Kiss and Sell

"Hey, 'Lex!" Danny called as he chased after Alex who was speed-walking down the hall to get away from his anxiety that was building up by the second. Oli and Josh had triggered it, of course. They had left him alone after the incident and then even longer what with Jack and everything he was going through with him, but now it seemed that they deemed a month enough time to get over everything and the two were back on his tail -ready to pounce on him like a cat. Alex's breathing was jagged and no matter how fast he walked he couldn't escape the attack. He hadn't heard Danny's calls, so when the boy approached, clamping a hand down on his frail shoulder while laughing, "'Lex! I've been calling you, dude!" Alex had moved to defend himself -whipping around and hitting Danny as hard as he could with his book making the boy fling back and fall to the ground -his hand instantly clutching his bleeding head as he cried, "What the hell?!"

"F-f-fuck, Danny, o-oh g-god." Alex whispered, his vision dotting and blurring as tears started to form while he was sure he was about to pass out from lack of oxygen, "I-I'm s-s-so sorry. I th-thought you were..." He couldn't even form words anymore. His eyes fluttered as he felt himself becoming dizzy and swooning to the side, catching himself on the locker and looking down at Danny who looked more concerned with him than his head.

"Al?" He asked as he stood up and grabbed Alex's arms to keep him from falling over, "Alex?"

Alex clung onto him, propping himself up on Danny who hugged him close and slowly began calming him down. It was quite some work, but eventually Alex was normal and responsive again. They slowly untangled from each other's arms and Alex apologized quickly, "I'm so sorry about your head. I thought you were... y'know.." He whispered the last part while averting his gaze to his feet making Danny sigh. He reached up and grabbed Alex's chin with his index and thumb, forcing Alex to look at him while saying, "You need to tell the cops about them so they'll leave you alone, Alex. Get a restraining order or something." He suggested.

"It'll just make it worst." Alex mumbled as he adverted his gaze once again.

"Then, fight the fuck back." Danny said, "You can not let them treat you like this. If you don't do something I will." He threatened making Alex sigh and nod his head. Danny examined him for a moment before saying, "And stop drinking. I can smell it on your breath, man."

"Fuck." Alex muttered, "Rian's gonna kill me. It's Friday. I'm supposed to be sober." He rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket to pull out minty gum. he grabbed four pieces and tossed them in his mouth quickly before breathing out towards Danny and asking, "Smell anything?"

Danny grimaced, "Just mint. Here." He grabbed his cologne from his pocket and sprayed it on Alex's collar and jacket -the one he had gave him -and said, "That shit's strong. It'll keep your clothes from smelling like beer, which they do."

Alex sighed, "Thanks. I'm going to see Jack tonight. Wanna come?"

Danny shrugged, "I didn't really know him." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Why do you even like that guy? I mean... What about him do you even like? He doesn't seem very... nice to you." Alex gave him a questioning look and Danny explained, "I saw him hit you."

Alex ran his fingers through his hair, "He's nice. I'm not just saying that. He doesn't abuse me or anything it's just friendly punches, dude. He's really cool, you'd like him. You should come and see him. You and Rian would get along too, y'know. You can't just hang out with me and Evan all day."

"I wouldn't mind just hanging out with you." Danny mumbled shyly, averting his eyes and quickly saying, "I just don't want you getting hurt by that guy, 'Lex."

"I'm plenty used to being hurt and abused, and I know for a fact Jack is nothing like that." Alex said while crossing his arms over his chest and asking, "Are ya' gonna come with us up to New York or not? It'll be, like, a road trip sort of thing except for depressing and probably awkward." He snickered.

Danny smiled, "I'll think about it. I don't want to impose or anything. I mean... I didn't even know Jack knew that Rian guy, and what if he knew I went up there? He doesn't even call me by the right name."

"He calls you Dan! That's close enough!" Alex exclaimed, "And he's just jealous I hang out with you more than I do him."

Danny rolled his eyes, "Of course he's jealous. He wants to control you, Alex, and that's a sign of abuse."

For a moment Alex almost agreed. Jack always told him what to do, who to hang out with, what drugs he couldn't be on and how he shouldn't drink, but Jack was not abusive so he quickly argued, "No! He just worries! He would let me do whatever I wanted. He knows he can't control me!"

Danny sighed as he shook his head. He was honestly worried for his friend. He was sure Alex was either blinded by his crush, or whatever it was, on Jack or just trying to keep small things from being blown out of proportions when that's exactly what they should do because if he didn't stop the small things they'd eventually grow, and quickly.

"Whatever, just be careful, Alex, please? That's all I ask." He said eventually making Alex roll his eyes and nod before he said, "I'll think about going up there tonight. I need some time away from my parents anyways." He admitted with a shrug.

Alex smiled as he said, "It wont be as bad as it seems, promise."

Danny chuckled as he nodded. He watched Alex grin at him for a moment while running his fingers through his hair before moving forward and wrapping Alex in his arms again. Alex was surprised for a moment, but eventually chuckled and hugged him back. Danny pulled back with a smile that Alex mimicked. It was just them smiling and hugging for a moment which had Alex attempting to wiggle his way out of Danny's awkward hold which only had Danny tightening his grip on him while he said, "Hey, when we get back do you wanna maybe... Like come over?"

"Over to yours?" Alex asked while tilting his head to the side making Danny nod his head slowly, "Why?"

"Just to hang out." Danny said with a blush, "Like how we never do."

Alex felt skeptical of his friend, quickly and bluntly asking, "You wanna have sex?" making Danny's blush deepen as he shrugged and mumbled, "I mean, we could."

Alex sighed, "Um... I don't know, Danny... I've kinda... I've been going through things lately."

"What like herpes?" Danny asked.

Alex bit his lip, "Like feelings."

"Feelings?" Danny asked as he watched Alex nod. He slowly began to understand what he meant and said, "Oh. Feelings for Jack." Somewhat disappointedly.

"Yeah." Alex whispered.

Danny felt the rejection finally sink in before he was sucking it up and asking, "What kind of feelings?"

Alex blushed, "I think... I mean... I kinda sorta think I might actually love him." Alex admitted before looking down at his shoes and saying, "Maybe its the fact that he almost died... That he still might die... And I can't stand thinking about ever losing him because he's always just been... around y'know? Maybe I'm just used to him... But lately... I've just... constantly been hung up on him and missing him and wanting to see him even if he can't talk to me or look at me or anything. I just... Am I dumb? Is that not love?"

Danny shrugged, "Maybe it's like you said... Maybe you're just used to him." In all honesty, Danny was jealous. Out of anyone Alex had to get feelings for and it was for a fucking asshole who would never treat him right. He hated the thought of Jack ever getting someone he didn't deserve one bit.

Alex sighed, "You think so?" He asked to which Danny nodded making Alex nod and say, "Maybe you're right. Maybe I just miss him being around. I'm sure I'll get over it and never feel this way again, right?"

"Totally." Danny said with a smile. It was a smile that hid more than he'd like to admit. He smiled because he steered Alex away from Jack, and one step closer to him, and he wasn't guilty. Not one bit.

Notes

Danny is jelly of my bae. /.\ can jack just hurry up and get back into the story.

o wait

he can't

he dead.

:(

xD.