Decemberism

Alex awoke on the morning of his 17th birthday from the sound of his phone ringing on his nightstand. He sleepily and blindly reached out for his phone, not bothering to sit up. The light from his phone blinded him in his exhausted state. Alex squinted his eyes to see his boyfriend's name and face displayed on the screen. He answered the face-time call and smiled when he saw Jack's face beaming at him.

"Happy birthday, my love." was the first thing out of Jack's mouth. Alex was glad his room was still semi-dark so Jack didn't see him blushing.

"Thanks babe." Alex grinned and concluded those we're the best 4 words to wake up to. "So, what are today's plans?"

"It's a surprise. All I can say right now is to look in your underwear drawer, and follow the instructions in there. I'll see you soon honey."

And with that Jack hung up, leaving Alex confused. He stood up, walked the few steps to his dresser, and opened the instructed drawer to see a rice krispie treat with the words "Go to the spot we first met at." written on the wrapper

Alex instantly knew his boyfriend was referring to the fountain at the park 5 minutes from his house. He thought back to that day, which was almost 2 years ago now.

Alex was baby sitting his cousin and decided that a park was a perfect place for a 7 year old to tire herself out at. He sat himself down on a bench not to far from where she was running around at. They had been there for less than 5 minutes before his little cousin ran into a boy with messy blonde and black hair, causing him to drop his phone and school books. Alex instantly ran over and started apologizing.

"It's fine." the boy laughed as he bent down and started gathering his possessions.

"Are you sure? Is anything messed up? Is anything missing?" Alex asked worriedly.

"The only thing that seems to be missing is your number." The skunk hair boy smirked, now looking up at Alex and handing out his phone.

He was the most beautiful person Alex had ever seen and he just asked for his number.

Flustered, Alex took the gorgeous boys phone, entered in his number and saved it. He gave it back and the boy started to walk away.

"Wait! I don't know your name." He quickly called out after him.

"Jack, The names Jack."

He smiled at the memory as he quickly got changed into the skinny jeans that made his ass look great, his favorite atticus shirt, a red flannel and his treasured New Found Glory hoodie. He slipped on his vans and raced out the house and down to the park.

He was surprised to see his boyfriend wasn't there but instead a giant stuffed octopus with a sign that read "Good job sweetie. Now head to were we had our first date."

"So it's a scavenger hunt, full of our firsts" Alex thought to himself and his heart melted at how cute Jack can be.

He picked up the octopus and thought back to their first date. They saw a mutual friend's band perform at a small venue and honestly it was the best first date Alex ever had.

It was 2 months after they first met. They would hang out nonstop, but just as friends, much to Alex's dismay. It took Alex all the courage in the world to ask Jack to this show as more than friends. When Jack said yes and that he was to nervous to do it himself a wave of relief and happiness washed over the older teen.
The show was a normal local pop-punk show, but the fact that it was his first of hopefully many dates with Jack made it special.

After a 30 minute walk, he arrived at his desired location. The caramel haired boy looked around for his next clue but didn't see anything or anyone expect for the lone person at the box office.

"Hi, this may seem a little strange but I think my boyfriend-" Alex started when he walked up to the box office.
"Are you Alex Gaskarth?" The man interrupted.
"Yeah, I am."
"Can I see your I.D.?"
Alex patted his pocket to only realize he forgot his wallet at home.
"Shit," he mumbled to himself. "I forgot my wallet."
"Jack expected that. I was told to ask a question about your relationship if this happened."
"Ok. Shoot."
"What was the name of the bands you and Jack saw on your first date?"
"Thats easy. Playground X, I Call Fives, and Citizen."
"Correct, come on in." The man left his station and walked over to unlock the doors of the venue.

Once inside, Alex instantly noticed Jack's favorite guitar sitting on the empty stage. He walked over and looked at the note held on with a small piece of tape.

"You're one step closer! Next is where we had our first kiss."

"Tonight has been perfect, Alex." Jack whispered into his now boyfriends ear. They have been cuddling in a field just look at the the stars. It was simple but great.
Alex looked down at his beau who's head is on his chest and smiled. "Almost as perfect as you."
"Alex, you're making me blush! Stop it!" Jack buried his face in his hands.
"I'll stop when you stop being so perfect."
"But I'm not the perfect one you are!"
They went back and forth like this for about 5 minutes before Jack quieted Alex by connecting their lips and kissed him hard.
Alex quickly kissed back, stomach full of butterflies.
They disconnected a few moments later.
"Now we can both agree that was perfect." The older said smiling.

Less than 10 minutes later, Alex was standing in the field, carrying both the octopus and Jack's beloved acoustic. He saw a bundle of various shaped and colored birthday balloons held in place with a small rock. The birthday boy couldn't help but aww out loud. His boyfriend has gone to such great lengths for his birthday. He saw his clue for his next destination on a heart shaped balloon.

"Last one, angel. First I love you's. I'll see you there."

Their first "I love you's" was Alex's favorite memory. It was so simple yet so perfect.

It was their 6 month anniversary and they had just gotten home from a movie date. They were now just laying in Jack's bed talking about everything and nothing, occasionally sharing a lazy kiss.
Jack sat up slightly and look at his boyfriend straight in the eyes.
"Alex, I love you."
The older boy couldn't contain himself. He grabbed his boyfriend's face and pulled him in for a long and passionate kiss.
They only broke apart when they ran out of breath.
"I love you too."

Alex was soon climbing the stairs to his better half's room. He opened the door to see Jack sitting crossed legged on his bed and a small chocolate frosted cake in front of him.

"I see you found all of my clues." He smiled brightly at Alex.

"You're the best babe. I really mean it." Alex said as he sat down next to the skunk haired boy, kissing him quickly on the lips.

"That's just the beginning of it." Jack pulled out a small wrapped box out of his pocket and handed it over to Alex. "Before you open this, I need to tell you something."

"What's that babe?" Alex asked.

"I love you so fucking much and you are the absolute best part of my life. You've been there to help me when no one else has been. For a year and a half I've had the pleasure and honor to call you my boyfriend. What's in this box hopefully will show you I want you in my life forever. Go ahead and open it."

Jack paused as Alex teared off the brightly colored wrapping paper and opened the small velvet box to reveal a silver ring.

"Since we're still too young to get married, this is a promise ring to show I'm here with you until the bitter fucking end. I love you so much. Happy Birthday."

Alex was in tears by the end of Jack's speech. Jack slid the ring on the fourth finger on his beau's left hand and then put his own on.

"I couldn't of asked for a more perfect birthday or a more perfect boyfriend. I love you so fucking much Jack."