Jalbert Love Story [Completed]

Chapter Fifteen - The Finale

///Author's Note///
Hi everyone! I am so sorry I haven't updated in FOREVER but it's been busy (I've been a tad lazy) and I finally decided that this was deserved. I think that the story should end soon, but lemme know what you think. I'll of course be writing different stories and happily take suggestions (I.E. One shots, crossovers, fanfictions, etc.)! So enjoy!

Albert had walked calmly back from the living room to the bedroom, and shut the door behind him. He stayed with his back pressed against the door for a minute, before he felt his face go impossibly red and his head spin. He cursed Jake aloud, and then he finished packing. Finally packing up his video equipment, and starting on his suitcase, he mentally prepared himself for the journey ahead. He had packed 2 months worth of clothing- it would work, he could buy more clothes later- and had packed small sentimental items that had accumulated over the years. He looked through them, mentally counting them, and realized most came from Jake. He sighed, flushing again, and finished sorting everything that needed. He made the bed and cleaned up the room for Lana, and he finally opened the door. Albert rolled his stuff out into the main room with little difficulty, seeing the two others sitting in silence on the couches. It wasn't a tense silence, but it wasn't as good as light chatter. Albert tried to calm his heart from committing suicide as he made eye contact with Jake again, to which he quickly glanced away and announced that he'd put eveything in Jake's jeep.
Jake felt a pang in his chest as Albert exited the house with the first suitcase. He sighed quietly, looking down with his hands between his knees. Lana studied him, and felt irritation set into her stomach. She swallowed hard, and shifted in her seat.

You know... I guess you were right then.

Jake looked up at her, confused. She stared impatiently at him. Crossing her legs, she sighed, and folded her hands under her chin.

I think I know you have me beat here, Jake. I would never have gotten that sad about him being so cold. But you. You took that to heart, didn't you?

She shook her head sadly. Her irritation made her skin feel prickly, and she couldn't wait for them to leave. She caught herself though, and that made her feel even more irritated. They were going to leave, and she'd have to be alone for awhile. She didn't like it, but she'd have to endure it for awhile. Maybe even get another job if she needed.

Yeah... But you're hurting too, aren't ya.

It wasn't a question, and they both knew it. She looked at him, and nodded.

Yeah. I am, but that doesn't matter right now. Albert is hurting way more, so I think we both know what you gotta do, Jake.

She stood, making Jake stand as a reflex, and she went over to the pile of stuff that Albert had decided he needed. She was picking up a box when Albert walked back in, freezing in the doorway when he saw Lana. He made a small noise- questioning her intentions- but she flashed a quick smile before hefting the box up into her arms and carrying it outside to the jeep. The two boys shared a confused look as she left, and Jake tried to relieve Albert by approaching him and hugging him. Albert quickly shied away at the attempt, muttering something about needing to get 'everything done.' Jake tried again, but like the last time Albert shrugged Jake off and looked through the boxes. Jake chased Albert around the living room wile Albert tried his hardest to maneuver around Jake. Lana drifted in and out of the room, picking up boxes that Albert requested and she always took the ones that Albert would try to pick up first. Finally, he set his sights on a larger box while Jake seemed distracted in his attempt by a question from Lana asking about which boxes to put in the jeep first.

Albert was attempting to pick up a larger box, bent over it and rethinking his life. He flushed when he felt something brush against his butt, and jumped up when he felt it a second time after a small pause. Turning, he saw a grinning Jake and an empty room almost empty of all the boxes. Albert pouted, embarrassed by Jake, and Jake finally managed gathered the smaller boy into his arms. Albert squirmed around, joking that he couldn't breathe with Jake's arms around his body so tight, but Jake kept his grasp firmly on his waist and just below his shoulders. Jake nuzzled his head into the crook of Albert's shoulder, trying to make Albi feel his love- which seemed to work as the smaller boy quieted down and stopped moving. He breathed in deeply, loving Albert's scent, and lifted him up a little off the floor.
Albert squeaked, and dug his fingers deeper into Jake's shirt, more worried about falling onto the box then embarrassed at Jake's affection. Jake murmured something into Albert's collar bone. When questioned, Jake moved his head up away from Albert's chest and quietly told Albert something he wouldn't forget, and would make a beautiful memory. One amazing sentence.

