10Third Person's POV
Alex sat in silence staring at the night sky, leaning his head towards the sky, his arms stretched out along the bench sides. His mind wandering, trying to see if he could make out any familiar constellations. He had recently made plans to go out for dinner with John.
Thought they had been living together for nearly a year now, they hadn't been able to spend much time together recently. No longer could they sneak off to meet each other after class as they used to, having to take matters more seriously. No longer could their carefree days continue, living blissful naivety of the world around them. Soon their casual clothes would be removed for other clothes, suits and work attire. Leaving the past behind and moving on from their teenage dreams. Making new memories, uprooting from the homes they knew and the lives in which they were familiar with. Law classes were getting more diligent by each minute. This didn't leave much time to indulge or take things easy, often leaving them exhausted.
Sometimes falling asleep before they had the energy to even speak to each other, but this sometimes left them feeling guilty.
They were trying to spend as much time together as possible, each moment they got to enjoy a date together was precious.
Trying to work out their career paths slowly but surely, taking uneasy steps unsure of every possibility that came their way. They believed in one another, they loved one another, having found their soulmates without ever realizing it.
The night air was cold, Alex could see his breath in the air like puffs of smoke. Almost hypnotising to watch, the swirls of condensation appearing before him, something so natural was so fascinating. The chill tingling his fingertips and cheeks though it was spring, it was still as little chilly at night. Ever since he was a kid he had always found the night sky so beautiful, he knew that no matter what happened the sky would always grant him peace of mind for at least a minute or two. Even when the hurricane destroyed his hometown, he couldn't deny that the yellow sky looked amazing. At that very moment he thought he'd die looking at the sky, but miraculously he survived.
The giant orb that was the moon beaming down on him from space, illuminating the world in it's silver white light from above. He sighed in relief. It was hard to find a place like this on the busy city.
Eventually, he heard the distant sound of someone running, out of breath. The sound of shoes clicking on the ground, their heavy breath lound in the air. A fond smile slowly appeared on his face, a fondness filling his heart. It really had been way too long since they went out just the two of them. As he lifted his head and turned to face him the love in his heart grew if that was even possible. John appeared before him, his usual light brown curls fixed in a half ponytail. He was wearing a sleeveless button-down green shirt, white vans, a pair of black skinny jeans and a black choker around his neck. Alex smiled when he saw the turtle keychain he had bought him on their first date hanging on the side of his jeans. (A/N: Yes I wear keychains like that too)
John stopped as he got closer, leaning foward wearily. Heavy breaths escaping his lips, panting breathlessly as he overcame his exhaustion from running here as fast as he could.
"I'm sorry Alex, Laff an Herc asked me to do some things for 'em" John apologized.
Alex softened, his expression becoming concerned. John had no jacket, meaning he had to have left it at Laff and Herc's place immediately in order to see him putting aside his worries and concern about his well-being in order to see him. Causing him to worry he would get cold.
"Uhm John, aren't you forgetting something?" Alex asked.
As happy as he was to see John, he didn't mind waiting a little longer for him to get ready. Though he was surprised Laff nor Herc hadn't told John about his jacket before he had left it in their house. Usually they were always pesteringcJohn about how forgetful he could be.
John blinked in confusion. He didn't think he forgot anything that he could recall.
Alex softened and sighed heavily, "I mean you look adorable but aren't you gonna get cold dressed like that?" He asked.
The sleeveless shirt showed off the freckles on his shoulders that Alex loved so much but the weather wasn't really that warm yet making him worry about him. He would still look cute in a hoodie or a sweater. I mean John could dress as cute as he wanted when the summer came around, but for now it was better to be a little bit more sensible. But there was nothing they could do about it now.
John realized that he had left his jacket at home and panicked, he thought he had been so prepared for their date "Aw crap, I knew I forgot something" he whined in furstration. He had gone over everything he could think of before he left. He didn't want to go all the way back, it would be a waste to go home after coming all this way to see Alex. They had been planning this for ages and he had to go and ruin everything with his forgetfulness.
Alex got up slowly, not saying a word. He slowly began to take off his jacket before placing it over John's shoulders. It would still be warm from his body heat and shield John from the cold. Alex was wearing a white O neck long sleeved shirt and his flying jacket. He was pretty thick skinned, a little cold like this wouldn't bother him, John was different. He was smaller, scrawnier, he had lower tolerance for the cold.
John blushed at this gesture, looking up at him cautiously "Are...are you sure it's ok?", John didn't want Alex to get cold too because he was incompetent. You'd think after all this time John would be more than this. He was willing to walk back to their place to grab a jacket, they could make the most of the moment. Sometimes you just had to adapt to a situation, making the best of the moment until things started to go a little smoother. Yes it was frustrating but things could go worse.
