—= Mark's + POV =—

The smell of McDonalds had filled the room to the point where Jack couldn't seem to contain his excitement. The chicken nuggets were long gone, but he was only now finishing off the fries.

Making sure that I had eaten some too, it was only then he started to speak up.

"Hey, Mark?" Swallowing the bite of food in my mouth I looked up making eye contact with him, not quite sure what he was going to ask.

The smile he usually wore wasn't there, a dry smirk replaced it and his eyes seemed to dim a small bit at the topic that he was about to discuss with me. Worry clearly shown in the wrinkles in his eyes.

"Hmm?"

"You wanted to know about the surgery, right?"

"Uh-"

"It's in a week." The temperature in the room dropped significantly. Or at least that's what it felt like.

The world itself stopped as I tried to comprehend how such a short amount of time would be used for a massive surgery.

If it was such short notice, it must mean the condition of the foot is drastic. An emergency. My blood ran cold.

".... a week?"

"I'm... nervous. If I'm being honest, I've never done such a big surgery before."

Jacks hand raised and brushed the back of his neck, following his jawline and scratching his chin nervously before dropping to his side once more.

Anxiety shined clearly in his eyes, and you could see it in the way his hands trembled.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" The question breaking the fear, Jacks eyes widened.

"You've already done so much for me." His expression softened at the statement, but it only caused me to crumble inwards. I haven't done enough. There's no way in hell I'll even be able to make it up to him.

"I want to do more." Insisting, realizing that I probably sounded sketchy, or at least desperate Jack let out a soft laugh. He sounded so tired.

"Mark, you really don't have to." I need to.

"But I insist." Please just let me do this.

"Mark-" You don't know what I've done.

"Please!" He flinched.

Our eyes locked for a split second and I knew he was trying to read the room but if he couldn't he must've been blind.

It was as clear as day. Why else would a stranger act so kindly towards you, one you've never said a word to up until now. I feel sick, the guilt pulling me down and leaving me on the beach ready to be swept away by the tide.

".... Okay." Okay?

"I have something you can do for me." Perking up at the offer, I tried to snuff the obvious excitement that I felt.

"And that is?"

"Be my friend." I blinked. Thoughts jogging through my head, I cocked an eyebrow at the odd demand.

"I thought we already were friends?"

"I just want to make it official." Jack gazing at me smugly, he leaned back and rolled his shoulders. Getting comfortable on his pillow.

Friends, huh?

It's settled then. Rising up from my spot, Jack's face melted into one of amusement. Raising an arm pointing it towards the ceiling, I rested the other one on my hip struggling not to laugh.

"Alright it's official. But just so you know I'm going to be the best fucking friend you've ever had. I'll wipe the floor with every contender! And you can't do anything about it." 

Jack's lips forming into a beaming grin, he giggled at the over the top movements and crossed his hands over his chest.

"I guess I have no choice then, hmm?"

"Nope."

"Do best friends get pizza?" Cupping his chin with his hand, he turned to look at me quizzically.

"Best friends ALWAYS get pizza." A snort escaping Jack, he bowed his head trying to hide his smile.

My heart fluttered inside of my chest, I sat back down beside jack so we were eye level. Resting my hand over his, he opened his mouth to say something but I raised a finger shushing him.

"I'm going to visit every day until the surgery, the day of, and the days afterwards too."

Scanning my face trying to see if there was any malicious intent, or some kind of sick joke twisted into the sentence his face reddened when he realized I was dead serious.

"You mean it?"

"Do I look like a liar to you?" Squinting at me, he continued searching for a few moments more, until his posture relaxed. Seeming more laid back now that the news was out of the way, he glared at the ceiling.

"I guess not." The air around the room slowly melted the fear and worry away. Still serious, but there was something biting at the heels of the discussion.

I couldn't manage to sew the feeling to a word, but whatever it was made the hospital even a tad bit brighter without changing a single thing except Jack and I.

Every day I would visit him, and make sure each was better than the last. If nobody is there for him how can I leave him by himself? I can't. It's not right and this isn't even about feeling guilty.

Slouching into a more comfortable position, Jack's eyes shone warmly in my direction, his lips curling upwards and his aura swirling with plain amusement and gratitude.

Sighing, the anxiety swept out of my mouth and into the air. A small grin forming on my lips, the silence washing the troubles away. Closing my eyes to take a moment, the thoughts began to slow down.

"So what kind of pizza would you want tomorrow?"

"Hawaiian"

"You disgust me." Bursting into laughter at the bitter remark, he wiped a small tear from his eye instigating.

"Oh, then what's the flavour you'd want?"

"Literally anything else." Snickering as he raised a hand to his mouth in mock offence. I lifted my hand in an effort to flip him off only to drag his other arm with me, our fingers intertwined right in front of our face.

Both of us giggling at the fact, each a little embarrassed I let go of his hand and put mine back by my side. Minutes slipping by we continued talking, the space between us unconsciously growing smaller as we discussed anything and everything whether it was stupid or strangely smart. Mostly stupid though.

Realizing the time I hesitated, fighting the urge to skip work and stay here. Every ounce of me screaming to remain where I was, I felt defeated when the timer rang and I had to leave for work.

Pushing myself up from the bed, peeking a look at Jack heat pounded into my face as I noticed him staring at me shyly.

"Mark..?"

"Yeah?"

"You're coming by tomorrow yeah?" The tone he used made him sound so unsure. The expression he wore did not show any sign of belief, but I sensed an ever so slight amount of hope.

"Of course." Jacks eyes widening at the reassurance, he hurriedly brushed a hand through his hair. Seemingly trying to contain his excitement.

".... alright. I'll see you tomorrow"

"See you tomorrow, Jack." Forcing myself out of the door, a million sentences crammed into my head. Not a single one making sense, but the most important ones were related to what pizza I would bring for him tomorrow.

=============================
So, hey! :)

It's been a few months huh? I've been quite busy if I'm being honest and I'm very sorry about that <3 but I do have some relatively good news? :D.

There's a a handful of chapters until the end, but if I feel like it's not paced properly I won't end it suddenly and will stretch it on to have a better ending.

I'm trying my best with this book and want to make sure it's at least decent :) so I'm trying my best. I hope you all enjoyed it, and I'll be updating again very soon <3