Save Me From Me (9/20)
The day before Christmas flew by faster than any other day at the institute and six o’clock came knocking on Jack’s door before he could realize five o’clock was starting. He’d never be on time to pick up Zack. What a great start to their date. Jack couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so nervous. He’d never been too worried with Alex. They had been together for quite a while when they’d started going out on dates and they’d known what to expect from each other. They’d known that if one date didn’t go well, they’d have plenty other occasions to get it right. It was different with Zack. Tonight was going to set their future together. It could either mark the start of something great or shattered what they already had. If everything went according to plan, they’d be officially together by the end of the night but if anything went wrong… well, Jack didn’t want to think about it. And that’s why he had been rummaging through his closet for hours but couldn’t decide what to wear. Their date better be as perfect as he’d hoped, if only for his frustration to be worth it. He was about to have yet another look through his clothes when Jason pushed him to take over.
“Black trousers because it’s classy but not too much. Plus, you look fit in them. As for the shirt, you can’t put on a black one because it’ll be too dark and I’m pretty sure it’s bad luck. That leaves you with a white shirt.” Jason reflected out loud and handed the clothes to his roommate. Jack had been a nervous wreck ever since he has asked Zack our on a date and Jason was getting tired of it already. He couldn’t wait for the day to be over and for things to be back to normal, or as normal as they could be at a psychiatric institute. He may be crazy but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that everything would be different after tonight. Jack and Zack would be together in the way they’d wanted since they’d first met. They were going to be happy. Zack may even start to talk again. They’d be out of the Otium in no time. And he’d just realized that he’d be alone again.
“If I had time, I’d question your sexuality.” Jack mused with a smile, staring at the outfit his friend had just picked for him. He had just relied on Jason to choose his clothes for the night. And it actually looked like a good choice, simple but classy. The world must have gone mad but he didn’t have time to ponder. If he didn’t want Zack to run away as soon as he opened his bedroom’s door, he had to take a shower, preferably a cold one. With that in mind, he headed to the showers. He’d thank Jason later, when he’d have more time. As he walked next the furniture’s closet, a hand grabbed his arms and pulled him in. He was about to scream for help when he recognized Garrett.
“Dude, I’m sincerely flattered but I’ve got my eyes on someone else.” Jack joked, ineffectively trying to hide his nervousness. Garrett was more than just a supervisor to Jack. He was a friend, one that he hoped to keep once out of the Otium. Jack and Zack’s friendship didn’t have many supporters at the institute, especially among the staff. Everyone appreciated the changes in Zack but they clearly didn’t approve of his relation to Jack. He couldn’t say if it was because they were both patients there or if it was because they were both males.
“I’ve got something for you.” Garrett said with a smirk that promised no good and got a bottle of champagne out of his backpack. He could have gotten suspended for bringing alcohol inside of the institute but he couldn’t think of a better reason to lose his job for. He’d been Zack’s supervisor for the last three years but he had never seen him crack a smile. Then, Jack had come along and Zack had been happy ever since. That’s all Garrett had ever wanted for the guy.
“I don’t know what to say.” Jack stuttered a little as he stared at the bottle in his hands. He was a little confused by the gesture. Garrett had put his job on the line many times since Jack had stepped into his life but he’d never gone against the rules of the Otium. He’d played with them and intentionally misread them but he’d never infringed them before. Jack wasn’t sure how he’d ever be able to thank the guy for everything he’d done.
“Zack’s a good guy. Don’t mess it up.”
The clock had just rung seven when Jack knocked on Zack’s door and anxiously waited for the older man to open it. He glanced at the bottle he’d lamely hidden under his jacket and sighed. He could have done with a drink right now, to settle his nerves. He looked up to see Zack standing there, nervously cracking his knuckles. Jack couldn’t help but stare at the beauty in front of him. He was left speechless. Zack had opted for the simple but classy look too, wearing blue jeans and a green-ish checked shirt. He looked amazingly gorgeous. Jack took in a deep breath to gather his thought and smiled at the nervous guy in front of him. The guitarist stepped aside to let him in. Jack closed the door behind him and took the bottle out from under his jacket. He put it down on the wooden desk and walked to the closet where he knew Zack hide a few glasses given to him by supervisors. Each of them came from a different state of the US, wearing either the name of a town or a picture of its best-known monument.
