Long Live Us

*Alex pov*

Alex and Jack were walking back down the road towards their houses, fingers interlocked and arms swaying gently. The dark night sky was dotted with bright stars, and a perfect half moon was glowing. They walked in a comfortable silence, neither wanting to ruin the atmosphere created by the date. To say Alex was happy would be an understatement. He was fighting to keep a massive grin off his face, trying to force only a small smile. The night had been perfect, and he couldn't have asked for anything more from anyone - and the fact that it was with Jack just made it ten times more perfect. Admittedly, he had silently been hoping that he would straight away decide he was gay and that he wanted to peruse a relationship, but he wasn't exactly surprised that it hadn't happened.
'And that's fine and I will wait, and help him through this.' He reminded himself, as they reached Alex's house.
"Please don't leave me to face the two girls... Stay over or something? Please I'm begging you." Jack said, turning towards the shorter boy. "I'm totally up for doing the cute shit were we hug and say we had a great time and that we should totally hook up again and I slip my number into your back pocket for no reason because you already have it but please." He ended pouting, making Alex laugh. Of course he would never deny Jack of anything, and would never turn down an offer of spending more time with him. Even if this time it came with the sacrifice of answering questions from Jenna and Tay.
"Oh how romantic of you, of course!" Alex said sarcastically, giggling as Jack thanked him repetitively. They walked to the door, and the taller boy took a deep breath before pushing their way in. Immediately the two girls erupted from the living room and met them in the hallway.
"How was it? Did you kiss? What did you do? Is Alex staying the night? Do you like him?" They both fired a series of questions at the boys, who just stood there completely still. Alex had one hand clasped with Jack's and the other around the bear he was still dragging around, and was frozen on the spot.
'Bloody hell they're loud and real fucking excited...' Was all he could think as he compared their grins to Jack's fear. The boys remained where they stood, silent.
"Oh my god did Jack win that for you?" Jenna said, pointing at the bear in Alex's hand. He nodded, smiling shyly as he looked down at it.
"That's adorable!" Tay cooed, flapping her arm at Jenna as the two burst into fits of giggles.
"Right okay I feel a little bit like we've got two stalkers," Jack said, still looking freaked out.
"Let's watch a movie." Everyone nodded at the suggestion, so Tay and Jenna went back into the living room to set everything up.
"You were going to leave me to deal with that alone." Alex felt Jack's warm breath tickle his ear as he whispered to him, before they both laughed.
"It'll only get worse, my friend." The shorter boy replied, before leading Jack into the kitchen. He set the bear on the table, and Jack grabbed four beers out the fridge before they heading back into the living room. The lights had been switched off, except two lamps in opposite corners of the room. Looking up, Alex saw that they had put Orphan on.
'A horror film. Greaaaat.' He said to himself before plopping down in the couch next to Jack. The lanky boy then shuffled them around so that he was lying down across the sofa, and Alex was sitting with his legs over Jack's waist.
"Oh Jen you know how much I hate this film!" Jack groaned, taking a sip of beer and shifting again so he was it more of a sitting position, making Alex have to fidget again so he was comfortable once more. Jack's complaint was answered with a grin from the blonde girl, before Tay pressed play. Immediately, Jack hid his face from the screen with his hand, and took his phone out, evidently trying to distract himself. Alex chuckled at the younger boy. He really was something else. And he was totally adorable.
"Don't laugh at me." Jack murmured quietly, pouting. He lifted his arms up and made grabby hands towards the brunette, who happily obliged. Letting himself fall into the gap between Jack and the back of the sofa, he had to put even more willpower into stopping himself from doing anything to the lanky boy. To Alex, the date truly had been perfect, and he loved how close they were now. Nothing felt more right than lying in Jack's arms.
"Comfy?" The raven haired boy asked quietly as he wrapped his arm over Alex's waist. Nodding in reply, he lay his head on Jack's chest so that he could see over his body and still watch the movie.

