He is the sweetest thing that I know
You should see the way he holds me when the lights go low

As Alex got to know John, he also learned that the boy's heart was golden, despite all of the absolute shit he had been through. He had never seen anyone as caring as John, never seen anyone as generous, as loving, as selfless as John was. He was beautiful inside and out, Alex always thought. He had seen the love and adoration in the boy's eyes as he talked about his younger siblings, seen the excited twinkle even while John was talking about something as simple as the box turtle he kept as a pet.

Nearing the end of the summer, the boys spent each night together, John sneaking into the cabin Alex and his foster family lived in, and spending the night there, limbs tangled innocently together beneath the sheets. Johns touch was always gentle and soft, as if he feared Alex would break.

Shakes my soul like a pot hole, every time
Took my heart upon a one way trip
Guess he went wandering off with it

Everyone could see that the boys were in love. It showed on their faces, in the way their bodies were always angled towards each other, even as they spoke to other people. John was the only one who seemed to be oblivious to the situation. He didn't even think about this thing he and Alex had going on until his sister Martha had said something to him.

“You love him, don't you?” She had asked, one night after she had caught John trying to sneak out to see Alex. He had denied her -  they were just friends. He hadn't even considered that being a possibility until… oh. John realized then that what he felt for Alex did seem a bit different than the love he felt for his other friends, or even his siblings. And suddenly he couldn't think about anything except Alex's smile, Alex's eyes and the way they sparkled, his laugh, his hair, his…

Unlike most men I know
This one will bring it back whole

Alex had his fair share of relationship disasters. He gave his heart away too easily, even he knew that, but he was incapable of stopping it. Men and women alike had taken a bit of his heart, returning it later in pieces, leaving Alex alone to do the mending. Each time, as he mended, the walls around his heart would grow stronger and taller, just to be broken again by someone new.

As Alex's relationship with John grew stronger, he knew this would be different. Rather than allowing Alex's ‘walls' to crumble and disappear in an instant, John worked, brick by brick, to get to Alex's heart. Alex knew John had his heart, but he trusted that John would keep it safe. This time, it was different. Alex felt as if he knew John, really knew him, enough to feel that John wasn't like anyone else.

Daisies, daisies perched upon your forehead

Alex's favorite memory of his first summer with John had to be the day they watched the sunset together. It was late August, and Alex would be going back to New York soon, his summer vacation in South Carolina nearly over. John wanted so badly to show Alex the sunsets from a wildflower covered hill near his home, that Alex couldn't say no, even if he would be sneezing all night due to the pollen. They walked up the hill, hands intertwined, and shared a picnic dinner at the top. John was so happy there, running through the waist high flowers to pick a bouquet of his favorites for Alex. Alex stayed behind on the blanket, watching John and linking together a daisy chain. He spent most of his time watching the boy, awe and affection displayed on his features.

When John came back to him, Alex placed the flower crown of daisies on John's head, admiring the way the pale white of the flowers contrasted with the tan of his skin and the rich brown of his curls. They snuggled together to watch the sunset, Alex's head on John's chest, and John's arms wrapped loosely around Alex's shoulders. Alex realized then that there was no other way he would rather watch the sunset, it it was also then that Alex realized that he may be falling in love with the cheeky Southern boy in a wilting daisy crown.

He is the river flow in Orwell
And tin wind chimes used for doorbells

John had only known Alex for a short time. Barely long enough to really say he knew the New Yorker. But somehow, this boy, from the beginning, sparked a feeling in him, almost like nostalgia in its own way. Being with Alex made him feel the same way he did when he was young, back when he didn't know a thing and saw the world through wide, innocent eyes. Before he was forced to grow up, forced to endure things he wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy. Back when he used to spend weekends with his grandmother, closer to the river, running along the muddy chasing the stars and fireflies. Or being the first to push open his mother’s ice cream shop door in the mornings, wanting only to hear the fairy-like windchimes that rang throughout the shop. Back when he was truly happy.

He hadn't felt like that in a long time. It had been years since John had really felt happy, until Alex.  

