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The two were used to the routine by now. Ever since the strike ended, they had become practically attached at the hip. It was no longer just “Jack Kelly” or “David Jacobs”, it was always “Jack Kelly and Davey Jacobs”- “Cowboy and The Walking Mouth". They were so in tune with each other. That's how David knew Jack would be on the roof of the Jacobs’ tenement waiting for him. They've been meeting here almost every night for months now. The roof was their alone time, it had served many purposes so far. When Jack had a rough day selling, David's anxiety was particularly bad, times when Jack's nightmares got worse and more frequent, or even on the lighter days when they were just happy, the two would sit together and just talk or let a comfortable silence fall upon them happy to just enjoy each others company.
On this particular night, when David had arrived at their spot, Jack had been facing away from him. That didnt mean he didn't catch the slight shaking of his body, or the muffled sniffles. This struck David as odd, because it was a warm summer night, the sun having only set less than an hour ago despite how late it was. He was quiet as he approached Jack, like he was trying to not scare away a small, frightened animal. It was only once he was a few feet from the other man that he realized Jack must have been crying. This was also odd, because while Jack was an expressive man who wasn't afraid to show emotion, he had only cried in front of David twice before. Jack Kelly didn't cry.
“Jack?” David's voice was barely above a whisper, but it pierced through the air and startled both boys. Jack immediately froze where he was, and David could see him quickly reach to do what he assumed was wipe his face dry. He turned to David a moment later and had a grin plastered on his face. It didn't reach his eyes.
“Davey! Funny seeing youse here,” He tried to keep his voice strong and steady, but it still broke in the middle. Jack just barely winced at it.
“Drop the act, Jackie. What's wrong?” His tone was soft, so soft. It was a voice he reserved only for Jack, and both boys knew it. They both avoided thinking about the implications of such facts though. He settled on the ground next to Jack. Up close he could see the dried tears and the way his eyes were bloodshot. It broke Davey's heart to see his best friend like this, and he really wanted to know what had caused it so he could make sure it wouldn't happen again.
“Ah, nothing to worry your pretty little head over, Davey. Don't stress it,”
“Jack, we both know that's a lie. You can be honest with me, you know that right? I'm here for you, man.”
“Yea, I knows Davey. I appreciates it, I really do- but I really don't want you to have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
That broke David's heart even more. Jack said it with such conviction, but also like it broke him. He didn't want to burden David, he would never. He shared most things, but this just felt different. He genuinely didn't want David to worry about this, he worried about everything else too much anyways. What was another one of Jack's problems? He knew he could deal with it on his own, he always did. The feelings would pass, and he would act like it never happened, until the feelings and worries resurfaced. He didn't want to have to always take care of himself though.
“I know you can Jackie, but that doesn't mean you have to.”
And God did that break Jack. Before he knew what was happening, tears blurred his vision once again.
“Hey, Jackie, it's okay. Can I touch you?” All it took was one small nod from Jack before David was wrapping the taller man in his arms.
“I'm so scared Davey,”
“Can you tell me about it, Jack?”
“I keep having these- these feelings. Ones I'm not s'posed to have,”
David had no idea what Jack could be talking about, and it made him nervous. There is no way Jack could be talking about- no, David needed to get that out of his head and focus on his friend. He removed his arms from around Jack and settled down sitting beside him.
"Jack, you can trust me. You're my best friend. There's nothing you could say that would make me hate you, or whatever worst case scenario you have running through that noggin of yours," He bumped Jack's shoulder in a playful manner, earning a halfhearted chuckle from the other boy.
"Davey, this- this is different. I couldn't stand to lose you." David took his hand.
"Jack, you won't."
"David," he took a long pause, and struggled to get out the next words, "I think I like boys?" David's breath caught in his throat. Jack was like him. That doesn't mean Jack has the same feelings though. He felt Jack tense next to him, and David realized he hadn't said anything back yet. He seemed ready to bolt. David squeezed his hand gently.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. Thank you for telling me, Jackie. I appreciate it. I don't want to steal your spotlight, but uh.. me too?"
"Really? But you're so.. normal? I didn't think you liked boys,"
"Jack, it's not 'unnormal' to like boys. Sure, in America it's frowned upon, but we both know that doesn't mean anything. It isn't something anyone can control more than their class or gender or skin color. Actually, in Ancient Greece-" he was cut off by the sweet sound of Jack's laughter, "what?"
"Nothing, it's just.."
"Just what?"
"It's cute when you're all passionate and youse talk a lot," David was taken aback, barely able to process what Jack had just said, "I hope that's not weird to say now that you know about the whole boy thing."
"No!" David replied embarrassingly quickly, "it's, uh- it's nice, actually," he was increasingly glad for the night sky, his skin becoming incredibly flushed as the conversation progressed.
"Really?"
"Of course, Jack,"
"Hey Davey?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"Can I kiss you?" David didn't bother answering as he leaned forward. Before Jack, he was never spontaneous or confident. The boy changed him. He was the best guy Davey's ever known. Turns out he's also the best kisser too. He approaches kissing like he does the rest of his life. Passionate and without holding back. David may have started it, but Jack led it. Eventually though, they had to pull away to breathe.
"That was... wow." David murmured, pulling away from Jack
"Wow, huh?" Jack had a cocky look on his face, but his eyes betrayed him. They were as soft as Davey imagined his own were.
"Shut up and kiss me, Cowboy."