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'Hello?'
"Vic! How'd the audition go? Did they like you?!" It was the day after Alex's date with Jack, so also the day after Vic's bands' audition. He had waited hours to speak to his short Mexican friend, after he left Jack's earlier that day.
'Oh, hey Alex! Oh my god it was fucking awesome!' Vic said through the phone, excitement evident in his voice, and Alex could imagine the smile plastered to his face.
"So it's good news?"
'Yeah! They liked us, and want us to like stick around, and they said they'd sign us soon!'
"Oh my god Vic congrats! That's so good! I'm chuffed for you! Oh my god!" Alex squealed like a teenage girl, but he didn't care. His best friend was going to make it in the music industry - there is no better reason to squeal like a girl than that.
'Thanks Alex, it means a lot bro.' His voice was strained, like he was going to cry, but the happiness was still shining through.
"Don't cry Vic! I love you bro, well done to you and the guys big time." Alex replied, smiling as he pictured his Mexican friend singing in stage whilst he stood right up the front singing and dancing like a mad fanboy.
'I love you too. Talking of love, how'd your date go?' The short boy's voice was filled with excitement now, and Alex could imagine him winking has he asked the question. He chuckled and shook his head, glad that his blush couldn't be seen through the phone.
"It was good actually." He replied with a small smile, getting up off his bed to get a drink.
'Spill the beans! Tell me all!' Alex heard Vic jump on the other line, which made him laugh. He rolled his eyes, checking his parents weren't in the kitchen before starting.
"Well, he took me out for dinner, and then we went to the fair, which was super cute. Then we went back and Tay and Jenna were at his so we watched movies and all stayed the night, and yeah I've literary been home like an hour." He finished, looking at the clock which said two in the afternoon. An 'awww' sounded through the phone, followed by a series of claps. Switching the phone to the other ear, Alex grabbed two Capri Sun's, before skipping back up the stairs and returning to his bed.
'So, what did he say? Does he like you or not?' Vic pestered.
"He said he likes me, but that it still really freaks him out and he said it's going to take him a while to get used to it."
'That's fair enough.'
"Yeah I said I'd wait.."
'Oh you soppy shit.' Alex rolled his eyes again and put the straw into the carton.
"Yeah yeah whatever dick head! We cuddled at his as well, I dunno it's weird, one minutes he's like 'I can't do this' then the next he's like cuddling me..." Running his free hand through his hair, the brunette realised that the longer this phase went on then the worse this problem he had just discovered would get. He wondered how long he would be willing to wait, and what he would do if Jack turned around and decided that this wasn't what he wanted. Was this all just a waste of time? Alex found himself debating whether he should just let him go, and remove himself from the lanky boys life. Deep down, however, he knew he wouldn't be able to do that. The emotional attachment he had to the younger boy was already too strong to break away easily, so he guessed he would just have to wait. It seemed everything was in Jack's hand.
'He's confused, Alex, give him time. You know yourself that he's worth it, so there's nothing else you CAN really do.' Vic said wisely, talking gently. Alex nodded, even though the other boy couldn't see him.
"Hmm I guess you're right..."
'I'm always right. My mums yelling at me to get off the phone, so I'd better go. Later bruddah!"
"Later Vic!" Alex hung up with a laugh, falling back into his bed so his head landed to the pillow. He sighed loudly, staring up at the ceiling. Part of him wanted to be annoyed or confused, but the only emotion that would come to the surface was happiness as he remembered his night with Jack.

At seven that evening, Alex and Oli had arranged to have face time seeing as the English boy had finally got an iPhone. Alex had spent the rest of the day doing music theory and physics homework, glad that he had finished everything in time to call his friend. His parents had returned home a few hours earlier, after going on a shopping trip. The boy was now sat in his room, on the floor, with his back resting on his bed as he waited for his phone to ring. He started to daydream, about nothing in particular, and a few minutes later he was interrupted by his phone finally sounding. Quickly, he picked it up and pressed accept call, and waited until the familiar face would appear on the small screen. Moments later it did, causing a huge grin to spread across Alex's face.