“Garrett sneaked it in for us.” Jack explained, noticing the confused frown on Zack’s face. He looked through the cupboard, making sure to get Zack’s favorite mug. This one was from somewhere in California and had a beach plastered on it. Zack seemed to have an obsession with California lately. Jack wanted to take him there one day. Then again, he wanted to take him everywhere. He wanted to show him the world he’d only seen on pictures so far. He turned around to see Zack holding his white board up and smiled at the words.
“How does it taste?”
“Be the judge.” Jack answered with a shrug, giving him the Californian cup. He’d only filled half of it so it wouldn’t go to waste if Zack didn’t like the taste. He watched the guitarist tentatively brought the mug to his lips and grimaced as the liquid hit his throat. Jack liked the way he wrinkled his nose in surprise. He wanted to kiss him so badly but he also wanted their first kiss to be perfect. He had to wait for the right time.
“Wow, slow down. You don’t want to get wasted on our first date, do you?” Jack laughed heartedly as Zack emptied his cup in one gulp and instantly handed it back to have a refill. The guitarist just shrugged his shoulders and grinned all teeth out. Jack rolled his eyes for good measure, a weak smile displaying on his lips regardless. He took the mug to fill it again, careful to not spill anything on the desk. When he looked up to give Zack his glass, it was to see a white board hiding his beautiful face. Jack knew that Zack was hiding a deep blush; which made him smile inwardly. He raised his cup to clink it with Zack’s and read the words.
“To us.”
As they helped gathering the dishes and cleaning the dinner room’(, Jack realized that he couldn’t be happier than right now. Their date had been everything he’d hoped for and so much more. It had been more than perfect. Zack, with Garrett’s help, had convinced the staff to let them have some privacy by setting their table away from everyone else’s but still in the supervisors’ sight. It made the whole thing that more special. For a couple of hours there, Jack had forgotten they were stuck in a psychiatric institute. He’d let himself believe that they were in a crowded restaurant somewhere in Baltimore. For the first time since he’d started writing, Zack didn’t censored himself. He’d spent the night scribbling whatever came to his mind. He honestly trusted Jack and he was comfortable enough to share his thoughts as they came. He was brought out by Zack’s hand tentatively slipping into his. He just stared at the guitarist’s face for a bit, taking in every line and crack on his features. He loved how confident he looked but how shy he really was.
“Can I walk you back to your room?” He asked after a minute of intent staring, noticing the blush that started to appear on those cheeks he’d like to kiss every second of the day. Zack nodded discreetly and tugged on his hands to get him moving. Jack didn’t struggle as he followed him down the corridors. They’d done that so many times before that the moment was almost too familiar to Jack. But tonight was different because tonight, there weren’t just two friends defying the rules to find comfort throughout the night.
“I had a really great time tonight.” Jack dumbly said as they reached Zack’s bedroom. Zack spun around to flash his brightest smile so far and Jack understood that it was his way to agree. He was about to say something more, anything to make the night last longer, but Zack held a finger up to shush him. Jack looked at him with a confused frown, expecting the guitarist to get his notebook to write his explanation but he didn’t open it. He just smirked and went into his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Jack was unsure of what to do next. He didn’t know what Zack expected him to do next. He didn’t have to ponder for too long though, as for Zack came back within a minute. Jack noticed something in his hand but he only recognized what it was when the guitarist held it up above their heads.
