For Better or for Worse

The next morning for Jack brought a terrible headache, achy eyes and a sinking feeling in his stomach when he realised what had happened the night before. He sat up as his curtains were drawn open by a maid, he waited for her to leave the room before getting out of bed as he much preferred to sleep in the nude. As suspected, it took Jack longer than usual to get dresses due to his slight hangover. When Leydiah and her parents left the night before, Jack sneakily took a bottle of brandy up to his room and proceeded to drink the whole thing before passing out in his bed, this was just like that as he would often drink whatever problems he had away.

Once Jack had finally managed to make it downstairs, he knew that he was more than late for breakfast which of course would result in yet another lecture by his father which he would quite obviously ignore because he just couldn’t deal with that right now. No way. How was he meant to deal with anything after finding out that his best friend was in love with him and now he has to marry her while very possible battling with his sexuality because of a certain very new and very cute cleaner? The answer to that was he couldn’t, so what does he turn to again? Alcohol, and what has been taken away from each room and locked away in the kitchen? Alcohol. Everybody knew of Jacks habits, well everyone apart from one person. Alexander William Gaskarth, the cute boy with the name of a prince but the reality of a pauper.

This is what brought Jack to the billiard room, he was stood in the doorway watching as the new boy carefully polished the billiard table, making sure that the wood surrounding the green felt could reflect absolutely anything. Jack continued to watch him for a few more minutes before he decided to make himself known. He tightened his tie and pulled his shoulders back before he stepped fully into the room and cleared his throat and waited for the young cleaner to notice that he was there.

It took a few minutes for the boy to notice Jack, but Jack couldn’t help but to smirk slightly when Alex turned around with a blush and a jump before standing in the position that all staff are expected to stand in.

“S-sorry, sir. I didn’t see you standing there” The dark haired boy bit his lip and looked to his master.

Jack only chuckled and shook his head “its fine” He leaned against the billiard table and smiled to the boy in front of him. He really was cute, the way his hair fell into his eyes slightly and how his eyebrows were slightly too bushy and how his legs were almost too thin yet the perfect size at the same time, and don’t get Jack started on that smile. Alex had an adorable smile which made his eyes light up. “So” He raked his eyes over the boy before letting them settle on Alex’s eyes “I need to go out tonight, but I need somebody to accompany me.”

The servant’s eyebrows only raised as he continued to polish the wood. “I’m sorry sir, but I can’t say that I understand what you are saying.” He stood up straight with his shoulders back, once again in that stance that all the staff stood in.

Jack couldn’t help but to roll his eyes slightly before he began to explain, “What I’m trying to say is, I would like you to accompany me tonight while I go out. I will pay for anything you want, just as long you don’t say anything to anyone” He raised an eyebrow and leaned his elbows on the billiard table “What do you say?”

The shorter nodded and raised an eyebrow, his elbows leaning on the table and smirking up to Jack “You’ll pay for anything I want?”

Jack nodded, mimicking the boy’s position and facial expression “Within reason, of course”

“Of course” Alex mumbled and looked to him, “Well then, sir” He looked up to Jack “I accept your offer”

Jack smirked and nodded, standing up straight. “Okay, well come up to my room you look around my size so you could borrow my clothes, we can’t have you going out in those grubby ones.” He ran his eyes up and down the boy “No offence”

“None taken” The cleaner grumbled “Are we finished here? Because I have a lot to do and very little time to do it in.”

Jack shook his head and waved a hand “No, no. Carry on. I’ll see you later” He grinned to himself before leaving the room, he knew what he wanted and he knew how to get it and he was successful each and every time.