The horizon and the balcony

Chapter five

For the next few weeks following that event John and Alexander walked on eggshells around each other. It was funny really how casual they tried to be but they would use the most minimal excuses to not be around each other. It was like the elephant in the room was trying to hide.

At first Lafayette and Hercules were worried but now they were keeping track of all the insane excuses that were being used. It wasn't the most romantic or couple thing to do but hey they were friends first before any romance ensued.

Alexander was sat on the couch one leg crossed over the other as he focused on the documentary in front of him. When he lived with his foster family there was a no nonsense tolerance. No games,movies or shows unless they were educational and only for an hour a day. He spent his teenage years trying to make them happy but they were never satisfied, they would never be satisfied...

"Mind if I sit here?"John asked gruffly from behind him. He yelped and quickly fumbled for the remote closing out of Netflix.

"Unless you were watching porn out in the open what the hell was that?"The freckled man asked raising an eyebrow.

"I...um it was nothing John, how was work?"he asked.

"Alexander cut the crap we both know I'm unemployed, I'm the Martha Stewart's of this damn house"he said crossing his arms.

"I was watching a documentary on fungi"he mumbled.

John's eyes softened.

"Alex you hate documentaries, you thinkin about Janice and Steven?"he asked. Alexander nodded and ran a hand over his face.

"Why were they like that John? Why was I never enough for them?"He asked. John scooted closer and grabbed Alex's hands.

"Look at where we are and look at where we started"John said and gestured around the room.

"The fact that we're both alive right now is a fucking miracle, so look alive sunshine"John said and raised his hand cupping Alex's cheek.

"I-I know it's just...hard"Alex said with a sigh.

"I know Alex, I know it's hard but I...I L-o-v-e you. I know that's a childish way for me to say it but if it brings you peace of mind, that would be enough" at this point John had closed the distance between the two. Alex could feel the other man's breath on his lips.

"Look at where we are, Look at where we started..."Alexander repeated in a hushed tone he stares into John's eyes and was brought back to where it all started.

Alexander's eyes widened as he was dragged through the cold streets of Harlem, it was December 1st and he was finally being moved through the system. The lady at the foster center said that this was the first step to being adopted.

"Keep up Kid, you're far too skinny to be moving so slow!"The lady said In annoyance as she weaved her way through city traffic.

"I'm sorry ma'am"he mumbled.

She gripped his wrist tighter and ran across the street. Once they made it safely across Alexander shook and looked up at her.

"W-we couldn't just wait for the white man?"he asked.

"The white man?"

"Yeah the white man...the one who makes sure it's safe to cross"he said.

She furrowed her brows and looked at him.

"You mean the walk sign?"she asked amusement lacing her voice. He nodded slowly, walk sign...that was a funny name for the white man. He shrugged it off and sighed thinking about the huge houses he had seen on the train ride over here.

This was just like his island but colder. There was the neighborhood bodega,the corner store,the school and the church. It seems like everyone's hood was practically the same.

They stopped in front of an apartment complex and the lady smiled.

"This is our stop kid"she said and walked up the stairs. It seemed like his feet were frozen because he couldn't put in the thoughts into motion to actually climb them.

"Come on kid, this is your new home-what did I tell you about dragging that suitcase?"she said through gritted teeth.

His face paled and a sharp chill shot down his spine as he flipped the suitcase around so the wheels were actually ground level. He hadn't realized he'd been dragging it.

"I'm sorry ma'am"he said.

"Good, now come on!"she hissed gesturing towards the door. He quickly climbed the stairs heaving his suitcase behind him.

She pulled out a set of keys and opened the door, Alexander was met with an immediate onslaught of noise. A boy around his age was standing there waiting with a baby on his hip, holding a toddlers hand. He had amber eyes and dark hair curly hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"Good John you're here, this is Alexander. Go nuts, I gotta run!"she said pushing Alex forward and jogging back down the stairs.

John looked him up and down and frowned.

"I don't gotta take care of you too do I?"He asked.

"I-I beg your pardon sir?"Alex stuttered.

John furrowed his brows and took a step forward.

"The fuck you just call me?"

It was one of Alexander's fondest memories, he was glad John was the one to open the door.

"Earth to Alexander, are you okay babe?"John asked.

"Look at where we are! Look at where the fuck we started!"Alex suddenly exclaimed. John's eyes widened as he jumped back in surprise.

"Yeah baby...did you have another flashback?"he questioned and Alex nodded.

"It was a good one this time, the day we first met"Alex said. John smiled and ran a hand through his hair.

"Oh god I remember that day! you were so small I thought you were like nine or somethin"he said and chuckled.

Alex glared.

"Yeah I know, I can't believe Janice had you working with all the kids"Alex said.

John shrugged.

"I was a dropout baby, I couldn't live there if I didn't do somethin"he said.

"Your accent is really strong today"Alex said staring at his lips.

"What's that gotta do with kids?"John asked smirking.

"Nothing, but it's got me feelin some type of way"Alex said. John leaned back and clasped his hands together hollering.

"No way! The prestigious Alexander Hamilton is using hood slang?"he asked. Alex nodded.

"You know I only speak like this when it's just you and me because..."Alex said

"There can only be one New Yorker who sounds the part"John finished with a cheesy grin.

"That's right, now quit playin with me and kiss me already"he said.

John gripped Alexander's hair and pulled his close.

"Don't mind if I do"