Archive of Our Own

The first thing he noticed was how rough her hand felt. It was strange, but he knew that his own palm probably felt the same way to her. Both their hands were scattered with cuts, bruises, and burn marks. Jack stopped counting how many there were a while back, finding no use in keeping track of the permanent etches that reminded him of things that were better to forget. His senses came rushing back to him after a while.

It hurts.

Honestly, it would have been better if he weren't able to feel anything at all. The ground beneath his knees felt rough, and his legs felt numb. The debris from the previous battle dug into his skin, and he could almost taste just how dry his tongue was. His vision was blurry, too. He found that the reason for the lack in sight was because there were still stray tears residing in his eyes. Jack brought his hands to his face and wiped the drops of water away. His vision cleared, and the first thing he saw was the carcass of the Howler. Immediately looking away didn't help. The memories of the last few hours came flooding back into his head, and no matter what he did, he couldn't stop them. He tried to focus on something else instead, to focus on anything but what was in front of him. He couldn't bring himself to look back at the carcass, so he looked down. He tried so hard to force the memories out, but even as he closed his eyes, the images flashed in his eyelids.

The spear pressed against his throat, the uneasy excitement of winning the battle quickly turning to nothing but sheer dread as they walked towards the carcass, the horror in realizing that it wasn't only the front of it that was missing..

He didn't want to see that. He couldn't move, couldn't scream or cry, but it was not like he had enough energy to do either of those things. Surely he was dreaming, and maybe, just maybe, if he squeezed his eyes tight enough, he'd wake up.

Ironic.

He realized that he was on his knees after a few seconds. Funny thing is, the motivation to stand didn't come. He couldn't get up. He had to stay there, and had to wait. They would come back if he waited, right? They had to. Maybe if he called out to them, they would come out. Were they playing a joke on him? It wasn't funny. Jokes were supposed to be funny. He'd made so many jokes with them, and every time, they were at least somewhat funny. Everyone would laugh or groan in amusement , and then the gang would go out and do something; it didn't matter what it was. They would laugh and joke around with each other, teasing and play-fighting. Maybe this was them pulling some ultimate prank; getting back at him for every time throughout the Apocalypse that he tricked them. But it wasn't funny. He wasn't laughing, and neither was she. It wasn't-

"Jack."

The sound of his name being called brought him back to reality from whatever he was in moments prior. Was it possible that he had passed out? His vision went white for a few seconds as his eyes adjusted to the light that slowly went from blinding to bearable. It was darker than it had been last time he checked. Trying to remember what time it could be was useless. White noise ringed in his ears for almost a minute that prevented him from thinking straight.

When his vision and mind cleared, he saw someone standing next to him.

" Dude, you're gonna get cramps sitting on your knees like that."

June.

Her brown hair fell over her face, which almost prevented him from seeing the redness and puffiness in her eyes. Almost. She was right, the pain in his legs was almost unbearable. Slowly, he got up and stretched. " How- how long?" He asked. It didn't surprise him how hoarse and shaken his voice was.

June paused before answering. " Hours. See how the sun is positioned?" She took a second to point to the sun. "It's almost sundown. When we got out here, the sun was straight up, so about noon. And now since it's sundown, it's around Six P.M." Jack looked at the sun, and then glanced back at her. He coughed, trying to get his voice back to normal.

" How'd you know that? Didn't take you as someone to be so interested in time."

The realization in what he said followed just as quickly as the regret did. After the whole radio thing and almost being late to the broadcast, they all got a lecture on how to tell the time from the sun. And of course, there would be only one person in their group who would lecture the rest on such a thing in the Apocalypse.

She didn't look at him when she answered.

" I think you know."

