Long Live Us

*Alex POV*

Alex sat completely still while Jack spoke, telling the story. It wasn't what he expected, that was for sure. Half of him didn't believe it. The other half was livid. He was angry, yet calm, and desperate to help. His brain was screaming at him for the story to stop. If felt like some kind of nightmare. And he couldn't escape it. Yet he didn't want to. Jack wasn't faring any better, in fact he was a lot worse. He had been crying softly since the beginning, but now Alex could hear his voice becoming more strained as he chocked back sobs. Alex withheld from touching the dark haired boy, waiting until he had finished, completely.
"Er, so t-that's basically it. A-and how I got this." He murmured the last sentence, leaning forward and twisting slightly. Holding the edge of his top in one hand, he pulled it up. Alex chocked back a gasp, his own tears threatening to spill as he looked. The scar, obviously left by the bullet, was still very prominent - so much so he was surprised he hadn't noticed it before. It still looked painful, the brown red colour standing out against Jack's pale torso. Gently, Alex ran his fingers over the scar, feeling Jack turn to look at him. When he withdrew his hand, the younger boy sat back down properly and Alex threw himself at him before another word could be spoken. He flung his arms around Jack's chest, hugging him protectively, hiding his face in his chest as he released a few tears.
"They hurt my baby. They hurt my Jack. Nobody hurts Jack." He mumbled softly, not realising Jack heard him, as his own emotions poured out as he recovered from what he had just listened to. He was shot. He had a bullet wound. No fucking wonder Rian wasn't over it. Alex was glad he had met Matt on good terms, otherwise he didn't think he would get over this.
"Lex it's okay." Jack hushed, wrapping one long arm around the brunettes petite waist and rocking them back and forward slightly.
"How do you trust him?" Alex questioned, leaning back to look him in the eyes, but keeping himself locked in Jack's grasp.
"I don't, not properly." He replied with a small shrug.
"When I met Penny my perspective on, well, pretty much everything changed. So I got over it... I guess." Jack spoke quietly, like he was nervous - which Alex would be surprised if he wasn't.
"I sorta want it to just... Go now... I want everything to be fine." He whimpered, pushing his face into Alex's shoulder and holding his shirt with his hand, clutching desperately at the fabric. The brunette held him as he cried quietly, until his shaky breaths became more stable and controlled. Alex put a hand on his cheek and brought his face up so they were looking at each other. Jack was still so beautiful to him, even with his red eyes and blotchy cheeks. And that thought made him smile. His heart fluttered and his stomach did somersaults. Alex adored Jack, and wanted to protect him, wanted to always be with him, to be able to hold him close and call him his.
"Let's go and fix this. Let's go to band practice. Today will be the last day this worries your thoughts okay?" Alex told him sternly but gently, rubbing his thumb against the younger boys cheeks. Jack smiled and leaned into his hands, closing his eyes briefly. When his eyes were reopened, his gaze darted to Alex's lips, before they returned to his eyes and he bit his lip. Chuckling Alex ran his finger along Jack's jaw and back again, before answering his silent question.
"Oh go on then." They both leaned forward and shared a soft kiss, passion flowing between them. Alex felt the fear melt off of the dark haired boy, the past hour or so had offloaded so many of them. And Alex was more than happy to carry them for him. They were going to make it through life together, from here on in. In that kiss, Alex made that promise to the boy attached to him. He would never have to face anything alone, ever again. Alex would always be there. Always.

