Responsible

The next day, Alex was allowed to leave the hospital already. He’d have to take care and rest but it wasn’t like he’d do many more services anyways. He and Jack had talked about it for a long time and he was pretty sure he had been poisoned by the same homophobic person who had sent him the hate mail. They went to the police but they decided to not interfere with the plice's activities.

Alex had cried in Jack’s arms for a long time, due to all the hate he was receiving simply for loving someone and all the fear he was in. Jack had done his best to calm him down, rubbing his back, pressing little kisses into his head.

They had decided to not publicly be seen kissing or anything together as long as Alex was still a priest. When he was home, he was going to ask to be laicized; put back into his old status as a non-priest but he wouldn’t leave the church. This was a very hard time for him; he was weak, scared, sad and hurt. Jack tried his best to comfort him but at times, he got so sad that even the best of Jack’s efforts didn’t help.


“Alex, I think you need to find closure,” Jack said about a week after Alex had been released from hospital.

“What?”

“Closure to the priest situation. You’ll be holding your last service very soon,” Jack said. He couldn’t help but smile the tiniest bit at what he was about to say.

“It’s not like I’m not trying but this has been so much to me and I’m going to be removed from this position and I’m just scared like how will I pay for things? I learned nothing else,” Alex replied, his voice a bit shaky.

“I actually wanted to ask you something,” Jack said calmly. “But you have to come with me.”

“I… okay.” Alex was confused.

“Would you please come to the car with me?” Jack asked gently.

“Sure, but where are we-“

“Shh. It’s a surprise,” Jack shushed him, now smiling a lot.

A few minutes later, they were at Jack’s old house. He helped Alex out of the car and they entered the house. The first thing Alex remarked was the smell of something baked, cookies perhaps?

“Okay, so I prepared a little thing for this purpose. Follow me, please,” Jack advised. Alex did as told, still slightly confused.

They walked into the kitchen, and it really was a bunch of chocolate chip cookies. Alex got closer and looked at Jack askingly.

“Jack… what?”

“Alex, will you move in with me?” Jack finally burst, smiling widely now. He offered a cookie to Alex who was standing there wide-eyed.

“Alex?” Jack said, suddenly scared Alex would say no.

“Yes! Yes I will move in with you!” Alex said joyfully, snapping back into reality.

“I’m so happy!” Jack exclaimed, taking a cookie himself.

“Me too!” Alex said as he hugged him enthusiastically. Their faces were very close after the hug, and they looked each other deep in the eyes.

“I love-“ Jack said, then blushed enormously and averted his gaze.

“Yes?” Alex encouraged him gently, nudging his shoulder.

“I love you,” Jack whispered, looking back up.

“I love you too,” Alex replied, and their lips touched in the sweetest, softest kiss to exist.

Notes

Awh c: <3

-Laura