Long Live Us

*Jack's POV*
Jack woke up to a throbbing in his head that he was quite used too.
"Hangover." He mumbled quietly to himself, not wanting to open his eyes. His body ached everywhere, and he was a bit confused about how he had ended up in his boxers. The one thing in his mind was what he dreamt, and he only knew it was a dream because he remembered it. He was with Alex, having a really hot make out session in Jack's kitchen.
'Well that's normal' he thought, as he rolled over and slowly sat up. Looking around, he realised he wasn't at home, nor at Jenna's.
'Pretty sure I was meant to be at Jenna's..' he told himself, confused. He rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up, when he heard the door open.
"Good Morning, well afternoon, sleepy head." Jack slowly removed his hands from his eyes, freaked out by who the person was. He sighed slightly when he realised it was Alex, glad he was here. Then remembered last week. Alex hated him. Alex had kicked him out.
'Why the hell am I in his bed then?' Jack wondered, very very confused.
"Oh.., erm hi...Alex..." He stammered, nervous. Jack was slowly beginning to come to terms that he had feelings for Alex, but couldn't bring himself to openly admit it. This issue made this situation ten times more awkward for Jack, and he had to try and forget his dream as well. "Jenna text me saying 'tell Jack I've sorted everything, she's fine with it, and his clothes are in his room and I left your key in the usual spot' so I assume you know what that means so yeah." Alex said, looking down into his mug. Looking at the brown haired boy, Jack took in his features for the first time in a week or two. He truly was beautiful, but he didn't have time to think about that.
"What, er, happened last night? Why am I naked in your bed?" He asked, chuckling to himself. Alex's eyes widened at Jack's question.
"No no no nothing happened don't, er, no nothing." Alex quickly said, blushing.
"So I won't have a sore butt when I stand up?" Jack joked, laughing to show he was when fear filled Alex's eyes.
"Er, no.. Definitely not." An awkward silence filled the room, as Alex sipped on his tea and Jack tried to build up the will power to do anything. He figured he should probably leave.
"Well, er, I'd better, um get going?" It came out as more of a question than a statement, but it got the point across, so Jack threw the covers to one side and stood up to quickly stretch.
"You don't have too!" Alex said quickly, obviously too quickly, because he blushed and looked down.
"Well, last time I was here I ended up getting yelled at and chucked out..." Jack said, raising his eyebrow as he questioned the events. He really wanted answers. Yeah, it was weird Alex had kissed him, but why had he reacted like such a dick? Admittedly, Jack acted like a dick as well, it was a two person job, but still.
"Yeah, I urm, I'm sorry about that..." Alex mumbled quietly, still refusing to look up.
"I'm sorry too, Alex." He replied, silently begging for the shorter boy too look up. "I'm sorry for freaking out when...you know, but I don't care. I'm over it. I'm flattered, actually." He finished, smiling, and possibly blushing. Finally Alex looked up again, and Jack could tell he was fighting to keep his eyes on Jack's face. He blushed again, realised he was stood in just his boxers.
"You're..you're really okay? Like, with me?"
"Of course! I'm not that much of a dick! Now as much as I love to chat, you need to either kick me out again or lend me some clothes. And then I might need to have a drink because my head hurts." He finished with a pout, causing Alex to laugh. The brown haired boy went over to his wardrobe and threw Jack a pair of joggers with a white shirt and checkered jumper - basically what he was wearing with different colours. Jack slipped on the clothes, before following Alex down stairs. Pouring himself a glass of water, the pounding in his head seized slightly as the cool liquid went down his throat.
"Better?" Alex asked, watching.
"Slightly." He laughed.
"Are you sure we're okay?"
"Yes, Alex."
"I'm sorry for shouting at you."
"I'm sorry for shouting back at you. And pushing you on the floor." Alex chuckled slightly at that. "Are we okay for a hug?" Jack asked, opening his arms, wanting Alex near him. The older boy hesitated, before smiling and nodding and letting Jack engulf him in a hug. When he let go and moved back, Alex's face dropped.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked, worried.
'What have I done now?' Was his first thought.
