Freefall (Jaspar)

Chapter Seven

Caspar sighed, tucking his hands behind his head and gazing up at the roof, controlling his breathing until it matched Joe's light, steady pace. They'd long since retired to the bedroom, the day's events wearing down on everyone like a rucksack of stones piled atop their shoulders, but Caspar couldn't find the will to let sleep capture him so quickly, unlike his softly snoring counterpart.

Leaning over, he slid his phone off the bedside stand, immediately turning down the brightness with a worried glance towards Joe. His eyes fluttered unwillingly at the time displayed, and he hurriedly stifled a groan. The night wasn't so young anymore, and the sheer thought of starting a new day in just a few hours had a deep lethargy settling in Caspar's bones.

With a few clicks, he'd unlocked the phone, and began his disinterested staring at the few apps stored on the device. He rarely had time for pointless games as it was, but social media wasn't quite as enticing as it might have been during daylight hours.

With that thought, he promptly hit the 'photos' app, grinning widely at the first image to open. Dan, Phil, and Caspar, all huddled together with bright smiles printed on their faces, staring cheerily into the camera lens. It was just a publicity selfie, and no doubt there were similar photos stored on Dan and Phil's phones likewise. Yet there was something about their unadulterated happiness, sent from a period where everything was looking up.

Back then, they were as clueless as the neighbour's cats, even the vile one that hissed every time Phil passed by. It was only a missing person's case; there was no knowledge of darker powers and invisible beings. It was a break for them all, filming those videos, a pause on the terrible events that gave them nightmares without fail.

This much was obvious in the selfies, and the numerous versions of similar photos as Caspar swiped through the digital album. Caspar couldn't even identify which copy they'd used for his instagram; to him they all looked near-identical. It was usually Dan who found a fault in each, an imperfection that couldn't be placed on the internet. Hence, the vast supply of photos they'd taken that day.

The next photo in line had Caspar's breath caught in his throat, producing an embarrassing strangled noise. It was Caspar and Joe, the latter curled tightly into Caspar's side. Any lingering happiness was quickly replaced by something more confusing and startling. Not necessarily darker or more sinister, but still a feeling Caspar wasn't prepared to confront just yet.

The tingling in his fingertips, the blood rushing to his face, the fluttering sensation locked in his stomach. No, this wasn't something Caspar wanted to deal with right now, particularly considering the source was lying next to him, blissfully unaware, or so he thought.

"Shit," Caspar whispered, listening carefully as Joe mumbled something and twisted onto his side. Caspar hastily locked his phone, shoving it under his pillow and closing his eyes, just as Joe's opened.

"Cas?" Joe mumbled, a gentle pressure startling Caspar back to 'consciousness'.

Caspar opened his eyes slowly one at a time, smiling apologetically, and rolling until he was facing Joe. "Sorry."

Joe returned the smile, removing his hand from Caspar's arm. "Don't worry about it."

"You look cute with your hair down," Caspar smirked, no filter on his mind. Faltering, he realised his mistake, eyes opening wide. "I- I mean," he stumbled, trying to backtrack.

Joe's smile didn't fade, maybe growing even the slightest bit warmer. "So do you," he whispered, running a hand through the limp hair plastered to Caspar's forehead.

Caspar's cheeks began to heat, the emotions from earlier redoubling, and he chuckled lightly in an attempt to lighten the mood. Joe let his hand fall away, coming to rest lightly on Caspar's chest, subconsciously drumming his fingers. "I really am grateful, you know," Joe murmured, staring at his hand absently.