-----------------------------------------------

They were still out there by the time night fell. Still in the same spot, hands embraced. They hadn't spoken to one another since the time conversation. It felt weird for Jack, to be so close to someone, yet not say a single thing to them in hours. There wasn't much to talk about anyways. They both knew the same thing, however. Stay out there. Wait for them to come back. Don't doubt that they won't. Jack was intrigued to find that the Mollusk still remained right where it stopped hours ago. Why? It's not like he was running for Mayor anymore. Johnny Steve had that covered. And it's not like the citizens of the Mallusk were really fond of him. Or June, for that matter. So really, the Mallusk had no reason to stay there. Surely it had places to be.

All of a sudden, he heard shuffling behind him. Obviously, June heard it too. He could tell, because their weapons were pointed at the intruder at the same time.

In sync. Nice.

He could barely see through the dark, but June pulled back Blasty and breathed a sigh of relief. " God Yursl, you scared us! You don't go sneaking behind two kids with weapons in their hands at night." Jack put the midnight blade back into its sheath, chuckling nervously at what he thought would turn out to be a sneak-attack.

" Well technically, on their hands," he joked, holding out his right hand, signifying the not-so-much-a-glove-anymore glove on his hand. That'd be the easiest way to describe it. Going into detail about his strange monster attachment was the last thing on his to-do list. June groaned, clearing her throat. " Yes Jack, you have a strange tentacle glove permanently attached to your hand, and I have a machine powered wolverine hand. Thank you for pointing that out." He could tell she was joking- or she was blowing off steam- it'd probably be the second one, but once he was able to see Yursl clearly, he noticed that she had a worried look on her face.

" Don't mind her. What do you need, Yursl?" he asked.

She glanced at the moon, then at them. " In case you haven't noticed, It is now Night. It would be wise to go back inside the Mallusk. A 'Party'- as Johnny Steve calls it- is happening right now. He would like all of you there."

...

"All of you"

The words echoed in Jack's head like a fire alarm. He knew Yursl didn't mean any harm, because they were supposed to all be together. The last time they were separated was when June was dragged away by the Rifters. And even then, the situation wasn't as dire as the one they were in. They found her. But when two of your best friends just- disappear? Especially since they were technically at war now.

It was almost funny to Jack, how they'd been out there for so long..waiting for them. But, he didn't want to mention their names or even talk about them. Was it in fear that if he did, his head would be clouded by doubt? So far, he'd done an okay job of telling himself it would be alright. That they would come back. That there wasn't even a point in worrying. But the barrier that was holding back those thoughts was slowly lowering. Dangerously lowering.

Yursl quickly realized her mistake. She stuttered over her words. " I mean- you two. He would like both of you at the Party. Jack didn't say anything, but June did.

" What do you think happened to them?" she mumbled.

He admired June for being able to speak about them. She'd always been like that. A future journalist had to be like that, after all.

The monster avoided the question at first. Or maybe she genuinely misinterpreted June. " Thrull and his army? I- I don't know. It looks like-" Jack cut her off, his voice soft yet demanding.

" Yursl. You know what we're talking about. You know- WHO we're talking about," he said. He heard her sigh in the darkness. It was a weird sound, one that reminded Jack of Bardle when the mage would grunt.

"It's better if we talk about this inside the Mallusk. Discussing matters such as these in the open is dangerous. Please follow me," she said.

They both hesitated. Though both of them were tired, hungry, and in desperate need of a shower and sleep, leaving was not an option. They had to stay there.

" I'm sure you can understand- neither of us really want to leave. Y'know, just in case-" Jack began.

Yursl stopped walking. She turned to face them, the weird sigh thing leaving her lips (gills?) again. " Children. You have been out here for over several hours, without food or water. Are you aware that neither of you moved more than a foot in those entire several hours? I'm sorry to say this, but you have a reputation now. What would your now-earned army think after seeing what's left of their leaders crumble away to nothingness? Let's be honest. Johnny Steve is an ecstatic leader, but when it comes to battle tactics and War, who will they look to? You. After all, you do have the most experience out of any monster in the Mallusk. And in the world, for that matter. It's a wonder you're still alive," she deadpanned.