An hour and a half later, Jack and Alex were sitting in Alex's car outside Rian's house. They had seen Zack arrive on his skateboard since they had been sitting there, the buff guy oblivious to them. Jack was sitting with his leg bouncing up and down, nerves flowing off of him like a waterfall. He had agreed to let Alex try and smooth things over, but the brunette already had Matt's contact open on standby. He had a feeling the call would need to be made. It wasn't exactly going to be fixed without him.
Jack took a deep shaky breath in, and looked at Alex. The brunette smiled at him, supportively, and the dark haired boy nodded. Running round, the brunette grabbed their guitars, and then linked his fingers with Jack's as they walked to the door.
"He'll get rowdy." He warned, as the shorter boy brought his hand to the doorbell.
"So will you. So will I." Alex replied, making Jack chuckle slightly, as he rang the bell. Zack answered, and they followed him downstairs into the basement. Rian had been quiet since Monday, which is why the air was heavy with awkward before the pair even got into the room. Zack noticed it quickly, and his pace slowed and he say down slowly, his shoulders tensed as he scanned the room once more, his gaze flickering from Rian to Jack and Alex.
"Is someone going to tell me what happened or what?" He spoke, his usually gentle voice having a harsh edge to it.
"Matt." Was Rian's reply, his voice strained and angry.
"Oh for crying out loud." Zack responded, rolling his eyes."What's he done now?"
"He hasn't done anything." Jack spoke nervously, keeping his head low and making sure Alex was stood in front of him. Rian let out a snort and stood up from where he had been fiddling with the play station.
"He doesn't really need to do anything else more, does he?" The short haired boy asked sarcastically, glaring at Jack, who cowered further behind Alex.
"I take it you know," Zack said, directing his comment at Alex, "seeing how he's doing...that." He motioned his hand to the fact the taller boy was behind Alex, his dark fringe covering his face.
"He's been crying." Rian stated, looking past the brunette and taking in the stance of his lanky friend, who just sniffed.
"Yeah, he told me everything." Alex answered, or confirmed really.
"And? What do you think?" Rian asked, gesturing with his arms.
"Obviously I don't agree with it," Alex started, linking his hand with Jack's once more when he felt the younger boys fingers search for his own. "But, it wasn't actually Matt. I want to hear Matt's side of the story before I make a final conclusion."
He stated simply, trying to remain calm. Rian glared at him for a bit, while Zack nodded slightly, tipping his head each way, semi agreeing with what was being said.
"Hang on, what are you implying?" Rian demanded, anger widening his eyes slightly. Alex heard Jack draw in a sharp gasp, his hand trembling slightly. This was all too much for the tall boy, that much was obvious.
"Let's bring Matt round, sort this once and for all." The brunette stated simply, trying to remain calm, confident and collected.
Rian, however, was the complete opposite. As Jack had warned, the boy freaked out.
"No. I don't want that pathetic excuse of a human being in my house. That scumbag piece of shit can rot in hell for all I care. Don't even of bringing him here!" He shouted, pacing with loud and heavy footsteps.
"Ri chill the fuck out." Zack told him, rolling his eyes.
"No, Zack, what the fuck. Matt shot Jack. Why should I trust him anywhere near me? Let alone in my house! I'll end up dead from looking at him if I'm not careful enough!" Rian spat back, staring at Zack, who calmly held his gaze.
"First, Matt didn't shoot him. Second, Jack did a little more than look at him. Third, stop trying to scare me I could knock you out with one hand we both know it." The short haired boy seemed to draw back slightly after Zack's list, walking further away from the boy on the couch. Alex had to suppress a laugh at the final comment, because the accuracy was bang on.
"What does Jack want?" Rian then asked, his voice not as loud and not as harsh. Alex opened his mouth to repeat what Jack had said earlier, but was cut off. "No. I want to hear it from him."
Alex nodded, looking over his shoulder to look at the dark haired boy. Jack looked back at him, and Alex could see he needed reassuring, so shot him a smile and squeezed his hand. The taller boy nodded slightly to himself, then let go of Alex and took a step forward to stand next to him.
"I-I want this fixed... Ri, it's h-hurts... I don't want you to b-be angry anymore..." His voice faded towards the end and he dropped his gaze again, refusing to look at anyone or anything other than the floor. Silence took control of the room, nobody dared to speak, Jack's decision hanging over them. Rian had a frown plastered to his usually happy features, an internal battle raging behind his glazed eyes. Zack was still slouched on the couch, nervously chewing at the side of his thumb. His hard exterior was otherwise solid, nothing scratching or denting the shell he seemed to have acquired. Jack was shaking slightly, his head and shoulders low, his eyes lifeless and scared. Alex couldn't imagine the battle going on in his head. Although he guessed it included a lot of self blame and guilt.
"Okay. Fine." Rian's voice then sliced through the air, causing looks of shock and disbelief to line the faces of the other three boys.
"R-really?" Jack stuttered.
"Get him over here. Let's sort this out." The short haired boy spoke with an air of finality. His word was final, and they all knew that through his voice. A small smile creeped onto Jack's features and he scuttled across the room to hug his friend. The two moulded together in a silent embrace that spoke more words that anyone would be able to manage. Alex backed out of the room, unlocked his phone and pressed 'call'. He took deep breaths as the phone rang, the shrill ringing filling his ears. On the fourth ring Matt answered.
"Hey Matt, it's Alex... Can you come to Rian's?"