“Who am I to break a tradition?” Jack chuckled quietly, looking into Zack’s eyes to make sure this was what he wanted. The guitarist gave him a weak nod, nervously biting on his lower lip. Jack smiled reassuringly as he wrapped his arms around Zack’s strong body, pulling him closer. He watched the other’s face, his racing heartbeat echoing in his ears. He took in a deep breath and closed the gap between Zack’s lips and his own. And if you asked Jack, he’d tell you that moment fixed his broken heart. Their first kiss. The first of many. On a Christmas night. Under the mistletoe.
“Black trousers because it’s classy but not too much. Plus, you look fit in them. As for the shirt, you can’t put on a black one because it’ll be too dark and I’m pretty sure it’s bad luck. That leaves you with a white shirt.” Jason reflected out loud and handed the clothes to his roommate. Jack had been a nervous wreck ever since he has asked Zack our on a date and Jason was getting tired of it already. He couldn’t wait for the day to be over and for things to be back to normal, or as normal as they could be at a psychiatric institute. He may be crazy but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that everything would be different after tonight. Jack and Zack would be together in the way they’d wanted since they’d first met. They were going to be happy. Zack may even start to talk again. They’d be out of the Otium in no time. And he’d just realized that he’d be alone again.
“If I had time, I’d question your sexuality.” Jack mused with a smile, staring at the outfit his friend had just picked for him. He had just relied on Jason to choose his clothes for the night. And it actually looked like a good choice, simple but classy. The world must have gone mad but he didn’t have time to ponder. If he didn’t want Zack to run away as soon as he opened his bedroom’s door, he had to take a shower, preferably a cold one. With that in mind, he headed to the showers. He’d thank Jason later, when he’d have more time. As he walked next the furniture’s closet, a hand grabbed his arms and pulled him in. He was about to scream for help when he recognized Garrett.
“Dude, I’m sincerely flattered but I’ve got my eyes on someone else.” Jack joked, ineffectively trying to hide his nervousness. Garrett was more than just a supervisor to Jack. He was a friend, one that he hoped to keep once out of the Otium. Jack and Zack’s friendship didn’t have many supporters at the institute, especially among the staff. Everyone appreciated the changes in Zack but they clearly didn’t approve of his relation to Jack. He couldn’t say if it was because they were both patients there or if it was because they were both males.
“I’ve got something for you.” Garrett said with a smirk that promised no good and got a bottle of champagne out of his backpack. He could have gotten suspended for bringing alcohol inside of the institute but he couldn’t think of a better reason to lose his job for. He’d been Zack’s supervisor for the last three years but he had never seen him crack a smile. Then, Jack had come along and Zack had been happy ever since. That’s all Garrett had ever wanted for the guy.
“I don’t know what to say.” Jack stuttered a little as he stared at the bottle in his hands. He was a little confused by the gesture. Garrett had put his job on the line many times since Jack had stepped into his life but he’d never gone against the rules of the Otium. He’d played with them and intentionally misread them but he’d never infringed them before. Jack wasn’t sure how he’d ever be able to thank the guy for everything he’d done.
“Zack’s a good guy. Don’t mess it up.”
The clock had just rung seven when Jack knocked on Zack’s door and anxiously waited for the older man to open it. He glanced at the bottle he’d lamely hidden under his jacket and sighed. He could have done with a drink right now, to settle his nerves. He looked up to see Zack standing there, nervously cracking his knuckles. Jack couldn’t help but stare at the beauty in front of him. He was left speechless. Zack had opted for the simple but classy look too, wearing blue jeans and a green-ish checked shirt. He looked amazingly gorgeous. Jack took in a deep breath to gather his thought and smiled at the nervous guy in front of him. The guitarist stepped aside to let him in. Jack closed the door behind him and took the bottle out from under his jacket. He put it down on the wooden desk and walked to the closet where he knew Zack hide a few glasses given to him by supervisors. Each of them came from a different state of the US, wearing either the name of a town or a picture of its best-known monument.
