10 Years (Zerkaa/TBJZL) (A Sidemen Story)

Chapter 30 - The Climax

Tobi and the others hurried as quickly as possible, they didn't think they just got in their separate cars and drove to the airport as quick as possible. It was like a special forces squad at the start of a mission, quick, unified and instinctive. Tobi checked the time of the flights on his phone, Josh's plane would start boarding in 20 minutes and the car journey would take about the same amount of time. Tobi kept checking his watch, his phone, any device that would give him the time, he had everything to lose and he felt that if Josh went, he would lose everything, no matter how long he would go for. Josh on the other hand, was calm. He had checked in very smoothly and was waiting to board, everything was serene, for Josh, at this moment in time, everything was right in the world. He thought he had sent the message late enough that Tobi would not be able to reach him. He was care free ready for his new adventure, full of optimism and excitement. However, the world is a funny place, extraordinary things happen that we relate to fate, divine intervention or pure luck but Tobi was going to get one more chance at restoring love, not that he would be able to attribute it to anything.

We all deserve chances and Tobi would get one, the speaker system echoed throughout the airport:

"The 6:45 pm flight to Vancouver is now boarding, please may all passengers make their way to gate 7, thank you."

Tobi got out of one of the two cars and sprinted through customs, leaving all the other sidemen in the dust, he zoomed through, convincing the staff that there was an emergency, little did they know it was an emergency of the heart rather than a security issue. Tobi just kept sprinting through the vast airport to get to gate 7, he knew he was close but he knew Josh was boarding and despite his limbs telling him he was tired, he carried on, this was more important to him than his own personal health. Josh couldn't believe he was the last in line to board the plane. He just considered it to be bad luck, hopefully the last he would experience for a while, he was just about to hand his passport and boarding pass to the attendant when he suddenly heard a cry and heavy panting behind him. He knew what was happening.

"JOSH!!!! STOP!!!!" cried Tobi.

Josh just stood there motionless. He could just hop on the plane and leave immediately, but he couldn't move and he wasn't sure why.

"Tobi... I'll come back for you, I promise. I love you. Right now though, I need to leave. This is the best case scenario for both of us, I'm doing this for both of us." said Josh uncomfortably, he felt guilt in what he was doing and in what he was saying.

Tobi didn't understand. He couldn't understand what had prompted Josh's desire to leave.

"JOSH! I don't understand!!! Why do you want to leave!?" he yelled with pure , crippling emotion, burning its way straight into Josh's heart

Josh let out an incredibly deep sigh. He knew he had to explain, he just wasn't sure it would be sufficient.

"I want to leave Tobi because I want a new adventure. I want to do something different with my life and I don't want to be constricted by others or my obligations. But mainly, I want to leave to protect our friendship, our love. Despite all the good times we've had, we've just scraped through, we've got lucky and I don't know if we'll be able to cope with any more adversity before it not only destroys our love but our friendship and our bond. This break will be good for both of us. I know it." said Josh in a heartfelt manner, he truly meant what he was saying and Tobi could see that.

Tobi could even partly understand Josh's fear but he knew they were meant to be together. He retorted, fear and worry evident in his voice, but he calmed himself, he had to speak plainly and convincingly now:

"Josh I know we've faced a lot of adversity, but that's part of being in a relationship, we overcome obstacles together and we become stronger for it. I know you want a new start and to do something different and we can figure something out to supplement, I promise. Josh I can't be without you and I just want you to understand that everything we've been through has been worth it, the good times have outweighed the bad, can't you see that!? I love you more than anything and I know you love me too, please Josh, don't leave!"

"Why don't you come with me Tobz? We can have a fresh start together!" offered Josh who had stepped to Tobi, cradling his hands, his eyes staring deeply into Tobi's"

Tobi looked up at Josh, he knew where he stood. "I'm sorry Josh, you know I can't do that. I have too much for me here."

Josh sighed and then started to cry, turning towards the gate, getting ready to leave.

"Josh do you remember when we first met?" interjected Tobi quickly and desperately.

Josh turned.

"Like it was yesterday."

Tobi managed a smile and carried on to make his point: "Look at what we've achieved and what we've been through since then Josh. We've got amazing sets of fans, incredible supportive friends and a steady income and family support. We've got everything we could possibly want. There's time in your life to experience what you want, I'm sure this opportunity will constantly be on the table, but what isn't optional and what is continuous is our love. What I do and how I act is for and because of you. What I desire is for the benefit of me and you. Me and you are meant to be together and you know that, everyone knows that. Without you Josh, I have nothing. Without you I can no longer be me and that just highlights the fact that I need you in my life and I'd like to think you need me in yours. We'll obviously experience more lows but we'll also come together and be part of far more beautiful highs. I've got one life Josh and I want to spend it with you, no matter what happens, no matter where I am, I will always love you and that's the truth."

He had poured out his heart to Josh, a brave, emotional and honest speech.

Josh turned back towards the attendant who had witnessed this unbelievable scenario.

Tobi's heart sank.

Josh was leaving and he hadn't done enough. He honestly didn't know where he would go and what he would do, Josh was too much of a large part of him. He began to sob deeply.

Josh then spoke:

"I'm sorry but I'm not boarding the flight."

The attendant looked at him and smiled

"It's your decision sir."

"And I'm making the right one" replied Josh

He went and picked up Tobi, kissed him passionately and hugged him.

The wave of ecstasy hit Tobi incredibly strongly, he was elated, he was whole again.

"Josh... I.. I.. don't understand... why are you staying?" he cried happily

"Let's just go home" smiled Josh

They both walked out of the airport to the relief of the other Sidemen who cheered extraordinarily loudly, they had Josh back, the Sidemen would not be fractured.

"Josh. I want to know. Why are you staying?" asked Tobi

"One simple reason despite all the difficulty Tobz. I realised that there's one important thing that makes me myself and is more vital than anything else in my life. Being with you. I love you Tobi.

"I love you too Josh." replied Tobi, both of them kissing passionately and deeply.

THE END

A/N:

Well there we have it! That's the end to 10 years! I want to thank you all for reading this book. It's been something that I never thought would be read so much and I've been able to talk to and interact with lots of lovely people through writing. Thank you all so much for the support, I intend to carry on writing, I hope to start a one shots book and I'll also be writing a Star Wars story for anyone particularly interested in that. Some other big news is that I'll be co writing a book with the wonderful and hugely talented Ma3uma which we'll hopefully start soon, it being my fault for it not having being started already for which I apologise. I'm incredibly grateful for the feedback and support I've received and I hope to entertain you guys further with more stories to come! Thank you so so much! - Riak64 :)