Friend, Please

2.1

Michael's POV:

Once we finally get onto the bus I make my way to the bag bunk grabbing some pjs going into the bathroom I strip down my sweaty clothes and toss on the pajamas. I then proceed to the back lounge. Heaving my body onto the middle couch I switch the TV on to some random cartoon. Luke must have used the TV last.

Walking into the back a moment's later Calum stands in front of me blocking the view of the reruns of Spongebob.

"Move over." Calum groans tossing my legs onto the floor.

"Hey, watch it." I glare at him.

"Boo hoo." He giggles. I roll my eyes, but laugh all the same. Calum plops down on the couch next to me.

Looking up Luke, Ash, and Alissa trail in. Luke and Ashton sit on the couch to the right of us and Alissa sits in between Calums legs.

I watch as Calum starts to play with Alissa's hair, the way I used to do whenever we hung out. I tore my eyes away from the sight not wanting to watch them anymore then I had to.

"Can we watch criminal minds?" Luke asks with pleading eyes.

" Are you sure you can handle it?" Alissa laughs.

"Of course I can."

"I mean okay" I say with a yawn.

"Thank you bubby." He smiles widely. Then smirks at Alissa.

"Yeah yeah." I huff quietly.

After a couple of hours Ashton and Luke are dead asleep toppled on top of each other. Calum had gone to his bunk about a half hour ago. So Alissa and I were the only two awake. Sitting silently as the TV plays on, Alissa makes her way on to the couch. Now sitting only a foot between us, she grabs the blanket off of the armrest, laying it over her body nuzzling into the pillow next to her. She quickly begins to toss and turn trying to get comfortable.

"Ugh I give up." She huffs out pulling the pillow out from under her head. Suddenly she shoves it onto the side of my lap. Before I can ask what she's doing she lies down with her head against the side of my thigh I stiffen at the feeling of contact from her.

"Relax." She says nudging her head on my thigh sleepy. Instantly I let the tension in my body release.

She quietly keeps her eyes trained on the TV. I can't help but stare down at her aquamarine locks. Her face is so calm and content. Not a trace of exhaustion.

Slowly I rest my hand against my thigh, just touching the crown of her head. Alissa doesn't seem to care or notice it, so I choose to leave it there. Gradually I start to run my fingers through her roots of her hair. How the hell is her hair this soft with the amount of dye in her hair?

"Aloe Vera." She hums out.

"Did I-I uh say that out loud?" I ask timidly halting my hands movements.

"No I can just read your mind, of course you did dumbass." She laughs tiredly, observing the two sleeping boys to the right of us.

"Oh," I hum softly. Suddenly her head nudge at my arm.

"Rub." she whines rubbing her head against my arm. Looking down I see she has her eyes open facing the TV.

I lift my hand up and ghost my hand over her temple, shifting the hair that had fallen back behind her ears.

Alissa's POV:

I feel Michael's hand sweep my hair out of my face, and I can't help but bite my lip from the feelings rising in me. A wave of anger, sadness, guilt, and joy surged through my veins.

This used to be so normal. Late nights laying on eachothers couchs. Just enjoying one and others company. We sometimes would just sit there not even with the TV on, without our phones, no laptop, nothing but our breathing to keep us company.

Looking slightly up I see Michael already looking down at me. Only for a moment do we keep the gaze. But before I can even process the fact he is he looks straight at the TV.

Frozen in my spot I study his jaw structure. The slight stubble that had grown. The small creases and lines near his mouth from that once permanent grin, now replaced with a slight frown. I see the way his under eyes have become droopy from the lack of sleep and the stress of five years on tour. Even though his cheeks still resemble a rosy tint.

His hand still coaxing through my hair. I feel my eyes become heavy, I try to strain them to stay open and watch as Matthew Gray Gulber fight off the unsub. However my eyes betray me as I fall into a dream state.

The next morning...

"Should we wake them up?"

"No look at him he's never stayed asleep this long in years."

"But when they do wake up there'll be hell to pay for not waking them up sooner."

"Shut up both of you and look, Ali's waking up."

Fluttering my eyes open Luke's face is look straight at me. Looking up Calum and Ash are staring at me as well.

"What time is it?" I ask reaching up and rubbing my eyes.

"Noonish." Ashton speaks up.

"Shit why'd you let me sleep." I squeal sitting up with lightning speed. Suddenly a loud groan comes out from the right of me.

"What the fuck man." Michael growls clutching his side.

"Wait."

"Told you we should've woke them up." Luke mutters.

"What are you talking about." Michael asks confused.

"Well you two may, or may not of, fell asleep next to each other on the couch." Calum says shakily.

"What do you mean fell asleep next to each other." I ask pointly.

"What he means is you fell asleep with your head on Michaels lap." Ashton huffs, He then turns to Calum, "Jesus you're acting like this could start a world war. What's so bad if they fell asleep next to one and other. It's not like you guys had sex." Ashton says with a groan.

"But they're mad at eachother." Calum says nervously.

"That doesn't mean they can bring us into it. If they want to act like toddlers about this then let it run its course." Ashton says calmly to Calum.

"Ugh guys, we're still right here you know?" Michael stammers.

"Good then maybe you should listen. Now get over it and don't whine about us letting you two sleep. We all know you two have barely slept, we just want you guys to be at your best. Now get up we've got soundcheck in an hour and a half." Ash grumbles out.