Chapter Fourteen

Ding!

John eagerly opened the microwave, sighing as the fresh and buttery smell of popcorn flooded his senses. He reached in to grab the bag, but immediately withdrew his hand, hissing and cradling it.

"John?" Alex called from across the room, concern plain and evident in his voice. "Is everything okay?"

"Ah— yes." John said. "The bag is very hot, and I just touched it."

Alex sprung up and crossed the room. He took John's burned hand and examined it. John watched him closely. There had been a subtle shift in the way that Alex was acting around him now. John just couldn't quite place his finger on it, which just left him confused.

"Well… it doesn't look bad. Just red and a bit swollen. You should probably go rinse it under cold water."

John nodded and walked over to the sink, spraying icy water on his irritated hand. After a few seconds, it started to feel better, the pain withdrawing.

"Thanks," John told Alex.

"No problem," Alex grinned.

After about five minutes, John stopped the flow of water after a guilty jolt to his gut.

I shouldn't be wasting water.

John shook his head remorsefully.

So much for trying to help save the environment.

"John, you ready?"

John looked over his shoulder to find Alex sprawled out across the couch, which actually looked very cute. Two bowls of popcorn sat in front of him, untouched.

"Aren't you going to leave any room for me?" John complained, drying his hands on a dish towel.

"Come on over here, and we'll see," Alex purred.

"I think I will," John said, marching over.

John lifted an eyebrow at Alex, who was literally lounging on his couch like it was his throne.

"Don't get too comfortable," he warned Alex playfully.

Alex just yawned pointedly.

"Okay, that's it!" John exclaimed.

He pounced on Alex, much like a cat, and managed to shove him to a side of the couch. Alex was squirming and laughing, which made John start to giggle too. Then, out of nowhere, a strong pair of arms fastened themselves around John. He found himself pinned to Alex's chest.

John blinked, surprised and a little bit giddy. He was laying on top of Alex, John's head on his chest, Alex's arms wrapped around him. He glanced at Alex's face, and caught the faintest trace of a satisfied smirk on his lips.

John blushed and pushed himself off of Alex, and stuck his tongue out, which earned him a chuckle. Alex ruffled John's hair affectionately and reached for the remote. He flicked the TV on and the first movie started to play.

John wasn't aware of much else besides Alex, sitting right there, next to him, so close that their shoulders were brushing. He smelled like vanilla. Oh, but never mind what he smells like!— Alex himself was warm and comforting, right there, living, breathing, heart beating.

He had watched every Harry Potter movie probably ten times over, so he really didn't care to see them again. Anyways, he preferred the books. He had just picked those films (his choice of movies because it was his room, after all) because John thought Alex might like them. He was not disappointed.

Alex was watching the screen, enraptured, with a dorky little smile on his face. As [spoiler alert] happened, he tensed up, and then smiled when [spoiler spoiler]. His whole face was animated throughout the entire movie, but he never shifted away from John. Was it John's imagination? Or did Alex actually manage to scoot closer during the climax of the first movie…?

The popcorn bowls in front of them stayed quite full.

Halfway through the second movie, John closed his eyes and instead focused on the sounds of Alex. His breathing, constant fidgeting, and imagining he could hear Alex's heart beating.

He must have fallen into a light doze, because at a particularly loud screech from the screen, John's eyes snapped open and he gasped.

Alex smirked down at him. "Enjoy your beauty sleep, Princess?"

John blinked a few times. His head was resting on Alex's shoulder. John's face burned when he realized he must have fallen asleep on Alex. Instead of apologizing for using Alex's shoulder as a pillow, (he wasn't sorry anyways) instead he asked: "How long?"

Alex shrugged. "Actually, I have no idea. I conked out during the beginning of the third movie, and I woke up just ten minutes ago. I have no idea what's happening right now."

John noted that he didn't even need to finish his sentence in order for Alex to understand him.

