Bolt

When Mickey's sleeping, the room dark, and Jack can't sleep, he wonders what the younger man sees in him. How long he will stay. What he's ever done to deserve that love.

Mickey's love is so idealistic and pure; he is blind to any faults. Jack sees and accepts faults in his relationship; to Mickey they don't exist. It's puppy love, really; fierce and sweet and befitting someone Mickey's age.

He knows – from intuition, as well as sleepy confessions – that he isn't Mickey's first lover, male or female. But, in his heart, he thinks he might be Mickey's first love.

That scares him. First loves burn bright; a lightening bolt across the grey days of youth. He remembers that, and how quickly it ended for him.

When his aging body and jaded mind no longer hold his beautiful and young lover in thrall, then what? What happens when Mickey realises that he can never bring that sort of ardency to their relationship?

Jack tells himself that he wouldn't mind if it ends today, knowing he's lying. He wants this forever more.

Now, while he's still there, he nudges Mickey awake and smiles down at him. He fears their time is running out; that this quicksilver adoration will too soon turn to another. But not yet. He's not that old yet.

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