Sick Little Games

TIME LAPSE 8 MONTHS

Alex's POV:

It was weird waking up without Jack's arms around me. I felt...lost. It's almost like Jack is my compass, guiding me to my unknown destination. I don't really think about my future a lot, I tend to believe in the here and now, but all I know for certain is that I cannot live without Jack by my side. I cannot live without his ridiculous dick jokes, his childish personality, his arms wrapped around me in the morning, his moans, his kisses, his...everything. I love him with my entire heart and I guess that's why he's not lying next too me: today's the day we become Mr and Mr Barakat-Gaskarth.

"Dude, come on, we've got to be there in two hours."
Rian called from downstairs. Rian had stayed over with me last night, having our own little celebration on our own. We would've invited Zack but due to Jack staying at his, that kind of ruled that out. Jack and I decided to be traditional, well, as traditional a same-sex couple can be, and not see each other before we actually tie the knot.
"Okay, Dawson, calm your boobs, I'm up."
I rolled out of bed and stood in front of the mirror that hung on the wall. My suit was hanging on the back of the wardrobe door, covered in a black suit bag. My reflection stared back at me with a huge grin plastered all over my face. Who could blame me? I'm marrying the most perfect human being in a matter of hours. I walked across the hall and into the bathroom. I stripped off and took in my, now naked, body in the mirror. Scars littered my thighs, hip bones, stomach and arms. I still, to this day, find it difficult to comprehend that someone can love me whilst I look the way I do. Don't get me wrong, I've not done anything of that ilk for at least a year now and I'm proud but the negative thoughts were still yet to leave my head. I stepped in the shower and scrubbed myself clean, a feeble attempt to rid myself of the scars that were imprinted on my skin for probably the rest of my life.

After a good shower, I dressed in my suit- a skinny fit suit with a black shirt and purple tie (Jack's idea for the purple; he had to get the Ravens in there somewhere)- and styled my hair into it's usual messy, but controlled, style. Once satisfied with my appearance I padded downstairs to find Rian. We talked about how excited we both were whilst eating bowls of Lucky Charms when a knock on the front door interrupted our conversation.
"I'll get it."
Rian stood up from the kitchen table and answered the door. I couldn't quite make out what was being said but I could just about make out a distinct male English accent.
"Lex? Would you come here for a second? There's someone here to see you."
Confusion clouded my brain as I made my way to the front door. Next to Rian stood a small, stocky man who was balding slightly, you could still make out the caramel coloured hair though. His eyes were small but the deep shade of brown made up for it. He was dressed smartly in a suit with a blue tie.
"D-Dad?"
"Hello, Son."
I ran to him, flinging my arms around his neck. I felt tears run down my face as I literally hugged the shit out of the man that I hadn't seen for most of my lifetime.
"How? We-we didn't invite you...not that we didn't want to, we just didn't know how to get hold of you...?"
My dad chuckled slightly in our embrace.
"Let's just say, Alex, that your soon-to-be husband is a very determined person...you've definitely got yourself a keeper there, Son."
"Jack did this?!"
"Yep, he sure did. He's a lovely man, Alex."
"Wait...you're okay with me being gay?"
"It did come as a bit of a shock when an American guy rang me up at midnight one night saying that he was my son's fiancée and that you'd both love it for me to be at your wedding...but yeah. To be honest, Alex, once I sat and thought about it, you were always a little, how do I put this, camp."
I chuckled at my dad's bluntness.
"Who's giving you away, Son?"
"Um, well, definitely not Mum. Rian was going to do it."
My dad pulled away from our embrace and stared at me, his eyes boring into my own.
"Why not your mother?"
"She doesn't exactly agree with mine and Jack's relationship."
"What a bitch, that's exactly why I left her, you know. She was always so judgemental. Rian, do you mind if I, um- I totally understand if you don't want to because I've literally just come back into his life but his mother isn't going to-"
"Of course, Mr Gaskarth, you don't even need to ask."
I smiled and hugged my dad again. It was nice to finally have him back. We were always close, well from what I can remember, anyway.
A sounding of a car horn outside brought us away from our little moment. The car was here to take me to the venue.
"Come on, Lex, don't want to be late."
My dad led me our the door and into the car. I didn't care that my face was red and puffy, all I cared about was the fact that I finally had my dad back in my life. Rian followed us out with my brother's guitar in his hand.
"Shit, I forgot about that, thanks, Ri."
Rian nodded as he climbed in the car.
"Is that Tom's guitar, Lex?"
I nodded and looked up to my dad to see tears welling up in his eyes.
"Don't cry, Dad."
"I'm sorry, I just wish that he could've been here today."
"He is here, Dad. He's with us all, in spirit and in our hearts."
My dad smiled at me and turned back to face the front of the car that was driving down the streets of Baltimore to our wedding venue.

