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the right decision

Summary:

Jack wasn’t ever good at making decisions, but this was a good one.

Notes:

second post in two days! i’m on a roll!

not beta’d.

Work Text:

Jack bit at his thumbnail as the car turned onto a familiar road that he hadn’t been on in almost six years. Jack’s eyes flickered at each house that the car passed, all of them looking the same as they did when he first saw them. 

“Hey,” a soft voice said from beside him. Jack looked over at Eric in the driver’s seat, one of Eric’s hands coming to tug at his own that was close to his mouth. Eric’s fingers laced with his own and gave a loose squeeze as Eric brought their hands to rest between them. “No need to stress, Jack. It’s my parents.” 

“That's the perfect reason to stress.” Jack defended, trying to pull his hand back up to chew on his nails, but Eric’s own hand stopped that. Jack’s leg started bouncing. “You weren’t the one who left for another country and then tried to self sabotage so much that you ended up on the doorstep of the guy who you abandoned.” 

“Jackie, I promise that my family does not care that you left so many years ago. We all know why you went and it’s okay. You’re back now.” Eric reassured as his thumb rubbed softly on Jack’s hand; right between his thumb and pointer finger. 

“Yeah, you’re right.” Jack took a deep breath and looked back toward the road as Eric pulled into the Matthews’ driveway, a few cars already parked on the pavement. Eric turned off the car and shifted to look at Jack now. 

“Remember what I told you?” Eric asked as he reached to grab Jack’s other hand, pulling the other man to face him. Jack took a shaky breath and nodded. 

“If I get overwhelmed, tell you and we’ll leave.” Jack responded. Eric had been very accepting with how anxious Jack was. Of course he was. Eric confided in Jack about his own anxieties. The only difference was that Eric knew how to control himself and was on medicine. Jack had gotten medicine recently, but they told him it would take about a week to settle in. 

“Hey.” Eric said again, one hand coming to cup Jack’s cheek softly. Eric smiled when Jack’s eyes met his. Eric leaned in and gave a soft kiss. Jack responded to the soft kiss with his lips pressing a little harder against Eric’s own. Eric pulled back and chuckled. 

“We better get inside before I ignore this all and take you back home.” Eric hummed, grinning as Jack’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open. Eric was quick to unbuckle his seatbelt and then get out of the car. 

Jack sat there long enough for Eric to grab the dish that they brought there before coming around to open Jack’s door. 

“C’mon, slow poke. I wanna see my niche.” Eric told Jack, who started to undo his own seatbelt slowly before nodding. Jack didn’t even have the nerves settled enough to correct Eric like he usually would. 

Jack felt Eric’s hand slip into his as they walked and the younger man led them both to the doorway. Eric’s hand slipped out of Jack’s and he knocked at the door. 

It took a few seconds, but the door flew open and Amy Matthews stood there, looking young still. Geez, did she age at all? 

“Eric!” Amy called out happily and her arms wrapped around her son tightly. Jack’s chest clenched as he watched the mother love on her son. His own mother hadn’t spoken to him in over a year. 

Amy’s eyes looked past Eric and her eyebrows went up at the sight of him. Jack smiled awkwardly and waved at the woman. 

“Oh, Jack. Hello. I wasn’t sure if you were going to come or not. Eric didn’t really give me a direct answer.” Amy said, moving to hug him too. Jack almost melted at the feeling. The Matthews’ always gave good hugs and still did. 

“Yeah, sorry about that. I wasn’t even sure myself about coming. But my family wasn’t doing anything in New York so I tagged along.” Jack admitted, looking to Eric for comfort. The man smiled back at him and nodded his head, still holding the dish. Amy nodded too, stepping back from the hug. 

“Come in. Get your jackets off. Everyone is scattered around so you’re urged to do the same.” Amy laughed softly before turning to walk back inside. Jack took a deep breath before following after Eric when he stepped in. Eric closed the door behind both of them. 

