Chapter Text
Jakob feels like just collapsing on the bed when they return to their hotel room, but he promised his mom he would call when he had time. Pulling out his phone, he sits down on his bed while video calling her.
" Hi. Happy to see that you finally have time to call. " Berit greets him, nature in the background.
"Are you out for a walk? We could talk later when you're back if you want."
" Now is fine. Who knows when your schedule is free again. "
"If you say so. How are things over there?"
" Everything is good. I'm currently visiting Gambämark. " Jakob almost drops his phone.
"Why are you...? No, I know why. How did you get in?" He asks as his friends sit down beside him.
"Hi Berit." Both greet his mom.
" Hello boys. Hope everything is going smoothly over there. "
"Quite hectic with all the interviews and some minor problems at the rehearsal, but otherwise it's good. We have another rehearsal later today, so we can sort out those problems then." Axel answers.
“ Wow, I've never seen a walkie talkie like that. ” A young female voice says as a teenage girl appears behind Berit.
“ Ida, come back here! ” The voice of an older man says in a strict tone and Jakob flinches as he recognizes it.
“ I'm sorry father. ” The girl replies and Jakob actually drops his phone this time. Lucky Kevin reacts quick enough to catch it, taking over in holding it.
The rest of the call is a blur to Jakob, Kevin and Axel doing most of the talking on their end.
“I can’t believe I have a little sister.” Jakob says some time after the call ended.
“And a brother.” Kevin adds.
“What?”
“The girl mentioned having a twin brother.” Kevin explains and Jakob lies down on the bed, hands covering his face.
“Why don’t you rest for a while? We have more than an hour until we have to leave. We wake you up.” Axel suggests, getting a sound of agrement from his distressed friend.
While Jakob acts like normal again when they arrive at the arena, Axel and Kevin aren't fooled, having known him too long to miss the small signs of being troubled.
"Will you be able to focus or do you need some time for yourself?" Kevin asks Jakob concerned.
"We don't have time for me to do that." Jakob snaps back, making their dancers look their way.
"Jakob, we get that you're going through a lot of emotions right now and that it will take time to sort them out. What Kevin is asking is if you will be able to focus or if you need a minute to gather yourself." Axel tries to calm his friend down.
"Sorry, it's just..."
"We know. But we need you to know that we're here for you." Kevin says, laying his hands on Jakob's shoulders, trying to ground his friend. It seems to do the job as Jakob visibly relaxes.
"Thanks." Jakob tells them gratefully.
"Always. Now, are you ready to bring up the heat in the arena?" Axel says, patting Jakob on the back.
"Are you okay?" One of their dancers asks Jakob once they're done.
"You seemed troubled earlier."
"That outburst gave it away, didn't it?" Jakob guesses with a grimace and the dancer nods.
"I found out about something earlier today, nothing bad, I just don't know what to think of it."
"Good to hear it isn't something bad. If you need to talk to anyone you can come to us, though it looked like your group mates already have your back."
"Thank you." Jakob says and the dancer moves ahead to the other dancers.
"Did she want anything important?" Axel asks, coming up behind Jakob with Kevin.
"She just let me know that I can talk to them if there is anything, though she suspects that you already have my back."
"She isn't wrong."
"Exactly. I would suggest spending the rest of the evening in a sauna together, but since we need a sauna for that... How about buying some beer and spending the rest of the evening in our room?" Kevin suggests.
"I'm in as long as we also buy something to eat. I'm starting to get hungry." Jakob agrees.
"There's always room service.”
When their partners arrive two days later Jakob is the first to hug his, burying his nose in her hair, taking in her scent. She's about to say something when he pulls away enough to look at her, but decides to lean into a kiss instead when she sees his eyes reflecting how much he's missed her.
"How come they aren't married yet?" Axel's wife asks her husband after greeting him.
"Been wondering the same thing."
"So, how come all three of you started drunk texting us the day before yesterday? You're usually smart enough to not get that drunk when you're out." Kevin's wife asks as she and Kevin join them.
"We were drinking in our hotel room. Jakob needed an evening with just the three of us and we don't have a sauna at the hotel." Kevin explains.
"Did something happen?"
"Sorry, but that's for him to tell you. All we can say is that it wasn't something bad." Kevin apologises and the two wifes nod in understanding as Jakob and his girlfriend make their way towards them, Jakob's signature smile shining a little brighter than before.