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For Alex’s 22nd birthday, his loves gave him the surprise of his life. Not only did they both travel to San Francisco to surprise him the day before, they also gave him concert tickets. Not just any concert, no. Joy Division.
Overwhelmed didn’t even begin to explain the feeling he felt. Holding the three tickets in his hands, looking up at his beautiful lovers with tear filled eyes; he had never been more glad to be alive.
So now here he is, getting ready in his small studio apartment. Charlie and Zach took less than 20 minutes to get ready, but they both knew that wouldn’t be the case for Alex. They knew how much this meant to him and they had no problem waiting. They kept themselves occupied on the roku TV, playing the most random youtube videos about cat cafes and creepy pasta deep dives.
Alex smiled softly at himself in the bathroom mirror at hearing the two bicker about nonsense. Shaking his head ever so slightly, Alex applied black eyeliner to his lower lash line. He took his ring finger to smudge it out until he was satisfied with the result.
He stood up straight to get a good look at himself. He pulled at the denim vest covered in pins closer together, adjusting the Joy Division ones to make sure they’re front and center. He wore a black fishnet top, black skinny jeans, and platform combat boots. He hasn’t been able to express himself like this in ages. Probably since before his accident. He found himself almost worried about what his partner’s would think of this look. It’s certainly a… stark difference compared to the two jocks that were sitting on his couch.
“I can hear you thinking from here, Lex!” Zach exclaimed, causing Alex to jump slightly.
“C’mon out pleaseeeeeee!” Charlie begged song songily, clasping his hands together and shaking them.
Alex rolled his eyes affectionately but respected their wishes. He exited the bathroom, his steps heavier than usual due to the weight of the boots.
“Ta-da…” He said quietly, his right hand messing with the mesh holes on his left sleeve.
“Holy shit.” Charlie breathed out, mouth agape. Zach was in a similar state.
“Babe, I,” Zach swallowed, blinking a few times to get his words to actually come out of his mouth, “You look so fucking hot.”
Charlie nodded furiously, getting up from his place on Zach’s chest and walking up to the smaller man.
He took his hand in his, admiring the man in front of him. He lifted his arm up, prompting Alex to spin under.
He did so, a flush appearing on his cheeks and a soft giggle escaping his lips.
“This isn’t…too much?” Alex's voice was laced in insecurity and Charlie had about enough of that. He places both of his hands on Alex’s cheeks, forcing him to look him in the eye, and softly placed a kiss on his lips.
Zach wrapped his arms around Alex’s waist from behind, placing his chin on his shoulder. Even with platforms on, Zach still towered above him.
“It’s just right.” Zach kissed his neck sweetly, no heat in it. Just adoration.
“Okay,” Alex smiled after the kiss, leaning into Zach behind him, “we should head out though. Gotta get our seats.”
Charlie made a confirming hum and separated himself, but still took his hand in his. Zach, of course, took the other.
The three of them walked to Zach’s car and they were off.
Alex always had aux privileges, but it came as no surprise to either of them that he played nothing but Joy Division on the ride there.
It was a good thing they left when they did because the parking for the show was a shit show. But nothing could ruin this moment for Alex, not even the fact that they had to park 8 football fields away from the entrance.
Alex could feel his left leg start to spasm at the treck, the shoes he wore being more unforgiving than he’s been accustomed to the last few years, but he didn’t want to worry the two boys that braced either side of him. He just chucked it up to nerves and excitement. He would be able to sit down soon anyways.
Once they finally made it inside, and after a few confusing directions from the people working about where to go, the three were finally inside. Alex could feel the energy in the arena. It was electric, and every sense of his was ablaze.
But there was a problem. Their premium seats weren’t actually seats at all. It was a pit. A standing pit.
“Oh fuck,” Zach cursed, squeezing Alex’s hand. “I should’ve fucking looked it up. I’m so sorry, Lex. I-I had no idea.”
Alex quickly shook his head and cocked his head up, demanding a kiss. Zach grinned and leaned forward, meeting the other man’s lips.
“It’s perfect, okay? You’re perfect. Thank you.”
Zach still had an uneasy look on his face, as did Charlie, but Alex pulled them forward with him through the crowd to get a good spot before either of them had a chance to rebuttal.
It didn’t take long before the first notes of Alex’s favorite song, Love Will Tear Us Apart, started. The stage just a few feet in front of him started to roll with fog. Black and white lights started to flash before them, and his favorite artists appeared on stage.
Alex immediately started to tear up at the sights and sounds, clasping his hands tightly and yelling at the top of his lungs.
Charlie met Zach’s eyes, both of them looking at their boyfriend so fondly. As if he was the most precious, special, and beautiful man in the crowd. In the world. And he was.
The concert continued on and Alex was screaming his voice raw, unable to contain his excitement. He was rocking back and forth, screaming along to every single lyric. He had never felt such an out of body experience quite like this before. The feeling of love, passion, and togetherness he felt with the band as well as the crowd and especially his boyfriend’s made him feel like he was simply floating. There was nowhere else he would rather be in this moment than here. Alive.
The concert lasted an hour and a half, with an encore, and before he knew it it was over. Once the artists left the stage, there was still a buzz in the air and in his body.
“Charlie, Zach,” Alex looked at them both in the eyes, his eyeliner now smudged beyond repair, “Thank you. I love you both so much.”
The two men wrapped their arms around Alex, sweaty and exhausted. And that was the exact moment Alex’s body went out.
