Loki’s heart throbbed as he looked into Jack’s eyes. The world seemed to have stopped around them. “So are you. I really hope you’ll be happy after... you know.”
Jack turned away and curled his shoulders. “Don’t talk shit like that. One day at a time.”
Loki hugged Jack tighter. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so grim on my birthday, right? I’m messing it all up,” he whispered, unwillingly thinking back to the disgusting ordeal with the doctor. As much as he had denied it, the moment he was on that table, he did hope that maybe there was the slightest chance for him. That maybe he could stay with Jack and be the boyfriend Jack deserved. It had been all false hopes.
“Yes, you are. Let’s get back to your wishes. ‘Be famous’ is first. I thought I’d get your photo on milk cartons but that seems kinda shit.” Jack sighed and seemed really troubled with this petty issue.
Loki laughed out loud and ate more cake. “It is pretty shitty. Don’t worry about it. I know I’m never gonna be famous. That’s a really stupid item.”
“Why’d you even put it on there then?”
Loki exhaled and slowly entwined his fingers with Jack’s. “I didn’t know any better. And now that we’re together, that fame thing seems so fucking unimportant. I’d much rather be your boyfriend than be famous.”
“Oh, yeah? You’d learn to cook? So I can cross out the famous bit?”
“If that’s what it takes, I’ll watch all the tutorials on YouTube.” Loki nudged Jack’s side and drank some more of his shake. “Cross out the bastard.”
“What’s ‘love tattoos’ then?” Jack read the last item on Loki’s bucket list. “Is it what you got on your back?”
Loki swallowed hard, staring at Jack with a strange yet not unpleasant sensation spreading through his chest. “You want to get a love tattoo?”
“Is it about getting matching ink?”
Loki squeezed Jack’s hand. “What I have on my back is a love tattoo, but it can also just be matching tattoos, or just tattoos that work well together.” He swallowed his nervousness. The last thing he wanted was for Jack to have a permanent mark, a remembrance of a dead lover that he didn’t even really plan in the first place. “What do you think? Do you even... want to?”
Jack’s big hand covered Loki’s and stroked it gently. “I’ve got a design in mind.”
Chapter 28
The day with Loki had been a whirlwind of new experiences. Not always comfortable, but rewarding all in all. Red Jack had chilled out about the public displays of affection as soon as they were far away from their town. To think that he’d fucked girls in public yet found it so nerve-wracking to hold Loki’s hand. In the end, he decided he wouldn’t be a pussy and just did what he wanted. It felt as liberating as being painfully hard and finally pulling your cock out.
Loki’s smile had grown by the minute, like he had all the time in the world to just enjoy stuff, as if he weren’t dying, as if he weren’t with a guy who’d treated him like shit when they first met, as if his life had always been this carefree. He squeezed Red Jack’s hand with pride, and never hesitated with little tender gestures that made Red Jack’s skin tingle with warmth. Loki was proud to be out with him, and it wasn’t because of Red Jack’s patches.
They walked through a park and had some frozen yoghurt while lounging on a shadowed bench, and they even made out a bit, pulling away like teenagers every time someone walked past their little hideout behind the bushes.
Red Jack did get himself a ‘love tattoo’. Just four letters. Loki’s name in a hidden spot - on the inside of his bottom lip. The bloody thing was swollen, but considering he could be dead in about twenty-four hours, Red Jack couldn’t care less. He wanted Loki to fulfill as much of his bucket list as possible. He’d make sure Monster got rid of the three guys left on Loki’s kill-list, and that would be that. Loki wouldn’t know about the matter with the police. It shouldn’t overshadow what was possibly their last day together.
They ate great takeout burgers while staring at the darkening skyline over LA, but when night had completely settled, they drove back home. Red Jack already knew he’d advise Loki to take as much cash as he could. He’d tell him the password to the safe. With the money Red Jack had gathered, Loki would at least live the rest of his life in comfort.
And then there was the question of the last item on Loki’s bucket list. Red Jack couldn’t stop pondering on it as they walked up the few steps to his beach house. It wasn’t like he’d never thought of getting fucked—his imagination was vivid enough—but he had no idea how it would feel, and he’d freaked out last time Loki tried to just slide his dick in. He leaned against the wall next to the door and licked the inside of his tattooed lip. His mouth tasted of copper, but the ache in his flesh was oddly arousing when he thought of what had caused it.