It's gonna be alright, darling, I swear
"It doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt at all."
That was everything Alex could think about after his Dad had left the room. But it still couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his pained face. Same procedure every night. His father would come home, Alex would say something that upset him and then the old man would chase Alex through the while house, if neccesary, to keep him from escaping, so he could 'show his miserable excuse for a son how to behave'. Help from his mom? Dead loss. She never said anything. Not because she didn't dare speaking up to her husband. No. She thought it was right. She also beat him. Not as often, but when she did it was just as bad, if not even worse.
And nobody could help him. The only person knowing about this was Jack. His best (and only) friend. And Alex would do anything to keep him out of this, so he wouldn't get hurt.
But tonight was somehow different. It had been the first time his father hadn't cared about leaving bruises. He had been completely out of his mind.
"Can I come over? It's urgent. x"
"Sure, see you in 5. x"
Having recieved the text, Alex just grabbed his worn-out converse and his Blink 182-hoodie before storming out, not bothering with his parents screaming after him.
Within three minutes he arrived at Jack's house which was just down the street. As soon as Alex stepped into the driveway the door was opened and a very worried Jack poked out his head into the cold of the night, greeting his best friend with a hug and pulling him into the warm house, his arm still resting on the older boy's shoulders. Confused, Alex snuggled into the embrace and let the raven-haired boy lead him to his room.
"He did it again, didn't he?", Jack asked softly after they both had settled on the jet black bed-sheets. Alex just nodded, not trusting his vocal-chords enough to speak just yet.
Part of the reason were the beatings he'd just recieved, obviously, but another part was completely different. Being near Jack always did those funny things to him. But he wouldn't ever tell him. Of course.
"Just stay here for a while, okay? You need some time out. We'll think of something to help you." Again, Alex just nodded in response. "Aww, c'mere baby boy.", Jack smiled and pulled Alex in his arms again. "Hey, I'm older than you!", Alex exclaimed weakly, cuddling into Jack's arms. Chuckling softly, Jack planted a soft kiss on the caramel-eyed boy's forehead.
And just a few minutes later the older was fast asleep, still cuddled up in the embrace. And another few minutes later, nightmares started to violently shake him. But he couldn't seem to wake up though. He had Jack frown in sorrow in less than a half hour.
After a while, he calmed down a bit, but now there were tears streaming down his face and he was sobbing in his sleep.
"Please Jack, I love you!" "Alex! Alex! Wake up!" Finally, after almost two hours of endless screaming and sobbing and nightmares, Jack managed to shake Alex awake, pulling the boy to his chest and rubbing soothing circles on his back. "Shh, it's okay!" "I.. I'm so sorry..", Alex stuttered, his voice fading off into the dark. "Don't be. Everything's fine!", the younger whispered, his loving smile unseen in the darkness of the bedroom.
"Y'know, I've written again. D'you wanna hear it?" "Yes please!". Jack could only imagine his friend's face right now, but he knew for sure that he'd always loved hearing his poems.
"I don't want to say a word
I don't want to be a nerd
I don't want to be a hero
I don't want to be Mr. Zero
I don't want to be rich
I don't want to have a bitch
I only want you
but I don't know if you want me too"
"It's beautiful!"
Of course, Jack could be wrong but he still thought there had been a slight hint of sadness shaking the elder's voice
"Dunno...", Alex replied, sounding somewhat uncomfortable.
Having sat at the other end of his bed while reading out his poem, Jack now shifted closer to Alex again, taking him in his arms.
"I's about you, Lex," he whispered, "I love you!" "I love you, too.", Alex said, his voice barely audible, but still so clear, his wide grin almost audible in his voice.
"I know, you've already told me. In your sleep.", Jack chuckled softly, probably making the smaller one blush furiously, and before the other boy even had the chance to say anything he leaned in, almost missing Alex's face in the dark, and kissed him slowly, making the night perfect for both of them.
A/N: Don't own anything but the idea. The poem is by a friend of mine, so its credits go to Niklas.
I hope you liked it!