The Reunion's Aftermath: UnOrdinary Arlo x John

Chapter 10

John can't exactly recall everything on that night either, but he remembered most of it. The way he begged Arlo to stay and take him should have made him embarrassed, but at this point, he doesn't care anymore.

To be honest, he doesn't really give a shit if everyone knows they fucked. Although it's something that he won't let Arlo know.

The sex was a blur. But at the end of it, he remembered asking Arlo to run away with him, with the blond just telling him to ask him again once they're sober. He knew what that answer meant, so he didn't bother asking him again. He didn't even invited him on his plan, yet... Arlo voluntarily decided to accompany him on this trip that was disguised as a 'cover'.

To John who has merely hanging by a thread, everything that Arlo did for him that night meant a lot. He saw it, the panicked looked on Arlo's eyes when he attempted to finish the bottle of vodka, his desperate attempt on making John vomit everything out, and the anger he expressed after all of that- when he got him a water to drink, and stayed by his side the whole night, he felt like he could breathe.

Why was he mad on what John did? Why was he acting like he cared?

John isn't that stupid and oblivious. When he looked at the marks that Arlo made on his body, and his lips that was swollen, he knew that Arlo has to have some sort of attraction towards him for him to look like he got attacked by a beast.

There was always this tension between them, but no one dare attempts to make a move until that night. Perhaps it was the alcohol that made him bold, or the fact that he might never get a chance again.

Even if Arlo often gets under his skin, he couldn't deny that he had the best intentions.

On this trip alone, he may have hated Arlo scolding him or criticizing him for the simplest stuff, but the fact that he's worried for John not taking care of himself meant a lot. Arlo had always been concerned towards the people important to him, John just wasn't expecting himself to be on that list. It was difficult to comprehend that he cared.

Even right now- even after he cried on their confrontation, he was still there.

When he managed to compose himself a bit, John became more aware of the sharp pain on his head. It was already present before when he woke-up, but crying hard only worsened it. Arlo noticed it to, and he just gently told him to stay on one place. Giving him a water to drink just like before, and then ordering a food for them to eat.

He didn't forced another confrontation with John, and the silence was just comforting. Arlo is always looking after the mess of a man that John is, and the entire time, the dark haired man felt that he's just being a nuisance.

He wished he can say a lot of things to Arlo, or tell him how grateful he is. But the right words doesn't really come out of his mouth, and whenever the blond scolds him... John just can't help but talk back.

Their personalities have never really been a great fit.

"John," Arlo spoke, "Once your headache is gone, will you be able to come with me tonight?"

The sudden question surprised the dark haired man. For the few days that they've been here, Arlo never really expressed any interest on going somewhere else.

"Where are you planning to go?"

"There's a mall nearby, if you'd like we can shop for items, watch a movie and maybe eat." Arlo answered, "If you don't like any of that, we can take a dip here at the resort, or visit some nearby tourist spots."

Arlo doesn't seem to be the type to enjoy doing most of those activities. It was obvious that it was his way of getting John to unwind.

"You don't need to do this for me. I know you don't actually enjoy any of this shit."

"I just thought that since we're here at this place anyway, we might as well just do something to keep our mind off things."

"I'll think about it. My head just hurts right now..."

"Try to keep yourself hydrated as much as possible. I can get some ice and towel to put in your forehead. Does that work for you?" Arlo asked. Whenever he speaks in a gentle tone, John only feels guilty. It was easier when Arlo was criticizing his actions or riling him-up

"If you have any pain killers, I could use some."

"I don't have one. Do you want me to buy one right now?"

"No, there's no need. You're always cleaning after my mess, but all I do is curse and yell at you... I don't even understand why you're still here to help me." John expressed, "You could have just ditched me here and left on your own, but you still stayed... It means a lot to me."

He felt embarrassed on the words that left his mouth, but he haven't really expressed his appreciation to everything that the blond did for him.

"Almost everyone else would have done the same, John."

No, they won't. Most people would have fucked off and left John to deal with this on his own.

Even if Arlo may be attracted to him, he doesn't think it's enough reason for him to put-up with all of his stubbornness.

"Well, for starters, if it were Isen or Blyke, they would have left by now. I can imagine Remi and Sera helping me though."

"I don't think you would have ended-up here if it were them. They would have managed to talk some sense into your head." Arlo said, "Unlike them, I lose all of my rationality when it comes to you."

"Yeah, you keep on provoking me every single time. That's how most of our arguments start- don't even try to deny it."

"Because you're very unreasonable. You keep on making stupid decisions that keeps on getting you in trouble."

"Oh yeah! And the most stupid one was sleeping with you."

After John said those words, Arlo became silent for a while. There was some truth to what he said, but he felt like he said something he shouldn't have.

"I'm sorry." the dark haired man apologized, "I was the one who kept on asking you for it, you just gave me what I wanted. It was already bad that I've gotten you involve in my own mess. The least I could do is not be an ass about it."

"I made my own choices to accompany you, and I'm equally responsible for what happened between us." Arlo's hands suddenly moved towards John's head, touching his forehead,  "Let's not argue about this, let's just do something about your headache for now."

"Okay."

Arlo's hands moved down from John's forehead to his cheeks, and with the blond caressing it gently, John was forced to stare at his blue piercing gaze, "You need to make an effort for yourself too. I hope you'll start taking care of yourself better... There are more people that would miss you than you'd think."

John wasn't able to say anything, but the sincerity from his voice made him warm. All he can give him was just a slow and hesitant nod.

Soon enough, the blond stood-up. Arlo called a room service to request for some ice, wrapping them on the towel upon its arrival. He advised John to keep the ice pressed on his forehead for a few minutes, and surprisingly, it did helped lessened his headache a bit.

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[Note]

Remember when I said on chapter one that this is supposed to be a short story with probably 5 chapters maxed? The story is now on its 10th chapter.

My hands doesn't follow my brain, forgive me since it keeps getting longer.

-Pleasant_illusion