"Oli Oli Oli!" He said loudly, chuckling as his friend tried to position the camera right.
'Oh my god I can see you!' The English boy replied, bringing the phone close to his face and kissing it. 'I miss you!'
"I miss you too!" Alex said, returning the kissing gesture.
"How's your new house?"
'Not bad actually, I kinda like it. Look at my new room!' He stood up and turned the camera around to show Alex. His new room was huge, so he wasn't surprised that his old friend was so chuffed.
"Looking good! Take me on a whole house tour!" Alex demanded, laughing when he heard Oli let out a groan, pretending to be annoyed. Listening intently, Alex kept his eyes on the screen as he was shown each room of the new house. It was a lot bigger than Oli's old one, and the rooms were modern, and a large garden stretched out the back of the house. However, Oli couldn't take him to show him his favourite patch at the end of the garden due to the torrential rain in England. Once he was finished, Oli returned to his bedroom and plopped down on his bed.
'Your turn! I haven't seen your house yet!' Alex laughed, before agreeing and starting the tour of his own house. He poked his phone into each room, before going outside and showing him the garden. Deciding to stay outside, he turned on one of the outside lights and sat in his usual spot near the fence as the two continued to converse. After a good half an hour of talking about new schools, houses and people, a voice sounded from behind Alex.
"Hey Alex."
'Who's that? Who's that? Do you know them? Who is it?' Oli asked, before Alex even had time to turn around to check.
"Calm down I'll see." He stood up and walked over to the fence, with Oli still firing questions out of his phone. Standing at the fence was Jack, the rising moon making his dark hair glow, and Josh was stood slightly behind him reading something on the taller boys phone, so Jack was obviously showing him something.
"Hey Jack, hey Josh!" Alex replied cheerfully.
'Introduce me you dick!' Oli shouted, making Alex laugh.
"Shut up," he replied, bringing the phone up and leaning back on the fence so all three were in the picture. "Oli, this is Jack and Josh."
'HEY GUYS!' The English boy shouted merrily, waving at the boys.
"Sup." Jack replied, giving the phone a small wave, and Josh grinned.
"Oo I think you live where Josh is moving too." Alex told Oli, making said boy push Jack slightly so they were in a line.
"I'm moving back to England and starting at Esher college in January." He told them, smiling excitedly.
'Yeah that's where I'm starting too!' Oli replied, grinning back at them. Alex handed his phone to Josh so that the pair could talk and get too know each other a bit. The thought of two friends bonding due to a mutual knowing of Alex made him smile.
"So who's Oli?" Jack asked, smiling softly at Alex, making the older boy melt.
"We were best friends before I moved here." He replied, sighing inwardly at how much he missed him. Jack didn't reply vocally, just put his arm around Alex's shoulder and pulled him in to an awkward hug around the fence. The shorter boy wriggled a bit until he could rest his arms on the fence and around Jack's petite waist. They stood there for a few moments, enjoying the embrace and the feel of each other's touch. He felt Jack shift his head slightly so their temples were resting together. It felt like a romantic gesture, but Alex stopped himself from grey ting his hopes up, reminding himself that Jack acted like this around all his friends anyway.
'Alex?' The moment was interrupted as Oli called the boys name, making him turn his head away and uncoiling his arms.
"Uh huh?" He replied, taking his phone off of Josh with a smile.
'Is that JACK Jack?'
"Er, yes it is.." Alex replied quietly, knowing he was blushing, as he was pretty certain both boys on the other side of the fence heard.
'He's sooo your type! Right I'll stop embarrassing you and go because I've got to sleep.' Oli said, winking, making Alex roll his eyes. 'NICE TO MEET YOU GUYS!' He shouted, so Alex rotated the phone so they could all wave at each other. When the phone returned to Alex, he had a tear in his eye.