"It's Halloween..."
"Yes?"
"I've got nobody to take me trick or treating..." Jack laughed at how child like Alex looked. His shoulders were dropped and his eyes were filled with disappointment. It reminded him of the kids you see in toy shops, when their mum tells them they can't buy the toy they want. You can see them fighting tears, but wanting to be angry, and the conflicted emotions just leave them standing there with their arms crossed. Alex looked exactly the same right now, making Jack think he was absolutely adorable. He couldn't take away Halloween from the boy.
"Hey, you have me, don't you?" Jack said, grinning. Alex's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really? You'll come with me?"
"Yeah why not.." And with that Alex squealed in excitement, exclaiming he needs to take a nap.The boys had ended up on the sofa again, Alex insisting that they watch the Lion King. Jack had never watched the film the whole way through, but was enjoying it, even more so because Alex would sing along to all the songs and say some of the lines as well. Simba had just met Timone and Pumba, when Alex started to get sleepy. He was yawning every minute or so, and his eye lids were closing more and more frequently.
"Come here." Jack whispered, motioning with his arm for Alex to cuddle in. His eyes lit up at the offer, and he shuffled up under his arm, resting the side of his head on Jack's shoulder. Placing his arm around the older boys' petite shoulders, he turned his attention back to the movie as Alex drifted into his slumber. The boy in his arms only moved once whilst he watched the film, and Jack noticed he was an incredibly peaceful sleeper. The boy remained gripped to him right until Simba roared at the top of Pride Rock and the credits began rolling. It was now five o'clock, and Jack decided to try and cook. He slowly got up, lying Alex down on the couch, and putting the blanket over him and the cushion underneath his head. Wandering to the kitchen, he looked in the fridge and cupboards and found pasta and tomato sauce, so went for it. Half an hour later, it was ready, so he served it up on two plates and took it too Alex. He was just waking up, and stretched when he saw food in Jack's hand. The two boys sat and ate, before Alex ran upstairs to put his skeleton costume on. Shaking his head, Jack laughed at his excitement whilst he put the dishes in the dish washer.
'Well this will be new, playing the adult rather than the kid.'

"TRICK OR TREAT!" Alex squealed as the red door swung open. It was a young couple, the man was evidently getting pissed off at the constant door ringing but the women was smiling and handing out the sweets. Jack had gone to leaning on the wall at the end of the driveway whilst Alex went and got the sweets. It was ridiculous how child like the boy was, Jack was certain that the people answering the doors genuinely thought he was a young boy and not nearly 17 years old. The door shut and Alex pranced back to Jack's side, swinging his pumpkin bucket.
"I love trick or treating." He stated for the fiftieth time with a massive grin.
"I know Alex, I know." Jack replied, looking at his phone to check the time. Half ten. No wonder the man was getting pissed off.
"Maybe we should call it a night and head back."
"Awww...okay..." Alex said, pouting and dropping his shoulders. "Are you coming back to mine?"
Jack pondered this for a moment. He really needed to sleep, he felt like he would sleep all day tomorrow. But then again, why not? He could sleep at school.
"If you want me too." He replied with a smile. Alex grinned again, and skipped off back down the road towards his house. In a short five minutes they re-entered the house, Jack heavily blowing out in thankfulness for the heat. He'd been round and collected some of his own clothes earlier, so the two settled in Alex's room once more. The elder of the pair was sitting on the floor, emptying the contents of his little bucket, his eyes lighting up at the sight of all the sweets and chocolate he'd collected.
"You have no idea how much I love Halloween." He said, organizing his pickings.
"Oh I think a have a little bit of an idea" Jack replied, perching on the end of the bed. He chuckled at the way Alex's face was glowing with happiness. His cheeks were dented with dimples where his mouth was curved in a smile, his bold eyebrows raised and brown eyes glowing.
"Ima quick call Jenna." Jack announced, walking out the room and sitting on the top of the stairs. After three rings she picked up.
'Finally! I thought you weren't gonna call!'
"Well Alex wanted to go trick or treating."
