Life On The Road

Two weeks had passed since the vocalist, bassist and younger guitarist had been admitted into the hospital for their broken bones. While Johnny had been fixed up and discharged with no problem, Matt and Zacky had no choice but to stay in for a little while longer while their broken bones healed. Just over a week later, when Matt had regained some ability to talk and eat and when Zacky could move around better without causing a jolt of pain to shock his side, they were both discharged, free to head back to the bus.

Upon arriving at the bus, Matt immediately began to shift Brian's things to his old bunk, which had become the storage space for the pair. Jason was relegated to Johnny's old bunk and Brian returned to his bunk. That night, Matt spent all his time in his bunk alone, whilst everyone else enjoyed each other's company around the bus. Jimmy occasionally checked on his younger bandmate, but Matt pushed him away. It stung like a bitch for Jimmy to see Matt in this state, but unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done.

Late into the night, once all their gear had been checked and accounted for, as well as each of the crew and band, they finally began their long journey home. One by one, everyone who was residing on the bus retreated to their nice warm beds, and the bus was plunged into partial silence.

However, that didn't mean everyone was asleep.

With his eyes still wide open, brain still wide awake and bursting with endless thoughts, hands fiddling with the fabric of his bedsheets, Matt laid in the darkness, not a sound escaping his lips. Different memories visualised themselves within his mind vividly, his first kiss with Brian, their first date, the music class that brought them together... and tour memories. How they'd go for long walks in the sun, in the night, in the rain, in the snow. How they'd watch thunderstorms from hotel windows whilst cocooned in toasty, fluffy blankets. They were Matt's favourite memories.

But then, he would remind himself of Zacky's interference and Brian's unfaithful behaviour, and his blood would boil under his skin. His fists would clench and his teeth would grind against each other. He felt betrayed, stabbed in the back, tossed aside. He'd done so much for Brian, and this is how he was repaid. Sure, he'd done exactly the same thing with someone else, so they were essentially equal.

It was that final thought that kept Matt awake. Was he right to lash out, to hate Brian when he made the same mistake? His brain ran around in circles. Essentially yes, because Brian had yelled and screamed at Matt when he cheated all those 8 years ago, but no because it would make him a hypocrite, having a go at Brian for something he himself had been guilty of.

The vocalist sighed heavily and sat upright, swinging his legs over the side of his bunk. It felt cold, empty, alone in there. He was so used to having his lover there... But he wasn't. Slipping out from the curtains, Matt adjusted his pajama shirt's collar and silently left the bunk room, his destination being one of the couches at the front end of the bus. There, he plopped himself down with a deep, heavy sigh and twisted his body round so he could reach the curtain strings, reeling them upwards so he could fixate his gaze on the outside world as it passed. His ears picked up nothing more than the soft hum of the bus's engine and his own calm breathing.

He had lost track of time. How long had he been there? 10 minutes? Half an hour? An hour? It must've been a while. Perhaps he'd even dozed off for a bit. It was only when he heard the thud-thud-thuds of someone's footsteps that his mind returned to Matt and he snapped out of the mindless thoughts he'd been having while watching the scenery beyond the glass. He slumped back in his seat and cast his eyes over to the door separating the bunk room and the front of the bus. The handle twisted and the door slowly opened. Matt spotted the shadowy figure peeking in and then stepping past the door, closing it shortly after. Then it moved into the light.

Brian.

"Oh, hey Matt..." He spoke softly. "I.. I didn't know you were n here, I thought you were asleep..."

"Can't sleep." Matt replied simply, avoiding Brian's eyes. "What do you want?"

"I just came to get something from the cupboard... How come you can't sleep?" The guitarist enquired. Matt scowled.

"That's none of your business, now get what you need and go."

"Maybe I don't want to. Maybe I'm worried about you. Maybe I came to check on you." Brian said, searching on of the cupboards before closing it with a grumble. Then, he spun around on his heels to face the vocalist.

"Why would you give a shit? I would've thought you'd be sleepin' with Zacky. Again."

Brian growled lowly, eyes narrowing, brows dipping.

"Oooh, that got you fired up, didn't it? Hm?" Matt smirked, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the couch.

"You're nothin' but a violent, hypocritical asshole!" Syn glowered, leaning close to Matt and pressing a finger harshly to his chest like Zacky had done previously.

"Yeah? I am, am I? Well guess what buddy boy, you're just a dirty fuckin' liar. You're a cheater, and you're a liar! You couldn't even tell me you kissed Zacky behind my back!" Fumed Matt, who outstared the guitarist with fiery hazel orbs. He could see Syn's fists beginning to clench and tighten from the corner of his eyes. "Do it. I. Fucking. Dare. You."

"I wish I'd never let you join me in music." Syn hissed. "I wish I'd pushed you away and asked to work alone." His fist clenched tighter.

"I wish I'd never even spoken to you."

"I wish I'd never taken you to my house!"

"I wish I'd never met you! Now fuckin' do it! Punch me! See if I care! Go on!" The singer seethed, watching with somewhat of a twisted smirk as Syn rose his hand higher. "You don't have the balls to do it."

The guitarist tried. He fucking tried as hard as he could, but something was stopping him. He couldn't move his hand anymore. Matt was right. He couldn't do it. His hand fell to his side and he sighed heavily, flopping beside Matt on the couch.

"I'm sorry Shads... You're right... I can't do it." He whispered, gaze set on the floor. The singer's expression changed, softened. The fire in his eyes died down as he turned to observe his ex.

"How? Why?"

"Because I love you Matt... I couldn't hurt you even if I tried... I'm sorry for everythin' I said..."