"Don't go." He managed to choke, already missing him.
'Hey Panda, don't cry! Have a fantastic birthday okay? Something should arrive for you from us soon! I miss you so much, love you... Panda..' By the end a single tear fell down Oli's cheek as well.
"Love you Oli bear." He mumbled, smiling, before the call ended. The brunette took a deep breath, calming himself down as he slid the phone back into his pocket. There was a thump on the ground next to him, and he turned around to see Jack land on this side of the fence and make his way up to him. Alex immediately grabbed the taller boys neck and pulled him closer, feelings the long arms settle around his waist. One or two tears from his cheeks, dampening Jack's red jumper. They stood hugging for a few minutes, before the taller boy ran one hand through Alex's brown hair.
"Lex it's cold and I haven't eaten I have to go... Is that okay?" He murmured gently, keeping one hand on Alex's waist and the other knotted in his hair. The brunette nodded slowly and released Jack from his grip. Their eyes met for a moment, before Jack's hands softly rubbed away the fallen years off of Alex's cheeks.
"Text me. Oh, and happy birthday eve!" The tall boy said with a grin, swiftly kissing Alex's cheek before running and hopping over the fence. With one last look at Alex, he smiled again, before jogging towards his house. Which left Alex standing in his garden, missing Oli and wanting more Jack.

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"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Alex, Happy Birthday to youu!" The voices of the Gaskarth parents filled the house, waking Alex from his slumber, abruptly reminding the boy that today was his seventeenth birthday. He sat up smiling, although he was actually quite annoyed at being woken up before his alarm.
"Morning." Mumbling sleepily, Alex sat up in his bed. His parents were stood at the end of his bed, holding a cup of tea and an envelope.
"Right you have this to open now, and your other presents later." His mum said, scuttling round the bed to place the mug on the bedside table and hand her son the envelope. Alex quickly hugged his mum, and his dad when he joined them at the side of the bed, and took a sip of tea before grabbing the envelope. It was plain, so there wasn't any hint as to what was inside. Gently, he ripped open the top, and looked inside.
"Oh. My. God." Inside the envelope, two rectangular pieces of thin card, with the recognisable purple and silver pattern of the local arena. On removal of the two tickets, Alex jumped up when he read "Green Day" in the small black font. He squealed, hugged his parents and started jumping around randomly, having no way of processing his emotions.
'Oh my god I'm going too see Green Day I'm going to see Green Day.' Was all that was going through his head.
"I think we did good." His mum said to his dad, who nodded and winked, before making a swift exit to get to work. His mum soon left as well, telling him to get ready. Immediately, he put on Green Day music on shuffle as he went through his morning routine. When he was ready, he bounced downstairs, singing loudly. The door went, signalling Jack was ready, and Alex was confused why he was so early, but was too excited to care. He opened the door, revealing the tall boy. His dark hair was covered in a white hat with candles on the top, and said 'happy birthday' across it, and in his hands was a large box.
"Happy Birthday!" He said loudly, giving Alex a large, toothy grin.
"You look like a dork." He laughed, rolling his eyes when Jack pouted. Alex stood aside so Jack could come in. The lanky boy stuck out his arms, presenting the box to Alex.
"Oh Jack, you already got me something!" He scolded, hating the idea of people spending money on him.
"Yeah but, spoiler alert, the other present isn't cake." He grinned again, making Alex smile. Rolling his eyes, he took the box off of Jack and placed it on the side in the kitchen. He removed the lid, and instantly a smile broke across his face. Sure enough, that box contained cake. It was huge to say the least, covered in gooey chocolate icing. On the top, in pink and white icing, was written: 'Happy Birthday Alex xoxox'.
"Do you like it?" Jack spoke close to Alex's ear as he leaned on the side next to him.
