You Keep Me Safe (Jalex)

19: You're My Four-Leaf Clover

Title from: "Glitter & Crimson" by All Time Low.

My mom's hands are on the steering wheel as I sit in the backseat with Jack, my head leaning on his chest as his head rests against mine. He has his arm around me and gently rubs his hand up and down my arm. I mindlessly play with his fingers on his other hand, relaxed immensely in his embrace. He's sure to hold my head against him every time the car stops to keep me from jolting forward. I've never felt more at home in my life than I do with him.

We're in the car back to Jack's house, where my mom is letting me stay the night. I'm probably going to be there a lot as my mom goes through the process of getting full custody of me. She told me we'll probably be living in the same place, which might be rough at first, but at least I don't have to move away from Jack. That's all that really matters.

We get there before I know it, and I carefully stretch before Jack helps me out of the car.

"You don't have to do that, you know," I tease.

"I know," he says simply, offering me a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. I shoot him a questioning glance, about to ask him if he was okay, but the front door of Jack's house opens, revealing Jack's parents.

I'd never actually met Jack's mom before, so I'm surprised when she knows my name. Before I can ask, she says, "Jack's told me all about you. When I was away, sometimes he'd tell me stories about you. I didn't know until today, though, that you two are dating."

"I kinda told them in a panic, I hope you don't mind," Jack explains, looking at me with worried eyes.

"Of course I don't mind," I assure him before turning back to Jack's mom. "It's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Barakat," I greet with a smile. We shake hands briefly before the five of us walk into the house, which is filled with the smell of Thanksgiving dinner.

"We haven't gotten to eat yet, would you two like to join us?" Jack's dad asks, looking between me and my mom.

"We'd love to," I answer for the both of us. We all make our way to the kitchen, serving ourselves portions of the delicious-looking food scattered on the countertop. My mom and I don't take much, since we'd already eaten. I take a seat beside Jack, who still looks slightly troubled. Something in my heart sinks seeing him look so off. I'd have to get it out of him later.

We make small talk over dinner, and I've officially deemed Jack's parents as my second family. They're some of the coolest adults I've ever met, and everyone gets along really well. It's insane to think that just a few hours ago, I was in the hospital, passed out from a blow to the head. Now, here I am, surrounded by warmth and comfort and love.

Jack and I excuse ourselves from the table first, and I follow him closely to his bedroom. He's been a little quieter than usual for the entire evening, and I was determined to figure out what was troubling him so much.

We get to his room, and I close the door behind me, turning around to find Jack sitting on his bed, staring at me intently.

"What is it?" I ask gently, walking toward him and sitting down beside him. I wrap my arm around his back, pulling him closer to me before rubbing my hand up and down his back through the fabric of his shirt. He's silent for a moment before he rests his head on my shoulder and reaches for my free hand. He begins to play with my fingers, and, slowly, I begin to notice his breathing escalating and his hands becoming more shaky. "Woah," I say, sitting up straighter and taking both his hands in mine. I try to look him in the eyes, but he's looking down. "Jack, talk to me."

"Alex," he exhales. His breathing is shaky, and he holds my hands tighter. "Alex," he repeats, his voice thicker this time. He lifts his eyes to meet mine, and tears are swimming in them, threatening to spill down his cheeks with the snap of a finger. "I— I could have lost you tonight," he chokes out.

"Hey, no, it wasn't that b-"

"It was that bad, though. Getting that goddamn phone call, all I could hear was your dad yelling at you because you were already out cold. He gasped and I heard him walk away, and I knew. I knew that he hurt you, and there was absolutely nothing I could do."

I pause for just a moment, comprehending what he said. I still can't believe I'd managed to call him, and I almost feel guilty. He didn't deserve to hear all that. "It wasn't your job to do anything, Jack."

"But I want to keep you safe, Alex!"

"You do, more than literally anyone else. You can't keep me safe at all times, and that's okay. But you do keep me safe. You've always been my safe place."

At that, he stays silent, but he hangs his head again. I softly place my hand under his chin and guide his face up, my heart wrenching when I see the water that had been building in his eyes streaming down his face.

"Jack, I want you to know that when I'm with you...," I pause, looking for the right words. "When I'm with you, I feel like nothing can hurt me. I've never felt like that with anyone, I've never felt at home anywhere before. But I feel it with you. And... it's vulnerability, and I hate that... but I know I'm safe with you."

His face contorts, and he throws his arms around me, almost desperately. I hold his shaky body tightly, rubbing his back with both hands to ease him. I feel his tears soak up the fabric on my shirt, but I don't mind.

"We're here now, and that's all that matters. It's all going to be okay," I soothe, pulling back and pressing a kiss to his temple. "I love you, Jack."

With watery eyes, he looks into my eyes and nods, a very small smile curling the side of his lips.

"I love you, too, Alex."

==+==

Well! That's the end, folks!

I'm sorry it took me so damn long to update this last part. As some of you may know, I'm not a huge Jalex shipper at this moment in time, so I struggled to find the motivation.

There may be a epilogue, but, for now, this story is complete.

I don't know if I'll follow through with "You Keep Me Sane." Maybe I will this summer when I have the time.

Thank you for reading. <3