The week went by unbelievably fast. Up until it was the day of the trip, then Jack had the feeling that everything was going painfully slow: The drive to the airport, the plane's delay, the waiting, the flight, and then more waiting. By the time they arrived at Brighton Airport Jack's heart was beating miles a minute. He was constantly asking Signe if Marzia texted her, since they were apparently on their way to pick them up. Ten minutes later, Jack's phone started ringing.

At the sight of the caller, Jack's grin stretched widely on his face, beaming with joy. "Felix!"

Felix's laugh rose from the other side of the line. "Someone looks excited to see me"

It took Jack a second to notice Signe tugging on his jacket. Looking in her direction Jack caught sight of Felix and Marzia approaching them at a fast pace, Felix's laugh getting more prominent and Marzia's arms widening, ready to greet the both of them warmly.

"You're here!" Jack said, his cheeks mysteriously warming up. His eyes flickered between Marzia and Felix, trying his best not to let them linger on the latter. But then the man in question decided to close up the distance and pull Jack into a good old hug. He squeezed him until Jack felt his bones ache and groaned, then Felix decided to let him go. Jack's face now hurting from how much he was smiling.

"My Irish boy! Did ye' miss papa?"

"Shut up, ol' man" He went on teasingly punching the Swede's arm. "Nobody missed you"

"Jack was super excited" Signe brought up with a little smile. "He went on Are we there yet? Are we there yet? all the way to Brighton."

Marzia's stretched 'Aw' had Jack's face gain some color. Felix still had an arm around his shoulders and when their eyes met his grin only grew wider.

"Come on, you two must be tired and hungry, let's get you home."

Their walk to the parking lot was quick, but it was enough to have Jack fall under the charm of Felix all over again. The man looked the same as he's last seen him, still outrageously sexy and captivating, shining brightly and dimming his surroundings in the process, attracting all of the attention, and Jack, as bewildered as he was, gave him all of his.

Arriving at the car, Jack and Signe hopped in the backseat and the car drove all the way back to Felix and Marzia's place. The trip lasted a while, but with Felix around, Jack lost track of time.

The house was warm and welcoming. Jack and Signe were shown to the guest room where they first put their belongings before joining their hosts around the table. Marzia had prepared a large classic Italian lasagna for everyone to feast on. And so they ate to their heart content while sharing their most recent news. By the end of the meal, Signe insisted to help Marzia with the dishes, and the two were heard sharing further conversation in the kitchen.

"You want a drink?" Felix suggested once they left the dinner table.

"Sure, surprise me!" Jack replied vigorously.

They've switched to the living room and while Felix went to fetch them drinks, Jack sat himself on the couch and exhaled out of comfort. His stomach was full and his mood was impeccable; He couldn't ask for anything else right now.

"Here you go" Felix announced, reappearing in the living room with two alcohol-filled glasses, one of them offered to Jack. "Can you guess what it is?"

"Ooh, thanks!" Jack accepted the drink with eagerness. He brought the glass closer to his nose, inhaling the content. "Whisky?" He guessed, eyes peaking at Felix who sat himself right beside him on the couch.

"Pfft. Just because I like whisky doesn't mean I always drink it!"

"Wait, so what is it?" Jack asked, genuinely curious.

"Fuck, it's whisky."

Jack's laugh broke at Felix's answer. "Knew it!" he said.

They joined their glasses for a toast then took a short sip which was followed by a moment of silence, each tasting the liquid as it made its way down their throats, burning strongly in the process.

"Damn, this is good" Jack revealed, impressed.

"One of the best I've ever had" Felix followed, the taste still lingering in his mouth. "The finest" he added, taking a second sip and closing his eyes to dramatize his enjoyment.

"Isn't that Jack's?" Marzia asked from the kitchen door. She was making her way back with Signe, each with a bowl of popcorn in hand. "It's the Whisky Jack got you for your birthday, right? It took you long enough to open that one."

"Shut up, woman!"

"The one you gifted him last year?" Signe asked, glancing at Jack. Of course she knows, Jack goes on and on about Felix around her that she must've learned all the details by now.

"Dude, you still have it?" Jack exclaimed.

"Shut up, all of you" Felix muttered, "Let me drink my whisky in peace, Jesus."

Jack was quite surprised and deeply touched. He knew his friend well enough, and knew that he was too big of a whisky lover to let a great bottle sit down unopened for a year.

It must've at least meant something to him. Or so he hoped.

The topic was briefly changed to what kind of movie they should watch tonight. Outvoted by the girls, they had to settle for a romantic comedy. The two couples were seated on each side of the couch and each shared their popcorn bowl. The movie began and no more words were shared.

Less than an hour in and Signe was already falling asleep on Jack's shoulder. He found it adorable how she easily fell asleep during movies, although his shoulder always ends up suffering from it. The lightning in the living room was dim and the movie pace too slow if not too boring for Jack's taste. The soundtrack lulled him to the point he started dozing off himself.

He tried to seek distraction away from the movie's lame romantic scene, and glanced to his left to find Felix in a similar situation with Marzia's head resting on his shoulder. Felix watched her with loving eyes, and leaned over to place a comforting kiss on her forehead.

It wasn't a thought that crossed Jack's mind at that moment. It was a faint sting in the heart that came unsupervised, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

It was just the alcohol, he told himself.

Just the alcohol.