Suddenly, Alex went limp in their arms. The two of them quickly released their grip, but still had an arm on either side of his waist to make sure he was secure.
Alex had a far away look in his eyes, something the two were accustomed to. His eyes started to flicker slightly, and 20 seconds later he’s back. He blinked a few times, realizing what just happened. His absence seizures used to be a more common occurrence the first two years prior to his accident, but now they only happened when he was particularly overstimulated. Good or bad.
His left hand was spasming against Charlie’s arm and left leg trembling. He had pushed his body and mind to the limit tonight. Alex groaned in frustration, new tears starting to escape his eyes.
“Fuck! Fuck!” Alex croaked wetly, a sob forming at the back of his throat.
“No, no. Baby, no.” Charlie said softly, but still loud enough for Alex to hear him amongst the crown dispersing around them.
“Zach, love, can you hold him for a moment please?”
Zach nodded and swiftly wrapped his arms around Alex, planting kisses all over his salty cheeks and neck and murmuring soft affirmations in his ear to try and calm his love down.
Charlie dug through his bag and grabbed a water bottle, foldable seating cane, and leg brace. Granted it wasn’t as good as his AFO, just a shitty CVS one you get when you have a sprain, but it was better to have some support than none. He quickly unfolded the cane, put the seat up, and took Alex from Zach and slowly sat him down. Zach wasted no time taking the water bottle and opening it for him. He made his way behind Alex, resting his hands softly on Alex’s shoulders. His balance was never the best when he overworked himself like this and he wasn’t going to take any risks.
“Okay baby, I’m going to take your boots off.”
Alex looked down at Charlie kneeling in front of him in confusion.
“When…why?” Alex trailed as Charlie gently pried each boot off his feet.
“Well babe, we wanted to be prepared. That’s all. The brace was actually Zach’s idea. We can’t really fit your AFO in here unfortunately.” He answered as if it were the most simple thing in the world. He wrapped the brace around the trembling ankle and placed a kiss on his knee. He slowly placed the foot down and got up to pry his bright blue sneakers off his feet.
“I’m sorry if this ruins your look, but I swear you will still look so fucking sexy.”
Despite the sip of water he was drinking he still chuckled softly at that. He eased both of Alex’s feet into the sneakers before putting the boots on himself.
“Now I’m finally taller than you, Standall.” Charlie winked.
“Those don’t suit you as much, babe.” Zach laughed at the ridiculousness of his preppy boyfriend in 3 inch platform boots.
“I would be offended but…you’re not wrong.” He leaned down to place a kiss on top of Alex’s head before placing a kiss on Zach’s lips.
“I’m going to bring the car around. Take your time, angels.” Zach said after the kiss and making sure Alex was stable enough, then went off to do just that.
“I’m sorry I ruined tonight. You guys shouldn’t have to deal with this stupid shit.” Alex said after a moment of what Charlie thought was comfortable silence.
Charlie grabbed his hand, his left one that was still spasming slightly, and brought it up to his face and kissed it. Not just the top of his hand, but all over, all the way down to his pulse point.
“My love, there is nothing that we are ‘dealing with’, okay?” It’s been a while since he’s heard Alex talk like this, but it’s also been a while since he’s had an episode like this. “We have to accommodate you. Just like we have to accommodate Zach on father’s day. Just like you guys have to accommodate me and my ADHD. Do you see that as ‘dealing with stupid shit’?”
Alex shook his head, a soft no escaping from under his breath. They were pretty much the last two people in the arena at this point so Charlie was able to pick it up.
“Exactly. We love you. Plain and simple.” Charlie squatted and took both hands in his, kissing his forehead.
“I-I think I can get up now.”
Charlie nodded and stood up, reaching down and wrapping his arm around Alex’s left waist and lifting. He folded the seat down and handed it to his right arm.
He usually would get frustrated if anyone else supported him like this, but not Charlie or Zach. He knows they’re not doing it out of pity. They do it out of love. They’re safe. They’re his.
Once Alex got his barings, the two of them made their way out of the arena and through the lobby. It was a bit awkward of an angle with Charlie not used to being this tall nor ever wearing platform boots before, but they made do.
Once they were outside, the crowd and cars pretty much evacuated at this point, they found Zach right out front leaning his back onto the car and legs folded.
“Ah, what a sight for sore eyes. My beautiful gifts from above! My loves!” Zach cried dramatically, jumping immediately away from his car the second the two were outside.
“My condolences, my dear!” Charlie replied with the same energy.
“You two are fucking nerds.” Alex retorted, doing his signature eye roll. But there wasn’t a hint of malice or annoyance in his voice.
“Why yes,” Zach said, taking over Charlie’s spot as he went to open the passenger door, “You are indeed fucking nerds.”
“Oh my fucking god, Dempsey!” Alex exclaimed, hitting him with his left arm, albeit shaky, as Zach helped him in the car.
“You hear that Chaw? We’re gods now!”
“Mmmhmm! Loud and clear!” Charlie replied, getting into the back seat once Alex was safely inside and buckled in.
Zach made his way to the driver's seat and started the car, resting his hand on Alex’s left thigh.
“Did you have a good time?” Zach asked more seriously, but still gentle.
Alex took a deep breath, grounding himself. He had just seen his favorite band with his favorite people. He was so close to the stage he could touch it. He got to shout along to the lyrics that have quite literally saved his life more than once. And he was able to do so because of Charlie and Zach.
“Yeah,” Alex smiled, placing his hand on top of Zach’s, “I really did.”