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

[Chapter 20] To Compromise

James wished that it was three days ago and Alexander and he were curled up against each other in the confines of their bedroom. He didn't want to have to face the current horrors at hand. He wished and willed that this was all a dream, but he knew it wasn't.

He knew it wasn't from the way that Jackson smirked at him from behind the gate. He knew it wasn't a dream from the heat he could feel radiating from Alexanders presence. This wasn't a dream, and he was sure that if he were sleeping and this was a figment of his imagination this wouldn't be a dream, this would be a nightmare.

Alexanders voice cut through the silence like a knife. "You can't have him and you know that. What will you do to him if you do get him, though?" 

The question hung in the air for a few seconds, before Jackson's cruel voice spoke, "It's simple. Kill him. Slowly. We're going to make him pay for all the lives he's taken. I'm going to make him pay for the life he took from me!"

Jackson's outburst sent a wave of silence throughout the crowd that had gathered. Tears pricked at the edge of Jackson's eyes. His eyes were blazing with hatred. "You shouldn't still be alive. You should have been hanged when you first showed up." 

"I don't have control over that, Jackson. If it were up to me, I'd already be dead," James kept his voice level as he spoke. He didn't miss the way the hand on his back flinched when he spoke the truth. "What did I do to you that made me deserve your hate?"

"You little bitch! You don't even remember! You bastard I'll kill you when I get my hands on you," Jackson was snarling, teeth bared. "You killed my father." 

In that second, James realized everything. He realized why Jackson hated him and done what he'd done, and wanted him dead. The innocent man he'd killed in his anger the day he left Phoenix Drop was Jackson's father. He could never forget. He'd never forgotten that man.

His name was Leonardo Davidson. He was fifty-four and had two children. Jackson and a younger girl Amelia. Leonardo's wife had died while giving birth to his daughter. He worked at the blacksmith in town and was a kind man. The only reason he had been killed was that he'd tried to stop James from leaving and in his anger he lashed out and struck him dead. 

That was the one man that his mind would not let him forget. 

"I didn't forget," James said, taking a step towards the gate. "I can't forget. His name was Leonardo. He worked as a blacksmith in town. I see his face in my nightmares."

Clearly, Jackson was not expecting this answer, as he stumbled back a few steps before he had the chance to recover. "So you do remember, huh? Then you know why I owe it to him to see you dead." 

"Yes, I understand, Jackson. But I'll be dead in a few months time. There is no need to kill me now." James was trying to be civil, even if he knew it was going to get him nowhere. Jackson already had his mind set on being the one to take James' life.

Alexander cut in. "Jackson, is there anything else you want." 

Jackson considered for a minute, looking to Arsen, and then finally back to Alexander. "Yes. Your life. So James can truly understand how much it hurts to lose someone you love. I'll trade you his life for yours. It would be a better punishment." How he had known of James's feelings for Alexander was not a surprise. That night he had called out Alexanders name when he was in pain.

James stepped in. "You're not taking Alexanders life. He is not a part of this. It is me you want. I'll offer you a compromise." James looked at Alexander, and when he saw the sadness strewn across his face he looked away. He ignored the sharp pain in his chest. "You can be the one to do it. The executioner when the day comes. You can choose how it's done, but you leave us alone for the next few months, and once I'm gone you leave this town and don't bother anyone here ever again." 

Alexanders sharp intake of breath didn't go unnoticed by James. "James, you can't..."

James sushed him and focused on Jackson who was considering his offer. After a few minutes of quiet deliberation with Arsen, he finally came to a decision. "Fine. I accept your compromise. But what of Arsen. What does he get out of this exchange." 

"What does he want?"

Arsen stepped forward, speaking in his own sted. "Money."

"How much?"

"Enough to buy me a house in the country and let me live comfortable for the rest of my natural life." 

James glanced back at Garroth, whose face was stoic, but he nodded. "That can be arranged. But you must agree to stop killing, and stealing. No crime whatsoever."

"That can be arranged too," Arsen smiled, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. 

James crossed his arms. "If either of you break any part of your deals, the compromise ceases, and both of you lose everything. Understand?"

The two nodded. 

"Good. Now come back in four months. More details about the execution will be available then." Jackson gave one more final curt nod and then turned on his heel, stalking off with Arsen next to him.

Alexander watched on as his lover stood there asserting himself to a man who had taken something irreplaceable from him, and to who he had done the same, and to a man who was exactly like he'd been seven months prior. He was amazed, but also sad. He tried his hardest but he couldn't stop the inevitable. His nightmare was finally coming true. 

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Let's Be More Chill (Be More Chill One-shots.)

[Chapter 20] To Compromise

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"Why did you do that?" Alexander asked. They were cuddling on the couch in the living room, watching the birds outside the window.

James looked up at his lover and tilted his head. He made a sound of confusion and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why did you tell Jackson that he could execute you?"

James sighed and pulled his arms from Alexanders waist. "I needed to calm him. He is a violent man and if I didn't give him something he wanted in some form, he wouldn't stop in his efforts. I'm going to die anyway. What better way to go out than in the hands of someone's life I ruined."

Alexander frowned. "Why do you think like that?"

"It's just how I am. My insanity didn't ever really go away. If I am not cruel to anyone else then I am going to be cruel to myself. It's how I cope..."

"I hate it," Alexander admitted. "I hate that you have to hate yourself to stop yourself from hurting anyone else."

"I know."

Silence fell over the two. Usually, this is how they found themselves. They talked about the same thing every time they had a serious conversation and Alexander could never get James to change his mind, no matter how hard he tried. It was set in his mind with like concrete, and there was no getting rid of it.

"Please just hug me," James whispered.

Alexander complied with his request and wrapped his arms around James's waist again. He let James's head fall into the crook of his neck and let his breathing fan it.

"Tell me you love me," James whispered again.

And Alexander did. He told him he loved him, he told him that he would never leave him. He told him he loved him like this was the last time.