Hell Above

Jack grins, tugging Alex’s soapy hair up into a half-assed mohawk, a sleepy giggle slipping past his lips as the wet locks begin to fall out of their formation.

Alex shoots him a half-hearted glare, hands coming up to flatten out his hair as he shifts around Jack in the shower, moving to stand underneath the showerhead to rinse out the shampoo Jack had scrubbed in for him (to get the cum out he’d said).

Jack watches him, hands coming up to run through his blonde locks, now stained brown from the water. Alex ducks forward, the last of the soap trailing out of his hair and down across his back as the water carries it over his pale skin.

It’s occurred to Jack about 12 times so far that Alex is standing in front of him dripping wet and naked. Despite this, somehow, neither man has taken any initiative to progress past the innocent kisses and touches they've been sharing while they wash.

Alex turns back around, flashing Jack a tiny, innocent smile that reaches his eyes and Jack smiles back, realizing that he’s the reason Alex is genuinely happy for once. He steps forward, wrapping his arms around Alex’s slippery torso and pulling the elder against him under the spray from the showerhead. Alex grins, all lopsided and cute, tilting his head up to press his mouth against Jack’s jaw.

Jack turns his head, pressing his cheek against the top of Alex’s head as he says, “I really like you.”

Alex replies “I really like you too.” He then twists around in Jack’s arms, pressing their bare chests together, placing his hands on Jack’s shoulders, and sliding up on his tippy toes (which is totally unnecessary, he’s only like 2 inches shorter than Jack) to kiss him properly, smooth and sweet.

The blonde pulls back, rocking back on the balls of his feet and smoothing his thumbs across Jack’s ribs as he asks, “What happened with your dad earlier?”

Jack tries not to visibly cringe, reaching across the small space and grabbing the body wash off of the little built-in shelf. When Jack turns back to face Alex, Bath and Body Work’s bottle in hand, the elder has one eyebrow raised and is eyeing him, a set determined look on his face that says Jack won’t be able to avoid telling him what was said.

Jack sighs, popping the lid on the soap and squirting some onto his palm. “You don’t want me to tell you.” He says, placing the bottle back on the shelf. “Turn around.” Jack nudges Alex’s shoulder with the hand not containing soap, and Alex complies, twisting around so that his back is facing the younger and the shower spray his hitting his stomach.

“Yes, I do.” Alex voices, determined to find out what had happened that had pissed Jack off so much. He could tell earlier, when Jack had entered the bedroom after talking with his father, that the younger was upset. Alex had noticed the tense set of his shoulders and tightness of his voice.

Jack’s soapy hands curl around the elder’s shoulders, thumbs working place against the bones there. He feels Alex relax underneath his fingers, biting his lip as he says, “Honestly, Lex.”

“Just tell me.” Alex insists, bringing his hands up to play with the shower spray in front of him.

He hears Jack sigh, and then the younger gives in. “I don’t know why he stopped by, he never got to his point.” Jack pauses, moving his hands lower along the other man’s back, pressing in with his thumbs against Alex’s spine. “He kept saying things about you.”

The younger leans forward, resting his forehead against Alex’s right shoulder, not stopping the motion of his hands. “What kinds of things?” Alex asks, frowning slightly as he moves his hands to obstruct the water’s straight path out of the showerhead, causing tiny off sprays to shoot up.

“Said I shouldn't trust you, that you were scum and –” Jack cuts himself off, feeling the elder’s muscles tense under his hands. “Alex.” He says, placing his hands on the man’s shoulders and physically turning the blonde around to face him.

Alex blinks, refusing to meet Jack’s eyes. Jack says his name again, reaching behind the blonde to rinse the soap off of his hands before using his thumbs to swipe the tears that had fallen off of Alex’s cheeks. Alex flicks his eyes up to Jack’s face, honey eyes wet and brimming and shit, Jack feels horrible now, he should have lied and said his dad wanted to talk about politics or something.

