Roadtrip Oneshots

Rack, Passing Out

Jack

Waking up this morning, I'd felt oddly detached. It took me longer than usual to fully wake up, and even when I had done so I was blinking away at nothing, just staring at the wall as I tried to focus. I was just so sluggish... Every blink seemed to take an eternity to pass, and then before I knew it I was blinking again, and again, and again...

"Babe?" I shook my head, before looking over to door, seeing Rye standing in the doorway, arms folded across his chest, a confused but concerned look to his face. I watched his mouth move, fascinated by my boyfriend jawline, how his smooth skin was pulled taught when his jaw clenched...
I blinked quickly again, recoiling when I realised that I had just been staring at my boyfriend for God knows how long.

"What was that?" I asked, staring intently at him. His eyes narrowed into a frown, but if I didn't know him so well I wouldn't have noticed. I wouldn't have noticed the subtle shift to his jaw, I wouldn't have noticed the dip in his forehead as he tried to conceal the worry and stress lines to his forehead.
I wouldn't have noticed the newly ignited spark to his eyes, that grew on concern, and fed on fear.

"I asked if you were nearly ready. We're leaving in five minutes to get to that photoshoot, and then we have an interview right after." Rye walked into the room, unfolding his arms and holding out a hand. I grabbed it, and he pulled me to my feet.
I bit back a chuckle.

I sighed when he pulled me into a tight hug, and we swayed on the spot. Rye held me at arms length then, smiling when he noticed me grinning.
I leaned up to press a kiss to his lips, trying to swallow the feeling of dread that rose in me.

"You know you can tell me anything Jackie, right?" He suddenly asked, and I felt my expression soften.

"I know." I searched his eyes for the concern I knew I'd find there, but he'd hidden them behind an emotion tenderness which made my knees go weak.

"I love you." He murmered as our heads moved closer together. I felt his breath tickle my lips.

"I lo-"

"-Stop kissing each other and get ready! We need to leave if we want to get there on time." Andy knocked loudly on the open door, and I felt my face flush red.
Rye giggled at me, pressing a purposefully sloppy kiss to my cheek.

"C'mon Jack... they hate it when they have to wait." Rye threaded his fingers through mine as we headed out if the door, the bags having already been packed the night before, thanks to Mikey's intuition, and his comment about us never being on time anywhere.

It was then that I felt the heat.
I didn't question it.

***

I didn't wake up right away when I felt the minivan roll to a gradual stop.
I felt even more detached than before, not really knowing if I was asleep or awake. Someone was shaking my shoulder, but for some reason I couldn't really feel it, but yet I could...
And then my eyes suddenly snapped open, and I breathed heavily, taking in my surroundings.
Empty minivan, all except for myself and Rye, who I guessed had been trying to wake me up. And he looked concerned again, but the worry was more easily accessible this time. He couldn't conceal his stress lines either.

I blinked slowly, and watched as Rye gently raised is hand to cup my cheek, tilting my head to face at him. I leaned into the touch, sighing softly when I finally snapped out of... whatever it was.

"Jackie?" He murmered, and I watched his eyes rake over my face, taking in every detail, searching for an answer. I knew what the question would be, but I had no answer.