“Uncle Eric!” “Eric!” Two little voices called out suddenly and then Eric was being clung onto by a little girl and Josh. Another blonde little girl came up and joined in on the hugging, mostly the other little girl, though she looked confused on who Jack was as she turned her head to look up at him. 

“Aw, kiddos. I love you guys, but I have to put this dish in the kitchen.” Eric told the three clinging to him. 

“Let me.” A soft voice spoke up and Jack looked at the source, a little surprised to see Angela standing in front of them with a smile on her face. Angela carefully took the dish from Eric, who took the time to pick up the two littlest kids and swing them around until they were giggling messes. Jack smiled fondly at Eric, taking the time to take his jacket off. 

Jack hung his jacket up on the coat hanger and made sure it wasn’t going to fall off. Jack heard footsteps behind him before hearing a familiar voice. 

“So, you aren’t dead in some dumpster.” Shawn’s teasing voice came from behind him and had Jack turning on his heels to look at Shawn. 

“What?” 

Shawn laughed. “Last time I saw you, you were drunk and sobbing on my couch. I went to get you water and came back to my front door wide open and you were gone.” 

Jack’s face flushed and he looked away from Shawn with embarrassment flooding through him. He wasn’t in the best shape when he first moved back and asked Shawn about crashing at his place. The two of them talked and drank some wine, though Jack didn’t know exactly how much he had. 

“I-I’m sorry, Shawn. I was a mess and—“ 

“Hey.” Shawn cut him off, one hand coming to rub at his brother’s shoulder, his smirk turned into a genuine smile. “I know. Eric called me that same night saying he found you right outside his apartment. I’m not blind to see you were struggling, Jack.” 

Jack sniffled a little and gave a grateful smile to Shawn, his own hand coming to pat Shawn on the shoulder. Jack really didn’t deserve Shawn as his brother. 

“You’re just lucky we didn’t have Maya then.” Angela joined in, teasing a little as she leaned against Shawn, who wrapped his arm around his fiancée with a fond smile. Angela handed both of the men a soda. 

“Maya?” Jack questioned as he opened his soda and took a sip. Shawn and Angela’s faces broke into big smiles. 

“The blonde little one.” Shawn pointed to where the kids were using Eric as a climbing place. Jack smiled fondly at his boyfriend. 

“We found her through Riley and Cory. Riley went to school with her and we found out her parents were exactly the best. She’s in foster care, but they still allowed her to come to school so we went about becoming foster parents. She’s been with us for a little bit now.” Shawn happily spoke about his family and it made Jack’s heart swell. It was good to see his brother happy and doing well. 

“We’re hoping to adopt her soon.” Angela added, a smile on her face too. Jack nodded, smiling back at them. 

“Well, I hope it all goes well for the three of you. You guys deserve a happy little family.” Jack told them. Shawn and Angela both thanked him before a commotion with the kids had the two of them groaning and turning to walk to the kids. 

Maya was on the floor with tears streaming down her little face as Josh stood over her, looking confused and panicked. 

“We were playing and she started crying!” Josh said, not knowing what to do. Angela nodded and kneeled down to Maya, pulling the little girl into her arms. 

To Jack, the little girl didn’t make sense as she babbled to her foster mother, but Angela seemed to be nodding along. 

“Well, how about I go to the potty with you and Shawn can guard the door. How does that sound?” Angela spoke softly to the little girl. The cries from Maya slowly died down and she nodded, sniffling. Shawn helped the both of them stand before all three of them made their way upstairs. 

Jack turned his head and suddenly realized that Eric wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Jack’s anxiety spiked suddenly, feeling no longer calm now that he was alone in the room. 

Jack made his way into the kitchen and jumped when a voice boomed through the kitchen. 

“Jack Hunter! Is that you?” 

“Cory Matthews, you better leave that guy alone and help me with this food right now.” Topanga scolded her husband from where she stood at the counter. From the side, Jack could see her forming bump and suddenly remembered why they were meeting up there in the first place. 