"I love it!" He replied with a grin, whilst the taller boy sniggered and put the hat onto Alex's head. "Oh I've got a question!"
"Uh oh." Jack looked worried instantly, searching Alex's face. The shorter boy remained silent for a few moments, just to worry him and build up the suspense. The boys brown eyes widened and darkened with worry, his bushy eyebrows slowly coming together on his forehead. Alex was certain he took a tiny step back as well.
"Erm...Jack?" He started, not breaking the eye contact.
"Er, yeah?" It was obvious he was trying hard to keep his cool, but his reply came out as a nervous mumble. Alex had to stop himself from laughing.
"Will you come and see Green Day with me in March?"
"What?!" Jack's reply was instant, his fear turning into confusion.
"I got two tickets, and I want to take you." Alex said, smiling happily, acting as if nothing in the world was more obvious.
"Shut. Up." The taller boy said, his mouth dropping open. When Alex just nodded, Jack squealed, ran back up to Alex, violently picking him up and screaming. Excitement came over the elder boy as the pair spun around. By the time they had both calmed down enough, it was time to leave. They grabbed their bags and hopped into Alex car, making their way to school. Jack insisted Alex kept the hat on, despite endless protests from the boy. When they arrived at school, they bolted to registration so they wouldn't be late, before going to music. Within minutes of entering the classroom, Tay leaped on Alex, who was swiftly followed by Rian, Cass and Jenna.
"Hello to you too guys!" Alex choked from underneath the human pile.
"Happy Birthday!" They all happily chimed together as they let go one at a time as Miss Jackson entered the classroom.
"Who's birthday?" She chirped, whilst she waltzed over to her desk to place her coffee down.
"Alex's!" Tay shouted, holding on to the boy once again.
"Ooo we'll sing at the end!" The teacher said, arranging her blonde and blue hair on one shoulder. "However for now, everyone sit down and get on with assessment work. Can I see Rian and whoever else is needed." Rian grabbed Alex and Jack and led them over to the teacher. The two boys exchanged a confused look while the short haired boy walked in front of them over to the desk at the front.
"Right so Rian and I were talking about you're band, and I've suggested you perform on Thursday to see how it works before we break up for Christmas. What chu think?" The teacher said, leaning on the table and looking at the three boys. Alex's immediately thought 'no I cant, how can I sing in front of the class?'
"Can I go and check with our bassist?" Rian said, quickly excusing himself and standing outside to call Zack. Miss turned around to let the boys talk about it.
"J-Jack I can't..." He murmured, looking at the floor.
"Well, we can say no. They'd understand." Jack replied gently. Alex looked up to meet the taller boys eyes. The dark brown eyes were glinting with hope. This band was the boys dream, and in that moment Alex decided he wouldn't stand in the way. Maybe he COULD do it, if he really really tried.
'I could do it for Jack, I WOULD do it for Jack.'
"No. I-I want to try." He tried to sound strong and confident, but it didn't all go to plan, but he stood up straight to make his shoulders stiff. "I want to try for you, Jack." The taller boys eyes lit up in glee, and compassion for him drowned Alex's heart.
"Really?" Jack murmured, stepping closer to the brunette.
"Yes." He replied, smiling, wishing he could bring Jack even closer to him. The next moment Rian returned, saying that Zack's teacher had given him permission to be out of lessons on Thursday.
"Looks like we're performing on Thursday, then." Alex said, and the three friends had grins plastered to their faces for the rest of the day.

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"Guys we are performing TOMORROW!" Rian shouted, and it was evident he was getting pissed off. Alex and Zack were also stressing out, but Jack - as always - was being his usual, laid back self, and was running rings around the rest of the band. Currently, the tall boy was splayed out on the floor, shirtless, singing loudly. If Alex's stress level wasn't soaring, he would be laughing, but his own feelings on top of Rian's meant he could control himself.
"Jack for fucks sake grow up!" The drummer yelled as the dark haired boy rolled over onto his stomach.