Jack snorted. The fact that he was alive right now amazed him too. In all honesty, he really shouldn't be alive. Of course, he didn't mean that in a 'putting-yourself-down' kinda way. No, he literally shouldn't be alive. If the monsters didn't show up, he would have ended up with a spear in his throat. Or worse.

Yursl turned away from them. "I would advise following; it can get pretty gruesome out here during the night." She began walking towards the Mallusk again. The duo were speechless, but somehow not surprised.

This is nothing new, Jack thought. Ever since the Tree of Entry, more and more had been stacked on their shoulders. There was always more to carry, more to handle, more to keep safe. It was tough, even for four people.

" I'll go if you go."

Looking to his side, he noticed June had her arm outstretched. Jack hesitated for a moment, then took it. Maybe a long time ago, he would've been so excited, getting a chance to hold her hand. In all honesty, he longed to be the same person he had been a year ago. Simple-minded and carefree. A bit of a fool as well. It's stupid how much he loathed his old self, but in reality, that was just him being a kid. 13 year old's were supposed to be stupid and obsessed with video games, not a somewhat war criminal in an Apocalypse. Back then, June's hand would have probably made him jump up and down ( mentally of course). But now? It felt like an anchor. A way of saying: " I'm here. I won't leave you. Don't leave me. Please."

Jack knew what awful solitude felt like, and he knew June did too. It was the absolute last thing he wanted to feel again. But somehow, he already felt like he was basked in it.

They began to walk towards the Mallusk.

—---------------------------------

The walk back seemed forever long. There was no talking, so it was basically dead silent besides the monster moan or screech that went through the air every couple of seconds. Jack dragged his feet across the ground, almost tripping over a few rocks that scattered the floor. It took everything in him to focus on where he was going instead of the thoughts that were too close to flooding throughout his head. They had reached the Mallusk by now. Not quite the entrance, but to where Jack could notice that it was asleep, which surprised him. He thought the thing didn't sleep. Evie did say something about it- ugh.

Evie.

Another thing he didn't want to think about.

The absolute fact that she just had the audacity to run away? Of course, because that's what she always did. She acted so high and mighty until there came a time when she actually needed to be useful- and then she ran away. Like a coward. A rotten, awful coward. Not to mention that if it weren't for her, there was a good chance Bardle wouldn't be dead. It was sickening to think that he laughed with her, like she was a friend and not his enemy. The tiny bit of hope he had that somehow she could be good flickered and sputtered like a going out flame.

When the group reached the entrance into the Mallusk, Jack had cooled down some.

Emphasis on the some.

" I must remind you that the monsters aren't aware of the absence of...your friends," Yursl began. " It's vital that this be the case for as long as possible. Do not engage in the party tonight. I'll tell the others that their heroes are tired and need rest. Which is true. When you reach your quarters, you're to go straight to bed. Do you understand? We can work this out in the morning."

Jack had to hold back many emotions at that statement. He wanted to tell Yursl that there would be no way in hell he would just go to sleep. They had to do something! He wouldn't rest until this problem was solved- until they had some bearing or idea on what was going on. The cosmic hand pulsed, and Jack wondered if Thrull could feel how angry he was right now. It gave him motivation to try to control his emotions- he would not let that wretched creature have the satisfaction of knowing his suffering.

" Yursl, you can't seriously believe that we're just going to-"

He stopped his rant at the sudden squeeze of his hand. He glanced at June, who looked like she was giving no thought to him or the situation. Poker face. He quickly looked away from her as more squeezes registered into his head.

Morse Code.

During the road trip, he and the gang had deeply discussed the topic. Suggestions were made that, if they were ever in a tricky spot and couldn't directly speak to one another but needed to communicate secretly, Morse code would be their best bet. Any form of knocking or tapping went immediately out the window. The probability that monsters would know what Morse code was were close to zero, but if someone were to constantly tap it would get suspicious at some point. So squeezing each other's hands was how they decided to do it. The standard Morse code, obviously. It started out with simple stuff like "SOS", "Danger", "Bad", and Good", which progressively developed into short sentences. They had to learn that looking at one another while doing Morse code was strictly prohibited. It gave a lot of things away. No emotions, either. Naturally, June was the best at it.

