You're Mine

The Good Kind of Plan

John went for nearly the entire week without acknowledging Alex. There were a few times when he'd say "hello" or ask him a question but that was it. Come Friday, Alex wasn't having it anymore.

He sat down on the couch with John that evening and began his interrogation, "John. Would you talk to me?"

"Sure."

"So why haven't you been?"

"I'm convinced you hate me."

"No. John, I could never."

"What happened to 'you're a monster'?"

"That... never meant that I hated you."

"Really? Because that's what it seemed like."

Alex stared at the floor and shifted awkwardly as John flicked through the channels.

"John. John, turn off the TV."

He sighed and flicked it off.

"Look at me."

He turned to face John, a look of absolute terror across his face, "What?" His voice trembled as he spoke.
He was terrified of what Alex had to say.

"I'm... sorry. I'm sorry John. I'm sorry that you felt the need to kill people to obtain me. I'm sorry I forgave you and then regretted it. I'm sorry for not being up front with you. I'm sorry I can't... can't tell you how I feel."

"I already know, remember?"

Alex's face flushed deep red, "You...do?" Can he see dreams?!

"Yeah. You hate me."

Alex's flush faded and he frowned, "No. I don't hate you, John. I do not hate you. I don't."

"I'm unconvinced."

"God damn it, John!" Alex yelled as he pounded the table, "I don't hate you!"
John was very startled by his sudden outrage, "Th-then how do y-you feel about me, Alexander?"

His full name rolled off of John's tongue with distaste. Alex visibly cringed as he thought of what to say. I love you. No. Too strong. I don't hate you. I've tried that. I like you? Not strong enough. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. I wanna grow old with you and forget about these days. I wanna kiss you and hold you and I wanna-

"That's what I thought. You can't tell me because you don't wanna hurt my feelings. That's okay. I can do that myself," he spat and before he ran off, Alex noted the tears beginning to roll down his face. He slammed the door to his room and left Alex alone on the couch.

"I can't tell you because I love you," Alex sighed to an empty room, "I can't make my mouth say the words. I can't... can't tell you because what if you change your mind? What if you think you're not enough? Because you are. You're enough. You're enough for me. I love you. I'm sorry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex left the dorm shortly after his monologue to find Burr in the coffee shop.

"Oh, hey Aaron. How's it hanging?" Alex greeted him with a smile as he ordered his coffee.
"Hey Alex! I'm actually doing a lot better now. I wanted to thank you and John for helping me."

"Right. No problem. So hey, speaking of helping and John... he's kinda in a slump and I don't know if you know or not, but he has this massive crush on me."

"Oh, totally. It's so obvious. That's why I said you'd make a good couple because the day you met and I introduced him as gay, he couldn't take his eyes off of you."

"Right. Well, I might like him too," Alex paused, "I love him."

Burr stared wide-eyed at Alex and then broke into a squeal, "I knew it! I knew it'd happen! Ah! It's so perfect!"

Alex cocked an eyebrow at him.
"What? OTP."

"I am not even gonna question that," Alex chuckled, "anyway, he thinks I hate him for...various reasons that I'd rather remain secret for now. But I had an idea to show him how much I love him. Tomorrow night, I'll drop hints for him to follow you, and yes I'm using you as bait, but anyway- he'll follow you to the courtyard where I'll have a table for two and a candlelit dinner awaiting his arrival!"

Burr clapped slowly as a huge smile spread across his face, "You're quite the romantic. How am I gonna get him to follow me?"

"Leave that to me. Also, if he starts getting too close, run. He can get... scary."

"I understand. He's very territorial," Burr nodded and sipped his coffee, "so... give me more details?"

"Alright. So I'm gonna tell him something that'll make him follow you and you're gonna just happen to pass outside of our dorm, right? I'll already be in the courtyard before hand. He'll follow you down and when he sees me with the dinner, he'll realize you were just bait and not kill you!"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Nothing! Nothing. Don't worry! It'll all work out fine. Trust me."

"Okay. I trust you. Because you got me through Lafayette's suicide. Because you've been so cool about... everything, really. You're a really good friend, Alex. I appreciate you."

"Thanks, Burr. And thank you for helping me with this. It means so much to me."

"Anything to fix my OTP."

"You're weird. What does that mean?"

"Best not to get into it," Burr smiled hugely and Alex rolled with it.

After their plan was all set, Alex retreated back to his dorm. John was watching TV. He didn't even look up when Alex walked in, "Who were you with?"

"I met up with Burr for coffee."
John tensed and gripped the remote.
"We're just friends, John. Be more... chill." What does that even mean? What just came out of my mouth?

"Okay fine. You and Burr are friends. And you didn't tell him a thing about Lafayette."
It sounded more like a question than a statement but Alex simply shook his head.
"It's between us. Because you trust me with it. And I trust you not to go ballistic on Burr."

"I'll try."

"If that's your best, then so be it."

They sat it somewhat uncomfortable silence for a while before Alex bid John goodnight and left for bed. John instantly began scheming against Burr.
Stop it. He said he trusts you. This is a good step. Maybe you can win him back? Just... stay calm. And don't do anything insane.

John got in bed as well but he didn't sleep. He stared up at the ceiling until midnight thinking of all the ways he could end Aaron's life. He decided it would be best to stick with his knife pattern. And he slept, painfully oblivious that the very next day would change his roommate's life.
For worse.