He studied the actors in the screen and decided that they were halfway through the fourth movie. I mean, it was a rather obvious give-away when [spoilers, spoilers, SPOILERS!] and Harry [spoilered spoilers].

He told Alex this, and the taller boy snorted. "Yeah, that's a fat load of help, John. I've never read the books before."

"W-WHAT?!" John gasped. "OH MY GOD!"

Alex laughed. "I just haven't had the time. I'll probably do so soon."

"Yeah, you'd better!" John said fiercely.

Alex laughed again. "Maybe I'll start over fall break, which is actually only on about a little more than two weeks. The 20th, right?"

"Yep," John said, reaching out his fingers to trace patterns onto Alex's shirt front.

"Stop, that tickles!" Alex exclaimed, his hand suddenly enclosing John's. It was warm and soft.

John gazed sleepily into Alex's eyes, and Alex blinked warmly back.

"My Sleeping Beauty," Alex joked, "You still look bone-tired."

"S'cause I am," John yawned. "Don't pretend that you aren't Alex."

"Okay, I have to admit, you're right John. For once."

John frowned indignantly. "For once?"

Alex laughed. "Okay, you're always right, scratch what I just said."

John sighed contentedly. "Yep. John always knows best."

"You really do," Alex whispered.

John closed his eyes and leaned back. After a few minutes, fell victim once again to sleep.

Alex gazed down fondly at the boy had curled unconsciously into his chest. He had no proof that John liked him back, liked him in that way. But despite that, Alex was glad that John was comfortable enough around him to fall asleep on his shoulder without apologizing.

The movie was really interesting, but he'd rather just study John's face— a true work of art. Alex lightly traced out constellations on John's cheek, his breath warm on Alex's fingers.

John's curly, brown, tangle of hair was just about to escape the mangled-looking elastic, so Alex did it a favor and relieved the hair tie from its duty.

John's hair swept around his head, framing his face beautifully. His hair wasn't afro-puffy, but it was still considerably curly, and could still be able to tumble down just past his shoulders without poofing up Jefferson-maniacally.

Alex, trembling, picked up his phone and quickly snapped a photo of John's peacefully-sleeping face. It was a picture he would treasure forever. He leaned slightly forward and brushed stray curls from John's forehead.

"I love you," Alex breathed into John's ear, so softly, that he couldn't even hear it himself.

John stirred, and Alex froze, but he still remained asleep. Alex exhaled in relief. John could never know how he felt.

Not unless I know that he likes me back. For sure.

John's eyes shot open. After a quick analyzation, John thought they were at the very end of the sixth movie. He rubbed his eyes with his free hand and looked shyly up at Alex. He was staring at the screen with a wistful and dreamy expression.

It was now the beginning of the credits.

"Hey, Alex," John whispered hoarsely.

Alex beamed down. "Hello, John."

"I've decided to name my turtle Alexis, after you."

Alex turned a deep pink. "Aw, what? J-John…" he spluttered.

John giggled and snuggled deeper into Alex's chest.

"Ssh, just accept it. Anyways, thanks to you, I have her now! I've always wanted a turtle, but it just costed too much."

"Well, consider it to be a late birthday gift, because you didn't even tell me that it was your birthday last week!"

John just smiled at him. "Whoops. Must have forgotten."

"I know very well that you did not!" Alex said, exasperated.

John blinked innocently up at him. "Why, how would you know?"

Alex smirked. "I just do."

Damn, he's cute when he does that.

John was momentarily captivated by those brown eyes, how they sparkled and reflected the artificial light, almost refracting the light just like a diamond.

Alex's soft dark-brown hair was glowing silver, his skin a pale, chalky-white, glasses flashing silver. He looked so unreal, so extraterrestrial, so other-worldly. He was beautiful.

But Alex was watching him too, and the expression on his face… it was so tender, almost… loving.

Is what I think actually happening? Does… does Alex actually like me? Like in that way. No, too good to be true! Too god! Too good—

"John," Alex breathed, almost singing. "Come with me and watch the sunrise."