'You're with him then? How is everything? Friends again? And how's your head?' Jack laughed, feeling his cheeks heat up. He always knew he was an idiot at parties, nobody would beat him at getting drunk. Ever.
"Yeah I'm staying at his again now. It's all fine, what happened before is happening again though. And my head kills." He heard Jenna laugh.
'Thought it would. Sorry I had to go, and what you liking him?'
"It's cool, and yeah..." He sighed, running his free hand through his hair.
'I think you do, I can see it in your eyes. He could be good for you, but not yet. We both know you're not ready.'
"Woah Jen calm down...I don't even know if I'm gay.." He whispered the last bit, hoping that Alex wasn't listening in. Jenna paused, and Jack could picture her nodding her head thoughtfully. 'True that mister. Well I'm gonna love you and leave you, mum says hi by the way.' Jack laughed again.
"Tell her I say heyyy! And okay, see ya Monday slut bag."
'Hmm, cya faggot. See what I did there? God I'm funny!' Jack rolled his eyes, saying another goodbye and hanging up. He couldn't help but think of how much of an idiot she was, how the hell had they stayed friends? Jack stood up and went back into Alex's room, noticing the sweets were now laid out nicely on the desk. The boy was sat in the bed, typing on his phone, but when Jack entered he put the phone down and patted the space next to him, silently asking Jack to join him. Quickly stripping off, he realised how quickly they had become comfortable around each other - so much so, sharing a bed even with Jack's nudity.
'Weird' he thought, clambering in next too the shorter boy.
"Jack, can we talk?" He said once Jack was comfortable.
"Good talk of bad talk?"
"I'm not sure..."
"Erm, go for it?" Jack said, shrugging, worried.
"What happened at the therapy place?" Shit. He'd been hoping he had forgotten about that. Evidently not.
"Erm, picking up stuff for my mum." He lied quickly, moving his head so that his fringe was covering his face.
"Jack, don't lie to me." Alex replied sternly.
"No offence, but it's kinda obvious. I walked out a therapy office, what do you think I was doing there?" Jack replied quite bitterly, trying to hide how upset he would get if Alex freaked out.
"Yeah but, why?" Brown eyes met brown eyes as Alex softened his tone. Jack melted under his gaze, getting lost in the patterns.
"She saved me." Was his reply, not much louder than a whisper, his gaze remaining locked on Alex's eyes. He seemed to understand, because he nodded and lay down, motioning for Jack to do the same.
"If I roll over, will you cuddle me like we did at yours the first time I stayed over?" Alex asked, putting on his puppy dog eyes and fluttering his eye lashes.
"Of course." He replied instantly, chuckling as Alex grinned and rolled over. Jack snaked him arm around the boys waist, resting his chin on top of Alex's soft brown hair. Enjoying the sensation of Alex next to him, Jack fell asleep, with a smile plastered on his face. It felt good to have his best friend back.
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A fortnight later, Jack was getting ready for 'a lads night in'. Chris had become a permanent member of the group, so Josh decided throw a small get together to rekindle their bonds. It was strictly 'no girls allowed' and they would be drinking beer and playing FIFA - basically all Josh did anyway, but with other people. It was two pm on a Saturday afternoon, and they were expected to turn up at three, and Alex was driving them. They'd swiftly returned to being inseparable after making up. Obviously, they hadn't really spoken about the incidents, but Jack knew the time would come. He really did trust Alex, and felt he was a good influence. Band practice had re-commenced, sounding great. Jack silently hoped and prayed that an opportunity would come along and the band would take off, so he could spend his life doing the one thing he loved: making music.
'A boy can dream' he would remind himself. Jack pulled his grey and black BONER top over his long torso, and put on black jeans and his black trainers. Not really bothered to make an effort, he pulled on his leather jacket and left his hair ruffled and not straightened. He unplugged his phone and bounced down the stairs, seeing his mum still in the kitchen.
"Hey honey." She greeted him, slowly stirring her coffee, watching it intently.
"You alright mum?" Jack asked, slightly unsettled by the look in her eyes.
"Oh yes don't worry about me. What time are you going to be back tonight?" Frowning, Jack wondered why she was going to be at home - still. Three days on the trot, that hadn't happened in a while.