“Garrett sneaked it in for us.” Jack explained, noticing the confused frown on Zack’s face. He looked through the cupboard, making sure to get Zack’s favorite mug. This one was from somewhere in California and had a beach plastered on it. Zack seemed to have an obsession with California lately. Jack wanted to take him there one day. Then again, he wanted to take him everywhere. He wanted to show him the world he’d only seen on pictures so far. He turned around to see Zack holding his white board up and smiled at the words.
“How does it taste?”
“Be the judge.” Jack answered with a shrug, giving him the Californian cup. He’d only filled half of it so it wouldn’t go to waste if Zack didn’t like the taste. He watched the guitarist tentatively brought the mug to his lips and grimaced as the liquid hit his throat. Jack liked the way he wrinkled his nose in surprise. He wanted to kiss him so badly but he also wanted their first kiss to be perfect. He had to wait for the right time.
“Wow, slow down. You don’t want to get wasted on our first date, do you?” Jack laughed heartedly as Zack emptied his cup in one gulp and instantly handed it back to have a refill. The guitarist just shrugged his shoulders and grinned all teeth out. Jack rolled his eyes for good measure, a weak smile displaying on his lips regardless. He took the mug to fill it again, careful to not spill anything on the desk. When he looked up to give Zack his glass, it was to see a white board hiding his beautiful face. Jack knew that Zack was hiding a deep blush; which made him smile inwardly. He raised his cup to clink it with Zack’s and read the words.
“To us.”
As they helped gathering the dishes and cleaning the dinner room’(, Jack realized that he couldn’t be happier than right now. Their date had been everything he’d hoped for and so much more. It had been more than perfect. Zack, with Garrett’s help, had convinced the staff to let them have some privacy by setting their table away from everyone else’s but still in the supervisors’ sight. It made the whole thing that more special. For a couple of hours there, Jack had forgotten they were stuck in a psychiatric institute. He’d let himself believe that they were in a crowded restaurant somewhere in Baltimore. For the first time since he’d started writing, Zack didn’t censored himself. He’d spent the night scribbling whatever came to his mind. He honestly trusted Jack and he was comfortable enough to share his thoughts as they came. He was brought out by Zack’s hand tentatively slipping into his. He just stared at the guitarist’s face for a bit, taking in every line and crack on his features. He loved how confident he looked but how shy he really was.
“Can I walk you back to your room?” He asked after a minute of intent staring, noticing the blush that started to appear on those cheeks he’d like to kiss every second of the day. Zack nodded discreetly and tugged on his hands to get him moving. Jack didn’t struggle as he followed him down the corridors. They’d done that so many times before that the moment was almost too familiar to Jack. But tonight was different because tonight, there weren’t just two friends defying the rules to find comfort throughout the night.
“I had a really great time tonight.” Jack dumbly said as they reached Zack’s bedroom. Zack spun around to flash his brightest smile so far and Jack understood that it was his way to agree. He was about to say something more, anything to make the night last longer, but Zack held a finger up to shush him. Jack looked at him with a confused frown, expecting the guitarist to get his notebook to write his explanation but he didn’t open it. He just smirked and went into his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Jack was unsure of what to do next. He didn’t know what Zack expected him to do next. He didn’t have to ponder for too long though, as for Zack came back within a minute. Jack noticed something in his hand but he only recognized what it was when the guitarist held it up above their heads.
“Who am I to break a tradition?” Jack chuckled quietly, looking into Zack’s eyes to make sure this was what he wanted. The guitarist gave him a weak nod, nervously biting on his lower lip. Jack smiled reassuringly as he wrapped his arms around Zack’s strong body, pulling him closer. He watched the other’s face, his racing heartbeat echoing in his ears. He took in a deep breath and closed the gap between Zack’s lips and his own. And if you asked Jack, he’d tell you that moment fixed his broken heart. Their first kiss. The first of many. On a Christmas night. Under the mistletoe.