Don't resist. Better if we don't.

Jack wanted to protest and was about to give June a message of his own, but before he could, she let go of his hand, and he mentally groaned. That meant the conversation was over. He bit his tongue and tried to pull off the most believable smile he could.

" I'm sorry," he said. " I just didn't want to have the monsters go out of their way to throw us a party when we wouldn't be there to enjoy it."

Yursl seemed to perk up at that, and Jack felt a pang of guilt since it was a complete and total lie. Sure, he liked the monsters plenty, but they were the last thing he cared about at the moment. There were much more concerning matters at hand.

"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine," she replied. "The monsters won't mind too much. I'm sure they really just want a reason to party. Now go. You can come by my workshop any time tomorrow."

The two teenagers mumbled a quick "thank you" and made their way up the walkway into the Mallusk. Once out of earshot from Yursl, they stopped by an old rundown shop to reconvene.

"What was that?" Jack asked. He was a bit irritated at June that she wouldn't let him speak his mind. "Why would you-"

" Because I had to," she interrupted. "It's better if we just go along with it. Lie low. We can't have you losing your cool Sullivan, especially not now. Besides, If Yursl thinks we're asleep, she won't come by to check on us-"

"- therefore giving us more time to try and figure something out on our own," Jack added. "Logical as always, Ms. Journalist."

He knew it was rude, leaving Yursl out. She was a nice woman. But the matter at hand was something he and June would handle alone, and they both knew it. It was the unspoken rule. He and the gang did things together as a group, and as a group only. There was no need for outside help. It left too many bad possibilities open. There were exceptions, of course. Warg, Skaelka, and maybe Johnny Steve. What can he say, June liked the little guy. Jack liked him too. The stunt he pulled with all the spy junk was pretty funny. But those people and those people only. And hell, if he looked death in the face and didn't falter, he should be able to do anything. He should be able to do this.

June snickered. "Whatever, duder. Now come on, we gotta get back to the sports store." Jack smiled and nodded, though he noticed her voice had faltered from the last time she spoke. It seemed uneasy. But he let the thought leave his mind as he and June began to weave their way through the crowds of the party.

—————————————-

It was a little difficult, getting to the base without being seen. At first glance, Jack thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they were seen. It wasn't like the monsters were hostile. But after more consideration, the thought of being asked a million questions and praised by people who were clueless to the real situation sickened him. He could barely keep it together as some of the monsters chanted their "heroes" names. Four names echoed throughout the Mall, but only two were present to appreciate them. It's not like Jack could appreciate them though. Every time somebody yelled his name- which happened a lot- he could help but think:

They're wrong. I'm not a hero. I would've died if the monsters hadn't showed up. I couldn't even stop-

No. That wasn't his fault. He couldn't have done anything. There was no way to leave the Mallusk.

But what if there was a way?

It went on like that in his head until he and June had finally made their way up to the sports store. Walking inside felt like stepping into a wasteland. Ironic, considering where they just were. Piles of campaign posters and notes scattered across the floor, and the bulletin board used for slogans stood out like a beacon of light on the far end wall. The memories of teasing jabs and idea exchanges that came out of coming up for his candidate phrase reminded him of the gang's tree-house days, when he would ask the others what superhero name he should give the main character of his latest comic creation. The light banter would go on for hours. Most of the time, something that started out as a debate between the names Agent Moggle or Agent Crux would end up in them all fast asleep in one big pile up blankets and pillows, surrounded by empty soda bottles and doodles of what the characters would look like.

He was glad there were so many memories like that. Grasping on to them was really the only way he could still function.