"No idea."
"We need to go to Lebanon.."
"What?!" Jack frowned again. Where the hell had this come from? They hadn't been there in years! He couldn't really miss school either, and he hated travelling over the holidays.
"Well I say we, I guess you don't have to. But I do."
"Oh so you're just gonna go off and leave me? Again! How long this time?" He spat, recalling the last time she'd gone off somewhere and not come back for weeks and weeks.
"Don't be so pathetic and childish Jack. I leave in the morning. Your Grandparents need me and they've found me work out there. I'll be at least three months." She said monotonously, her eyes not leaving the coffee and her face betraying no emotion. This women was meant to be his mother, she was meant to love him.
"So you won't even be here for christmas?" Jack murmured, his anger subsiding slightly, as he realised how this would affect him.
"No, Jack. I'm sorry honey, you know I love you and don't want to do this, but this is out of my control..." She said, one year slowly falling down her cheek. Instantly Jack felt guilty, so gave her a quick hug.
"I love you too, mum. Call me sometimes okay?" he said, silently wishing she wouldn't go. She nodded and gave him a quick kiss, giving her son more details of what was going on, before Jack turned and walked out the door. He slipped through the gap in the hedge and sat next to Alex's car. Jack didn't want to cry in the caramel haired boys' arms again, so took a minute to calm himself down. He told himself that it was necessary, that she would come back like she always did, that he had all his friends. Sighing, he stood up and knocked for Alex. He put his mum to the back of his mind as the door opened, and Alex was stood there smiling up at him, Jack instantly catching his contagious smile and smiling back.
"Let's go and have a good night."

"Right guys, I'd like to propose a toast, and tell you four something." Josh said, swaying slightly and holding his beer in the air. The four awaiting the announcement was Jack, Alex, Rian and Zack - who had become a part of the group as well, despite being at a different school. "I toast to friends, and new beginnings. Boys, us five and received an offer from a record company about our band, and if we meet the conditions we could be there in a few years!" He said, grinning. The smile spread to Dan, Josh's friend Matt, Max, and Chris blushed.
"Holy crap! Well done guys!" Rian said, smiling widely at them. Alex was also smiling, Zack nodding impressed. Jack felt pride well up inside him, as he considered Josh like a little brother.
"The one catch, we'll be moving to England in January - assuming all goes to plan." He said, still smiling. Jack had always known Josh had felt more at home in England, always happiest when he was going over there for a holiday at or to visit family.
"My baby is flying the nest! Well done guys, you deserve it. I'll miss you like shit though, it won't be the same." Jack said sadly, standing up and flinging his arms around Josh's small frame. "We'll always be best pals, Yoshie monster." Jack murmured, feeling Josh chuckle at the old nickname.
"Always Barakitkat, always." Josh returned, withdrawing from Jack's arms and looking in his eyes.
"Stop it I'll cry. I'll save that for when you actually go." Jack said, swatting the brown haired boy away, and hugging the others. He returned to his spot next to Alex, and Matt yelled something about celebrating and turning music on whilst Josh set up the xbox.
"Wow. I'm gonna miss that guy." Jack mumbled, watching Josh do one of his famous, weird dance moves, throwing his arms all over the place, making everyone laugh.
"We all will. Maybe we'll tour with them one day." Alex replied next to him, smiling as Rian tackled Max to the floor.
"Sounds good bro." The taller boy said, trying to trip Zack up as he walked past. The room ended up being a mass of flying body parts as Jack started a full out war between everyone, which ended with them all in a pile, laughing and struggling to breath.
"I hate you all!" Josh panted from the bottom of the pile, desperately thrashing about to try and get them off of him. Being near the top, Jack heaved upwards, flinging Rian and Matt into the floor, allowing everyone else to get up. Once they had all recovered, they settled down on the sofa's to start FIFA matches for the rest of the night, just having a laugh and enjoying each others company.

Notes

taa daaah!
I don't really like this chapter but whatevs...
thanks for reading, feel free to drop me a comment :3 xoxox