You know you can't lift that box, right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After getting eveything into the jeep, the trio stood at the back of the jeep. They were uncomfortable at first, until Lana broke the silence.

So, what now? Are you two gonna go live together?

Jake nodded, and told her he had a little home off aways, and that it had enough room for two youtubers. She nodded, and looked away towards the house. The two of them continued to talk, their conversation becoming a buzz to the third person standing there. Albert stared at her, confused why she was so willing to just give everything up. If she didn't even want to keep him, if she never even loved him, then why did she pretend so long? He felt himslef start to get upset, and his hands clenched at his sides. His breathing started to become erratic. He felt a bubble of tension build inside himself, almost about to pop, when he felt Jake take his fist into his hand.
Albert looked up, startled out of his anger, and Jake looked at him seriously. He brushed Albert's cheek making him realize that he had been crying. He shook his head quickly, wiping his hands over his face to clear the tears. He apologized, and when questioned asked Lana the question that had gnawed at him.

So why then? Why just give up on me? I don't mean to sound so... victimized, but I just don't understand.

He flushed when he caught how his words might sound, and quickly tried to recover. He looked at her as he finished, and he saw her eyes flash. She looked away again, but eventually met Albert's eyes with a fierce look.

You love him, don't you? Not me, at least not anymore. I get it, I guess. I have to get it eventually, you know? It's part of life, I suppose.

The boys stared at her, shocked but understanding. Albert nodded, and thanked her for being so knowing. He stepped closer to Jake's side, and leaned into him. Jake approvingly wrapped his arm around Albert's waist, comforting him and himself in silence. Lana nodded, and took a deep breath. Exhaling, she brought her face up to face the two boys. She smiled sadly at them.

Alright, go on then. I'll be here, call me when you get home, I guess. I need to go talk to my girlfriends.

She waved them off and they climbed into Jake's jeep. Albert was buckling up his seatbelt when he heard a chuckle. He glanced up to see Jake looking at him, and Albert cocked his head. He heard Jake giggle again, and he had little time to react as Jake leaned forward and grabbed the back of Albert's head with his hand, pulling his face closer. His only coherent thought before they met over the console was that Jake smelled like DuckTape duct tape. He smiled into the kiss for a brief second before melting into Jake. They shared a passionate kiss before Jake pulled back- flushed- and turned towards the road. Albert cleared his throat as they pulled out of the driveway, returning the half-hearted wave of Lana's with their own.

So, where are we going, anyway?

Jake smiled at Albert, quickly glancing from the road to him and back.

I was planning to stay in the hotel for a little longer, and then we'd head back to my place, I guess. We can make it work.

Jake's confidence reassured Albert, and he let himself hope in that one moment. He knew that this wouldn't be easy- if the butterflies screaming in him didn't make that impossibly clear already- he knew that they had a long road ahead to make this work and be happy in the end. But, as Albert studied Jake's grinning face, he knew one thing was for sure. Jake glanced at him, and caught him staring, which made him grin even more. He studied the road, and tried to decipher his own thoughts. He knew, too, that this wasn't going to be easy- their fans might not understand, their friends and family might not understand, hell the whole world might be against them- but Jake was content in that moment.

A few cities over in a Wender's (TM) parking lot, the two shared a small meal of Frooster's and two of Dovey Sign Single Cheeseburgers. They ate while laughing, and eventually got back to the hotel that they would share for the next few days before they returned to Jake's town. As they laid down to rest, they laid facing each other- content to just sleep the long day off. As they drifted off, Jake grabbed onto Albert's hand, and they shared one single thought.

They both knew that even though it was going to be long and (probably) treacherous, the road ahead was for them. It was going to be for them to experience, and they would figure it out.

Together.

*The End*