One Last Time //Lams//University AU//Part 1

Chapter 42

March 17 2018
Wednesday

Alex POV
These exams are actually pretty easy. There are these ones and then the end of year exams, I find them easy but I can't imagine how John is coping right now. He can't write for himself!

"I'm lucky to be alive, that's all I care about." he says as we walk into our apartment. "Yeah, you haven't explained what happened yet." I reply shutting the door behind us and sitting down on the couch. He sits down next to me and I snuggle up to him.

"It was nothing." he says, I glare. "Nothing isn't the answer I'm looking for and you know that." I say, he sighs, "It was just a stupid argument." I look at him like he's crazy, "'Stupid' arguments don't end in bullets to the arm." I say, "It was actually to the chest." he mumbles, "Not any better!"

"Okay, fine. Lee and I started a duel. If I won I got to beat the shit out of Jefferson, if I lost I die." he says and I look at him shocked, "A duel? Are you kidding me?!" I yell and he shakes his head, "But it was just you two! Rule number two of a duel is that you have a second so they can negotiate a peace!"

"Yeah, well it was just a shoot-shoot thing." he says, "And it was all for you." I feel the blush creep onto my face and I gently put my face into his shoulder, "You're an idiot." I mumble.

The door knocks, John gets up to answer it. "Dad? What are you doing here?" he asks stepping aside for Henry to enter. "Oh my God you're okay! I heard about the shooting." he says walking inside. "Oh. No it was just my arm." John says shutting the door.

Henry hugs John tightly avoiding his arm, "I was out of town, I just heard about it when I got back about an hour ago." John hugs him back, "Thanks dad but I'm okay." he says. Henry let's go of him.

I pull out my phone to check the time, "Oh shoot! I'm supposed to pick Bella up. I'll see you later." I say getting up and leaving. The sisters and I are taking Bella out for some sibling fun. They're waiting outside for me.

John POV
I've been thinking about this for a while and I need to tell my dad about Alex and I. It's time, I've been closeted long enough.

"Dad, I need to talk to you about something really important." I say sitting back down on the couch. He sits down next to me, "Sure, what is it son?" he asks, I take a deep breath.

"Dad, I know that for a long time you have been trying to get me to live a long and successful life. Get a good education, a good job, a great house, a loving wife and kids..." I start, he looks at me worried. "And I know that what I'm about to tell you is going to throw a wrench into your plan but I want you to be a part of my life, and I know that it won't be my life if I don't tell you this."

"You're making me nervous John, is there something wrong?" he asks nervously, "Dad, I'm gay." I say. He looks at me for a second and then looks down. "Oh..." I look at him scared for his reaction. "Oh... I- Uh..." he's at a loss for words.

He looks back up at me, "How long have you known?" he asks, "Since I was 10, Logan Smith, that boy I kept begging for play dates with. He was my first crush." I say looking down. "You're not mad are you?" I ask, he sighs. "I guess, I was just hoping that you would give me grandkids." he says with a small laugh.

"I still want kids, and you definitely will have grandchildren. You have four other kids, one of them is bound to be straight." he laughs at that. "...so you're okay with this?" I ask scared for the answer. "Well, I've never givin it much thought." he says, he looks back up at me, "You're my son. Of course I accept you."

"Oh thank God." I say as he pulls me into a hug. "So, you have any secret boyfriends I don't know about?" he asks, "Yes. Alexander and I will have been dating for five months starting tomorrow." I say, he looks surprised. "Wow, I had no clue. You really are good at keeping secrets."

"He's a smart one. You're a lucky guy." I shake my head, "Smart but stubborn and can't admit when he's wrong." I say, "I love him for that." he pats me on the shoulder, "You love him?" he asks and I nod. "Well, as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"Thanks dad." I say, he smiles, "No problem son." I get up, "You wanna stay for dinner?" I ask and he shakes his head, "How about you and Alexander come to my house for dinner? He can meet the spawn." I laugh at the joke, "I'll call him."

I take out my phone and speed dial his number, it rings twice and he picks up.

"Hey baby, what's up?"
"I told my dad, he's cool with it. He wants to know if we want to come over for dinner. You can meet my siblings."
"Wait, you told your dad about us?!"
"Yeah."
"I'm proud of you, if we get home early enough we can- ALEXANDER, BELLA IS FIVE!"
"Sorry!"
"So is that a yes?"
"Yeah, that would be great."
"Alright then, tell the girls I say 'Hi'."
"Will do. See you later!"
"Bye."

"He says yes. So we'll see you at six?" I ask, "Alright then. See you later son." "Bye." he leaves the apartment and I'm alone. Might as well begin rewatching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, five months and Alexander and I have watched it twice together. He won't mind if I start without him, we can just start from the beginning again.