"How would you say things are going for you now, Alex?"

"Well," Alex popped his lips and slammed his empty can of O'DOUL'S on the table. A goofy grin appeared on his face as he pulled Jack into his chest. "This is week two of strictly drinking non-alcoholic beer. I haven't murdered anyone and the fans seem pretty please with our shows. I'd say it's going great."

"I can see that. And do you two plan on going public about your relationship?"

"Actually, no," Jack sat himself up straight and looked Robyn dead in the eyes, confident in his answer. "We've decided we're going to keep being us, but we're not going to confess to anything. Let the fans take it as they please. We think this will put less stress on Alex, ya know?"

"I think that is a very wise idea, but for your own sake, you might want to consider telling the truth." Robyn let out a sigh, standing up. This would be her last session with Alex so long as he kept himself in line. Truthfully, she was going to miss the young man and worry about him for the rest of her days. She was pleased that he had called to arrange an in-face meeting, though. It meant he was taking larger strides towards a brighter future. "Alexander, it has been a pleasure listening to your problems. Please, call me if you ever need anything, okay?"

"Yeah," Alex awkwardly looked around the room. Could it be that he actually felt like he owed her something? Jack caught on to his nervous feeling and slipped out of his grasp, allowing Alex the room to stand up and pull his therapist into a bear hug. "Thank you so much, for everything."

They stayed that way for a solid thirty seconds, until Robyn had to pull away and wipe her eyes. She gave Alex one last soft grin before she nodded her head to herself and quickly made her way off the bus. For the time being, Alex was on the path to recovery, which made everyone close to him pretty emotional. He'd become sober, more loving and caring, his eating habits were healthier and the fan base was spreading because he was taking a personal interest in all of their lives. Alex was thankful that someone had taken the time to reach out ot him, so now he was paying it forward.

"It's really over," Alex mumbled, pulling Jack away from his thoughts. "I mean, I'm trusted enough to go without any kind of treatment now. She didn't even try to put me back on the drugs."

"I told you that you didn't need them, Al," Jack spoke softly. Now that Alex had been cleared, he didn't know exactly where he stood with the older boy. He'd spent the last few weeks as Alex's boyfriend for helpful purposes. With that thought swimming in his brain, Jack's teeth began to tug on his bottom lip. Old habits die hard. "You don't need the pills or the booze or any of that shit. You just need to have faith in yourself."

Alex cracked a crooked grin, seeing his boyfriend in a different light. It'd been ages since Alex didn't feel like a freak, even longer since he was okay with himself. Yet Jack remained by his side through nearly all of it. Despite his flaws, Jack's love never faded. This was something special. It was something to hold on to for the rest of his life. The universe had tried to rip them apart, but they stood firm, and Alex was reminded of the love he had for Jack when they were in High School.

"There's something I've been meaning to say to you, Jack," Alex sighed, stepping closer to his love. "I love you. More now than I did when we were sixteen. You are just.. You're so fucking perfect, dude. I don't know why you chose me but I thank my lucky stars every single day that you did. I'm so sorry I ever made you doubt my love. You never deserved that.."

"It's in the past, Alex," Jack smiled, his teeth slipping away from his lip with ease. That's all he's been craving this entire time- A simple reminder that Alex wanted him just as much as he needed him. "I don't care about any of that. I care about my future with you."

"Our future, hm?" The older boy smirked, his eyes flicking to the clock on the wall. No one expected his session to be over for at least another forty-five minutes. "What if I told you I have a clear bunk and we have plenty of time to sneak around like we used to?"

"Are you trying to sleep with me, Alex?"

"That depends... Is it working?"

Jack grinned, shrugging his shoulders in a boyish way, which made Alex attack him with kisses. It was like they were still just two kids in high school without a care in the world. Everything revolved around them, because they only concerned themselves with things that would impact them both in a good way. Nothing else mattered, not a single thing, except for the fact that they had each other. This is how it was always meant to be. Through the good and the bad, they were supposed to rely on each other and put their faith in one another. The world, for at least the time being, could not break down the wall they had built around themselves. It had always been Jack and Alex, and it shall continue to be that way for as long as their hearts crave it.

"Do you think we'll be okay now?"

Alex stared straight into Jack's eyes, smiling at the dazed looked that had come from the trail of kisses left down his neck. His boyfriend was the most adorable young man on the face of the planet, hands down. So innocent, so child-like. So full of hope.

"I think we will," Alex whispered, taking Jack by the hand to lead him to his bunk. "I think everything is going to be just fine now."

"What about the fans?" Jack questioned, allowing Alex to lay him down in the bunk. "What about the rumors?"

"We'll tell them Jalex is like a unicorn."

"What?"

"You know, they'll know it exists, but they'll never see it."

"But what if I want them to?"

Alex smirked into his boyfriend's stomach, kissing all the way up to his neck.

"We'll do whatever you want, Jack, from here on out. I'm all yours."

"All mine," Jack repeated, wrapping his fingers in Alex's hair. "I like the sound of that."

It'd been a long, hard road to get to where they are today. Heartbreak, tears, regret and anger can do a lot of bad things to the mind and soul, but sometimes if you open yourself up to forgiveness and understanding, a brand new world can repair you to an even better state than you were in before. Alex and Jack were built to have a beautiful, close relationship, that most people only dream of having. Perhaps they will stay this way, perhaps they won't. Fate is a funny thing and love can be cruel.. However, it's worth it. Remember, it's always worth it.

"Don't throw yourself at someone because of the person you think they are. Throw yourself at someone because you know you're both in it for the memories."

Notes

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make this exactly what I wanted it to be. I figured this meant it was time to bring it to a close. You have all been amazing readers and I love you far more than you will ever know. Let me know what you thought of both stories and please don't be shy! I'm sad to see this go.. It has been a wonderful journey. Thanks for making my first Jalex fic a success. You're amazing. <3.