Chapter 16

Mark's POV

I didn't sleep that night. I was too worried about Jack. About whether or not he'd wake up from a nightmare, or just wake up in general. I wanted to make sure I'd be with him if something happened. Anytime I heard a small whimper come from the sleeping other, I'd whisper small, but sweet things, whether it was just, "You're okay," or "I'm right here, you're safe," and things along those lines. I ran my fingers through his hair.

During the night there was several times where I needed to get a drink, or needed to use the bathroom, did I? Nope. I was not leaving my spot, no matter how much Jack might occasional move to where he pressed on my bladder, but oh well. I was going to stay for him.

The sun started shining through the windows, God was it that late already? Or early? It must be 6:30 or something.
I looked down at Jack, right now he seemed so peaceful, I smiled softly, and leaned down to kiss his head. Only to lean back against the couch and close my eyes.

Maybe a hour or so of sleep would be okay. I'm exhausted. My hand was on his head. I close my eyes, and almost immediately fell into a slumber.

When I woke up, God knows how long, Jack wasn't anywhere to be seen. Instantly I started to panic.

"Jack?" I called out, freaking out. I started running in the house, first checking in the bathroom. Not in there. Didn't show any signs of him being in there, good. I hope he was still in the house, "Jack?!" I yelled out louder.

"I'm right here," I heard his Irish voice, and I couldn't help but let a huge sigh of relief. I ran towards the kitchen, and there he was. Sitting at the dining table.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked him, standing beside him.

"Yeah..I just wanted to cook some breakfast for you. But I couldn't find anything," I smiled at him, and he shrugged.

"You could've woken me up y'know, I could've made us something. "

"But I wanted to make you something to thank you for how nice you've been to me with all of this. "

I went behind him, and my arms on his shoulder with my chin on the top of his head, "You don't need to thank me," I said, and kissed the top of his head.

I wish I could kiss him. On the lips.

Forget I even thought about that.

"Yes I do," he said quietly, leaning his head back into me.

"Anywho," I pulled my arms back and moved back a bit so I can look at Jack's face, "I have a bit of money if you want to go get breakfast."

"That's not fair, the point was for me to make you something to thank you. So I should pay for it," he sighed, "But I don't have money. "

"Which is why we should go out for breakfast." He didn't say anything, just closed his eyes, making the urge to kiss him get bigger. Stop. Mark, stop it, "Come on, Jack. Let's go out for breakfast. "

"I don't want to leave the house," he said, opening his eyes. I looked in them, and sighed to myself. Only to step back all the way.

"Well... We need to go somewhere before my mom gets home," I said, and he sat up after that, sighing loudly.

"Okay, okay. We can go. "

"If you get uncomfortable we'll go somewhere alone so I can calm you down," I smiled at him, though his back was turned. He stood up, still facing away from me. Slowly I walked behind him and put my arms around his waist. He leaned back a bit on me.

"How can I thank you?"

I wanted to do a smooth move and just be like 'kiss me' but I didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

"You don't have to thank me, Jack," I said, humming quietly.

"Stop saying that ya doof," I smiled when he said that.

"Who you calling a doof?"
"I'm calling you a doof ya doof!" I can heard the smile in his voice. I backed up, and since he was leaning on me, he had to step back a bit to catch himself from falling. Turning around to face me immediately.

"That. That was rude," I could tell he was hiding his smile.

"Awe, poor baby," I popped out my bottom lip, only to laugh, which cause him to actually smile. He punched my shoulder lightly, "Ow! That hurt!" I said, dramatically.

He rolled his eyes, "Should we go?" He asked me, and honestly him asking surprised me. Purely for the fact not too long ago he didn't want to leave. 

"Yeah! Hold on. Let me go change my shirt. You can watch if you want," I winked, and I believe I saw him blush just a little bit. I chuckled before running to my room. I first grabbed my money, before I went and found my 'lucky' flannel, taking off my shirt and switching it. When I turned around, I ran into Jack who was in the doorway, "Oh god you actually came and watched me. " I laughed again. I was not expecting to see him there.

"I just got here!" He said, putting his arms up in defense, he looked at my shirt. I think, "Hey, why are you wearing long sleeves? Isn't it a bit warm."

Well. Shit. I didn't expect him to ask that. I can't show what I'm
Hiding. Can't tell him. Won't tell him. Not yet. Not gonna happen. He'll find a way to blame it on himself.

"This is my favorite shirt! I don't care if it's too hot!"

He stared at me, as if he didn't believe me. In fact that was probably true, but he didn't question it.

"Come on let's go!" He said, and walked away, I caught up with him, walking directly behind him. We walked to the front door, grabbing his hand already, I felt him squeeze it.

We both walked out of the house, and quickly left the yard. We needed to get away before she got home.

"Don't hesitate to talk to me if you start feeling overly anxious, or you feel a flashback, okay?" I told him, looking at him. He just nodded.

"I will," he looked at me and smiled, "You know what I want to say to you right?"

"Do you want to thank me again? Jack, you really don't need to," I bumped into him slightly.

"Whatever, ya doof," he muttered.

Honestly if I wasn't really worried about him, and his anxiety, I would let go of his hand and walk ahead as a joke. The only thing stopping me was he could easily take it the wrong way, or get anxious that he wasn't beside me. The scary thing is, I'll never know how he might react.

"Green lantern," I muttered, smirking lightly.

"Hey! At least he's cool," I looked at him, and he stuck his tongue out at me. Causing me to roll my eyes.

"Anyways, where do you want to go?" I swung our hands back and forth.

"Uhm, well if we want breakfast, there's a pancake house not too terribly far."

"Alrighty, pancake house it is!"

We walked, without any silence. We just talked about everything. Mainly joking things, but a few serious things came up. Like school. I was worried he'd be picked on again and get cause an anxiety attack, or someone do or say something wrong and send him into a flashback. Discussing this, I didn't mention the flashbacks or anxiety attacks. I was just trying to reassure him if something happens, to text me during class and we could meet up in the bathroom.

We got to the pancake house, and when we sat across from each other, he seemed slightly on edge, but I reached my hand out on top of the table for him to hold. I saw him smile faintly and relax slightly.

God, I felt like my heart was racing when we smiled. I looked in his eyes and just, everything froze. Time froze and it was just me and him. Nothing else.

"Jack," I said a bit quietly.

"Yes?" He said, clearly a bit confused.

"Remember when we discussed sexuality?"

He nodded, not saying anything. By his facial expression he was still a bit confused.

"Well, I shrugged because I don't really know what I am. But either way, Jack. I think I like you. A lot. " my voice shook a bit, scared of his reaction.

"What?.."

~~~~~

A/N Here ya go! A nice chapter to make up for the last chapter. Some nice sweet things. Hope you enjoyed.

-Jake