In A Blink

Bluebell woke up to something shaking the somewhat uncomfortable mattress she was lying on. She was barely roused, giving a soft hum of a complaint and stirring slightly. C.C. froze in his spot, half-laying next to the woman. Ashley snorted at him from across the bus - he was at the front, using The Deviant's power to focus the bus in the direction of home. That was why the bus seemed to blend flawlessly into traffic - it was automatic, sort of.

"Shut up," C.C. hissed vehemently, but Ashley only snickered again and headed for the bunk beds. Shaking his head, C.C. carefully laid down next to Bluebell and reached out, pulling her back against his chest and smiling happily as she automatically snuggled closer. Wrapping himself around the smaller girl, C.C. kissed her bare shoulder gently and tucked her under his chin protectively, closing his eyes as exhaustion crept in.

It had taken several hours and many, many phone calls, but the men had finally managed to cancel the tour. Fans were given their money back as well as a VIP ticket to any other supporting band (except Panic! At The Disco - Brendon refused to cooperate). Most fans were fine with that since the excuse was that Andy had developed some sort of cancer. "Probably liver cancer," C.C. had mumbled earlier, motioning to the beer Andy was drinking.

Things were tense. Everyone knew that F.E.A.R. was rising - every Holding Clan across the nation was being cautious, although not all of them were bands. Some were just roommates. Some were neighbors. Still, out of the 125 total Clans across the nation, The Legion of the Black was the Alpha - they were the only one complete. They hung or set the rest of the rosaries around the bus for temporary protection - over beds, under pillows, in the couch cushions. Jake and Andy had glanced at each other as they both put rosaries under furniture, remembering the portal that had opened under the couch what seemed forever ago but had only been almost four months.

Bluebell was fully roused several hours later, C.C. nibbling on her shoulder. She whined a complaint, grabbing a pillow and thwacking the drummer over his head. He laughed at that, simply laying down over her and pinning the Sixth down with his body weight. Once he was sure she was awake, he told her that they needed to start packing - the tour was over, and they were going home. Bluebell responded to this with a cloud of watercolored fog - when it cleared, everything was packed and ready to go, every surface was cleaned, and Bluebell had decided to go back to sleep.

Andy was less than thrilled when he come out of the shower to find his clothes packed.

The next day, Ashley watched everything go down a little too casually. His eyes kept wandering towards C.C. and Bluebell, then darting away as he helped lift suitcases and backpacks into the back of a U-Haul. Jake was the only one who seemed to see Ashleys' jealousy - he stayed close, nonchalantly spreading fine silver dust in the bassist's direction to keep him as calm as possible without completely obscuring his emotions. Jake had far too many memories of how taking emotions away ruined lives.

Despite Jake's best effort, Jinx caught onto Ashley's negative vibes and sidled over coolly. Jinx followed Ashley gaze and saw C.C. and Bluebell over to the side - laughing and smiling, their affection was obvious as C.C. spun the girl in a fast twirl before dipping her a little too fast, making her shriek and cling onto the drummers' shirt. The drummer had that smile on his face - the one he gave only when he was the happiest he could be.

Oh no.

Jinx stiffened slightly, almost dropping his suitcase on Jakes' foot. "Dude!" Jake warned, lunging forwards and helping Jinx layer his suitcase on top of the others. He looked at Jinx as if the other had gone mad, before seeing his expression of worry. Andy came over at the commotion, putting the last bag from under the tour bus in the U-Haul and shutting the door easily, thanks to his tall stature. "What's going on?" He asked.

Shh!

The two guitarists shot the mental message at Andy at the same time, making the Holding Hand flinch and glare. A mental link was opened between the three. Ashley is jealous of C.C. He wants Blue, but it's kinda obvious that she and C.C. are getting really close, Jake thought to the others, walking to the front of the rented van that was pulling the rented trailer. Andy opened the driver's door behind him as he went around - Jinx stepped inside with a quick nod of thanks as C.C. and Bluebell greeted them cheerfully, hopping into the back row. No joke, Andy responded, claiming the passenger seat. Jake, think you can do something about that?
Erase his affection for her in particular? No way Andy, my Holding doesn't work like that, Jake retaliated, mentally shaking his head. He got in the second row, and Ashley jumped in beside him and closed the doors. Bluebell and C.C. were in the back, having a Mario Kart battle over two DS devices. Jinx started the van. "Vegas, here we come," he mumbled, pulling forwards carefully.

Andy, Jake, and Jinx had the only conversation in the van - there was silence. The times were too stressful for laughter. Well, we have to do something- Andy began, but Jinx suddenly piped in. What about a trust-building session or whatever? We've been traveling together as a band for years, and as a complete Holding Clan for several months, yet we don't know how we each found our Holdings.

Silence. Jinx was right - it was surprising, really. The men had been together for a long while, yet they didn't know how everyone found their holdings. Alright, Jake replied, let's try it. If the trust doesn't help, hopefully, it'll distract Ashley enough to calm down. If not... well, I don't know. We have a bigger issue than Ashes feelings right now, though. I'd rather him feel five times more bitter than have all of us be killed by F.E.A.R.

Andy shut down the mental link and let the silence was over him. He didn't want anyone else to know what he was thinking. If Ashley grew bitter enough, would it tear them apart? They were the only complete Clan in the nation - in the world, as far as they knew. They couldn't afford to split - F.E.A.R. would kill everything.

Notes

Hey guys, I'm sorry for the late update! As an apology, I have two chapters for you tonight.

Anyways, y'all have a great day, be happy not sappy, loveyoubye!

xoxo
LK Marie