Movie abandoned, the two friends donned warm jackets and slipped on shoes before making their way outside the building. They stood on the cold street, watching the sun make its slow and ever-perpetuous arc in the colorful sky.

Alex wrapped his arms around John, and the smaller boy sighed in content. Just then, John felt Alex stiffen and tense up besides him.

"Alex?" John asked, worry and concern starting to fill him.

Alex froze.

What. Am. I. Doing?! I-I've known this boy for only like… two months! I can't be doing this! What am I doing? Oh no, oh no, oh no! I can't do this! I can't be in love with John already! Not another boy! Not only that, but oh, what his father would say! I can't let Henry find out! I need to stop this! I can't love John— I need to protect him!

"Alex?" John repeated, his eyes flashing anxiously. "Is everything okay?"

Alex swallowed hard. "Just peachy," he choked out, tightening his grip on John.

"Tell me what's wrong!" John demanded.

Alex bit his lip and shook his head, his mind reeling. "Nothing's wrong…!"

John broke the embrace and shoved himself away from Alex, his breath in small bursts of fog. His eyes glimmered with hurt.

"You're lying to me!" John cried, his voice like a knife through Alex's heart.

"I-I-" Alex stuttered, his heart starting to bleed.

Tears swam in his eyes and obscured his vision, and he gasped like a fish out of water. Suddenly, something small, but strong, barreled into his chest, sobbing.

"A-Alex," John gasped through his tears. "Please don't… never, please don't…"

"I promise!" Alex cried, his tears dripping down onto John's head. Alex rocked John like a small child, as the two cried their eyes dry.

Somewhere, far away, Aaron Burr was throwing up deep crimson rose petals while his older, sister, Sarah, looked on helplessly.

"Theodosia," he whispered, and Sarah nodded gently, placing a hand on her younger brother's arm.

"Theodosia," she repeated sadly.

It was a few days after the partially-disastrous but wonderful movie night with John, and Alex was careful to avoid him since. His replies were friendly but curt, and he didn't pick up calls, making excuses hours later that his phone had inconveniently died once again.

Alex hoped that John didn't notice a thing. Wishful thinking on his behalf.

Just then, he got another phone call. Alex was about to let it run dry, but then he glanced at the name and quickly picked up.

"Aaron Burr, sir!" Alex exclaimed, a little surprised. Aaron didn't ever call him— they only texted.

"Alexander," Aaron said weakly.

"Is everything okay? You sound really..." Alex's voice trailed off, and he was suddenly concerned.

"I have it."

"Have what?"

"I have — (cough, cough) — the Hanahaki Disease."

"When did it start?" Alex exclaimed, now thoroughly alarmed.

"Last week… after I told you about Theodosia."

"How bad is it?!"

"Uh, I don't know… coughing up petals once or twice a day…"

"Aaron…"

"Alexander, I'm not getting it removed. Not yet."

"You think there's still a chance?"

"No. But I'm still going to fight."

"You'll die."

"I'll go down fighting."

"That's not sensible."

"I—I don't care. Alex, I love her more than my life. I'd rather die loving her than live a thousand years, yet never feeling a thing."

Alex paused, his heart oddly removed from the rest of the world. "You know what? If you love this woman, go get her."

"I will."

Aaron disconnected abruptly.

"Please… God, I know I'm going to Hell, but Aaron isn't." Alex prayed, "So would you help him? Aaron isn't a sinner… he's done nothing wrong… he only loves too much. Please, and… and thank you."

Okay, okay. I know that was a bit odd just to throw that in at the end, but I really wanted to put it there. Maybe I'll start something that has to do with the Hanahaki Disease— it's really interesting. Mhmhmhmh, lots of Lams fluff and flangist this chapter, I see. :) I'M NOT SORRY AT ALL! And plus, I really need to make them hang out like normal people without flirting. I'll try to. Someday.