For Forever ~Lams YouTube AU~

Chapter 4

~Trigger warnings: homophobia and racism (is that the word?)~

(John P.O.V)

It's been a week since I met Alexander and we did the Q&A. We see each other almost every day now, because we live surprisingly close. I've noticed that he relaxed around me and seems far more comfortable, yet sometimes he sinks back into a hole of doubt and apologies.

"Heyo, Earth to Laurens?" Alexander waved a hand in front of my face and I realized I'd been spacing out. And by that I mean 'staring at him' but I wasn't about to tell him that.

"Oh sorry just... thinking." I focused my eyes on his face, which really wasn't hard to do. Let's just say, his face isn't exactly repulsive.

"I could tell. Wanna tell me what you were thinking about or is it between you and your thoughts?"

"Oh it's nothing."

"Ok, sure." He leaned back against the bench we were seated on, then frowned for a second, and climbed onto the back on the bench, disregarding the actual seating part completely.

"Alexander, what are you doing?" I looked up at him skeptically as he rocked back and forth softly.

"Call me Alex. To answer your question, I am sitting on a bench and getting weird looks from that middle-aged white probably straight lady over there." He replied immediately and glanced at the woman, who looked away hastily.

"I see..."

"You seem awkward, did I do something wrong? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to I'm just not that good with talking to pe–"

I pulled myself up next to Alexander and pressed a finger to his lips to silence him. His beautiful blue eyes widened and his face reddened considerably, but he made no move to scoot away, so I pulled my arm back and tried to look as small as possible.

"Sorry." I muttered. "You're not doing anything wrong, you're a great person, I just... I dunno... am awkward?"

Alexander blinked at me then laughed. The lady who had been looking at him before stared at him again, and Alexander shot her a reprimanding look.

"It's rude to stare." He commented to no one in particular.

I chuckled and scooted closer, so our hands were touching. Alexander took my hand in his and I blushed brightly, all the while trying to remember he was just being friendly. Just being friendly.

Right?

Alexander let go of my hand suddenly, cheeks red as if he only just realized what he'd been doing.

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking pretty upset with himself. "My bad."

"N-no it's fine." I stuttered, then cursed myself for doing so, because it made him look even more disappointed in his actions.

"Sorry."

"Honestly Alexander, it's ok." I took his hand to prove a point and his blue eyes lit up.

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just enjoying each others company, until he broke the silence, which I didn't mind either.

"Anyways that lady is still staring..." He trailed off, looking over his shoulder at the lady who was, in fact, still looking at him... us, but mainly him.

"Just ignore her." I smiled at him and he moved even closer, leaning his head on my shoulder.

He's a pretty lean-on-your-shoulder-once-I've-gotten-to-know-you type of person. It still makes my cheeks redden and my gay soul start screeching. Not a good sign if I want to be friends with this man.

"Ok, she's starting to freak me out." Alexander looked behind again, eyes locking with the woman's.

"Ignore her Alexander." I told him, and he turned his head towards me again, leaning his chin on my shoulder and clutching my hand tighter.

"Yeah, no, not gonna happen." He frowned and sat up, hopping off the bench and turning towards the woman, who was staring at him in a disapproving way.

I got duel vibes from the whole thing, like they were going to pull out pistols and shoot. But they didn't, he just slowly advanced, clearly concerned. I hopped off the bench, following him and taking his hand.

"Ma'am?" Alexander spoke up once he got decently close to the woman so she could hear him. "Can you please stop staring at me? It's honestly freaking me out."

Wow, he has guts to talk to the lady. But I'd learnt that he'd speak up about things that bothered him if they weren't personal, so talking to some random lady who was being really weird isn't too much of a stretch for him.

She looked at him and I tightened my grip on his hand, noticing something flash in her eyes that I did not like.

"Aren't you ashamed?" She snarled.

"Of what? I'm just saying it's weird for you to incessantly stare at me."

"Of being a gay immigrant." She sneered, and Alexander's hand went limp in mine.

"I'm not gay. I'm bi." He pointed out, but his mind was clearly somewhere else. "And that's no reason to look like your going to murder me. At least have the decency to not stare. Did your mother never teach you what was rude?"

"Alexander? Let's go." I muttered, tugging him away gently.

"Go back where you came from." The lady snapped and Alexander's face leeched of color, so I pulled him away.

"She was a crazy mean witch." I said once we were far enough away.

"Is it really that obvious?" He muttered. Or at least, I think that's what he said, Alexander had said it under his breath.

"Alexander?"

"I'm sorry, do you want to meet up tomorrow? I... need to go now." He looked down and let go of my hand.

"Sure. If something was wrong you'd tell me, right?"

"Depends on what's wrong." He walked off with a mock salute.

I felt pretty disappointed that he'd left, but Alexander had clearly seemed upset. I want to burn that lady.

I can't though, so I headed home, already anticipating the next time I got to see Alexander.