Alex shakes his head, reaching up and grasping Jack’s wrists to pull the younger’s hands away. Alex lets go, bringing his own hands up and rubbing at his eyes with the backs of his hands. Jack settles for brushing a loose piece of hair behind the elder’s ear, leaning forward and pressing his lips against the man’s forehead.

“He’s a liar.” Jack says, pulling Alex’s hands away from his face.

Alex shakes his head, says “He’s your dad.” like it justifies everything.

“Babe, listen to me.” Jack flips Alex’s hands over, curling their fingers together between their chests. “He’s a biased asshole who knows exactly what to say to get to me.” Alex meets his eyes and Jack tightens his grip on Alex’s hands. “You’re amazing.” He begins, but Alex shakes his head again, sucking in a breath that hitches halfway through.

Jack releases one of Alex’s hands, taking both them in his left as he brings his right hand up to grip the underside of Alex’s chin, tilting the man’s head up and forcing the blonde to look at him. “You’re amazing.” He repeats, looking pointedly at the man in front of him. “You’re absolutely stunning. You’re fucking gorgeous Alex, and I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.” Jack relaxes his hold on Alex’s chin slightly, running his thumb across the slight stubble there.

“My dad doesn't know anything about you. Everything that he thinks and says is based off of you being a prostitute. None of it is true. He’s simply an opinionated bastard and he has no idea how fucking perfect you are to me.” Jack concludes, dropping Alex’s hands in favor of holding the elder’s face between both of his hands, thumbs brushing over Alex’s cheekbones.

Alex is crying lightly, wet treks making their way down his cheeks and it probably wouldn't be noticeable at all because of the steam from the water, but Jack can see it. Jack presses his lips to Alex’s lightly, pulling back again and watching as his boy falls apart in front of him.

The blonde chokes back a sob, reaching forward and gripping harshly onto Jack’s bare chest, wrapping his arms around the younger’s thin frame and unintentionally digging his short nails against Jack’s spine. He buries his face against Jack’s neck, sobbing as Jack rocks them back and forth, pulling the elder into him and rubbing soothing circles over the man’s spine.

He lets Alex cry it out, moving them a step back so that the warm water from the shower pours over the elder’s back. “You’re incredible.” Jack voices into Alex’s damp hair. “Witty, smart, brave.”

“Stop.” Alex says, his voice cracking at the end. “Please, stop.” He leans up, pushing harshly at Jack’s chest, nearly causing the younger to slip, but Jack had anticipated the action and is able to keep himself upright. Jack stands, watching Alex who refuses to meet his eyes.

Alex turns, shoving open the shower door and stepping out into the freezing air. He shuts the door again, ripping a towel off the rack and pulling it around himself as he rushes from the bathroom. Jack’s eyes follow the elder’s figure until he rounds the corner into the bedroom and out of sight. Jack wants nothing more than to go hold Alex until the elder is okay again, but he knows Alex won’t let him. He settles for picking the body wash back up, scrubbing himself down until he thinks it’s been enough time for Alex to have calmed down.

Jack enters the bedroom a few minutes later to see the elder curled up on the far side of the bed, bundled down and curled around himself into a little ball, the sheets pulled around him tight. He’s facing away from Jack, front towards the bright city scape out the window. Jack can’t tell if the elder took the time to get dressed or not, but he can see Alex’s towel hanging over the edge of the hamper in the corner.

Jack gets dressed, settling for just boxers and an old Glamour Kills t-shirt, tossing his towel over in the general direction of the hamper. He makes his way around to his side of the bed, reaching over and flicking the light switch off, plunging the room into darkness, save for the glow from the city outside. He settles down on his side of the bed, giving Alex’s clothed back a fleeting glance before rolling over, away from both the window and his best friend.

It’s a while later, Jack already dipping into that barely there state of consciousness, that Alex rolls over, scooting forward and pressing himself against Jack’s back hesitantly. The blonde wraps an arm around the younger, and Jack doesn't hesitate to connect their hands, smiling softly when he feels Alex relax against him.

“I’m sorry.” Alex whispers, pressing further against Jack.

Jack squeezes Alex’s hand, says “It’s okay.” instead of I love you.