𝑇𝑊𝐼𝑁 𝑆𝐼𝑍𝐸 𝑀𝐴𝑇𝑅𝐸𝑆𝑆 / 𝐽.𝐵.𝑅

NEITHER DID I

The night at the hideout was filled with a sense of quiet determination. Alex, wrapped in blankets, had managed to calm down significantly, thanks to the warmth and care from the Pogues. As the hours passed, the room grew quieter, with the other Pogues eventually drifting off to sleep on makeshift beds and couches, leaving Alex and John B alone.

John B remained seated next to Alex, his arm still around her shoulders. The warmth from the blankets and the calming atmosphere had allowed Alex to relax, and for the first time since the day's events, she felt a sense of peace. She glanced over at John B, his expression soft as he looked at her.

"Thanks for everything," Alex said softly, her voice still carrying a hint of tremor from the earlier ordeal.

John B smiled gently, his eyes meeting hers with a sincerity that was hard to miss. "You don't have to thank me. We're friends. That's what we do."

There was a moment of silence, and Alex felt a wave of gratitude and something deeper-a burgeoning affection that had been growing in the background of their recent interactions. She had tried to push her feelings aside, but now, in the stillness of the night, they came to the forefront.

John B noticed the contemplative look on Alex's face and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "You okay?" he asked, his voice soft.

Alex met his gaze, her heart pounding a little faster. "Yeah, just thinking," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "About everything that's happened and how much it means to me that you're here."

John B's gaze lingered on her, his expression a mix of concern and something more tender. "I'm here because I care about you, Alex," he said. "You're important to me."

The sincerity in his voice, combined with the intimacy of the moment, made Alex's heart race. She found herself leaning closer, drawn to the warmth and closeness of John B. She looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his feelings reflected back at her.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, John B moved closer, his hand gently cupping Alex's cheek. Alex felt a rush of emotions and, without thinking, she leaned in, closing the distance between them. John B responded, his lips meeting hers in a gentle, tender kiss.

The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration of the feelings that had been simmering between them. As the kiss deepened, it became more passionate, their emotions pouring into the embrace. The warmth of the moment contrasted sharply with the earlier coldness of the bridge, and Alex felt a sense of rightness in John B's arms.

When they finally pulled away, both were breathing a little heavier, their eyes locked in a moment of shared understanding. Alex's cheeks were flushed, and John B's expression was a mix of relief and happiness.

"I didn't think this was going to happen," Alex said softly, her voice filled with wonder.

John B smiled, his eyes shining with affection. "Neither did I, but I'm glad it did."

They sat together in the quiet of the hideout, wrapped in their shared warmth and the newfound closeness. The kiss had changed something between them, and as they sat together, the world outside seemed a little brighter, a little more hopeful.

As the night wore on, they remained close, their connection deepened by the kiss and the shared experiences that had brought them together. The Pogues, who had been such a support to Alex, were now joined by a new layer of understanding between Alex and John B. In the midst of their struggles and challenges, they found solace in each other, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the small windows of the hideout, the warmth of the morning sun started to dispel the chill from the night. Alex and John B, still close on the couch, remained wrapped in the blankets, their connection evident in the way they nestled together. The rest of the Pogues slowly began to stir, awakening to the soft sounds of the morning.

Kiara was the first to notice Alex and John B together. She blinked sleepily, taking in the sight of them curled up on the couch, their expressions peaceful and content. Her lips curled into a small, knowing smile before she nudged JJ awake.

"Hey, wake up," she said softly. "Looks like Alex and John B had quite a night."

JJ groaned, stretching out before turning his attention to where Kiara was pointing. "Whoa. Didn't see that coming," he said, his tone a mix of surprise and amusement.

Pope, who had been half-asleep on the floor, also noticed the pair. He raised an eyebrow and nudged JJ. "You think they're going to tell us about this anytime soon?"

"Doubt it," Kiara said, a hint of teasing in her voice. "They look pretty cozy."

As the Pogues gathered their bearings and started to make breakfast, Alex and John B finally stirred, waking to the sounds of their friends moving around. Alex stretched, feeling the comforting weight of John B beside her. She turned to him, catching his eye with a sleepy smile.

"Good morning," she said softly, her voice still a bit hushed.

John B smiled back, his eyes reflecting the warmth of the sunrise. "Good morning. How are you feeling?"

Alex took a deep breath, her earlier turmoil now replaced with a sense of calm. "Much better, thanks to you."

John B's smile widened, and he gave her a gentle squeeze. "Glad to hear it."

The Pogues, now fully awake and starting to prepare breakfast, glanced over with a mix of curiosity and understanding. Kiara, sensing the importance of the moment, decided to give Alex and John B some space.

"Alright, you two. We'll give you a moment," Kiara said, her tone playful. "We're just going to make some breakfast. Let us know if you need anything."

Alex and John B watched as the Pogues moved about, preparing a simple breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. The kitchen was filled with the familiar sounds of their morning routine, and for a moment, it felt like everything was back to normal.

After a while, Alex and John B joined the group at the table. The conversation flowed easily, with the Pogues chatting about their plans for the day and making light-hearted jokes. Despite the light atmosphere, there was an underlying tension as they all acknowledged the events of the past few days.

"So, what's the plan now?" JJ asked, glancing at Alex and John B. "Are we just going to hang out here, or do we have something else on the agenda?"

Alex exchanged a glance with John B before speaking. "I think we need to figure out what's next," she said. "We can't keep hiding out forever. There's still a lot we need to deal with."

John B nodded in agreement. "We need to find out what's going on with Rafe and make sure he doesn't try anything else. And we need to figure out how to get back to some sense of normalcy."

The group fell into a thoughtful silence, each person contemplating their next steps. Despite the challenges ahead, there was a renewed sense of determination among them. They were a team, and together, they felt ready to face whatever came their way.

As the day progressed, the Pogues discussed their plans and prepared to tackle the issues at hand. The bond between Alex and John B had deepened, and their connection added a new layer of strength to their group dynamic.

Despite the difficulties and the emotional toll of recent events, the Pogues found solace in each other's company. They were determined to move forward, united in their resolve to face whatever challenges lay ahead and to support each other through thick and thin.

And so, with the morning sun casting a warm glow over the hideout, the Pogues began their day with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to confront the obstacles in their path and to continue their journey together.