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They were in the middle of nowhere and the snow had been coming down for hours. They had to pull their bus into an empty lot for the night. It felt like everything that could go wrong this tour, had. Missing gear, people getting sick, someone made a wrong turn and they were an hour late to one show, and now they were stuck in a huge snowstorm. They all got extra cuddled in their bunks, missing the ability to snuggle up together in their giant bed back home, and slept through the night.
II was the first to wake up. His phone was buzzing like crazy. A billion messages and notifications on his screen.
We're postponing the show, it's not safe on the roads with all this snow
Where the fuck are you guys???
Are you okay???
"Wuh? fuckin. Ves?" II mumbled, instinctively reaching over to his side to where his lover would usually be laying, just to be met with the wall of his bunk. Right, Vessel was in the bunk above him. II rolled upright and stretched his arms out. He stood up, turning in place to reach into Vessels bunk above him. The other man was fast asleep, his large hands tucked under his head with his body curled up around himself. II's heart ached looking at Vessel like this. He moved slowly, not wanting to startle his lover, letting his fingers drag over his jawline, his thumb tracing the curve of his cupid's bow.
"Vessel, can you wake up for just a minute, Love?" he muttered. Vessel's eyes fluttered open as he let out a soft groan in response.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Beloved?" Vessel's voice was rough with sleep, but still filled with affection. II could remember a time when all he ever saw in Vessel's eyes was sadness, fear, and pain. Overtime he had taken the time to help himself heal, through hard work and music. Vessel was so…happy now.
"The snow is worse than we thought. The Venue and Management agreed to postpone the show for everyone's safety," II explained gently. Vessel's brow furrowed as he sat up, carefully as to not hit his head on the top of the bunk. Vessel pulled his own phone from a pocket on the wall, typing in his pass code to be met with more of the same notifications II had revived.
"Shit," Vessel sighed. "I know it's not really in our control but I feel bad," he admitted quietly. II couldn't help the surge of pride he felt when Vessel said that. If this had happened a year ago Vessel would have been spiraling into despair and letting the guilt overcome him. II reached out to hold Vessel's hand.
"It's okay to feel upset that we have to postpone. I'm glad you're realizing you can't control the weather," II remarked playfully, rubbing his thumb over his partner's knuckles. Vessel let out a huff of laughter.
"Yeah yeah. If only right?" Vessel chuckled, turning II's hand in his so he could press a kiss to the drummer's palm.
"Wot's going on?" III's voice came from the bunk across from them. Sitting up, hitting his head on the top of his bunk, he fell back on his pillow with a thud and a groan. Vessel couldn't help chuckling. II's hand covered his face and sighed.
"We're snowed in; the shows postponed. You can go back to sleep if you want," II replied with a smirk on his face and a roll of his eyes. Vessel snickered quietly as he watched III looking around like a confused puppy.
"Whot you mean snowed in? It can't be that bad can it?" III sat up and meandered past the curtain that divided the bunks from the rest of the bus, "Holy shit."
"How bad is it?" II asked, reluctantly making his way to the front of the bus. The sun was shining bright, reflecting off the piles of snow. II covered his eyes, peeking to see that III was also standing with his hands over his face. "Okay yeah it's…. bright. III help me put the…the…y'know less bright," II snapped his fingers as he had lost the word he was looking for. III knew what II was talking about and joined him in pulling down the shades on the bus' windows. Once they could see more clearly III walked over to the door of the bus and opened it. There was a crunch of ice as he forced the door open. III looked down, saw how the snow had coated the entire lot, piles of it, made a disgusted sound and closed the door.
"Fuck that shite," he grumbled as he dragged himself to the kitchenette digging around in the cabinet for coffee. Vessel joined them, taking a look outside. Unlike II and III's initial reaction of annoyance Vessel was looking out upon the snow covered lot like he was seeing something magical. II couldn't help looking between the two of them affectionately as he sat down on the nearest seat. He was amused by the different reactions, III acting like some great inconvenience has been brought upon him and Vessel staring dreamily out the window like he was in a Christmas movie. And of course IV was sleeping through the whole thing.
This was his life after all.
~
Despite the snow III was managing to have an alright day. He was currently lounging around on the bus, sat in a booth by the window and his legs propped up on the table, taking as much room up as possible. A travel cup filled with hot chocolate and his steam deck in hand he played some weird little platforming game. IV had managed to cuddle up between his legs and was laying on his chest half asleep, clutching the fabric of the hoodie he was wearing between his fingers. III glanced up from his game to see Vessel laid out on the couch, headphones on and a smile on his lips as he laid his head in II's lap. The drummer was idly running his fingers through the singer's hair while scrolling on his phone. III felt something warm growing in his chest. These simple domestic moments between them were something he looked forward to on tour.
