#jexer

"I love you!" Exer's voice cracked as he confessed, his hold tight on the other's shirt collar as his head hung low tears streamed his face, Jackson stared blankly at him.

Despite the confession; the situation was nowhere near romantic.

Jackson had randomly decided to ignore Exer, and Exer couldn't take it. And so he chased down the other demanding for some sort of explanation, before either of them knew it the conversation got heated and they trailed off. Somehow along the lines it lead to Exer spilling his heart out and confessing way ahead of when he planned to.

"No" Jackson whispered his response after a solid five minutes of silence between them except for Exer's soft whimpers.

"You don't actually love me, you can't" and at that Exer's head shot up and he stared at Jackson with wide eyes.

"Wha-" "You know me too well to actually love me. You probably just feel bad for me and maybe think you can save me. But you can't. Nobody can save me" Jackson let the words fell out with ease a small sad smile creeping into his face before quickly washing it with away with a more neutral expression.

The shorter boy felt his eyes pop out as his face grew pale. Jackson's words felt like poison which made him feel lightheaded and nauseous. He did expect Jackson to reject him but to completely deny his feelings? Now that's something he didn't see coming

The worst part is that in that moment dread washed over Exer as he found himself doubting his own feelings.

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Laying in his bed, Exer stared miserably at the ceiling. It had been three whole days since his argument with Jackson and confession. And ever since then he refused to move out of his bed unless for necessary reasons like using the bathroom,

This being the second time he acts like this, his dad of course was worried for him but Exer couldn't tell him what happened even though he already guessed his son's current depression had something to do with Jackson.

Jackson

Just the thought of him made Exer feel like he's going to cry again.

was he right?

Was Exer really wrong about his feelings? Did he really feel bad for the Latino boy and nothing else? That didn't sound right but his feelings have been really confusing lately.

Exer's stare at the ceiling hardened as he thought of all the reasons he might not like Jackson.

He's full of himself, stubborn, irreconcilable, indecisive, childish, and too damn petty.

He had so many negative traits.

Exer frowned at the thoughts that were swimming through his mind before closing his eyes and clearing his brain. An image of Jackson pouting face appeared in his head and he giggled softly.

'He is kinda cute honestly'

With a smile settling on his face, Exer's body slowly relaxed itself at the thought. The memory of Jackson's laugh graced his ears causing his face to grow hot,

Before he knew it, good memories of Jackson flashed through his mind.

He opened his eyes slowly and pondered on Jackson's words once more.

You don't actually love me

But he does,

He really does.

So maybe he can't pinpoint what he exactly likes about Jackson but damn if he doesn't like him than maybe the grass isn't actually green and they are all in fact, fishes dreaming of being humans.

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The next day, Exer made a trip to the Smith's house. He made sure to ask Ron beforehand; Jackson's uncles were at the shop and Ron had a hangout at David's house, one which Exer lied about joining. His friends will have to forgive him but he had a more important thing to do.

If luck was on his side then no one would be home except Jackson for at least two hours. Perfect for him to say what he has to say. Even if it's something the other boy doesn't want to hear

"So, what did you want to say?" Jackson stood towering over Exer with his arms crossed; he had a serious look on his face, one that couldn't fool Exer. He can see the nervousness through Jackson's composed disguise. In the way his palms sweat. The way he refused to meet his eyes. And in the way he spoke with too much pressure.

"I love you"

Jackson's mouth gaped open his eyes widening at hearing Exer repeat the words from that day. "No! I know you're stubborn as hell but you need to stop this" the brown-haired boy's face reddened as he stormed towards the door opening it wide for exer to leave "Get out! We've already been through this."

Exer sprang from the chair he was sitting on and shouted his bottled up frustration "We haven't been through this! You just decided my feelings are not real because you didn't want to deal with them" the shorter boy stalked closer as he glared with determination.

He felt almost like a predator stalking his prey; except he wasn't. Not anymore, and especially not to Jackson.

"My feelings are real even if you don't want to believe them"

At that Jackson pressed his quivering lips tightly together, he blinked away the few tears gathering in the corner of his eyes.

Before the taller boy could gather himself, Exer's arms found themselves around him, holding him tightly affectionately. It felt comforting enough that the tears returned, now stronger than before and he couldn't blink them away. So instead he let them fall.

"I do-" the younger boy whispered softly as he pressed his face against Exer's shoulders "-I love you too"

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He doesn't know how long they spent holding each other like that. His arms went numb and it was starting to hurt, but he refused to let go until Jackson pulled away first.

"You're such an idiot." Jackson laughed breathlessly, no doubt his voice cords suffered a massive hit from all that crying. They looked like a mess. Their hair was disheveled, and Exer's clothes had a wet spot from Jackson's tears- not that he really minded it really. He was too happy with how things turned out between them.

Jackson said he loves him back and it made his heart want to burst out of his chest and dance around.

"At least I'm not a nerd" Exer joke-mocked back. Maybe it was the exhaustion catching up to them but they both broke into uncontrollable laughter.

They really are a mess huh

When their laughter died down they both stared at each other's eyes for what felt like a lifetime but was probably seconds as they leaned closer to each other. It was Jackson who connected their lips and kissed Exer.

The kiss was soft, affectionate, and it felt almost protective. Jackson held him like he was made of glass and could break any second if he's not careful. Exer held him back tightly, possessively like he could disappear any second, like he was the most precious thing ever (he was. He is to him).

They both reluctantly pulled away at the same time when they ran out of air.

They panted slightly, then smiled at each other and went in for another kiss- before they could do that however the door suddenly opened and Ron stood in the doorway looking in shock at the two flushed boys sitting on the living room floor.

"R-ron?!" Exer shouted at the blue haired giant in shock "What are you doing here man?!" He was not supposed to be here, Exer made sure he's with David!

"Uhh, live here? Why you on the floor?" GASP "You two-?!" Ron's eyes widened at the realization and he looked at the two with so much shock it genuinely offended Exer.

"It's not what it looks like!" Jackson snapped trying to salvage the situation. It was however fruitless, obviously. How can this be anything but what it looks like? They were both on the floor, their hands still rested on each other's arms and their faces. were as red as the color can be. Anyone can see exactly what they were doing.

"Ughh just don't tell anyone! Please" "...Not even David?" Exer shot the tall guy a deadly glare which caused Ron to look away at the ceiling and whistle innocently.

The two went back and forth with Exer throwing pleads (and threats) and Ron simply ignoring him. Jackson briefly considered chiming in but quickly concluded he was too damn tired to interfere.

Come on man! I promise to buy you lunch if you don't tell anyone." That seemed to win the blue-haired boy who eagerly agreed to keep his lips sealed at the promise of free food.

The dark-haired boy rolled his eyes at the two boys' ridiculous display of negotiation.