Enormity // Jalex

4. It stole our hearts for a while

~~

Alex had sepsis and it was all Jack's fault, or so the younger thought. Alex had come down with the blood poisoning the next day and had been diagnosed the morning after that when he failed do get out of bed due to rapid breathing and a high temperature. Both very common symptoms of sepsis and with his current sustained injury, it didn't look like a simple fever. Alex had forcibly admitted the incident that had happened yesterday, leaving out the part where Jack had treated him. His father would probably go mental and kill the boy and there was no way he was going to let that happen.

Alex was forced to pull out of the tournament seeing as he was in no fit state to fight and that just ceased to make him even more mad than he already was. He wasn't mad at Jack though, only at himself because if he'd been sensible enough to see Zack when it happened, he wouldn't be awaiting his presence and treatment right now. He may even have been able to carry on in the tournament which was better than staying in bed all day.

Alex was drifting off to sleep, eyelids drooping lazily when his door pushed open a creek. He lifted his head with much effort but instead of being met by Zack who'd promised to be back soon with his ointment, Jack's jet black hair was the mop that could be seen instead of the physicians.

Jack cringed when he caught sight of Alex's pale skin and cracked lips. His torso was bare and his duvet was pushed down to his hips. A light sweat covered his forehead and he croaked a quiet 'hey' that was barely audible.

"Hey." Jack replied giving him a meek smile back and made his way to the sick mans bedside, pulling up a chair and taking a seat. "Zack told me to bring you this." He wavered the small bottle in between his fingers. Alex groaned but Jack slipped a hand behind his neck to lift his head up gently. "It tastes bad." Jack warned.

Alex rolled his eyes but Jack could barely see from how far his eyelids were drooping. "I don't care Jacky, can't be much worse than lying in bed all day." He had no idea how the nickname had tumbled out if his pale lips but he could hardly care right now. He downed the fowl tasting liquid and then let his head roll back onto the pillow.

Alex had to admit that his affections for the boy since getting sick two days ago had become somewhat more prominent. Jack had hardly left his side, only to sleep and help Zack. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

Alex closed his eyes, "like shit." He tried to laugh but his attempts were feeble.

Jack bit his lip and scooted forwards a little, hand tenderly and timidly reaching forwards to trace over the fresh bandages on Alex's wound. His father had been mad with him when he'd found at that he'd hidden it. Called him worthless and a disgrace and hadn't been to visit him since. Jack honestly felt bad for him but couldn't say he felt sorry, for he himself had never even had a father there for him at all. His long fingers traced over the bandages, pads pressed along and drawing lines around them. "Alex I-"

"Don't you dare say you're sorry Jack because we both know this is my fault. I should have listened to you and gotten Zack's help." He said, reaching to grip Jack's wrist so he could proceed no further with tracing the wound. And honestly, it was kinda weird that Jack was doing that anyway but he could hardly deny the fact he liked it.

Jack sighed and sat back, removing his hand just as Taylor and Jenna walked in through the doorway. Taylor took one look at Alex with his sweaty hair and bare chest and pretended to swoon. "Alexander William Gaskarth might I say how gorgeous you are looking right now." She laughed and Alex built up the strength to flip her off. She rolled her eyes and waltzed over to his bedside, seemingly not caring that Alex could die from this. But that was just who she was. Her caring nature was masked by her ability to joke and laugh at any situation. Jack hopped up, offering her his seat but she pushed him back down and got a chair for herself. Jenna stayed standing.