"Stop freaking out. We're doing a cover, no big deal. This is our first attempt at anything stop taking it so seriously!" He groaned, standing up once more.
"I'll do this once more, then let's call it a day before I kill one of you." Zack said, sending a glare around the room. Jack responded by rolling his eyes, turning his back of the muscular boy. "This is meant to be fun guys..." Alex said quietly, hating the tension that was in the air.
"Well tell that to Jack." Rian growled from behind the drum kit.
"Well Jack's having more fun than the rest of us. He's kinda right." Rian just rolled his eyes and counted them in. They finished the song quickly, and then silence took over the room. Alex felt extremely awkward and had absolutely no idea what to do in the situation. A minute or so later, the silence was broken by Jack, who suddenly burst out laughing. It was his proper, full on goofy laugh that in itself could make other people laugh. And that's exactly what it did. Alex was first to start laughing, for no reason apart from Jack was laughing. He was soon followed by Zack, who was able to keep it to a controlled giggle, but that soon set Rian off, and the four boys were sharing a moment of laughter. It was moments like this Alex loved - just being relaxed, laughing for now reason, and being with friends. Alex's eyes wandered to Jack and he took in the long boy as he laughed, curling up in a ball on the floor and clutching his stomach.
'You're beautiful.' Was all that crossed his mind, as the laughing slowly began to die down.
"Hey, you know," Jack started, putting hi guitar next to him and sitting up. "Our band doesn't have a name." This was a good point, and each boy suddenly had thoughtful looks on their faces. Truthfully, Alex knew what he wanted to call the band, but he wasn't going to throw out the first suggestion.
"What about 'State Of A Daydream?" Zack suggested, tipping his head to one side slightly. "That's kinda cool..." Rian said, tilting his head from side to side.
"Playground X?" Jack suggested, chuckling.
"We are not naming our band after a video game." Rian said, raising his eyebrows at the boy sitting on the floor. Alex laughed as Jack raised his arms and looked innocently back up at him. The boys sat for a good twenty minutes thinking, the other three throwing out suggestions every now and then - nearly all of them being shot down. They were quickly become agitated, and wanting it just to be sorted, yet they all knew a decision like this couldn't be rushed - especially if they were going to chase the dream of becoming a big, famous band.
"You haven't suggested much, Alex. Any ideas?" Rian said, looking at the brunette. He debated for a moment whether to make his suggestion or not. He could just say it and not tell them it had been a secret dream of his, that could work out as kinda of weird. So he took that option.
"How about 'All Time Low?'" The room went silent, which made nerves pump around Alex's body.
'Oh my god they think it's stupid they'll think I'm weird what a stupid thing to do.' He scolded himself, looking down at the floor. Once again the boy found himself doubting himself. He quickly got lost in negative thoughts, as the room remained silent. The silence stretched out, and Alex didn't want to raise his eyes to meet the states of disgust from the other boys. However, after another few minutes went past, the silence was broken.
"I really fucking love that." Zack said, quite quietly. Alex decided too look up, and was pleasantly surprised. His friends' eyes were filled with happiness and thought, not the disgust he was expecting.
"You- you really like that?" He stammered, looking down at Jack. The dark haired boy was sat with his mouth open slightly, his eyes locked with Alex's.
"I love it.." Jack replied, smiling, his eyes glinting. Rian agreed as well, and the four boys ended up just smiling happily at each other. Jack stood up and monitored for a group hug, snaking his arms around Alex's waist, making his skin tingle through his shirt. Smiling, Alex put his arm around Jack's and Rian's shoulders, as they pulled together. They stood in silence once more, embracing each other. Something was actually starting now, they weren't just four boys pissing about. This was real. It was happening. The silence was broken by Rian speaking, his eyes - and teeth - shining brightly.
"Welcome to the world, All Time Low."

Notes

wooo :3
enjoy xoxox