Hold Me, Stay Near Me
One Shot. Jalex.
He was always her favorite brother. She always ran to him, and he was always inviting with a warm hug that she always wished could stay like that forever. But a part of her knew that it couldn't. Justin was going away to college soon. She loved him and she just wanted him to stay with her forever. Whenever she needed someone, he was there to back her up, to get her out of trouble.
And so when she needed a hug, he was always the first person that she turned to. Today was one of those days. She was on the verge of tears; her boyfriend had just broken up with her.
She found Justin waiting by his locker, waiting for her.
"Alex," he said, "Are you okay?" She nodded, and then squeezed him tight.
"Now I am," she replied. She was always okay when her brother's arms were wrapped tightly around her. He smiled down at her, giving her one of his goofy grins that Alex used to think make him look nerdy. Now she just thought that it was quite charming.
"I wish we could stay like this forever," Alex replied, her voice slightly muffled as she pressed against her brother's shirt.
"Me too," Justin replied. But after a few more moments, they released their embrace. Any longer might have looked weird to the viewing public of Tribeca Prep. Alex wiped the corners of her eyes, which were misting up slightly.
Justin started to walk away and Alex watched him. She did not even notice that she was staring at him in a way most people would perceive as inappropriate. All Alex knew was that was one of the best hugs that she had ever had from him.
Alex realized why her previous relationship had not worked. She was in love with someone else, someone that she could never have. She was trying to stay strong, but at the moment it was hard. She just wanted to be back in her brother's arms.
"Wait! Justin!" Alex heard herself say. He turned around.
"What, Alex?" he said slightly snappish. "I'm going to be late for class."
"Hold me?" she begged. He obliged willingly, and she gave him another quick squeeze.
"I love you," she whispered in his ear. "And not just as a brother." There was a long pause. Alex wondered what was running through his mind. How wrong this all was. But why then, wasn't he letting go?
"Alex," he replied, "We ca-" But something stopped him. He looked into his sister's eyes and realized that he just couldn't resist. He knew how wrong it was. It went against everything that he knew. But he did know this: he loved Alex. She was his, forever and always. He had felt this way for a long time. So he answered her.
"I love you too," Justin replied quietly. "Forever and always."
"Stay near me."