After blocking out the windows by hanging up tarp that just so happened to be in the back of the store, Jack and June both sat at the makeshift table they had made out of storage boxes moments prior. There was silence for a minute. June then stood up, picked up a blank piece of paper off the floor and placed it on the table. She fetched a pencil out of a drawer in the cashier stand and began to write stuff down at a furious pace.

"Writing down ideas," she said. "On what could've happened."

He took a second to register it. " Oh."

The brown-haired girl looked up from her writing. "Oh?" she asked. "What do you mean, oh?"

" I wanna help too," he replied. "You can't do all the work by yourself. And- I mean, shouldn't we talk about it? We can't just sit in silence."

June put down her pencil and sighed. "Alright, then let's talk about it. There are a few possible ideas. We know that magic isn't completely out of the ballpark, right? Maybe-"

"June, you know that's not what I meant," he said softly.

She refused to meet his eyes.

" I know," she whispered.

"Then why-"

She suddenly stood up, her head looking down at the floor. When she looked up, Jack could see the tears forming in her eyes. She quickly wiped at them, almost like she was worried more would spill if she didn't.

" Am I heartless to you?" she muttered.

The words were so quiet Jack thought for a second if she was asking herself.

" Heartless? June, no- that's ridiculous-" He began.

"Is it?" she laughed. " 'Cause I feel like I am. I feel like you may think I don't care, like I'm just treating this as some kind of big news project. That's what they used to say, anyway." Her voice filled with hatred as the last sentence left her tongue. She shook her head, almost as if she was trying to shake away the anger that had come to her seconds prior.

"I care about them, Jack. I've been trying so hard not to cry anymore than I had to because I thought I could handle this, but now It probably just seems like I don't give two shits about Quint and Dirk."

And just like that, the barrier Jack had put up crashed down at the mention of their names.

Quint and Dirk.

Quint, who had been his friend since his very first days at Wakefield. Who was always there for him when the Robisons got too mean, or when he just needed someone to play video games with. His first real friend. The kid who had been with him from the very beginning. Who he thought he lost all those months ago at the Tree of Entry. Who he, without hesitation, would sacrifice his life for. His Best Friend.

And Dirk, who grew to be one of Jack's closest friends. Who had come from being the biggest bully to the guy who gave the biggest hugs. Who was able to understand him when it came to the scene inside the Museum, where the big guy had opened up about his dad. Where Jack told him his dad would be proud of him, and in turn, Dirk told him Bardle would've been proud of him. Because he knew.

They meant the world to him, and now both were gone.

And he realized something. June felt the same way.

Sure, both of them went about it differently. But in the end, they were the same. The thoughts that plagued his head earlier had probably reached her too. The thoughts that questioned if they could've done more. Quint and Dirk meant the world to June too. She cared about them just as much as he did. He remembered her face when they figured out what had happened with the Howler. Horror and Disbelief, and on the verge of tears. Perhaps seconds away from breaking down had it not been for Jack's hand.

Which made him realize another thing.

They were all each other had now.

Up until this point, he always had the others, and the others had him. They did things as a team. Quint, Dirk, June, and Jack. The kid's who were determined to put a stop to the end of the end of the world, but could never quite pull it off. Which, in the beginning, Jack thought was frustrating- why it had to be him that went through scarring battles that resulted in nightmares and freakish creatures who wanted nothing but his terrible demise. But he learned that it wasn't just him. It was all of them. All of them were going through the same thing he was. All of them had nightmares and the scars forever etched onto their skins that showed that they were suffering too. And it was hard at first. It was just four kids against the world, after all. But they learned how to help one another, how to comfort. And like that, they kept fighting. Loose or Win, they all knew they could rely on one another when things got bad. That all of them would do anything for one another. That's what made them a family.

But that was all gone now. It was just Jack and June.

Did the weight of the world rely on only two kids shoulders now? Could they even pull off another fight without the help of Quint and Dirk? Were Quint and Dirk....dead?

