Jack Bassam Barakat stared blankly at the ceiling of his bunk. There was a dim light coming through his curtain, and in the kitchen area he could hear Zack and Rian joking with each other as they made a midnight snack to help put them in a slumber. He closed his eyes and tried hard to drown them out, listening to the soft hum of the bus as it flew down the road, taking them to their next destination. It was strange, how when they first started touring, all of the bumps in the road kept him up at night. Now he wasn't sure he could sleep without them.

There was only one flaw with Jack falling asleep on his own. His mind would constantly wander to the past and deep feelings of nostalgia would haunt him. Tonight, it seemed he was trapped in the moments where things still felt all right. Jack was thinking back on the day they graduated, and how suddenly things had gone from good, to bad, to worse.

"Can you believe it's all over?" Alex beamed, tossing his cap and gown on his bed, revealing the skinny jeans and Blink 182 shirt he had on underneath it. "We did it. We finally fucking did it."

Jack snickered. His large feet walked across Alex's bedroom. He had already been home to change out of his own cap and gown. The younger boy grinned as he wrapped his long arms around Alex's waist, placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

"The past two years were so much better than the first two, and it's all thanks to you. I think now I can say I'm actually going to miss our High School career."

"But it's just going to get so much better from here on out," Alex grinned, sloppily kissing Jack's cheek before he pulled away to toss his suitcase on the bed. He flipped it open and started tossing random things on top of his clothes, not really caring what he brought with him, he just needed some memories from home. "Are you all packed? We leave in like, less than an hour."

Alex's excitement was getting to Jack. At first, he was almost dreading going on tour. Starting out High School wasn't so great for Jack, what with getting bullied all the time for being 'gay.' It just seemed so sudden- As soon as things began going smoothly for him, he was being ripped out of his happy world and placed in a brand new one. He was scared that things would go back to how they were before, but when he looked at Alex, all the love he had to offer, he knew that was impossible. It would be just like the start of his Junior year. It would be amazing.

"Hey, I'm really proud of you - Of us - for making it this far. It just seems like we've been through so much as a gang. I don't think I've ever really gone out of my way to thank you for everything. I love you, Jack."

"You, and the guys, you were my rescue.." Jack scratched the back of his head, trying not to get too emotional over the situation. "So I think I should be the one thanking you. But for the record, I love you more, Al."

"Well I love you most."

Jack rolled over in his bunk. He pulled the blankets up over his head and tried to shake the memories from his mind. Maybe if he tried really hard, he could go to sleep, and if he were extra lucky- Everything would just be a dream. But of course, that's never how it works. A brick wall stood in between him, and the sound slumber he wished to slip into. There was only one way to ease his mind. Climb the wall.

He awkwardly pulled himself from the bunk and climbed down to the floor. As the bus cruised over a pothole, Jack stumbled backwards. It took him a moment to balance himself before he went through the door behind him. Alex's laptop was the only form of dim light in this room, and as Jack walked past the screen, he caught a glimpse of Lisa's name. A part of him wanted to tilt the screen so he could read the words, but his morals just wouldn't let him. He had to trust Alex on this, even if it killed him.

Now by the couch, Jack bent down so that he was right in front of his drunk boyfriend. Alex's cheeks were hot, and his usually perfect hair was a mess over his face. Jack smiled to himself, brushing it away, not even minding the strong scent of alcohol coming from Alex's flesh. In this very moment, Alex looked peaceful, and that was something Jack hadn't seen in a while.

"Jacky?" Alex groaned. He aimlessly tried to bring a hand to his forehead. "Is that you?"

"Yeah babe, it's me," Jack smiled lightly. He hated seeing Alex wake up drunk and confused. "Do you feel okay?"

"I'm just tired, Jack. I'm so tired."

"You can go to sleep," Jack whispered, wiping more stands of hair from Alex's perfect face. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

"Will you cuddle me?" He slurred, trying to pat the spot next to him on the couch.

Jack nodded, more so to himself, and climbed on the couch behind Alex. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but it made him happy to think he could finally fall asleep again with Alex in his arms. He curled up close behind him and rested his head on Alex's, taking in what was left of his colonge.

"I love you, Alexander."

"I think I love you, too."

Notes

Okay, I thought about it, and I decided I could write a sequel. I know the start of this is probably going to leave you guys confused, but we'll see how many comments we get before I decide to sort that out for you. Much love! <3.