Young Folks (Ross Lynch AU)

twenty-five.

I woke up to the sound of something outside the bus, the bushes rustling loudly. I was praying that it was just Ross, probably taking a piss. But I didn't want to assume and risk getting attacked by a full size grizzly.

So I grabbed the pocket knife that was lying on the counter and opened it, ready to attack if needed.

Then I remembered something.

Ross left.

He left after I "fell asleep."

"Fuck," I whispered, scared shitless for two reasons.

1. Ross is gone and I don't know where the fuck he is. He could be dancing with wolves for all I know.

2. If Ross wasn't here, that means that something large and probably dangerous was right outside the bus, an old, rusty sheet of metal being the only thing protecting me from it.

I took and deep breath and braced myself, ready to face whatever was on the other side of that wall. I slowly stepped outside of the bus, cautious, exposing myself. I then walked around to the front of the bus and poked my head around the side.

What I saw made my eyes nearly pop out of my head.

"Ross?!" I screamed, his bright blonde hair shining in the distance.

And there were two people on either side of him.

Suddenly, an elk made its presence known from in the tall grass next to the bus and bounded away, soon out of sight.

But that was not on my mind at the moment.

Ross was back.

With other people.

"ROSS!" I shrieked, running towards him, my smile a mile wide. I reached him and threw my body on his, enveloping him in my arms. His body vibrated as he let out a deep chuckle, wrapping his arms around me as well.

"Thank god you're okay," I breathed out, kissing his cheek lightly before pulling away.

"Hi," I laughed, looking at the people who stood on either side of the tall blonde. "I'm Aspen."

"Mike," the man stated, sticking out his hand in greeting. I shook it and looked him over quickly. He was a rather tall, lanky fellow. He had short, graying hair, his five o'clock shadow prominent on his long face.

"And I'm Lucy," the woman smiled, also shaking my hand politely. Her long red hair was tied back in a braid, her green eyes shining brightly.

They both wore large backpacks and held poles in their hands, signaling that they were actually prepared for this little endeavor, not thrown into it with nothing but the clothes on their backs and meager rations.

"You have no idea how happy I- we are to see you," I stammered, stunned that there were actually people in my presence. The couple shared a glance and chuckled, and I noticed Ross' cheeks heating up.

"Blondie over here nearly showered us with kisses when he laid eyes on us," Lucy laughed, her smile wide. Ross' cheeks grew redder by the second and he just about looked like he wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole.

"Why can I picture this happening in my head?" I giggled along with the older two, teasing Ross even further.

"Haha very funny, Aspen. Might I remind you of the time you were sitting on my lap and the moment I went in for a kiss you fell off and onto the ground?" Ross raised an eyebrow.

Cue the blush.

Now it was my turn to hide my face and endure the teasing.

"You think you're making me look bad, but you were the one who got rejected," I countered.

"Only because you were clumsy enough to fall off my lap when I was holding you," he smirked viciously.

"Touché," I wiggled my eyebrows, giving up completely. I turned to the couple who were watching us intently, laughing at our pettiness. "Sorry."

"It's not a problem," Mike chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

"Well," Ross said, "shall we?"

***

"And that's how we ended up here," I finished, the campfire crackling as I looked up to see the shocked faces of our new roomies.

"No one has found you yet?" Lucy questioned, stunned.

"Haven't seen anyone besides this booger for the past two and a half weeks," Ross stated. I just nudged him in the side.

"Aren't you starving? What have you been eating?" Mike asked.

"Yes, and mostly caribou and other small game as well as berries," I said.

"Wow," his wife breathed out, shaking her head.

"We have a map, and I'm speaking for the both of us, we would be happy to help you out of here. We can bring you back to the trailhead and get you to the nearest lodging," Mike stated, giving us a warm smile.

Ross and I glanced at each other, shocked at this kind man's offer.

"T-thank you so much, sir, b-but we-"

"No buts. We're doing this for you, and you can't tell us otherwise. It's the least we can do," he nodded.

"Thank you, it honestly means the world," I breathed out, "thank you."

This was it.

We were getting out of here.

We were going home.

Aye so I'm not dead. I'm so sorry for the lack of updates I just haven't been inspired and I've been super busy as always. I will try to finish this ASAP. It won't take long anymore. I'm thinking three chapters and an epilogue.

Thank you all for everything. I love you to the ends of the earth xx