He didn't notice how hard he was crying until the feeling of tears falling off his face shook him from the deep sea of thoughts he had practically been swimming in moments prior. He felt like he couldn't move or breathe, just barely noticing June backing away from him as her hands covered her face.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Oh god..I did it again. I did it-"

She was cut off as Jack embraced her.

It was weird, having his body react before his mind did.

The girl's arms fell from her face as she registered what was going on. Slowly, she wrapped her shaking arms around his torso and hugged him back.

"You're not heartless, okay?" he whispered. " I know you're not. I know how much you care about them."

She sniffled. " It's just so..awful, Jack. Why do we have to go through this? Can we just have one victory? It's like we're not allowed to be happy. We can't even be kids anymore."

He combed his fingers through her hair as she cried. Her embrace only tightened as she went on. " I'm scared. I hate admitting it, because it makes me feel weak. But I'm scared. What are we gonna do with them gone..how are we gonna find them? What if we're too late?"

Her words wavered at that last sentence. It puts things into perspective. Quint and Dirk just..disappeared. No trace, no nothing. Would they somehow find their way back to the Mallusk? What had even gone down for the bone howler to end up in half and his friends to be nowhere in sight?

"I'm scared too," he said. " I'm so unbelievably scared and I would give absolutely anything to just be able to curl up in a ball right now. But we can't. We have to be strong, for them."

" For them," June repeated. There was silence, almost as if she was thinking on what to say next. "You know I love you guys, right? I'm sorry if I'm not the best at showing it, it's just- hard for me."

Jack remembered how it had been when the Apocalypse first began. He was so excited to finally have a group of friends, but turns out, there was a lot to learn. During the time of the Beastiary, he learned that his friends were perfectly capable on their own. At first, he didn't understand why the others were so mad at him for protecting them. But he wasn't protecting them, not really. He was treating them like precious figurines he had to keep safe instead of human beings. There was no point in trying to do everything solo, and not letting his friends help out and fight. They were better as a team. And when Rezzoch turned his big ugly head for the first time- god, that had been a nightmare. Literally and figuratively. The thought of his friends leaving him had plagued his mind like a virus, and caused him to go mad for a minute. But his friends brought him back down to earth. They showed him that they would never be apart. That they loved him.

Throughout the Apocalypse, his perspective on love changed, and with each adventure brought a new understanding to the concept. Everybody showed love differently. Everybody had a different experience with love that drove them either to the side of evil or good. Nobody should be judged or shunned away because of how they showed emotion. June didn't, he didn't- nobody. Because at the end of the day, they were only human. They were bound to have flaws. He certainly wasn't an expert at friendship. Or love. But it was that same lack of expertise that drove him to keep going.

" You don't have to apologize for anything," he reassured. " And we'll find them. We will find Quint and Dirk. But maybe- we shouldn't do this all on our own?"

June looked up at him, her face conflicted and wet with tears. "You mean let Yursl help us?"

He nodded.

" But can we trust her?" She asked. "I mean, what if she's secretly evil or something? We can't know for sure."

It made him bitter sometimes, that they had to worry about things like trust. Trusting adults was a cautious and anxiety-induced task because of people like Thrull. And years of going through not-so-good homes in the foster system didn't help Jack's case in the slightest.

" I doubt it. When she came to us...she looked so distraught," He noted. "I know what genuine hurt looks like, believe me. And, for that matter- she is Quint's mentor. I think more than anything that she would want to help."

He and June had broken their embrace at some point. Still standing, but able to make direct eye contact with one another as they spoke. Jack wondered how June was able to think herself heartless. Her eyes alone were filled with so much emotion alone.

" Okay," she whispered. " Jack, know that I'm still- conflicted. But I'm willing to try and trust her. For them. You're right, she only wants to help. We shouldn't push her away."

He grinned. "Then, we can start with actually trying to go to sleep? I know what it'll bring, but at least we'll have each other, right?"

