Innocent (Lams prison au)

24

John lay on Alex's chest, his fingertips tracing tiny circles along his collar bone, his head rising and falling with every slow breath Alex took. It was a comfortable silence, an escape from all the drama outside Alex's cell. John was thinking of every moment he had spent with Alex leading up to right now, every word, every kiss, every tragedy. That's when he remembered.

He groaned, clutching his stomach and thigh with bloody hands. He looked up at John with sad eyes, whispering something that John wasn't able to catch. His eyes darted to Levi as he rubbed his jaw and spat out a chunk of blood, regaining his posture.

"Hey Lex," John muttered, shifting his head upwards a little and freezing his hand for the time being.
"Yeah?" Alex replied quietly, looking down at him with a gentle smile.
"Can I ask you a question?" John asked, shifting his gaze back to the wall he was facing in Alex's bed.
"That depends, if it's about anything besides us try again in an hour," Alex laughed, brushing a hand through John's hair. John chuckled lightly, lifting his head off Alex's chest and propping himself up beside him on one elbow, his hand still resting on Alex's chest.

"Can you remember what you said to me when... when Levi shot you? Y-you said something, but I didn't catch it, and it's been buzzing in the back of my mind but I just ca-"
"I love you." Alex spoke over him firmly, no hesitation.
"Wha- wait," John stammered, looking Alex directly in the eye.
"I said I love you." Alex repeated with a completely straight face.

"You had just been shot in the stomach, bleeding to death on the floor, and the first thing that came to your mind was 'I love you'?" John questioned in disbelief, tilting his head a little. Was he making this up to be romantic?
"I'm not making this up. I said I love you." Alex protested with a small pout. "Seriously!" He exclaimed when John raised his eye brows. A small smile lifted on John's lips and his hand slid up from Alex's chest to caress his jaw, leaning down and connecting their lips gently.

John attempted to pull away but Alex slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled him back down, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling his body closer.
"I do, I really love you," Alex spoke against his lips, his eyes closed and breathing sharp.

"I know," John muttered in response, his lips hovering just Alex's. "Because I love you too," he chuckled, leaving another kiss on Alex's lips.
"Hmm well I love you more," Alex smirked, pecking John back.
"No no I love you more," John protested, kissing him again.
"No I love you more," Alex responded firmly, kissing him quickly. "Do you need proof?" He smirked, tracing his fingertips down John's chest teasingly.

"I sure don't." A firm voice laughed bitterly from the doorway. John shot up and Alex popped up beside him, surprise swept across their faces.
"What is it Seabury? We're a little busy." John muttered boredly with a small laugh, earning one from Alex too. Seabury smirked before a frown set on his features.
"I can see that, but I think this should wait, Lafayette really needs you guys right now, you're the closest friends he's got without Hercules." Seabury sighed, nodding his head into the hallway.

Alex and John shared a sad glance before turning back to Seabury.
"Where is he?" Alex asked with concern.
"Last I saw of him he was planning to 'have a word' with Jefferson, and he seemed pretty distraught." Seabury frowned, crossing his arms. John swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, pulling Alex with him.
"Thanks for letting us know, Sam," John thanked him softly. "We'll go check on him now."

And with that they parted ways, Seabury making his way to the yard and the boys beginning their hunt for Lafayette.
"Where would he be?" John thought out loud, racking his brain.
"He's looking for Jefferson, our safest bet would be main offices," Alex responded, his gaze dead set forward as they walked. John nodded and they began making their way there without wasting any more time.