Ghost Boy (Lams)

The Aquarium

John slowly came to land on the aquarium roof, he advanced to gently put Alex down but accidentally went intangible too soon and Alex fell straight through his arms, landing with a yelp and a thud.
"Shit sorry," John gasped, dropping to his knees beside Alex who was wincing and rubbing his tailbone.
"No no it's fine," Alex laughed, gazing up at John with a bright smile.

John melted at the sight of Alex's smile, pausing to take a moment just admiring it. Alex squinted playfully and slowly stood up, hopping from foot to foot as the cold got to him. John snapped out of his daze and quickly stood up again with a small laugh.
"Shoulda' worn shoes," John teased, clicking his heels together as if he was Dorothy escaping Oz.
"Sh-should've worn shoes," he shivered with a nod and a laugh. "Well, you can lead the way," he smiled.

John grinned and absentmindedly turned his hand tangible, grabbing Alex's wrist and dragging him across the roof. Alex shivered a little but followed with a laugh. John's hands were really fucking cold.

They reached the edge of the roof, right over the outdoor pools.
"What's in here?" Alex beamed, peeking off the edge of the roof.
"Sharks." John deadpanned. Alex's smile fell and he gulped, taking a slow step back.
"Where are the small cute fish?" Alex pouted, squinting at the water.
"Inside," John grinned, pointing down.
"Well how do we get in there?"

John didn't let Alex finish before he sunk down through the roof, disappearing onto the other side with a smirk.
"John! Hey I can't get through remember?" Alex called out worriedly, kneeling down and knocking on the roof.
"I know," John chuckled from behind him. "That's why I unlocked the door from inside."

Alex spun around to see John grinning happily back up on the roof.
"Smooth," he laughed, jogging to the edge.
John chuckled and held out his hands to Alex, Alex taking them and letting John pull him back into the air, over the edge of the roof and lowering him to reach the ground right in front of the doors.
"Thanks," Alex beamed, pushing the door open and stepping in with John right behind him.

As soon as they were inside they were greeted by a large tank glowing a gentle blue, swarming with various marine life. The boys marvelled at it with wide eyes, a gentle sigh escaping John's lips. At the sound Alex glanced over at him, his eyes widening at how stunning John looked right now. He already handsome as it was, now with his features illuminated by the soft glow of the tank and his skin already smoky like fogged up shower glass, Alex couldn't help but stare.

He was snapped out of his daze when John looked over at him.
"You wanna go to the tunnels?" Alex quickly spoke with a grin.
"Yeah," John smiled, turning back to the tank one last time. Alex began walking, soon realising John was still gazing into the tank and stopping.
"You coming?" He snickered, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes! Yeah, comin'," John stammered, racing after Alex and quickly catching up. They wandered deeper into the aquarium together, passing jellyfish floating under black lights and octopus slipping through the shadows of their tanks.

When they reached the tunnels John darted forward excitedly, bolting inside and gazing around with eyes the size of saucers. Alex chuckled at his antics, following him in at a slower pace.
"Alex look!" John grinned, jogging up to the glass to point out a family of turtles gliding through the water above them, their shells sparkling in the fluorescent tank lights.
"Pretty huh?" Alex grinned, stepping up to the glass beside John. He suddenly started shifting deeper into the tunnel, without even moving.

John's head darted over in shock and he opened his mouth to say something before noticing Alex was standing on a conveyor belt, slowly travelling through the tunnel. Alex laughed at John's reaction and lowered himself to sit on the conveyor belt, letting it guide him through the tunnel.
"Scared me," John muttered, floating down to sit beside Alex.
"Says the ghost," Alex snickered, earning a playful glare from John.

The tunnel fell silent beside the gentle whir of the belt as they were taken through the winding tunnels, fish, sharks, stingrays and other marine life alike slicing through the water above them.
"Sometimes I forget I'm a ghost." John mumbled, leaning back on his hands.
"Sometimes I forget you're a ghost," Alex repeated with a small laugh, glancing at John with a brow cocked. "It's only been one night and I still have to keep reminding myself," he snickered, looking back up at the tank above.
John gave a small smile but it quickly fell.

"I don't want to burden you, you're the only person who can see me now and that'll probably annoy you I don't-"
"It's fine John," Alex quickly cut in with a laugh. "I'm glad it was you,"
"Tha- wait, you're glad I died?" John hissed in horror, shooting Alex a sharp glare.

"No! Nono I didn't mean it like that! Rather, I'm glad it's me. That it's me of all people who can see you. I'd much rather you alive, not saying you're bad as a ghost, but I don't wish you were dead, even though you already are-" he began to ramble nervously, John's frown slowly rising back into his gentle smile.
"I get it, I get what you mean," he muttered with a weak laugh, relaxing again.
"I'm sorry," Alex muttered shakily, suddenly becoming very nervous when he realised how close he and John were.
"For what?" John frowned, staring into his eyes with a spark of worry.

"For falling for you after you died,"

A/N well fuck