Epilogue: Just Another Piece Of Teenaged Wildlife

Noah

I woke up slowly, to the sound of the radio as it came on, playing music softly from its position besides the bed. The song that was playing over the radio made me smile. It was the song that had begun it all. David Bowie’s Teenage Wildlife. It was that song that had started it all.

I propped myself up carefully on one elbow, wincing slightly as I did. My body felt sweaty, sticky and sore from the previous night. The addition of the still fading bruises from the encounter with Brad three months before, didn’t help. It was surprising how long bruising lasted. And how a bit of strenuous physical activity could aggravate it. But as I looked down on the person sprawled out beside me, it all seemed worth it.

I reached across, trailing my fingers lightly across Jackson’s collar bone, and down his bare chest. His breathing was regular, suggesting he was still asleep. I moved my hand down further, pushing the blanket out of the way, so that it left him bare to the hips. My fingers tracked sideways then, coming to rest on the scar low on his side. The deep pink line of puckered skin had caused him a great deal of unnecessary shame, the first time I’d taken his shirt off. He’d been ashamed of it, thinking that everyone else would have the same problem he did with the way it had healed. I’d told him that at least he only had one, not masses of them. And that his was not self inflicted.

My own scars had healed. They would fade in time. The scars on my heart, left by Mitchell, had faded too. Over the past three months, Jackson had been helping with that. And after it all, I could honestly say that I loved him.

He moved slightly, rolling onto his side, reaching out with one arm to drape it over my waist, his eyes, however, remained shut. “Does it always feel this horrid the morning after?” A sleepy grin spread across his face as he asked the question.

I smirked, letting out a small laugh. My hand came back up, to push the dark brown hair back from his eyes, as I lay back down beside him. His eyes cracked open, the grin never faltering. His arm shifted from my waist, and his hand reached up to run through my own, much shorter hair. The blonde was gone from it by then. Cut off to leave my hair just black, short and scruffy, no thanks to Jackson’s constant messing.

I smiled, rolling closer to him, pressing my lips against his, drawing back slightly, I answered. “I’m afraid to say, that it doesn’t get much better.” I kissed him again, drawing it out this time, not caring about how horrid I felt, or how foul the taste in my mouth was. I kissed my way along his jaw; breaking each kiss lazily to add a more positive outlook on the situation. “You get more used to it though. And it’s well worth it.”

Jackson laughed softly, pulling away from me, propping himself up so he was looking down at me. “Say it again?” He whispered, his face becoming more serious.

I frowned slightly, concerned slightly by the quick change in him. “Say what again?”

“What you said last night.”

My frown softened slightly, and I smiled. “What? Fuck me?”

Jackson’s face creased into a frown, despite the glint in his eyes, and the smile spreading across his lips. “No.” He whined.

I grinned. “What you worn out? Don’t want to go again?”

Jackson huffed slightly, pushing himself away from me and sitting up properly so that I could no longer see his face. I reached out and touched his back, loving the feel of his warm skin beneath my hand. I slowly pushed myself up, leaning against Jackson’s back and wrapping my arms around his waist.

“I’m sorry, Jacky.” I whispered, nuzzling against his shoulder, hoping to lighten the mood again. “You know I love you.”

He nodded slowly, his hands covering mine. “No, Noah, I love you.” His body stiffened as he said it, his voice sounding thin and worn out.

I realised then what his problem was, and I let go of him, shifting around so that I was facing him. I was aware that it was a slightly uncomfortable situation, not helped by the fact that the two of us were only wearing boxers. I lifted a hand to push the hair back from his eyes. There was a moment, in which he continued to stare down at the bedding, before his eyes met mine.

I offered him a small smile, shifting a little closer to him, hooking both hands behind his neck, keeping my eyes focused on his. “I do love you, Jackson.” I whispered in all seriousness. It felt strange saying it, but my heart fluttered in my chest, and I knew I was right. “Not Mitchell. I love you.”

For a long moment, he only stared at me, before his hands moved to grip my hips, and he leant forward, pressing his lips against mine. The kiss was much like the first he’d ever given me, technically the second time we’d kissed. It was gentle, sweet and innocent.

When he pulled back, he was smiling, his soft eyes filled with that glint of happiness that I could get intoxicated on. “Thank you, Noah, thank you.” He sat back, slowly detaching himself from me.

“I don’t know about you,” I murmured, crawling to the edge of the bed before standing up. “But I need a shower.” With that, I started towards the door. When I reached the door, I looked back over my shoulder at Jackson, giving him a smile, silently inviting him along.

He smiled back from where he sat on the edge of the bed. “You go first.”

I nodded, feeling only slightly disappointed. But I was getting used to it. He certainly wasn’t his brother. He was something far more special.

-

I was back in Jackson’s room after my shower. Jackson had left to have his, and I had just finished getting dressed, when there was a knock on the door. I moved over to the door, opening it up to see Mitchell standing there. I smiled at him, stepping back to let him in.

It had been three months. I’d forgiven him. I hadn’t forgotten him. He was still my best friend, just as we’d promised.

“Hey Noah,” He smiled at me in return. “I found something of yours in my room last night. But you were otherwise occupied, so I thought I’d leave it ‘til this morning to return it.”

I raised an eyebrow, choosing to ignore the comment he’d made. “What? I thought I’d gotten everything out of there?”

His hand shifted from behind his back, and he held it out to me. With his hand came a CD case. The very CD case that I hadn’t seen in six months. I took it from him, staring at the cover I’d almost forgotten. The very CD that had started it all.

My eyes shot up to meet his, a huge grin plastered on my face. “Thank you so much.” I almost squealed as I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

Mitchell’s arms had just awkwardly closed around me when we were interrupted by someone loudly clearing their throat from the door.

I pulled away from Mitchell to see an already dressed and slightly pissed off looking Jackson standing in the doorway. Mitchell turned, grinning at his brother, his hands raised as though he was surrendering.

“Hey, his all your’s, don’t worry, I’m not going to steal him!” Mitchell joked, quickly exiting the room.

I found Jackson watching me, and I smiled, moving to stand in front of him. Looping my arms around his neck, I kissed him lightly, drawing back enough so that I could see his face.

“There’s no need to look so worried.” I whispered, watching his face soften. “I love you, remember?”

He nodded, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tightly. My head rested against his chest, while his chin rested against the top of my head. I knew I loved him. And while I knew there were chances that it wouldn’t last, I was happy at that time. For the first time in my life I really thought about it. And for the first time in my life, I actually believed that I’d survive to see my seventeenth birthday.\

The End

And there is the end. Done and dusted. I hope people liked the way it ended. Too bad if you don’t, I guess. I am the author after all. I personally am happy with this ending. It is the third ending this story has been given. In each, the story ended differently. The original, just sucked, in my opinion. The second, was probably too unbelievable for this version of the story. Whereas this ending, it fitted better than the rest. You never know though, I may get sick of it, and re-write it one day.

I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who reviewed this story. I’d like to thank those who stuck with it til the end. And even those who didn’t.

An extra big thank you to Kizuna, who’s been there to read things for me, and tell me how good they are! Not always her words, but if it wasn’t for what she said about the last few chapters, they probably wouldn’t have been posted.