The vocalist looked down at his hands, then back up at Brian. "I'm sorry too, I was a bit harsh there... But please, just tell me the truth. Why did you do that stuff with Zacky?"

Brian paused. He looked at his own hands, then at Matt. "I... You remember when I slept with him after we broke up last time?"

"Yeah.. I remember that. I got so pissed off because I wanted you back..."

"And you got me back, that's for sure. But I felt bad. I felt bad for Zack because I led him on. I essentially told me that he could have me. Then I took you back, so I couldn't help but feel bad." He explained in a hushed tone, cautious as to not raise his voice so the others wouldn't wake up. "When Zee knocked on our hotel door after you got attacked, we headed out for a smoke and he confessed he still had feelin's for me. I wasn't really surprised, but again, I felt bad. So I took him to this park not far from that hotel. I hadn't planned it, and really I just wanted somewhere quiet to clear my head. He admitted why he was so madly in love with me... And I just... I thought kissin' him would satisfy him..." The guitarist sighed deeply, shaking his head and plunging it into his hands.

"It made it worse..." Matt commented.

"I know... I was so fuckin' stupid to think that would work... I should've just came to you about it..."

Matt remained silent, deciding it was best not to agree nor disagree with that statement as to not create an argument. He was so sick of arguing. Instead, he enquired about the other incident. "So, what about when I went shoppin' with Jimmy?"

"I honestly have no idea what happened. He suggested havin' a bit of Jack and just chillin' out, but you know I don't really have limits when it comes to booze... I told Zacky to make sure I didn't drink too much..."

"You know what I think?"

"Huh?"

"I believe you." The singer simply said. "I believe you, d'you wanna know why? Because you've never lied to me up until this happened. You've always told me the truth, aside from when you've been jokin' around or hidin' things to surprise me, you've always been truthful. That's one thing I've always loved about you..."

Brian nodded quietly. "Well, why would I lie to my best friend? Especially after all you've done for me.."

"Come 'ere..." The vocalist then said, holding his muscular arms out to Brian, inviting him into his embrace. The guitarist gave a puzzled look, hesitantly crawling into Matt's lap. Was Matt acting like a Venus flytrap, inviting it's prey to come too close before suddenly snapping mighty jaws down, killing it?

No, of course not. Matt would never do that. Instead, the singer wrapped his arms loosely around Brian's torso and leaned back, kicking his feet up onto the couch, leaning back against the arm of said couch. Syn held onto his ex's arms like they were delicate flowers, his hands gentle. He was unsure. Matt could sense it.

"Relax, Brian..." The younger man cooed softly.

"Matt- What are you-"

"Shh... You wanted to fix things, right?"

"Well yeah-" Brian stammered, twisting his head round to face Matt. "I do want to fix things..."

"So, why don't we try? I'll give you one last shot, yeah? Just like you gave me. Fair's fair, right?"

The older male smiled and nodded. And then his smile faded as a question crossed his mind.

"Brian? You alright?"

Brian pondered for a moment. His deep, chocolate eyes gazed at at Matt's pools of gorgeous hazel. "C-Can I-"

"Say it. Actually no, do it." Matt replied. What he was expecting was not what he received. Instead of seeing Brian bound off to hat was his and Matt's bunk (Now just Matt's bunk), he felt soft, plush lip against his own, those chocolate orbs fluttering shut. It caught the bigger man off-guard, but instead of reacting, he simply melted into the kiss. He could feel that familiar feeling within himself, the fluttering of butterflies deep in the pit of his stomach. Brian was feeling it too, electricity flowing through his veins. The signal was still there between them, they just had to reconnect.

Brian reluctantly pulled away soon after to take a breath, for Matt had a way of easily taking it away from him. The vocalist chuckled and smiled up at Syn, who gazed down at him.

"Y'know, I wasn't expectin' that, but it was a nice surprise." Matt said.

"I missed that, and there was no way I was lettin' that opportunity go. Besides, we're gonna be home tomorrow morning. We're goin' to my parents' house and we have to have that talk Jason arranged..."

"Ugh... I'm not lookin' forward to that..." The vocalist grumbled, his smile flipping itself upside down.

"You'll be fine, yeah?"

"Brian, they're all gonna yell at me for my anger issues and you know it."

Syn took a deep breath and shared Matt's frown. "Yeah, I know... It is kind of a problem though.. Tell me, if we get back together, will you get help?"

"If tomorrow goes without a hitch, I'll take you back and just for you, I'll get help."

The guitarist beamed. He wrapped his arms tightly around Matt's chiselled physique and gave a loving squeeze. "I love you, Shady. Don't you forget that."

"I love you too, BriBri. Now c'mon, it's really late and we both need sleep." Matt chuckled softly again, gently patting at Syn's side to get him to shift. The pair then got up and quietly walked into the bunk room. Matt pulled the curtains apart so he could crawl inside, when he felt a finger tap at his shoulder. "Hm?"

"Matt... It's cold..." Syn complained, trying his best to stay quiet.

"C'mon then... Come in and keep warm. If anyone asks, you had a nightmare, you didn't want to disturb Jimmy and Johnny and you didn't want to stay in Zee's bunk in case it set off an argument. Now get in, ya pain in the ass."

The guitarist found it hard to suppress a giggle as he climbed into Matt's bunk, followed by Matt himself. The pair settled down beside each other, the curtains drawn shut, the covers draped over them both, their heads resting on the plush pillows.




"Goodnight, Shady."

"Night night, BriBear."

Notes

Hey guys, hope you liked this chapter!

There's a glimmer of hope for Matt and Brian's relationship! Will they finally get back together, or will everything crumble again? Let me know what you think!

As always, thank you for all your support and for reading!