-

"Do you, Alexander William Gaskarth, take Jack Bassam Barakat to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
Jack and I's hands were intertwined as we both said our vows. Both of us were shaking slightly and our palms were sweating against each other's.
"Do you, Jack Bassam Barakat, take Alexander William Gaskarth to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"Fuck yes- I mean, I do."
Jack's response earned a few chuckles from the guests behind us. The actual wedding itself was a small affair, with only our family and close friends. The evening party was when it all kicked off though.
"In that case, I now pronounce you Mr and Mr Barakat-Gaskarth. You may now kiss."
Jack grabbed my face with both his hands and pulled me towards him for our first kiss and a married couple. It was like our first kiss all over again. Fireworks exploded behind my eyelids and butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. The guests all stood up, cheering and clapping as we pulled away from each other. I couldn't help but break out in a massive grin as I looked up at my husband. My husband, I could get used to saying that. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my dad wipe away a few stray tears from his eyes. He had to biggest smile on his face. It was nice to see him happy for once: all the memories I have of him were when he wasn't truly happy. His smiles were fake, his laughs were forced and we rarely spent time in the house. I don't blame him really, having dealt with my mother for the past God-knows how many years, I can now fully sympathise with what he went through. I felt Jack scoop me up in his arms, carrying me out the room bridal style.
"FUCK YES WE'RE MARRIED!"
This earned yet more laughs from the guests as we left the room, the guests following us shortly after. Our photographer, Adam, was quick to take shots of the guests and us, having a few personal photos with Jack's mum and dad, who had both flown over from Lebanon, Zack and Rian and my dad.

We all stood in the little reception room with glasses of Champagne in our hands. Each and every guest came up to us and congratulated us. I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Hi, Lex. Congratulations, to the both of you."
Before me stood my mum. She looked like she had been crying. We invited her, more out of good manners than anything else.
"Mum...what are you doing here?"
I caught my dad's eye from across the room. He chuckled and mouthed 'good luck' to me. Thanks, Dad!
"Well, you did invite me, Alexander."
"I know, Mum, but after everything you've said both Jack and I, we honestly didn't think you'd come. We invited you because you have a right to be here, not because either of us particularly want you here."
She looked a little hurt at that but I didn't care: she deserves it. After everything she's put me through, it's time she had a dose of her own medicine.
"I'm sorry about everything, Alex. I can see how truly happy you are with Jack and if you're happy then so am I. It's one of the few times that I've actually seen you with a genuine smile on your face. And, Jack. I really am sorry. I guess I was too scared to let the only son I had left go. Thinking about it now, it wasn't anything to do with you personally. I can see how happy you make my boy and I am grateful for that. I'm positive that if it wasn't for you, he wouldn't be alive, so thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
I was stunned, I didn't know what to say. Was she saying that she's okay with Jack and I? It's a bit late now thought, but still.
"Well, thanks, Mum."
"No worries, honey. I see that Peter's here. How did you get in touch with him?"
"Honestly, I don't know. You'll have to ask this one here."
I patted Jack on the chest, indicating that it was all his doing.
"What can I say? I know people."
Jack had his signature smug grin on his face.
"It's nice to see him again. I think I'll leave you two alone right now and I'll go and speak to him."
My mum turned away from us and walked over to my dad. He rolled his eyes in my direction, making me laugh.

Jack spun me around so we were both facing each other, our faces close together.
"I love you, Alex."
"I love you too, Jack. It feels so good to finally be able to call you my husband."
I giggled and hid my face in his chest. I felt two fingers under my chin as my face was being tilted upwards once again.
"You have no idea how happy I am to be able to call you my husband, Lex."
Jack closed the distance between us, kissing me softly.
"Come on, the other guests will be arriving soon."
Jack grabbed hold of my hand and led me into the big function room of the posh hotel that we'd managed to bag as our venue. The room was themed black and purple. Black table cloths with purple balloons and drapes lifting the darkness of the room. I dragged Jack over to the head table and noticed that my dad had a name card next to mine. I pointed to it.
"Your doing, I'm guessing?"
"Of course."
"You're going to have to explain how you got him here, you know."
"I know, but one day. Right now, we have a party to kick off."

Notes

Hey,
This is so long, bloody hell fire!! I was beginning to tear up when I was writing the scene with Alex and his dad...I have no idea why. Well, I do, but yeah.
This is the second-to-last chapter, guys :(
I'm kind of sad to let this one go but, fear not, there WILL be a sequel...

Thanks so much for all the support you've all shown me with this fic, it's been fucking amazing. And your responses have been truly brilliant, I cannot thank you enough.

I've really enjoyed writing this. I started to write it because I'd been reading fics for a while and I wanted to see if I could write them...I guess I can. I'll definitely make this a thing now though, so I'm happy about that.

Thank you so much, once again.
Em x