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Practically crashing against Jack’s old mattress, Joke let out a heavy sigh, the events throughout the day still wreaking havoc in his mind. The whole thing with Boss and the damn ring grating on his nerves while his lips tingle in reminder of his and Jack’s first kiss. Letting his thumb brush against the kiss swollen skin, Joke couldn’t help the beaming smile that lit up his face, the kiss being the only thing easing the frustrating and worrying situation that was Boss. Perking up when the door to Jack’s bedroom opened, Joke tried to cool his expression but failed when Jack gave him his own shy grin.
“Ready for bed?” Jack asked softly, sliding into the blankets while Joke nodded and did the same, burying his face in the extra pillow Jack had added before he left to shower. Making sure Joke was comfortable before he turned off the lamp, bathing them in subtle darkness with some shallow light being casted from the streetlamps outside Jack’s home. Settling himself in, Jack laid on his back and let his eyes trail over to Joke, whose back was facing him. “Joke…Can I hug you?”
“Hm…oh uh, y-yeah, of course,” Joke whispered, his voice somewhat muffled since his face was still buried in his pillow. Getting the okay, Jack couldn’t help but smile and shuffle around until Joke’s back was pressed against his chest, their legs tangling together while Jack wrapped his arm around Joke’s waist. Swallowing the sudden shyness he felt, Joke slowly snuggled back until there wasn’t any space between them, Jack’s warmth becoming a comfort Joke didn’t know he needed. “You’re so warm.”
Chuckling softly at Joke’s soft voice, Jack pressed a little kiss against the back of Joke’s shoulder, burying his face behind Joke’s neck, his body fighting the wave of exhaustion that has been weighing him down since he got back from Rose’s party. Biting back a noise of surprise when Jack’s body began to slump more against him, Joke could only roll his eyes in fondness as his boyfriend quickly fell asleep, his soft breaths against Joke’s neck. Jack was so much like his Grandmother that Joke couldn’t help snicker quietly.
Feeling his own yawn slip free from his lips, Joke let his eyes flutter close and let his spiraling mind grow quiet for once, the promise of sleep weighing heavy on his tired bones. Letting Jack’s soft breaths become some sort of lullaby for him, Joke didn’t have to wait long until he found himself unconscious though for some reason, not peacefully. Opening his eyes in what seemed like pitch darkness, Joke couldn’t even see his own hands until a flickering light lit up around him, temporarily blinding him until his eyes adjusted and Joke became aware that Jack was now in front of him.
“Jack? Where are we? Why is it so dark?” Joke wanted to question but frowned when his voice did not come out, his throat struggling to make any noises besides grunts and croaks. Scratching at his neck in confusion, Joke didn’t see anything restricting his airways until he peered up at Jack again, Joke’s face paling as he took in the angered expression his boyfriend had on his face, Jack’s eyes observing him with dark pools filled with disdain. “...?”
“You really thought I’d choose you, huh? That’s hilarious. You’re just a bothersome homeless person that brings trouble everywhere you go. Choose you? Don’t make me laugh!” Wincing as Jack’s loud and angry voice echoed around them, Joke tried to cover his ears but found that even that didn’t work, the rumble of Jack’s voice still booming in his eardrums. “I was a fool for thinking you’d change. You’re still the same deceiving bastard that you were from five years ago. Get out of my face, I never want to see you around either Rose or I.”
Shaking his head with hushed whimpers, Joke reached out for Jack but could only watch as his boyfriend just clicked his tongue at him and turned his back to him. Straining his throat to try and get any sound free, Joke begged and screamed yet remained silent as Jack got further and further away from him, the flickering light growing dimmer the farther Jack walked. Falling to his knees with tears now streaming down his cheeks, Joke continued to mouth screams of Jack’s name before he felt himself being shaken, heavy hands basically forcing him to the ground as what sounded like Boss’ ugly laughter reached his ears.
“Joke! Hey, Joke! Wake up, I’m here!” Outside of Joke’s hellish nightmare, Jack was awoken by Joke’s sobs and cries of his name, his voice absolutely breaking Jack’s heart. Pulling Joke’s trembling body around until he was on his back, Jack continued to pat Joke’s cheeks, whispering soft reassurances in Joke’s ear until his boyfriend finally opened his teary eyes, a choking gasp leaving his lips until his broken sobs finally rained free. “Shh, it’s okay. You had a nightmare. I’m here, Joke. Jack’s here.”
“J-Jack…” Fighting past his heavy sobs for a chance to breathe, Joke glanced around them and took in the soft light from the streetlamps outside along with Jack’s soft hands cupping his face. Moving them around until they were on their sides and facing each other, Jack scooted closer and held Joke to his chest, threading his fingers through Joke’s dark curls. Gripping Jack’s night shirt in trembling fists, Joke buried his face in his boyfriend’s chest, using Jack’s breathing to help steady his own. “J-Jack…
you really like me, right? You chose me, right? I’m not a burden to you…right?”
Taking in all of Joke’s shaky questions, Jack felt his heart break into pieces as he heard all of Joke’s insecurities practically pooling out of him, the nightmare obviously digging at Joke’s hidden fears. Gently shushing him until Joke could breathe without gasping, Jack continued his soft petting, his hand still playing with Joke’s hair while his other one rubbed along his boyfriend’s back. Finally pulling in a deep breath without it catching in his throat, Joke felt the trembles slowly fading, the fear from that nightmare finally leaving in favor of Jack’s loving touches, his warmth drowning away Joke’s cold sweats.
“I love you, Joke. I chose you and you’re anything but a burden to me. You mean the world to me, okay?” Jack whispered, his voice full of truth, steadying the rest of Joke’s nerves as he finally let go of the rest of the tension he was holding from the nightmare. Feeling Joke’s nods against his chest, Jack let the silence linger a bit longer, keeping up his comforting touches until Joke pulled back a little, his red eyes making Jack fight back the need to coo. “Come on, let’s go back to sleep, okay? It’s late and we have to get up somewhat early.”
Playing with the button of Jack’s shirt, Joke honestly didn’t want to go back to sleep, the thought of returning to that pitch black darkness making him begin to grow uneasy again. As if he could hear Joke’s thoughts, Jack gently pulled Joke’s face up until their eyes could meet, Jack’s warm gaze easing the worries that lingered at the thought of going back to sleep. Pressing a soft kiss to Joke’s forehead, Jack peppered little kisses all around Joke’s face until his boyfriend whined, his voice light in laughter.
Holding Joke close once more, Jack brushed his fingers through Joke’s hair to comfort him, not letting himself sleep until he heard Joke’s breathing even out, his boyfriend’s body slumping against his own as Joke finally let himself fall back asleep. Pressing one last kiss to Joke’s head, Jack made sure to keep his embrace around Joke’s body as he followed his boyfriend into a comforting slumber, both of them now in a peaceful dream full of love and peace.