eyes. The older man gripped his neck firmly to pull him in tighter. In a way that his ex-girlfriend never would have kissed him.

In fact, kissing him was more passionate than kissing his ex ever had been.

Both broke the kiss to get some air. Jesse straightened his hair as Harrison fixed his shirt. Looking up at the older man, the younger man tried to rationalize what they had done in his mind. And started to wonder if he just made a mistake.