Only A Matter Time

Chapter 6

Click

John's POV

Click. Click. Click .

The sound of Alex typing on his computer filled my ears and tap danced on my nerves. He's in in his study, which is right beside our bedroom. He's been at it all night. 

Click. Click. Click.

I bury my head deeper into my pillow. Finally I can't take it anymore.

"Alexander get your ass in the bed", I call.

"In a bit John. I have-" he cuts himself with a deep yawn. "I gotta finish this assignment. I'm not even tired."

I roll my eyes. I get up from the bed and walk into the study. He's slumped over his computer, his already prominent bags deeper than usual. "Babe you and me both know that you're ahead in your work." 

"OK, give me fifteen more minutes", he begs.

"Nope, you come to bed now."

"Ten minutes", he states as he turns to start typing again.

Welp, if he won't listen to me talking....

I scoop him up from his rolling chair, which by the way ,isn't easy. He doesn't look it, but the man is heavy.

"John Laurens put me down!" , he screeches.

As he squirms in my arms I carry him back to our bedroom and plop him down on the bed. Despite his squealing, I pull the blanket over him and tuck him in aggressively. He looks up at me with an irritated expression.

"You can pout all you want love. I'll just you put back in bed", I smirk, even though I knew good and well I didn't have the energy to carry him again. Alex probably knew too, but he din't have the energy to argue with me either.

"Fine", he yields. "At least go back and save my work."

"Of course baby."

I go back to the study and save his document. When I return to the bedroom, Alex is already asleep, snoring soundly.

"Not tired my ass", I mutter.  I climb into the bed next to him and wrap my arm around his waist. Closing my eyes, I let myself succumb to sleep. 

James' POV

I pull my coat close to me. I'm about to knock on the door, when I stop.

Why am I knocking on my own door?

I pull out my house key and unlock the door. I walk in and follow a light into the living room. 

Thomas is sitting in the couch with his hands in his head. His hair messy and unkempt. He looks up. He's almost unrecognizable. His usually cocky and confident demeanor is gone. He looks weak, and hurt. He looks..... vulnerable.

"James you came. You didn't text back, I thought you....", he trailed off. He looked so tired. It broke my heart. "I'm so sorry James."

"Thomas, you know I love you, but this has to stop. You keep doing things that compromise our relationship. I don't know how we can work this out...."

"James, I don't deserve you. I will never deserve you. You can leave now and never come back because I can't stop you. But if you can find it in your heart to stay with me, and fix this thing we have, then I'll do better. I swear, I'll do everything for you and more." He's crying. Has he been crying this whole time?

"I don't need you to do everything for me. I can take care of myself", I say. "What I need you to do is be here with me. I need you to be in this bed with me. Every night."

He nods in response.

"And the lying has to stop. I can't be in a relationship with someone I can't even trust."

"I swear", he repeats.

"OK. now c'mere", I say, opening my arms. He walks over to me and and collapses into my arms, shaking my smaller frame and almost making me fall over.

"Jemmy?"

"Yeah Tommy?"

"I love you too", he says and nuzzles my chest. I lead him to our bedroom where we lay down and drift off to sleep.

Alexander's POV

The smell of food cooking fills my nostrils, waking me up. I get up out of the bed, seeing that John is not lying beside me. I shuffle to the bathroom to brush my teeth, then I head to the kitchen.

"Morning sleepy head", says John cheerily with his back facing the stove. He flips pancakes in one pan, and fries bacon in the other.  He's wearing sweatpants and a tank top, with a yellow apron on.

"Hey babe. Don't you look cute", I smirk. 

"You're such fucking flirt Alexander", he says, turning the stove off. He begins to fix both of us plates when I walk up behind him and start kissing his neck.

He hums in response. "Now is not the time Alexander. I'm trying to fix breakfast."

"That can wait", I respond, with only one thing on my mind now. 

I turn him around and connect our lips together. He leans back on the counter and I push our bodies closer together. He slides his hands up my shirt and I moan into is mouth. I unbutton my pants and start to pull them down. 

The doorbell rings.

"Ignore it" I mumble, continuing to kiss him.

"Alex", he says. 

"Fine", I relent, pulling away.

As I pull up my pants, John answers the door. The door opens and I her people's voices. Soon following, Maria and Peggy enter the kitchen,

"Hey Alex how are you-", Peggy. "Oh are we interrupting something?"

"Yeah actually-", I try to say before John cuts me off.

"No not at all. Me and Alex were just about to eat breakfast", he says. "We'd love for you to join us." 

"Are sure, because we can come back later."

"No, no, it's fine", he says and makes his way across the room from me and wraps his arm around my waist. "We don't mind at all. Right Alex?"

I smile. "Of course." Even though they come at the worst times, they're my friends and I love them. Besides me and John can always pick up where we left off later on...

As Maria and Peggy settle in, I accidentally  drop my plate. As I bent down to pick it up, John took the opportunity to quickly pop me on the butt. I shoot him a piercing look, but all he does is wink back.

He takes his seat at the table beside Peggy and Maria who hadn't noticed any of it. I roll my eyes and take a seat next to them.

///

Merry Christmas! (If you celebrate it of course) Regardless I hope you've had a great day. Sorry if you haven't though. I know how terrible family gatherings can be. My heart goes out to anyone who had to deal with family members who don't accept them, especially if you had to change your pronouns because of it. I love and support you. Remember my personal messages are always open. Anyway, I'll pick up with this scene next time. Until then, byeeee! 

(also would y'all be interested in a face reveal???? Just curious, cuz I might do one. idk lemme know)