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I give you chapter 8 of the Painful Solitude series.

AN: I'm sorry it took so long, i'm just not that good at writing so i'm kinda winging it at the moment.

remember, any suggestions, comments, or requests are greatly appreciated!!

His alarm clock went off at the same time it did every school day, and he rose out of bed quickly. He dashed over to the window and looked outside, then frowned. It was early December, and Alex was still waiting for the first snow. And from the looks of it, he wouldn't be getting the snow today. He stretched his arms above his head, looking back around his room. There was something different about today, and he looked back at his clock. It was 7:12. The moment it clicked to 7:13, his cell phone rang. He smiled as he answered.

"Happy Birthday, Ax!" Zane's tired voice said on the other end. "I called on the minute you were born." He paused. "Wait. Your clock does say 7:13, right? Or is mine fast?"

Alex laughed. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Z. I knew you wouldn't forget!"

"Of course, I didn't forget. How could I? It's going to be a good day for you."

"It would be better if there was snow."

Zane laughed. "I can't do anything about that. I'll see you soon, okay?"

He couldn't stop smiling, even as he ended the call. He knew it would be a good day. Especially if his beautiful fox said it would. After glimpsing back through the window to see if even one snowflake had fallen, he turned his attention back to the time, and zipped through his morning routine. He left his house at the normal time, met Lauren outside, and headed down the street to Zane's house.

Zane and Leon were already waiting on the porch. Another normal thing about the day. They met Alex on the sidewalk, then turned to look at Marcus' house to see if he was going to school today. Cue the backpack flying out the door, followed by Roger's foot literally kicking Marcus outside. Then Roger's daily lecture, being the forceful (yet slightly insane) lion that he is.

"Get your ass to school! And what did I tell you about smoking in the house? You're gonna burn the place down, you little pyro! Where do you plan on living after that?"

Then something the others didn't expect, Oliver walked out behind Marcus. "Oliver, please make sure he goes to school today. If he skips out, tell me. I'll give you ten dollars, if you do."

Zane shook his head as Marcus and Oliver approached them and they started their way to school. "Here, Alex." said Zane as he pulled something out of his pocket.

Alex smiled as he was given a sealed blue envelope. A birthday card, no doubt. "Awe, thanks, Z!"

"That's not your gift. I wasn't going to drag your actual gift to school, so you'll have to wait until later for it."

"You didn't have to get me anything. As long as I have you, I'm happy!"

"Nice one, love. I'll remember you said that."

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They arrived at school, things continuing to go as they normally did. Alex flowed through the motions, class after class, watching gambling students swipe everyone's money at lunch, then sneaking away to the library with Zane for the last few minutes of lunch. Back to class. On the way to last period Study Hall, Zane had a suggestion: Why didn't they ask Mr. Howell for library passes? Alex always knew his boyfriend was a genius. The teacher didn't even ask why. He simply wrote up the passes and sent them on their merry way.

They went to their normal, secluded spot in the back of the library, throwing their bags on the table. Alex looked around cautiously. He didn't know if Zane was planning something, but there were people in here! Including the librarian! He was relieved when Zane simply took a seat at the table, and it must have been noticeable because Zane grinned.

"Why did you think I wanted to come here?" the fox snickered.

"S-sorry," Alex sputtered. "It's just...we usually....But we can save that for later! So, why did we really come here? You're not making me do homework on my birthday, are you?"

"Actually, no." Zane's embarassment was evident. "There's something I wanted to give you, but...I didn't want anyone else to see it." He sighed, mumbling under his breath. "And now I'm wishing I didn't do this..."

Alex grinned brightly. "What is it, Z? A secret?"

Zane reached into his pocket and pulled out a rumpled sheet of paper. Slowly, he unfolded it and looked it over, blushing furiously. Then, he started to read, ever so quietly:

"Each time you speak, my heart is on fire,

Your love is mine, and all I desire.

Just another day in our lives,

made perfect by the look in your eyes.

I breath for your touch. I live for your smile.

even when it wasn't for me, I was praying all the while.

You are my life, my soul, and my love.

I'm not perfect, but I hope i'm good enough.

I will be here for you, until the very end.

Your heart I will warm, your pain I will mend.

Alex, my beauty, my love,

I love you with all my heart."

The wolf was captivated. Even after he had finished reading, Zane's head was nearly in his lap. Alex willed himself to speak, but he couldn't form a sentence. No one had ever written him a poem before! He knew he was smiling, probably a huge, stupid smile, but he couldn't help it. Zane wouldn't even look at him.

