It took months before Jude was aloud to come back home. I was waiting for so long for Jude to send me a letter telling me that he was coming home. When I finally got this letter that I had been so long for, I was both overjoyed, for a variety of reasons, and sobbing my eyes out. Jude's letter was one of the best things I had ever read in my entire life, but also the worst thing I had ever seen before. 

Jude was leaving the marines. He didn't exactly have a choice actually. He wanted to stay, and he would have loved to stay. Jude had been wanting to join the Marines since we were in high school, and he was so proud when he finally did. However, his job took its toll on him, and he had to leave. When I saw that Jude's job took its toll on him, I mean that he lost his arm during a mission. I sobbed. 

Naturally, Jude made it seem less serious than it actually was. He knew that I would worry no matter what, but he also knew that if he reassured me that he was fine enough times, I would eventually calm down a little. However, considering the fact that I then had two telegrams telling me that Jude had been wounded, would be sent to a hospital for a little while, then he would get to come home. So, Jude could not convince me that he was totally fine, because I was not an idiot.

^^^

"Brian, worrying isn't going to get you anywhere." Chic told me in a soothing voice. I was, once again, sitting on his couch and sobbing because I was so worried about Jude. Chic was trying to comfort me and get me to stop crying, but it wasn't working too well.

"I know, it's just, I don't know how bad it really is." I responded sadly. 

"Even the telegram said that it wasn't serious. Look, he's only lost his arm. It's going to have a tough time at first, and he's probably going to need some help at first, but he'll be ok." At this, I let out a sad chuckle.

"Jude won't need any help. And even if he does, he won't ask for help. Jude is one of the most stubborn people I have ever met in y entire life."

"See, that is exactly my point. Based on everything you've told me about Jude, and after spending as much time with him as I have, I know that he's practically indestructible. It's going to take more than a missing arm to stop Jude Malkeroy." Chic gave me a comforting smile, and I smiled back at him.

"Thanks Chic." I said softly, leaning into Chic's shoulder. Chic kissed the top of my head and I felt myself begin to calm down. Soon, Chic and I were both cuddling, watching movies on his couch.

^^^

I was sleeping in an apartment that I had bought after getting out of college. Jude and I had decided to live in the apartment because we had always agreed that that's what we were going to do when we got older. Unfortunately, we hadn't bought much furniture yet, so Jude and I were both sleeping on the floor of the one bedroom. We were both asleep, and we were supposed to be sharing a blanket, but I had, evidently, stollen all of the blanket, and cocooned myself in it.

I began to wake up, and I looked over at Jude who was leaning against me. I found myself praying to god that Jude would wake up, even just enough to subconsciously start cuddling me. I wanted desperately to be held by him, or even to hold him on my own. I considered rolling over so that I could cuddle Jude, but I didn't feel as though I had the energy. Then I considered just reaching my hand back and holding his hand, but that would be an awkward angle for me to stretch my arm, and my arm would be cold. So, I settled for rolling over, covering Jude with the blanket, and snuggling him.

So, I did just that. However, when I rolled over, I woke up. I found myself in a bed, in a house, sharing the covers, with Chic beside me. I would have been happy about finding that conditions were actually better than in my dream, if it weren't for the fact that I was so disappointed. I was so sad, and so disappointed because all I wanted to do was cuddle with Jude, only to find out that I couldn't. Then I felt guilt. Guilt because I had a great boyfriend who loved me very much, and who I loved very much, and I was dreaming of cuddling with another man. 

I sighed, rolling over so that I was looking at the ceiling of Chic's bedroom. Things were going to be getting complicated.

^^^

Graduation came before I even had time to realize that it was near. I was very confused when I was told that I would be graduating from college with my degree, and even more confused about what I was supposed to do next. Chic told me that I could move in with him, so I didn't have to worry about finding an apartment or anything like that, however, my main concern was for Jude. I had to pack all of his stuff up, along with my own, and I had no idea what to do with any of it. Chic wasletting me keep his stuff at his house, and I had managed to convince Chic to let Jude stay at his house too, just until we could find him an apartment. 

The thing is, Chic was still reluctant to let Jude stay, which was entirely understandable. I kept trying to tell him that nothing would happen, but he didn't seem very reassured. I understood why Chic was so doubting and sceptical, but it was really starting to irritate me. I had apologised more than once, I had done everything I could think of to show Chic that I was sorry, and that I loved him and only him. I tried really hard and was making a huge effort to fix my mistake, but it felt like Chic wasn't making an effort at all, and that didn't seem fair to me. I didn't really have any right to complain though, it was my fault after all.

Chic agreed to let Jude stay in the guest room, just until we could find him a house or apartment. The problem with this was that Chic didn't want Jude and I spend a lot of time alone together. This bugged me, even though I knew nothing would happen, but I wasn't going to say anything to Chic about it. Jude, on the other hand, wouldn't be afraid to say something to Chic about the whole situation. A fight would most certainly break out, and I would be forced to choose sides, and no matter who I chose, it would be the wrong choice. 

However, Jude had nowhere to go, and I wasn't really willing to let him go anywhere else. So, despite the almost inevitability of a history making fight breaking out, Jude would be staying with Chic and I. So, the guest room was set up, and ready for the arrival of one Jude Malkeroy.