In A Blink

Bluebell woke up to the sounds of quiet talking, the rumbling of an engine, and shallow breathing. Taking a completely unfair amount of willpower, Bluebell pried open her eyes and hissed silently at the low light coming into her bunk area through the window. Stars were washing past - it was nighttime, and they were on the move. On instinct, her hand came up to grab at the rosary that normally hung around her neck. It wasn't there.

It fell off in the fight.

The memory woke her up. With a sharp intake of breath, Bluebell jerked upright and hit her head on the bottom of the top bunk. She let out a yelp of pain, rubbing at the tender spot on the top of her head as she scrambled to take off her covers. She wasn't in the clothing she had worn before - sweats and a tank top now. She didn't care at the moment, too consumed by her worry as she stood up. She was too fast - her head throbbed, and she groaned in pain as she hid her face in one hand, the other keeping her steady against the bunk bed as she felt dizziness wash over her.

"Bluebell!" It was Jake. He swept forwards, catching her just when she began to crumble onto the ground. "Where is he?" She asked, her voice cracking as she shivered violently. Jake shook his head, putting an arm around her waist as he tried to help her back into her bed. "No, Blue, you need to rest-"

"Where is he?!" She insisted, her voice beginning to panic. Jake paused, glancing over at the other men who were still well. Andy nodded, motioning for Jake to bring their Sixth over. Worldlessly, Jake helped Bluebell over towards one of the two couches as Ashley pulled up a chair, letting her sit. When her vision finally cleared, golden yellow eyes began to tear up as she saw C.C. laying on the couch, barely holding on to his breathing and his skin ashen. "C.C.," she breathed, reaching out and cupping his face in her hands. His eyes barely flickered open, his vision fuzzy as he tried to reach up and touch her hand. Wordlessly, Jinx took his wrist and placed his hand over Bluebells.

C.C. mumbled something weakly, something Bluebell was hardly able to understand. She shook her head regretfully, a tear falling from her left eye as she laced her fingers with his. C.C. closed his eyes and gave a slight exhale, and then Bluebell felt the mental communication link flicker to life. You saved my life. Bluebell shook her head, more tears beginning to fall. Ashley, Jake, Andy, and Jinx looked at each other before they simultaneously stood up and went into the bunk area, sliding shut the door to give the two some much-deserved silence.

"You almost died," Bluebell's voice cracked as she responded, but from emotions this time, not exhaustion. C.C.'s response was a tiny smile and a tired wink. But I didn't, did I? Bluebell gave a weak laugh, pressing C.C.'s fingers to her cheek. The drummer could feel her warm tears against his skin. Don't cry Blue, I'll be okay. There's no poison in me, I just need some stitches and then I'll be good as new. His expression, despite the fogginess, suddenly went serious. One finger escaped the tangle and wiped a tear from Bluebell's cheek. I'll be alright as long as you need me. Do you still need me?

Bluebell nodded, another tear falling from her eye as she kissed the back of his hand. "Always." C.C. gave a slight smile to that, letting his body relax. Bluebell lowered his hand so he would be more comfortable, but kept their fingers laced. She felt C.C. slipping back into sleep, the connection fading from her mind. It didn't fade fast enough - the Sixth still heard what The Closing thought. I love you, Bluebell.

Even though C.C. was asleep, Bluebell leaned over and kissed his cheek softly. "I love you too, C.C.," she said quietly to the sleeping man, running her hands over his hair lovingly.

Several hours passed, and the four remaining men who were awake and well on the bus were being almost completely silent as not to disturb the two sleeping Clan Members. Bluebell had moved onto the ground at some point, leaning against the couch and fast asleep herself. The tour bus had parked and hooked into electricity and plumbing - now that the bus was much larger and fully extended, the men proved the couch to actually be a futon by carefully stretching it out and laying Bluebell by C.C. so the could both rest more peacefully, giving each of them a pillow and tossing a blanket over them. Andy was outside, talking to Joe Trohman from the band Fall Out Boy but the Holding Clan The Mighty Have Fallen. His Holding Name was The Curing, and his position in his clan was The Stilling. He could heal any wound or any mental ailment, within reason.

C.C. was practically whole again within minutes of Joe's help. He was thanked heartily, given several rosaries. The man didn't know if their fans would like Black Veil Brides merch (even if it was hidden anti-demon items), but they would be sure to scatter them around the areas and their tour bus to help keep them safe. After the Fall Out Boy bus had taken off once again, C.C. and the other men all crammed around the small kitchen table to discuss what happened at their last concert arena.

Bluebell was left asleep, with the help of Jake's Holding. She needed the energy, and they didn't know if it was wise to wake her. In the end, they were left with only one option - cancel the tour. The five men looked back and forth at each other guiltily. "The fans were gonna be brokenhearted," Jinx finally mentioned the obviously, shaking his head, "but I'd rather them be sad than dead. If F.E.A.R. comes after us at another concert-"

"They won't," C.C. snarled coldly, making the other four look at him with surprise. "The fans won't be hurt. We'll keep them safe. The question is - who will keep us safe?"

Notes