"I know, it's terrible," Zane finally spoke, folding the poem back up. "I should just take it and burn it right now, but-"

"No!" Alex cried, stealing the paper away. "No! Don't you dare say that! I love it! I can't think of anything to say....I just love it so much! Can I...show it to everyone?"

The librarian walked by, hissing a "Shhhhh!" at them.

Zane frowned, his voice low. "Do you have to?"

Alex smiled brightly, nodding. "Yes. My mom is going to love this!"

"Well, I'm glad that you like it. It took me forever to get that thing to rhyme. I guess being a poet isn't my calling."

"Zane," Alex said, his tone now serious. "This is really the best gift I've ever received. I don't think I could get a better gift than one that comes from the heart."

The red-furred teen flashed a sneaky grin. "We will have to see about that. I'm not quite done yet."

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They walked home from school, like normal, the brisk wind chilling everyone. Alex still had himself convinced he would get his snow today. He'd also declared that since it was his birthday, he would still be having band practice, and decreed that everyone would enjoy it. His mother had taken the day off of work and made one of her wonderful homemade birthday cakes Alex loved so much. She gave him a birthday card with a healthy amount of money, then a different assortment of gifts. Being an only child, even on your eighteenth birthday, definitely had its advantages.

After everyone made a quick pit stop at home, they started showing up one by one at Alex's front door. Marcus and Oliver arrived first, with Marcus stealing the birthday card from the husky's paws before it got to Alex. Mitchell and Evan arrived together with food. Then came Leon and another birthday card. But Zane wasn't with him? What was with him and never being on time?

"Are you ready to have some cake now?" his mother asked, interrupting his thoughts. "All of your friends are here."

"No, they aren't," Alex said, sulking. "Zane's not here yet."

"Alex, turn around."

That was Zane's voice! Alex did so, and sure enough, Zane was standing in the kitchen, a large, wrapped gift in front of him. Alex was so surprised, he nearly fell over. Both his mother and Zane looked quite pleased with themselves.

He ran to Zane and hugged him tightly, rubbing the fur under his shirt, then glanced at him.

"How did you get in here?" he asked.

"You do have a back door, Ax," Zane smiled. "And your mother was ever so kind to let me in."

"So you two planned this? You're the sneaky one, then."

"I told you I wasn't done yet. Go ahead, open it."

Alex smiled, glimpsing the gift. Everyone in the room was silent.

So they all know what it is.

It sure was big. Obviously in a box, based on the rectangular shape. He did a circle around it, trying to figure out what it might be. Zane was just watching, waiting to see Alex's reaction. Slowly, Alex reached up, his fingers starting to claw at the wrapping paper that Zane had so tediously placed on. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see what it was yet, feeling around as the last shards of paper fell to the floor.

And then he opened his eyes.

It was placed delicately in a box, secured in place by Styrofoam. The lid to the box was clear, allowing him to see the gift perfectly. He gasped in shock, then tore off the clear covering and removed instrument from its bedding. It was a beautiful silver guitar, with black racing stripes. It read "STUMP-O-MATIC" on the top. He knew at once that this was the same guitar as his idol, Patrick Stump.

"Zane..." he said breathlessly. "How did you...?"

Leon answered for him. "He did extra work in and around the house for six months, plus what he got from his job. But don't worry about that. He's been planning on buying you that thing for a very long time."

Marcus laughed. "So that's why you were cutting the grass every freaking day of summer? I guess it all makes sense now."

Zane smirked at both Marcus and Leon, then smiled at Alex. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? I...love it," Alex replied, still surprised. "I just can't believe that you...did all of this for me. Earlier, and now this....I..." He felt a tear sneak out of his eye. "I'm crying!"

Zane stepped forward, then smiled when Alex started to laugh.

"No, they're good tears, don't worry! I really...I can't believe this. It's the most amazing birthday I've ever had! Thank you all!" He looked at Zane as the others clapped happily. "And thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad that you like it."

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Alex was relaxing on his bed later that night, strumming his new guitar happily. His birthday had gone better than he'd planned. He had the poem that Zane had written him unfolded on his bed, and he'd read the words so many times he practically had it memorized. A frame would be nice for it. Yes, then he could display it proudly to anyone who walked into the room. Zane might be a little bit embarrassed, but he couldn't hold something like that as a grudge. He glanced around his room, seeking out a place to frame the poem. On his dresser would be nice. Or the nightstand. Then he could reach over and grab it every time he wanted Zane near him. Though he had to admit the real thing was better.

