Impenetrable Heart | The Oneshot Collection

Better Pt. 3

     A/N- Another TW! Because, well, I think you guys get the gist of the story. Things are looking up for John, ever so slightly- so fear not. Also! I'm so sorry about the huge delay between this and the last part. With school starting, getting my Ipad, and trying to balance my work, art, and my mental health things have been insane.  There was originally going to be more content, but it seemed so daunting to add I kept putting it off. So I'm saving that for the next chapter, so this will still be four parts, possibly with an Epilogue. Anywho, into the story, we go~

      ...

     That night had been the first in weeks; that John had slept in- or slept longer than three hours in general. At first, Laf had been scared into thinking he had overdosed somehow as John slept past the noon mark, but after being woken by his panicked friend, he groggily explained he was just tired.

     Even then, he felt as though Laf didn't 100% believe him.

     When he finally did wake up, he took note the room was still dark with the drapes closed, and that Laf had turned on the fan and pointed it toward him. He yawned, rubbing his face when Laf tiptoed back in.

     "Morning, sleepyhead," he chuckled. "Or should I say, evening?"

     "What time is it?" He mumbled, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

     "Five."

     "P.M.?"

     Laf raised his eyebrows, giving John his answer. He groaned, throwing himself back onto the bed.

     "I missed Alex's call, didn't I?"

     "Perhaps, but he left you a voicemail to listen to when you woke up."

     John perked up at the words.

     "What did he say?"

     "I do not know," Laf chuckled, pulling out his phone. "It is for you, not me."

     When John listened to the message, he felt his chest tighten ever so slightly as Alex's words reached his ears.

     "Hey, John," he said softly. "I know it's early, and you're still asleep, but I just wanted to call to let you know I love you- and I'll be home soon, Jackie, I promise."

     John put a hand to his mouth and stifled a sob. He noticed Laf had left the room.

     "Just hang in there, okay?" Alex's voice trembled. "I love you... Laf loves you, Herc loves you, and we're all so proud of you. I love you so, so much, more than you could ever know. So um-"

     John's heart shattered as he heard Alex begin to cry.

     "Stay with us? You-you can do that, right? It's just a little bit longer then I'll be home with you. Just a few more days."

     Background noise on Alex's end reminded John that this was, in fact, still a recording.

     "I have to go, but I'll call you as soon as we get out of debates, okay? I love you, John. I'll talk to you soon."

     As the recording cut off, John sat a few moments in silence, still holding the deadened phone to his ear as the memory of Alex's voice rang through his mind. Stay with us.

     John hastily wiped the tears from his eyes as the door crept back open, plastering something of a smile as Laf stepped in.

     "Thanks," he said quickly, handing the phone back to his friend.