Let me tell you right now how to feel about this: it's freaking great. It's so cute and detailed and just...awwww! I like how much respect Jack actually has for Alex; no matter how much of a "bad boy" he may be, he doesn't want to corrupt Alex and how he's worked for the life he has. It's a great character trait that makes me feel so much better about appreciating Jack, even though he does the smoking, drinking, and sleeping around crap. And Alex is just so damn adorable the way you wrote him. With the little list, and just how hard he's trying. The determination is also a great character trait that you do a very good job of developing. Overall you orchestrated the story very well, especially with setting, time, and characterization. Great story :)