He looked over to "Zane's" side of his bed again. This birthday would have been even better if Zane could have stayed. Everything was better with Zane. School, sleeping, dreaming, band practice, birthdays...sex. Even if it did only happen once, it was still the best sex he'd ever had. (Not that he and Marcus hadn't had fun, but come on, that was Marcus. What had he been thinking anyway?) He knew that Zane had enjoyed it, too, because he told him so. But Alex felt somewhat sorry the day after, knowing that Zane was really feeling the aftereffects based on his slight limp. And still, a part of him couldn't wait for the next time he had a chance to trap his lover in the bedroom alone.

He sighed, reading the poem over once again.

He glanced over as his cell phone buzzed on the night stand. A text message from Zane? But it was 11:42 at night! He read over the message a few times before it sunk in.

Put on your gloves and coat and come outside.

Even in his text messages Zane didn't abbreviate. Alex smiled, standing and walking downstairs toward the door. He slipped on his shoes, coat, and gloves, and flicked on the porch light. After unlocking the door, he pulled it open, his mouth dropping with what he saw. Snow was cascading from the sky, white rifts already built up on the ground and still growing. Zane stood on the walkway, bundled up in his winter clothes. Alex was baffled. How had he not noticed the snow?

"Looks like you even got your snow," Zane smiled, extending a paw to Alex.

Alex gazed in wonder as he took Zane's paw and stepped off the porch. "Wow! I don't know how I didn't see that!"

"It's been snowing for nearly two hours! What have you been doing up there?"

"I was playing my new guitar and...reading your poem over and over. And besides, I have my blinds closed! I couldn't see outside."

Zane shook his head, smiling.. "You're still reading that thing? You should have let me burn it."

"Let you burn it? No way!"

"I'm not good at writing poetry. I'd be better at-"

He was cut off when Alex tackled him, knocking him into the soft mounds of snow covering the yard. He landed on his back, Alex on top of him, laughing gleefully. The sky was dark, beyond the still falling snow, the moonlight reflecting enough to light the area. After the shock wore off, he quickly threw Alex away from him, swiftly rolling to another area of the yard and scooping up a pawful of snow. Alex laughed as a snowball hit his arm and Zane snickered. He responded by returning fire, the soft snow somewhat hard to pack. Nevertheless, they enjoyed a snowball fight for a few minutes before Alex attacked again, pinning Zane on the cold ground once again.

"You win!" Zane cried, out of breath from running. "You win!"

Alex smiled, catching his breath and looking at his lover. Zane seemed content just lying there, looking up at Alex's gleeful expression. They remained this way for several moments before Alex broke the silence.

"Z?" he said quietly. "Will you do one last thing for me on my birthday?"

Despite the snow melting under his coat, Zane nodded, smile unwavering. "What is it?"

"Kiss me."

Zane obeyed, craning his head to meet Alex's lips in a passionate kiss. In spite of the cold, Zane's lips were still warm, still tasting of peppermint. Alex took glory in the feeling of his tongue entwining with Zane's, teeth nipping playfully at his lover's bottom lip. He heard a soft sound escape Zane's lips, and he kissed him even more fervently. After all that Zane had done for him on this day, it was the least he could do. Zane leaned back after a few more pecks, looking Alex in the eyes.

"Happy Birthday," Zane whispered.

No sooner did the words leave his lips did the sound of the midnight bell toll from the church a few blocks away. Alex smiled. His birthday had come to an end, a very pleasant one. The snow was still falling, his lover was with him. He couldn't ask for more.

Still in their somewhat compromising position, they both turned their heads at the sound of Alex's mother clearing her throat. She was standing in the open doorway, a smile plastered on her face. They quickly stood up, brushing the snow away. Zane tried to speak, but the words seemed to be caught in his throat. He raised his paws, making some kind of gesture, only confusing Alex.

"They cancelled school for tomorrow," Alex's mother spoke, grinning merrily. "So why don't you boys come inside if you want to play?"

Alex motioned for Zane to follow him, and after a moment's hesitation, he agreed. His mother closed the door, not wanting to let the cold in. Alex smiled, this time offering his paw. Zane took it, and the two stepped up the walkway, the blissful warmth of the house beckoning them to inside.

I hope this chapter was okay, i'll try to get the next one up faster. please comment.