Of course he was referring to the nightmares. To think that their sleep would be peaceful was a foolish wish. But he was right, they would have each other. And in the morning, maybe they could tell Yursl about the night terrors. It would help to talk about it, at least. Then, all three of them could begin working. The thought of actually having adult supervision for once made him laugh- it had been a long since there was anyone looking out for them. They had left Wakefield what, one month ago? Maybe more.

" Yeah, alright," she agreed. " I'll get two of the inflatable pools. 'Can you get something close to bedding?"

" As long as you don't mind using a Nike sweatshirt as a pillow."

" I think I'll live."

—-----------------------------------------

He couldn't sleep.

It was completely quiet in the sports store. In fact, it was completely quiet throughout the entire Mallusk. But it seemed so noisy inside his head. He thought that the nightmares would be the difficult part, but instead it was just falling asleep. There was a certain...uncertainty in his stomach. Like the battle wasn't over, and something might attack him at any second. Each new position he tried was more uncomfortable than the last. He decided to let the thoughts come to him. Better to embrace them than bottle them up. They weren't exactly doing him any favors though.

Quint and Dirk are gone.

We have no idea where they are or what happened.

Did it have to do with Quint's magic? What will happen if we can't find them?

The possibility of death loomed over his head as well. Those thoughts were the worst, and he refused to believe them. If something like..an explosion were to happen, he would've heard it. There would've been proof to testify to it. He wasn't crying anymore. It might've been because he had used all his tears, or something else. He didn't know.

He did know that June wasn't asleep either.

But of course, he still had to ask. It was something to do, at least. It wasn't like he would be falling asleep anytime soon.

"June, you up?"

" Yeah."

He fumbled with his jacket for a bit while looking up at the ceiling. He found it silly how hard it was trying to express his thoughts sometimes.

"I've been thinking...when you had your- y'know. You mentioned something about 'them'. I know you weren't talking about Quint and Dirk, so who were you talking about?"

It was her turn to look at the ceiling now. He could see her face shining in the moonlight that crept through faults in the tarps that covered the windows.

" It was before the Apocalypse," she said. " People used to tell me I never used my heart, always my head. That I treated everything like it was just another hurdle that I had to jump over for track, or another slogan I had to come up with for the Newspaper. They told me I was heartless, and nothing but some robot obsessed with nothing but success. But I did it for my family, Jack. Out of everything I envisioned for myself, the best part was that my family was going to cheer me on along the way. But they didn't get it. Didn't get me. That I was different, and that it was hard for me to sympathize sometimes."

She took a second to pause and look at Jack, her expression serious yet sorrowful.

" And If I'm honest? After the Apocalypse started, it got worse. I realized everything I worked so hard for- it was gone. Useless. I was angry, but mostly at myself. Because all the loss I went through on the way to "ultimate success" meant nothing. All the friends I lost, all the opportunities I missed out on. I hated myself for it. But I couldn't help the way I was. And when you, Quint, and Dirk showed up- I thought I was about to go through it again. I thought you were just going to make my life worse."

She laughed, despite the tears that were now rolling down her face. "Happy tears, don't worry. But anyways- I was totally wrong. You made my life better. You accepted me for who I was, and because of that, I learned. I learned what true friendship was like. You, Quint, and Dirk are the best thing that ever happened to me. Besides my family, anyway."

Jack looked shocked, and he was nothing short of it. After all, he wasn't expecting their stories to be so very similar.

"I get it," he said.

" You do?" She replied.

He gazed at her through the moonlight and wondered what his face looked like to her. How she perceived him. Surely her idea of him had changed throughout the apocalypse, because his idea of her sure did. As it did with Quint and Dirk.