After ten minutes of explaining what was happening to Matt, and then persuading him to come, a further half hour passed, and now all five were stood awkwardly in Rian's basement. The short haired boy's shoulders were tense, and Alex could see that his fists were clenched and stuffed into his hoodie pocket. Zack still looked relaxed, however his eyes didn't leave Matt's small figure for a second. Jack and retreated back into his shell, cowering behind Alex again. The air was heavy with tension, so much it was almost suffocating.
"So Matt, why'd you shoot Jack?" Rian then spoke. His voice was harsh, bitter and loud. Alex jumped slightly and felt himself lean into Jack in desperate seek of comfort. This was a stupid idea if everyone was just going to get scared of each other.
"I didn't." Matt replied, his voice quiet, but even. He had a defiant look in his eyes, obviously determined to stand his ground.
"Why'd you let your friend then?" Zack questioned, his voice a lot calmer than either of the others, only his eyes betraying the distrust and anger building up inside of him.
"I didn't want that to happen... B-but I tried to stop it..." Matt defended, shrinking away from Zack slightly, uncomfortable under the glare.
"What does that mean?" Zack continued.
"Matt jumped out of the bush. I told you that." Jack then spoke, lifting his head up and locking his gaze with Zack's and then with Rian's.
"Why?" The short haired boy addressed Matt once more.
"I saw how high the gun was pointed... H-he was going to k-kill him.." Matt choked, his eyes glazing over at the memory of it all, tears forming. Jack let out a strangled choke from next to Alex, tears slowly running down his cheeks. Fear consumed the lanky boy, Alex could feel it. It was horrible to see him suffer through reliving that night, but this needed to be done.
"Why?" Rian asked again, his frown darkening his eyes.
"I-I wanted to g-get him back..." Matt stuttered.
"So it was you!" Rian then shouted, lunging forward. Everyone leaped up and Zack caught him, holding him back with his strong arms. There was a lot of yelling from Rian's part, and Zack trying to calm him down. Matt and Jack were both crying softly in their respective corners. The room seemed alive, flying around quickly, making Alex feel dizzy.
It took a few moments and a lot of stern words from Zack to calm Rian down enough for a civil conversation to resume.
"What did you want to get him back for?" Alex asked, deciding to take charge as he seemed the most calm and least preoccupied.
"For sleeping with Emma." Matt mumbled back, looking down at his shoes.
"Is that it?" Rian piped up again. Matt looked up and met his gaze for a second, before nodding a hanging his head once more. The short haired boy let out an angry huffing noise, rolled his eyes and plopped down on the couch, quickly followed by Zack who refused to leave his side. There was silence for a few moments, only the various noises of breathing and the odd sniff filling the still air. Alex found it impossible to imagine the four boys ever getting on previously. And doubted they would ever get on again. However, there was a shift in the colour of Rian's eyes as his mood changed for anger to hurt, and this was where there was hope.
"Matt." The boy spoke from his position on the couch. Matt hummed in reply, acknowledging he had heard."I sat in that hospital for three days with Jack. Three. Whole. Days. Watching your best friend almost on the road to death is painful, you know? Sitting there watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, praying that each breath wasn't the last, and that he would open his eyes and they would be bright again, and his dorky grin would come back and that stupid laugh of his would fill the room. It fucking hurt Matt. The only thing I could think of was Jack, and the image of him lying in that goddamn park, crawling towards the road. I have never been more scared in my life, I almost lost my best friend. Because of you."
Alex had to wipe a tear from his own eye as Rian spoke. The boy only looked up at who he was talking to at the end, his eyes brimming with tears as well. Even Zack was close to tears. Jack whimpered, before bolting over to Rian and tackling him, gripping to him for dear life. They murmured to each other once more, the shorter boy soothing the weeping Jack, running his hand up and down his back.
"What pisses me off, is that you are now more than happy to do to someone else what he did to you. And you don't care. What if that guy decided to shoot you? What then? Why is it okay for you to do it, and nobody else?" Rian question Matt, looking over Jack's shoulder which was quivering. Alex choked back a sob at the state of his boyfriend, wanting to hold him but being unable too. Matt remained silent for a few moments, hanging his head shamefully. His sleeves were pulled over his hands and he had an awkward sense to him. Any confidence had left his body, leaving him essentially defenceless.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry-y." He said, glancing up at the two boys still huddled together on the couch.
"I know." Rian replied after a pause.
"And I'm willing to leave this behind us, for Jack's sake. But you need to pull yourself together or me and karma will be smacking you so fucking hard." A relieved grin spread across Alex's face and he closed his eyes to relish in the moment. Jack started crying louder and held onto Rian even more, the short haired boy chuckling slightly and wrapping his muscular arms around the skinny boy. A smile graced Zack's face, whilst Matt stood in shock, his face silently showing how a million weights had been lifted off of his shoulders.
"T-thanks R-Rian... And the rest of you." He spoke sheepishly, before saying his goodbyes and leaving. Alex let out a long, loud sigh of relief and ran his fingers through his hair.
'It worked. I can't believe it worked.' He thought to himself. When he looked back up Jack was untangling himself from Rian, and in the next instant the lanky boy was wrapped around him. Alex laughed softly, accepting Jack's warm embrace, holding him tightly.
"Thank you Lex." The dark haired boy whispered, his voice quiet from crying, but Alex could hear how happy and relieved he was. The brunette twisted his head and planted a soft kiss on Jack's cheek, no words needed. They were in this life battle together, and that was one wall broken down. Jack and Alex, were one.

Whilst the two boys were in a silent embrace, Zack watched them with a smile in his eyes, and murmured to Rian;
"Told you it would take someone special."

Notes

guess who's baaack! my exams finished today (yaaay!), but i am still at school (boooo) so yeah.. i am hoping to have this story finished by summer, which gives me six weeks,so yeah :D
also, i have started a new story (shall prob start posting when i finish this one) and ive written a one shot (idk when do you guys wanna see that??) but yeah so i'll try and go back to a regular and normal update regime. anyway, hope you like the chapter, thank you all for reading ily! xoxox