"Okay." Evan breathed. The word was short and insignificant, but to Jared it meant everything. He let out a sigh of relief. It felt like the entire weight of the world had been resting on his shoulder, and a simple two-syllable whisper had lifted it. Evan stood up on his toes to reach Jared and leave a soft kiss on his lips. He tastes like honey and everything good in this world. Jared thought to himself. Evan stepped back and turned to leave, but Jared grabbed his wrist. Evan let himself be pulled back to Jared as they came together. He was expecting a kiss, but it wasn't one. Instead, Jared wrapped his arms around Evan and held him tightly. "Don't make me let you go," Jared mumbled. Evan couldn't think straight. He hadn't had a single drink, yet his head was buzzing. He was used to a million thoughts rushing through his head, but tonight there was only one. I love you, I love you, I love you. It repeated in his mind over and over. Jared was intoxicating. His hand rested on the small of Evan's back. He tilted Evan's chin up, and he couldn't help but smile. "What?" Evan asked, his voice faint.
"You."
"What about me?"
"You're perfect."
"You know very well that I'm not."
"In my eyes, you are." Evan pulled back. "We should go." He said, the words treading lightly on his tongue. "I'll drive." Jared grabbed his hand and took him out into the brisk air. "Mm, it's cold," Evan said as a shiver ran down is back. "Thank God I'm here," Jared replied, pulling him closer.
The ride home was quiet. The crackly radio played softly as the car buzzed along the road. Evan and Jared didn't say a word. Instead, Evan just clutched Jared's hand. The old habit reminded Jared of how much he needed Evan. Evan stared out the window, admiring the faint stars in the night sky. Old streetlamps flickered as they drove by. Everything was calm, and Evan wanted it to stay that way forever. He didn't realize how tired he was until his eyes started fluttering shut involuntarily. We have a while until we're home. Maybe I'll just...rest my eyes. Jared smiled as he heard his boyfriend's breathing become heavier. Was boyfriend the right term? What stage were they at? In a perfect world, they were back to normal. But the world isn't perfect. Jared shook his head. He didn't want to have to think about it.
Evan's eyes fluttered open as the engine sputtered. "Is everything okay?" He asked, sitting up. "Yeah," Jared replied, squeezing his hand. "This happens all the time."
"You have a shit car," Evan mumbled as he closed his eyes once more. "Matches my personality, doesn't it?" Jared said with a snicker. Evan opened his mouth to complain about Jared's self-deprecating humor when the car rolled to a stop. Jared cursed under his breath. "What's going on?" Evan sat up again, worried. "I don't...I don't know." Evan inhaled sharply. "Is that smoke?" Jared's eyes widened. "Shit." The two sat there for a second, frozen. Suddenly, Jared realized what was about to happen. He unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbing Evan's wrist. "Get out of the car."
"What?"
"Now!" Evan had never seen Jared look so panicked. He looked at the smoke again. "Oh, God." He kicked open the door and jumped out of the car, Jared doing the same. As they stepped back, the car lit on fire. A squeak emitted from Jared's mouth. "Hey," Evan squeezed his hand. "At least it's only a tiny fire." He shivered. His jacket was in the car...that was burning. Jared pulled him to his chest. "I'm gonna call..." He paused, not being able to think. "Zoey." Evan finished for him. "Yeah, Zoey." Jared didn't care that he was mad at her. They were freezing, and they needed a car that wasn't burning into oblivion.
He grabbed his phone from his pocket and tapped Zoey's contact. "Mm...what do you need?" She murmured into the speaker. "A ride," Jared whispered back. "You have a car, Jared. Are you that wasted right now?"
"Yeah, the car's on fire." He snapped. "Oh my god. Where are you?" She asked frantically. Jared could hear rustling in the background. Alana. "Um," He looked around, trying to read the road signs amongst them. "Is that the orchard?" Evan asked suddenly, pointing to an old wooden sign across the street. It was small and rotting, hanging from a loose chain. Evan knew it well, which made Jared a little jealous. How many times had he been there with Zoey? He wondered. "Yeah. It is." He replied, his tone slightly venomous. "Zoey, we're by the orchard. You can come and get us, right?" He asked. "I'm on my way now. Wait, is Evan okay?"
Of course, she asks about him, first. "Yeah, yeah. He's fine. A little cold, but fine." Jared pulled Evan a little closer.
"Mmk, I'm bringing blankets and donuts. I'll stop by that all-night bakery on the way." Evan perked up at the sound of donuts. He pulled Jared down so he could whisper in his ear. Jared was expecting something cute and loving, but instead, he said: "Tell her to get my favorite." Jared stifled a laugh and pulled the phone back to his ear. "Get a dozen, make sure there's a strawberry with sprinkles." Evan grinned. "You're adorable." Jared kissed the top of his head.
"Um. I'm gonna hang up now." Jared couldn't help but smile at that. Evan was his, not hers. "I'll be like an hour, I have to get gas before I get the donuts." Zoey said.
"Just hurry, it's freezing."
"Shut up and let me drive." She said before hanging up. Jared looked at his phone for a few seconds before it flickered, the screen turning black. Perfect. Just what we need. A dead phone. Jared turned to Evan, who pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Dead, too." He said. He sounded upset. "It'll be okay, don't worry." Evan let out a whimper.
"I'm here. You'll be okay."
