FOR NOW; jra ✓

059 | a long couple days

Spending the few days between their Las Vegas show and the thirtieth of the month between the mentioned city and at home in Los Angeles, Adalyn and Jack had spent the time together, just the two of them. Up until they had arrived at the airport in the early hours of the morning, ahead of his band's short trip to Baltimore.

"I'm gonna miss you," Jack placed a couple kisses on his girlfriend's lips as his arms were wrapped around her.

"How long are you gone for again?" Adalyn tilted her head with a small frown on her face.

"Fly out now, show tomorrow night, and then fly back home the following day," he explained, softly running his finger through the front strands of her hair as he pushed it behind her ear.

"It's gonna be a long couple days.."

"I knoww gorgeous, but if you just sleep the whole time you won't realise that I'm gone," he chuckled. "I'm joking. I'll call you tonight when we get to the hotel, and tomorrow whenever you'd like as well."

"I love you," she placed another kiss on his lips as he reciprocated. "And I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too," he replied, sharing one final kiss as he removed his hands from around her yet keeping ahold of her hands. "I'll talk to you later."

"Talk later.."

"One more kiss, muuh.."

"wah," she kissed him, letting out a small giggle at his childishness. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Leaving that as their goodbye's since they didn't want to actually say the words, Jack hugged his girlfriend quickly one last time before making his way over to his bandmates in the check-in line. While Adalyn shared a smile with him before exiting the airport.

"Much quicker goodbye than last time," Daniel joked.

"mh, well we're not leaving for as long this time so.." Jack slightly chuckled, following with a small sigh. "I'm gonna miss her.."

"Like you just said yourself, we're not going for long," Corbyn furrowed at the boy. "You've gone over a month without her before, two days is not the end of the world."

"Anyway.. Valentina didn't drop you off?" Jack turned his attention to the eldest as they took a couple steps forward in the line.

"No, I Uber-ed, I told her to get some rest."

"How's she going with everything?"

"She's going great, she's still working- don't tell your girlfriend that, apparently she was not happy with Val still working at the club while pregnant. But anyway she hasn't been sick at all, she's just living life as normal basically- minus drinking and all the other stuff you can't do, of course."

"That's nice to hear," he returned a smile.

As they continued to run through the check in process at the airport, the boys had all soon gone silent as it was still morning and half of them were still half asleep. Which meant Jack was left in his thoughts once again.

Wondering if he's made the right decision with all that has happened. He knew she was worth fighting for right now but he was unsure on if everything they have is really worth all the settling he does almost everyday, just to keep her happy.

Is this something he wants to do long term? Is this something that's also keeping himself happy?

Jack let out a small sigh as he shook himself back into reality, wandering closely behind the rest of his band. And yet knowing and aware of how much pain she's caused him, he still can't but have even the smallest of smiles on his lips as he thought about her.

And once they made it through all the security checks, the group soon spilt off to get food and whatever else they wanted ahead of the five hour flight. Jack and Zach had ended up deciding just to head straight to their gate and then get something close by if they change their mind on food and drinks.

"Hey, are we good?" the youngest glanced over at the other before his gaze dropped to his feet as they continued walking.

"Yeah. What do you mean?" Jack furrowed, his attention now more on him rather than where they were going.

"I never saw you my birthday thing.."

"I'm sorry.. Adalyn's trying to be sober and so I told her I wouldn't drink either. And we were gonna come but she was like what's the point, if we go I'll probably drink and blah blah blah so we just decided not to.." he explained. "Sorry I should've texted you to let you know."

"That's okay.." Zach let out a small sigh.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"um I don't remember most of it to be honest," he chuckled. "And Libby said we didn't get back to the hotel till like five-am so.. if that says anything.."

"Must've been good. Finally legal as well," he teased the boy. "No more sly shit."

"What do you mean? I totally never drunk underage."

"Yeah and you totally never went out drinking with Adalyn either," Jack side eyed him, slightly raising a brow.

"Yeeah.. I don't know what you're talking about," he somewhat awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "How are you two going now by the way?"

"mh," he shrugged

"Could be better?"

"She just doesn't do distance well.."

"Fair.." he slowly nodded, not quite sure on what was a good response. "Is there a reason she's wanting to be sober?"

"Just ties into the whole distance thing," he replied. "She's been getting drunk alone in the apartment, and making bad decisions. And it subsequently causes her trauma- which she won't admit that that's what it is.. anyway she's just trying to do what's best for herself."

"She's actually trying to improve herself.. to be honest I kinda thought you were just gonna say that you're tryna have a kid," Zach chuckled slightly. "Libby's mentioned before that Adalyn said she wanted one but you won't let her."

"nah," he shook his head. "She still does and Valentina being pregnant definitely doesn't help, but I don't think that's gonna happen for us right now or anytime soon.. but who knows a surprise might happen."

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A/N

ONE MORE ALREADY!?!!