BL ONESHOTS No.5

⁹⁶⁰Jack x Joke

Requested.

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"You fucken idiot.. why would you do that... why out of all fucken things, why that..and why alone.?" Joke had yelled towards Jack.

"You don't understand Joke, and I know you won't, so fuck out of business, this has nothing to do with you anyway." Jack harshly says.

Joke replied with tears in his eyes, "None of my business,! Yeah that I know, but you are my business, and this is one thing you shouldn't have done alone, and if you haven't realized yet, I'm your business as you are mine. I'm in everything with you, so why did you have to keep this to yourself and not let me stand by you when it happened, she's my grandmother as much as she is yours."

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Jack had gone through the surgery of his grandmother alone, waiting in the waiting area for her to come out but hoping that he would receive good news and he didn't want Joke to worry as he was when it happened.

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"You two do not need to argue about me, I'm here, aren't I? I've made it through the surgery, haven't I? You two need to sort out your problems, you two are together and made to be together, so be together. I am good, I'm getting better, and the surgery is over and done with and has been for the past 13 hours, now leave me be, so I can rest." Grandmother then lays down into her hospital bed and finally rest, Jake and Joke leaves after saying goodbye to her.

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"Next time something like this happens, let me know please. I was worried because you wouldn't answer your phone or message me back. Jack, please don't keep things like this to yourself again. We are in everything together." Joke then grabs Jack's hand and they leave the hospital heading to the car and then drove home.

As they sat in the car, the tension between Joke and Jack hung in the air like a thick fog. Joke stole glances at Jack as he gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turned white with the pressure. Jack's jaw was clenched, and the earlier fight echoed in the silence between them.

"Jack," Joke broke the stillness, his voice softer now, "I get that you wanted to protect me, but pushing me away like that... it doesn't help either of us."

Jack let out a frustrated sigh, the words scraping against his throat like glass. "I just thought it'd be easier. I didn't want you to see me like that... to see her like that."

"But we're supposed to lean on each other, remember? We promised." Joke leaned closer, placing a reassuring hand on Jack's knee. "You can't keep carrying everything alone. It's okay to let me in. It doesn't make you weak."

Jack's eyes darted to Joke for a brief moment before focusing back on the road. "It's not about weakness. It's about not wanting to drag you into my mess. I thought if I could handle it myself, I'd spare you the pain."

"For someone who's supposed to be so smart," Joke said, trying to inject a bit of levity into the conversation, "you sure have a twisted way of thinking. You should know by now that pain shared is just... a little lighter to carry."

Jack chuckled softly, the tension ebbing just a bit. "Maybe I'm the idiot here. I guess I just wanted to control whatever I could... and when it comes to family, I feel a bit helpless."

Joke nodded, understanding radiating from his gaze. "Family is complicated. But we're family too, Jack. You and me. We're a team, and I don't plan on sitting on the sidelines. I want to be there for you, the good and the bad."

As they reached a stoplight, Jack turned slightly, meeting Joke's gaze. The intensity of their shared history flowed between them—years filled with laughter, heartaches, and love. "You really think that?"

"Of course. You're not alone in this. Not now, not ever." Joke's voice was firm, yet warm, radiating a sense of safety that Jack desperately needed.

The light turned green, and they resumed driving in silence, but this time it felt different. There was a quiet understanding that hung between them, a promise that they would face whatever came next together.

Later that evening, as they sat on the couch of their shared apartment, Joke scrolled through the news articles about the surgery. "Look," he said, suddenly serious, "I don't want to dive back into that night. But I need to know how we can handle things better the next time they come up."

Jack sighed, feeling the weight of their shared moments. "Maybe I need to learn how to trust you more. To let go of this stupid idea that I have to go it alone."

"What about we come up with a code word or something?" Joke suggested, a grin breaking across his face. "When things get heavy and you feel like clamming up, just say 'avocado' or something ridiculous. Then I'll know it's time for us to talk."

Jack laughed, the sound filling the space around them with a much-needed lightness. "Avocado? Really?"

"Hey, it's random enough to make you smile," Joke smiled back, his eyes sparkling with love and mischief. "And it'll definitely knock you off those walls you build around yourself."

Jack rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Alright, I agree. Avocado is the code word. Just promise you won't throw avocados at me when you want to talk."

Joke laughed genuinely, feeling the weight of their earlier tension begin to disperse. "You know I wouldn't waste good food. You might even get an avocado toast thrown at you if you play your cards right."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, spilling golden light into their living room, Jack reached out, intertwining his fingers with Joke's. "Thank you for being you," he said quietly.

"And thank you for allowing me to be there for you," Joke replied, his expression softening. "Here's to us—together, through it all."

As they settled into the embrace of the evening, Jack knew that while challenges were ahead, they wouldn't face them alone. They had each other, and that made all the difference.

[No.105. Bye now.]