" Yeah. I mean, not exactly. But close. Growing up as an orphan- it was tough. I told myself it was just one big video game, that each new foster family was a new level. And I did everything I could to beat each level. To show them that I was worth keeping around. Some liked me, some didn't. But in the end, it was all the same. I was too clingy, too disobedient, too loud- too something. I basically had to alter my personality based on whatever family I ended up with. And each time I got sent back, I couldn't help but think: What did I do wrong? In reality, nothing. I was just being myself. But those people couldn't accept me for me. It was the same for friends. There was always something wrong with 'the weird orphan kid.' That's what I was told. Except after the Apocalypse, I could be me, without anyone to judge. Obviously I had a lot to learn. Being a misfit all my life, it was difficult handling friendship. But more than anything, I was happy I finally fit. That I was with people who loved me for me. My family."

June sniffed and laughed again.

" We really are like family, huh?" she whispered.

" A family of misfits," he remarked. "But that's why we're so close. Because we get each other. And y'know, if Quint and Dirk were here right now, I imagine they'd be saying the same thing. Quint's never been good with social interaction. Or any interaction. I was his first friend. And I'm forever grateful that I got that honor. And Dirk- I'm not so sure about him, but during the road trip, we had some heart-to-heart convos. I think- I think he didn't like himself before. So see, we're all the same. In the sense that we're all different, of course. But that's what makes us stronger. And that's why we have to find them. So this family can be completed again."

June looked at him weird for a moment. Then, her expression broke out into a grin, which in turn, made him smile. Their eyes now interlocked, he could still see a lot of emotion behind hers. But it was different. They shone with hope, as did his.

"You've really got a way with words, huh Sullivan?"

" I would hope so, Del Toro."

They both laughed at that. Calling each other by their last names was an inside joke between them that had started popping up more and more as the Apocalypse carried on.

He then realized that as their conversation was coming to a close, he would have to deal with trying to go to sleep once more. Something he really did not want to have to deal with. And June was going to have to go through the same. So, as blush formed on his face out of embarrassment, he patted the space next to him.

"Uhm. Y'know, we have to at least get some sleep," he stuttered. "And maybe- you would wanna? I don't know. I mean, I do know that it might help if we're close by. Just in case. And it would make feel safer knowing that you're sa-"

He stopped talking as he felt the weight of June sitting next to him. His heart skipped a beat. Or maybe two.

"Forget what I said about you having a way with words," she teased.

" Har, Har," he deadpanned. "I just- I think it'll help me sleep better knowing you're by my side. Remember when all of us used to fall asleep cuddled together? I guess I missed that."

June looked off to the side, her ponytail almost whacking Jack in the face. " I missed it too. I miss them. It feels empty without them here," she said.

" Believe me, I feel the same way," he replied.

Slowly, he took her hand in his. A dumb move, but she didn't seem to mind. In fact, seconds later, she laid her head on his shoulder. He really hoped she couldn't feel his heartbeat. The image of how his past self would react almost made him shudder. He really had come a long way.

He felt calm, and surprisingly after a few minutes- his eyes started drooping. The anticipation of falling asleep was slightly there. He knew he was going to have nightmares. But at least, when he woke, maybe June would be awake too. Then they would comfort each other until the night was wasted to daylight.

"Hey, Jack?"

"Mmm?" He mumbled.

" Remember when I got taken by the Rifters?" she asked. "And you said you promised you'd find me? That- stuck with me. 'Gave me hope. So, if it means anything- I promise that we'll find Quint and Dirk."

Jack knew by the tone of her voice that she meant every word. They were going to find Quint and Dirk, he didn't care what it took. Because they were his family. He loved them, and would not stop fighting until they were all safe.

Sometimes he wondered if he was truly fighting on the good side. Rezzoch took a toll on his perspective during the whole possession fiasco. But knowing that one day, that maybe the world could return to normal- it kept him going. Not necessarily because he wanted everything to go back to normal, because it wasn't about him. It was about the future of the world. He would not let everything be destroyed.

Ever since the cosmic hand became one with him, he vowed to put a stop to Thrulls plans. If that ended up with him dead and his friends carrying out his legacy, so be it. Still, he preferred if that didn't happen.

But he couldn't do it alone, and he couldn't do it with just June.

But he could do it with his family.

And that's exactly what he was going to do.