Alex kissed his forehead gently "I'm thick-skinned, no worries" he reassured him with a wink. He had a hard childhood after all. He then reached out to take his hand, interwining his fingers with his, leading him along into the night. Reassuring him that everything was ok, but he was touched down by how much John worried about him.
It was a lovely evening, laughter and love being shared between the two lovers. Realizing how long it had been since they had been able to take things easy and simply share their affections. Nobody else existing in the world at that moment but the two of them. They weren't exactly the fanciest of couples and more casual in their activities together. But still held a lot of romance in whatever interest they took part in. They went for ramen bowls, filling their aching empty stomachs with a hot bowl of goodness. The soupy broth, egg, meat, and noodles all coming together and satisfying their hungered states. Alex knew all the best places due to visiting in the past with the Schuyler sisters.
Thought sometimes he felt bad about the fact he never took John to a nice restaurant and more fancy places. However, he could never afford some of those places.
John was always so happy to see him and sinply took pleasure on being by his side, he was a simple person who indulged happiness of his beloved. John wasn't hard to please, he was versatile and was good at adapting to situations by communicating with each other to make things easier. He was a strong man and had a heart of gold.
They walked slowly down the street, hand in hand as the twinkling lights of buildings glittered in the darkness. Their faces warm from the food and pink from the cold. Amused laughter being shared between them as they reminisced and joked together.
Alex kept John close to him, making sure he was kept inside of the road so he was safe from danger. His eyes pinned anyone who looked at John funny. He was very protective of John, he was his everything after all the memories they had shared together he feared to lose him... Again.
They walked to central park leaving the never-sleeping city behind their steps.
They sat on a bench they've found next to the lovely water fountain that every park should have. As chessy as Alex could be he asked John if he wanted to throw a penny into the fountain and make a wish. Alex did not believe in those kind of things but he had his reasons behind his request.
They stood up from their shared bench and walked towards the fountain.
Alex took out of his pocket two shiny pennies and gave one to John.
"Make a wish" whispered Alex.
Even thought John was a bit confused because he knew Alexabder was not into this kind of superstitions he held the penny close to his chest and threw it into the beautiful marble fountain. Alex did so, as well.
"What did you wish?" Asked John curious.
Alex took a deep breath as if he had to prepare himself to reveal what his wish was. "I wish to spend the rest of my life with you" answered Alex.
John blushed profusely, his eyes widening as Alex reached for a small box in his pocket and kneeled.
Alex slowly opened the small box revealing in its inside a beautiful engagement ring.
"John.. Thank for sharing your love with me, for inspiring me to accept myself, for helping me see the unique beauty in imperfection, for showing me that love is something you do; something just not to be said, but also to be shown. If I know what love is, it is because of you." Alex took John's hand, "I admit along the way there will be hardships that'll try to haunt us down but I know that together we will face them and extiguish them. Against all odds and despite all the obstacles, we are going to make it... John.. will you spend the rest of your life with me?" finished Alex, his eyes looking directly at John's so he will know he meant every word he said.
John started to giggle and reached out for something in his back pocket. It was a small box as well. Still laughing John kneleed and opened the box revealing an engagement ring.
"I wanted to propose too" John admitted.
Alex widened his eyes.
"I guess that's a yes" he said.
Alexander and John looked at each other and started to laugh inmercily. John had also made plans to propose to Alex that very same day. They found such unusual coincidence humurous. They couldn't stop laughing. Their breath came in quick gasps between their unstopable giggles. Tears gathered in the corners of their eyes, threatening to spill.
After their laugher had died out. They helped each other to stand up.
Alex took John's hand and slipped the beautiful ring on John's finger. John did the same thing as well.
They stared into each other eyes.
Alex moved his head closer to John. leaning in, so John's forehead rests against his. They closed their eyes, both their breaths shaking.
"Thank you," John says in barely more than a whisper.
"For what?" Alex replies, his voice low and husky.
"For being you." His voice expressing nothing but affection and sincerity.
John gently leans in and kisses Alex's warms lips. They pull apart and take shaky, shallow breaths. Unable to contain themselves anymore, Alex holds John's head in his hands and pulls him into a fiery and passionate kiss. His hands work their way around his body, feeling each crevasse, each line along his perfect physique. They pull apart and open their eyes. They stare at each other, deep into each other's eyes. Alex's full of wonder and love, John's full of curiosity and passion. No words are spoken but a story worthy of them is communicated. They smiled.
Alex wrapped John in a warm swaddle of his chest and arms.
In Alexander's embrace the world stopped still on its axis. There was no time, no wind, no cold. John's mind was at peace. He felt Alex's body press in, soft and warm. This was the love he'd waited for, prayed for. He inwardly thanked God and hugged all the tighter. A love like this was to be cherished for life. Finally, he was home.
End of chapter 13