You're Never Alone. (Skalbert)

Chapter 3: those tears in my eyes

Once they reached home, Jake got out of the car with the bag of supplies, hood over head and swiftly running in the pouring rain. Albert got out a few minutes later, hood not over head and slowly walking. All he could muster from his low energy supply was to sit on the second step and cry. The rain would easily make it look like he wasn't, unless you knew right away something was up, just by major, worrying-concern.

Elijah got home not long after, and he was alone. He stepped out of his car perfectly, closed the door perfectly, and oh-ever-so-perfectly started walking up the drive way, canvas bag in hand, coat partially zipped, blonde hair blowing in the wind. Albert was entirely aware, and looked up with his eyes, head still down. His cheeks turned a dark shade of pink as Elijah walked closer.

Love a guy who cares about the environment, Albert smiled stupidly. |you better care about the environment :)|

"Something wrong, Albert?" Elijah asked, very concerned, as he sat next to him.

Albert's heart skipped a beat when Elijah decided to sit right next to him, not even a millimeter to spare. I can't shake my head because something is wrong, Albert thought, but I can't nod my head because he shouldn't have to deal with my problems... even though he caused them. Torn between what to do, he chose the middle ground-- don't do anything.

Elijah put an arm around him. It was a a small gesture, but meant the world to Albert. He pulled Albert closer and rubbed his arm. Albert didn't know what to think and continued to cry, tears streaming down his face. He sniffled and wiped his eyes more, and it didn't take very long for Elijah to realize. He pushed Albert's head to his own chest and hugged him tight. Elijah pulled Albert's hood more over his head and just rubbed his back. Albert closed his eyes as he took in what was happening; his crush was hugging him. Context wasn't necessary, his crush was freakin' hugging him.

They had sat like that for a good 10 minutes when Elijah used his free hand to hold Albert's in his cold coat. It was freezing. He slid his hand down Albert's wrist and realized the entirety of him was chilly. He took his hand and slowly stood up, letting Albert stand. With an arm around his waist, Elijah brought him to the front door, and into the house. Good, Jake and Bandi are recording.. or at least upstairs. This is a hard thing to explain.

Elijah sat him down at a stool in the living room and took off both their coats. "Wow, you're cheeks are so pink. You must be freezing."

Albert almost laughed. He WAS freezing, but his face was pink for the same reason his ears were; nervousness.

Elijah went into the kitchen and made some hot cocoa. He brought it to Albert, who sipped it quickly. The heat of the cocoa warmed him up as it went through his system. When he was done, Elijah took the mug and placed it on the counter, then grabbed a napkin. He dabbed at Albert's upper lip where some cocoa had been left. Albert giggled and Sketch chuckled in return. After Sketch put the napkin in the cocoa mug, Albert just sat awkwardly.

"Do you wanna talk about what has been bothering you?" Elijah asked sweetly.

"N-no, not really.."

How am I supposed to survive without Jake? Albert thought.

"Alright. Well, I'm here if you need me."

Albert nodded.

Elijah reached for his hand. "Are you still cold?"

Albert could only manage to shake his head.

"Okay. Do you want me to go?"

Albert pondered. Jake would be proud of me, he thought. And then he said, "No."

"Then I won't,"

"........ Elijah ........"

"Yeah?"

Albert gulped. "There's something I need to tell you."

"You can tell me anything."

"........I'm gay."