inkspresso

so please, drive me insane

Zach enters the coffee shop mid afternoon and inhales the coffee aroma that lingers in the air. His hands trembled at the sudden sense of freedom.

"Dude, are you okay?" Ava asks from the counter.

He swallows in dryly and nods. He looks around, searching for Jack. He knew he was off today, but Jack enjoyed coming into the coffee shop to read.

"Jack's in the library portion."

Zach nods and makes a beeline to it.

Once he enters, he's engulfed by the smell of books.

"Zach?" A familiar voice calls him out.

The brunet immediately runs to Jack's arms and hides his face from the rest of the world.

"Baby, are you okay?" He asks, concerned.

Zach only holds onto Jack a bit more tightly. He tries to control his breathing, but to no avail; he starts crying.

Jack immediately cups his face and helps him calm down. Once his breathing returns to normal, Jack speaks. "What's wrong, baby?"

His eyes water again, but Zach holds it in. "I-I haven't s-slept in two days, I-I still have to p-pack, a-and I've been working nonstop." He gasps for air. "I-I just w-wanna sleep, but I can't."

"What about your parents, honey? Can't they help?"

"T-They're the reason I am this way." He wipes his tears.

"Let's go to my place. Do you want anything to eat, sweetheart?"

Zach shakes his head.

"Let's get you in my bed, hm?" He caresses his face. "Do you wanna shower too? It'll help you fall asleep faster."

He nods.

***

While Zach is in the shower, Jack cooks him a grilled cheese for him to, at least, eat something.

The brunet comes out in one of Jack's t-shirts and a pair of shorts. Jack enters the room and sees him curled up in a little ball.

Jack presses a kiss onto his temple. "Some grilled cheese for my pretty lover." He sets a tray on the bed.

Zach turns to him and sits up. Jack runs his fingers through his hair and presses a kiss onto his forehead. "Dig in, I wanna see you with a smile on your pretty face."

The brunet blushes lightly and takes a bite out of the food. He hums.

Jack smiles softly as he watches him eat. Zach offers him a bite. "I made it for you, eat it." He nudges him lightly.

Zach nods and continues eating. Once he's done, he cleans his mouth and fingers, and gets ready to take the plate to the kitchen, but Jack takes the plate off his hands and sets it on his bedside table.

He tugs him closer to wrap his arm around him. "Talk to me." He pleads quietly.

The brunet takes a few deep breaths. "I-I do everything around the house... I'm a servant in my own home." He explains."When uhm... you dropped me off the other day, I cooked them dinner, unpacked their bags, and did their laundry, I-" He wipes his tears. "I haven't stopped cleaning after their mess. No food I cook is good enough for them because they're used to living in hotels."

"It's okay, you're here now." Jack reassures as he cradles him in his arms. "You're sleeping over tonight, and they can starve for all I care. I want you to rest now." He mumbles.

Zach nods and sniffs. "My brother told them I was going to London, and now they're talking about visiting London next... I just hope it's not the same flight as mine."