“I wanted to tell you two congratulations. Sorry it took me so long to get in here.” Jack chuckled nervously. Topanga turned her head and beamed at him as she paused on whatever platter she was putting together. 

“Thank you, Jack. It’s nice to see you. Eric’s been hogging you.” Topanga teased, making Jack laugh. He had spent months with Eric now, unlearning all the damage that he had done to himself. 

“Shawn complained at first but now he’s got his own little one. Can you believe it? Shawn and I have kids together.” Cory said excitedly as he helped with whatever Topanga was making. Jack couldn’t wipe the grin from his face. His friends really didn’t change. 

“So, how is Rachel?” Topanga asked as she finished the platter and then turned to Jack to speak to him now. 

“She’s good. I think they stationed her a little closer so Eric and I were thinking about inviting her over for dinner one night.” Jack admitted. Topanga smiled. 

“Well, we can all meet up at mine and Cory’s if you wouldn’t mind. It could be a little friendly get together like this, but with Rachel.” Topanga offered. Jack smiled at Topanga, loving that she was still just as lovely as ever. 

“That sounds great.” Jack responded before jumping when he heard Eric suddenly yell out from the backyard. 

“Oh god. Could you get Eric and Riley in? I think we have everything almost done.” Topanga told Jack. Jack nodded and turned his head and saw Eric standing there, facing Feeny’s house, with Riley on his shoulders. 

“Feen-eh!” Eric yelled out again. Jack went to the door and opened it, stepping outside before he leaned against the doorway. 

“Feeny!” Riley’s little voice yelled. Eric shook his head. 

“You gotta do it louder than that. A little silly. Try again.” Eric told the little girl. Riley nodded and took a deep breath. 

“Fuh-Fuh-Feen-eh!” Riley yelled out. Jack jumped when a window suddenly opened from upstairs in the Matthews’ house opened and said man they were calling for leaned out. 

“Mr. Matthews, please. You know my wife and I are over here talking with your father. Why in the world are you calling to my house?” Mr. Feeny asked, looking as straight faced as ever. Eric didn’t respond, only grinned. 

“See. Told you he’d come out.” Eric told Riley before looking over at Jack. Jack fondly smiled back at him as the window upstairs closed again. 

“Food is done.” Jack told the two of them. Riley beamed and wiggled on top of Eric’s shoulders, the man reaching up to put her down again. 

“Better go wash up, little Pangers.” Eric told Riley. Riley nodded and was happy to skip to the door, loudly asking where Maya was the moment she was inside before the door closed. 

“You left me in there alone.” Jack said, looking at Eric. Eric’s face dropped and he looked worried. 

“Oh god, I’m sorry, Jack. Did something happen?” Eric asked, walking right over and resting his hand on Jack’s waist slightly. Jack laughed softly. 

“No, I’m fine. You were right. It’s our friends and family. I had nothing to worry about.” Jack told Eric. Eric’s face broke out into a smile and he nodded, pulling Jack closer. 

“You’ll always be part of this family, Jackie. Years, hardship, nothing will change that.” Eric reassured softly. Jack smiled and kissed Eric, his hands reaching up to tangle in the man’s hair softly as he did. 

The door opened suddenly and had Eric and Jack jumping apart. Shawn stared at them with an amused look. 

“God, it’s like living in the apartment together all over again.” Shawn joked with a big grin. “Riley sent me to tell you guys to wash up too.” 

Eric laughed and shook his head, leaning on Jack’s shoulder before telling Shawn they’d be there in a moment. Shawn nodded and closed the door again. Jack pulled back a little and looked up at Eric. 

“I love you.” Jack said softly. Eric smiled back at him and rested their foreheads together. 

“I love you too.” 

As they all settled inside minutes later, Jack couldn’t help but smile to himself as his boyfriend was happy to make jokes. It only solidified one thing. Coming home to Eric would always be the right choice. 

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