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Jett lazily shrugged out of the Oasis’s world-renowned hot tub–the one that was allegedly boiled by magma concealed by layers of the earth’s natural substances.
His expression only revealed boredom, but in reality, he was ecstatic. That’s the longest he’s been able to float in that god-forsaken pool without getting his ass scorched off. He chuckled to himself when he pictured a literal pair of asscheeks floating in lava.
Around him, Tyrell, Grace, and Brooklynne were already drying themselves off with fluffy white towels, and the Oasis was bustling with the sound of chatter and the rustling of foliage. Things were starting to look a lot brighter now that Ivory was gone, even if Needles was out of his reach.
He fully emerged out of the water and wrapped a towel around his body, and focused his attention toward where the rest of Team Needles was relaxing; Tyrell was swinging his feet back and forth whilst on a plastic chair, and Grace and Brooklynne were discussing the trouble off trying to force a soaking one-piece swimsuit back onto your body. From what Jett managed to overhear, the experience is torturous.
Jett collapsed onto the nearest sunlounger and subconsciously intertwined him and Tyrell’s fingers together. “Hey, man–” the words came out without a forethought, to which he paused and corrected himself. “Hi, honey.”
Tyrell chuckled and faced him with a smile. “Hey.”
Tyrell shrugged his towel off his body and used it to quickly ruffle his hair, which was when Jett noticed. Tyrell was pretty damn skinny–and not in a healthy way. You could see the lining of his ribcage and spine, clear as day. His freckles were scattered throughout his arms and chest–which, needless to say, was one factor Jett always adored about the other. But, at that moment, Jett knew that there was no time to sit there and admire.
“Hey,” Jett began again, slightly more concerned this time.
Tyrell's head swerved to look at him.
Jett fought an ongoing war to release the words he wanted to say, but they simply refused to come out. “. . . Nothing. Forget it.”
* * *
11:52 PM was the exact time Jett decided he needed air after tossing and turning for a few hours.
He slipped his shoes on and the door creaked open at his demand. He pattered down the stairs to their cabin and glanced at the river, where he saw a figure shrouded by shadows using a tree for support.
In an attempt to investigate further, he took a few soft, tentative steps toward the tree, where he inspected the mysterious figure resting.
The familiarity had him like a cord of disturbance that ran through his spine. It was Tyrell.
Wordlessly, he padded up to his boyfriend and sat next to him. Tyrell turned to face the other.
“Hey,”
“Hi.”
That was all they needed. At least, until Tyrell began quietly sobbing. This immediately concerned Jett, who rushed to comfort him. Or at least attempted to.
“Hey–woah there, sweetie!” He placed a comforting hand on the other’s shoulder. “Slow down. We don’t have to talk about it.”
Tyrell hid his face in Jett’s chest, and Jett felt his sweater grow damp in seconds. He reached over to ruffle Tyrell’s hair.
“I just–” hic. “Feel like–” hic. “Everything I did was for nothing!”
“Okay, okay,” Jett tried to make his voice softer. “Let’s slow down.” He heard the subtle sound of Tyrell trying to catch his breath and lessen his sobs. “What’s this about?”
“I–” Tyrell hesitated. “I can’t. . . I just ate.”
Jett faced him with a confused look. “So?”
“That ruins everything I had going!” Tyrell clarified. “I don’t eat for a weekend and then decide to snack on some berries? Who does that?”
“A weekend?” Jett pardoned. “Tyrell. . . you–you can’t just–”
“Forget it.” Tyrell interrupted. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I’m concerned, Tyrell.” Jett sputtered. “And scared, so please don’t brush this off. I love you. Like–a shit ton. And seeing you like this? It haunts me.”
Tyrell desperately avoided eye contact. Suddenly, the scattered lively grass was extremely interesting.
“Please, honey, talk to me.”
“You won’t get mad?”
Jett shaked his head.
“Or disappointed?”
Jett shaked his head.
A quiet silence passed between the two of them.
“. . . I’ve been starving myself. I guess. That’s it.”
Jett took a few small steps forward and pulled Tyrell into a tight embrace. “You can spare the details.”
And in each other’s arms, the two of them felt tears run down their faces almost instantly.