Cruel Laughter [Sequel To "Because He Lived."]

{Chapter 18} I'm Trying

Time passed quicker now that they both knew the truth. That wasn't necessarily a good thing. The days got closer to the date that would end things forever.

As the days got shorter the time that Alexander spent with James got shorter as well. He was usually off trying to convince his uncle not to go through with what he was planning. The efforts were futile. Zane wouldn't budge.

James's mental health had improved since the last time, and since then he'd only had a few breakdowns. None as severe as the last.

The bruises on Alexanders neck had been long since healed, and James had never hurt him again. Anytime he'd had a breakdown, he locked himself in his, well their, room and refused to come out until he'd regained control.

Of course Alexander didn't want him locked in a room by himself, he was afraid that James would do something rash. He never did, but there was the possibility of him doing something that scared Alexander.

As of late though, thing we're pretty good. They'd managed to keep their relationship on the low, the only person what knew anything of their relationship was Garroth. Or at least he was the only person they knew actually knows.

It was seven months into James sentence, and Alexander had to try his hardest to save him.

--

"Zane, please!" Alexander cried, hands thrown up in frustration. "You can do this to him! He doesn't deserve this!"

Zane kept his eyes trained on the fish he was cutting. "Alexander, do you understand what he's done? He killed a man, paralyzed his own mother, and hurt his father in more ways than you know. There's probably more things that we don't know about either! I have a friend who said someone who looks like James came through her town and threatened them all!" Zane took a deep breath to calm himself and placed the knife he was using down next to him. "Alexander, do not let your personal relationships cloud your judgement. James... he, as much as I hate saying this, is getting proper punishment for what he has done."

Hot tears were streaming down Alexanders face now. "You don't understand!"

Zane's hand slammed down on the counter. "I don't understand? I understand completely. I understand how it feels to be alienated by the people around you! I know how it feels to not have control over your own body. I know how it feels to watch as your hands end someone's life, and you can't stop it! Alexander, I know exactly how he feels."

Alexander stood silent, eyes tracing over Zane's expression. "Z-Zane I..."

"Alexander. I should have been punished but I wasn't. The way everyone looked at me was punishment enough. James, he has to be punished. I don't want him going through what I do. I don't want everyone to hate him. Death... is better for him. If it's what he thinks is best, so be it." Zane ran a hand down his face, and sighed.

"Zane... I love him, I-I can't see this through till the end. I can't... can't watch him die." Alexander wiped the tears falling down his face away.

"I know Alex... I know. He loves you too, so make these last few months as memorable as you can."

Alexander sighed, reaching for his coat. "I'm sorry, Zane. I can't let this be. I'm going to find a way to save him."

*

"James, I'm home!" Alexander placed his coat down as his eyes scanned over the vacant living room. "James."

He heard a few sound from the kitchen before James peered his head out of the kitchen door way, blushing and flour mixed into his hair. "Hello, Alex."

Alexander took a few steps towards him before stopping and taking in his appearance, "Why are you covered in flour?"

James's face flushed red again, and he looked down at the floor. "I uh... was trying to... bake you a cake." Each word that was spoken brought the volume of the sentence down until it was nearly a whisper.

"A cake? Why?"

"As a thank you. I feel as if I don't do enough for you... so I tried to bake a cake... and well... uhm." James shrunk back into the kitchen, a hi of flour shaking off his hair and on to the floor.

Alexander followed after, intrigued. He gasped when he saw the state of the kitchen. Flour was everywhere, but he'd expected that. Pans were littered around everywhere and bowls were left sitting on the counter filled with cake batter. The timer next to the oven was set for ten more minutes, and James seemed to be eyeing it warily.

"I think I did an okay job... I don't know how it tastes though. You'll have to let me know how it taste though." James began cleaning up, placing bowls and pans into the sink, and wiping up flour from the counter tops.

James was busy cleaning some dishes to noticed when Alexander came behind him. He only realized he was there when he wrapped his arms around his waist.

Alexander sighed contently, "Thank you, love. I'm sure the cake will taste absolutely wonderful."

James shrugged, resting his head back on Alexanders shoulder. "We'll see."

Alexander spun James around and stared into his eyes for a few seconds before pressing their lips together. James pushed back into him, deepening the kiss and wrapping his arms around his partners neck. Alexander pushed him up onto the counter top, arms locked around his waist.

Hands roamed bodies, touching skin and leaving a feeling of wanting more, and lips melded together hungrily in something that was more than love, but wasn't quite there yet.

The timer rang out, and James jerked back immediately, eyes flickering to the oven.

James whined, "Alex the cake..."

"Five more minutes..." Alexander responded, leaning in again. James laughed and pushed him away. He hoped down from the counter, flashing a smile at Alexander.

The two had never gone beyond kissing. The seven months they'd spent together, nothing more than a heated make out session happened. Alexander wanted James to be ready, he didn't want to push him into something he wasn't ready for, especially not after the ordeal with Jackson. Alexander was prepared to wait as long as he had to, even if it never happened as long as James was happy and safe.

And as for James, he was trying. And sure, he'd get there some day, but he wasn't there yet. He was trying his best, just like he had with the cake.

James winked at him, "We'll continue this later."

Alexander had no idea what was going to happen but he sure as Hell was going to go along with it.

*

I'm really sorry guys for no updates. My mental health was not so good and school got really hard for me. Things are better now though.

Hope you guys had a good thanksgiving and happy Holidays!!