Fields and trees and his smell, fill my lungs

Their parting at the end of the first summer wasn't good. John went with Alex to the airport, hugging the smaller boy for nearly ten minutes, not nearly long enough. He spent the entire time trying to memorize the small things about Alex, his smell, his smile, the feeling of his hands around his waist, so he'd have something to hold onto about the first boy he fell in love with. He was afraid he'd never see Alex again.Through his tears he watched Alex walk away, trying to hide his tears. Alex didn't care about hiding his feelings quite as much. He got almost halfway to his boarding platform before turning around, sprinting back to John and pressing their lips together quickly and throwing his arms around John. He pulled away soon after, tears streaming down his face as he turned once again, jogging back to his family.

Spent my summer time beside him
And the rest of the year the same

Alex graduated from high school a year early, and he graduated the same year as John. They both were accepted into New York University, and they were able to get a dorm room together, just the two of them. Every single day was like that perfect summer.

He is the flint that sparks the lighter
And the fuel that will hold the flame

John came out to his family over winter break his freshman year of college. His father disowned him. Didn't even let him stay for the remainder of winter break. He took the few more things he wanted in a duffel bag and caught the first bus up to NYC. He didn't even tell Alex. Couldn't bring himself to do it. He managed to figure out where the Washington's lived and knocked on their door at 10 o’clock at night. Martha saw him, and immediately brought Alex down from his room.

Alex held John the entire sleepless night. Even though John felt like maybe he wasn't worth it, Alex somehow made him feel like a king.

The next months were filled with highs and lows as John tried to come to terms with what happened, and Alex was there by his side for every single one of them.

Oh roses roses laid upon your bed spread

By sophomore year of college John was certain he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Alex. He wanted to propose. But they were college students. They were scraping by with just enough. He couldn't afford to buy the ring he knew Alex deserved. So instead, he decided to make a promise.

That night he laid rose petals across their bed, put out candles, made their room look like a cheesy rom-com cliche that he knew Alex secretly loved. That night, when Alex came home, John led him to their room, and got down on one knee, but without a ring, for now.

“Alex, you changed my life. That first summer with you was the best summer of my life. I was never, and I never will be happier than when I'm with you. Even though we live together now, and know each other's quirks, I still love you the same, if not more than I did after our summer. Definitely more. And I know, we're both college students, and we need to focus on school right now, but I'm proposing you a promise, Alex. I want to marry you, and tonight, I'm promising myself to you, promising that, if you'll let me, that you will be my husband someday.”

Well I found love in the inside
The arms of a man I know

John and Alex didn't get married right after college like everyone thought they would. Although, Alex did officially propose to John, claiming that ‘you proposed the first time so it's only fair.’

Alex continued on to law school, while John worked two jobs a day in order to support his youngest sister, whom he and Alex were named legal guardians of, after John's father was placed in jail for numerous counts of child abuse, neglect, and endangerment.

He is the lighthouse in the night that will safely guide me home

Life wasn't easy for them. At 23, they were raising a five year old, going to college, and trying to navigate this crazy thing called life.

And I'm not scared of passing over
Or the thought of growing old
Because from now until I go

Although life was hectic, each man found comfort in each other, knowing that whatever hell life would put them through, they would have each other, and that was all that mattered.

Every night I'll kiss you you'll say in my ear
Oh we're in love aren't we?

Going against all marital superstitions, Alex and John stayed together the night before their wedding. They stayed up together, reminiscing about the oast and dreaming about the future until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

As they had done each night for years, Alex pecked Johns lips as they were about to fall asleep, and John would sigh happily.

“We're in love, aren't we?”

Hands in your hair, fingers and thumbs baby

Alex would smile, run his hands through Johns curls and nod a little.

“I believe we are darling.”

I feel safe when you're holding me near

Neither of them felt complete without the other, all thanks to that first summer.

Love the way that you conquer your fear

And brick by brick, they built a life, together.

You know hearts don't break around here

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

You know hearts don't break around here

“I do.”

“I do.”

Whew, what a ride. I hope you enjoyed.