Living

Chapter 12: Mind Over Matter

Trigger Warning: There are depictions and mentions of a panic attack. It's a pretty long scene, so I'll let you know when it begins and ends with this *. If you feel like you need to skip the scene, feel free to.

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Jack was aware he had a crush. He got one at least once a week. Sometimes it was a celebrity, sometimes it was someone he saw at Target. He was very versatile.

But he never had a crush for more than a week, which is why the way he felt about Davey scared him.

At first, he thought he really wanted to be friends with guy. Who wouldn't? It's Davey. But now, it feels like more.

"Which is why I don't know what to do", Jack sighed, looking at his little brother. "I know I like him, but what if he doesn't like me back?"

Crutchie and Finch sat on Jack's bed, staring at the older, who was pouting on the floor. Crutchie clasped his hands together. "Firstly, I would just like to say I told you so-"

"Whatever."

"Secondly, maybe you should ask him out?"

Jack sat up quickly. "Uh-uh, no way! I might die before I even gets the words out of my mouth!"

Crutchie rolled his eyes. "Well, do you have somethin' better?!"

"What if you guys hang out somewhere he likes", Finch starts, a small smile on their face, "then you talk about it. Turn it into a date if you can."

Crutchie smiled. "I didn't realize you were a romantic."

"Who told you I was?"

Crutchie laughed and laid his head on Finch's shoulder. He looked at Jack. "I agree with them."

Jack sighed and got off the floor, pacing in his room as his mind filled with ideas. How could he turn a hangout into a date? There isn't much he can afford, and dates don't always have to be at fancy restaurants. Nonetheless, location is important, and he wants Davey to have a good time.

Wait a minute! "Mexican food."

"What?" Crutchie and Finch stopped their flirting to look at Jack. "What did you say?"

"Dave told me he likes Mexican food!" Jack began smiling, grabbing clothes out of his closet. "I didn't think much of it, but now I realize I know where I can take him!"

"Where?" Finch looked at Jack quizzically.

"Chipotle!"

Jack finally found an outfit and ran to the bathroom, leaving Finch and Crutchie alone in his room.

"Well", Finch starts, turning towards Crutchie. "What are we gonna do?"

"Normally, I would suggest we spy on them at Chipotle", Crutchie shrugs. "But I'm not feelin' it right now. You?"

Finch shrugged, pulling their sweater back on their shoulder. "There's always pizza."

Crutchie smiled, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Cool. Wanna watch a movie?"

Finch smiled, placing a kiss on Crutchie's temple. "You read my mind."

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"So", Davey starts, paying attention to the pot he was stirring in, "how was your day?"

Les shrugs, deciding not to go into detail. "Fine."

Davey nodded. "I saw Sarah today."

"Really?" Les was genuinely surprised his older sister showed up. He noticed she had been keeping her distance, unlike his brother. "What'd she want?"