"III…It's snowin' again," IV muttered as he sleepily pointed out the window. III looked down at his boyfriend then up out the window. Sure enough little white flakes of snow had started to fall down from the sky yet again.
"So it is," III muttered affectionately as he placed the gaming system down on the table and moved to cup the back of IV's head, pressing a kiss to his forehead. IV looked up at him with that look in his eyes, the one that always made III melt. Bright blue eyes looked up at him like he had hung the stars. He could get lost in them forever. III leaned in closer so his nose brushed against IV's, their lips touching briefly. IV let out a content hum, nuzzling into III's touch like an over eager puppy.
"You two look awfully cozy," II remarked playfully, looking up from his phone to watch them. III chuckled, pulling IV a little closer.
"Can you blame me? He's just so sweet and soft like this," III said with a grin. IV let out a sound of protest but had no argument, so he just buried his face into III's chest. II and III smiled at each other. Pretty soon they were going to have to try to figure out how they were going to get out of this lot and on the way to the next venue, but for right now they could just enjoy the moment.
~
Vessel stood in the snow, watching as the bus driver Sandy examined the underside of the vehicle, muttering cuss words under her breath. He watched the dark haired woman looking at the machine. He wasn't exactly sure how he could help in this situation. He hadn't ever really been a "car guy". His dad once tried to teach him how to change the oil on a car when he was a teenager and it had ended poorly. So instead he sorta just stood there, observing.
"Welp, it looks like the ice got up under the frame, causing the shaft to freeze. There's a shit ton of packed snow under there so it's not gonna be an easy fix," Sandy started talking as she stood up, brushing the snow from her hands and knees. Vessel tilted his head and blinked a couple times. Sandy chuckled and shook her head, "The bus is frozen. I'm gonna need to defrost it and dig us out of here. Might need to call someone for help with it to be honest."
"Oh, okay, how long will that take?" Vessel asked. He still wasn't entirely sure what she was talking about but he was eager to get this sorted out and get back on the road. He didn't want to postpone anymore of the shows. He didn't think he could handle that. He was doing a lot better than he used to but that didn't change the fact that the idea of disappointing their fans gave him a lot of anxiety.
"Oh, probably a couple hours. Depending on how long it takes for back up to get here," Sandy replied casually. Vessel nodded, trying to do the mental math on if that would give them enough time to get to the next venue in time.
"Okay, thank you. I'll let the others know," Vessel spoke calmly despite the storm brewing inside his chest. Sandy waved him off and started to get ready for the task ahead. Vessel walked into the bus expecting to see his partners all cuddled up watching something or playing games. Instead he was greeted with a shouting match between II and III. He saw IV stood in the corner with his eyes wide, like he was as surprised as Vessel was.
"Oh for fucks sake! You're such a dimwit. I don't even know why I'm surprised!" II's voice was raised, his brow furrowed and his gaze cold. III groaned in exasperation and threw his hands up in the air.
"Oh yeah? If I'm such an idiot why have ya put up with me for so fuckin' long, eh?" III replied with his voice sharp, a dagger dripping with venom. All Vessel could do was watch his two lovers shout at each other, throwing insults back and forth like a cafeteria food fight.
"You're a dense one, you know that? How do you lose shit everywhere we go!" II's volume rose and his shoulders grew tense. Vessel hadn't seen II this angry in a long time.
"Oh sod off, it's not that big a deal," III rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Vessel watched as II turned a bright shade of red.
"Not that big a deal? Those headphones weren't even yours to lose! I swear III this is why you don't have nice things. You just lose them. It's a bloody miracle that you haven't lost us yet!"
Vessel could see that II regretted the words as soon as they were said. III just stood there, eyes wide with shock. The tension in the air was so thick Vessel could feel it beginning to suffocate them.
"Well then, maybe it's about time I got lost eh? If I'm such a fuckin' pain in ya ass!" III managed to choke out. Oh no, Vessel was not about to let this happen. Not today.
"Enough," Vessel growled, moving to stand between the two of them. "This isn't what any of us want. Both of you need to back off and wind down," Vessel continued, his voice slightly softer. He looked over at IV who still stood in the corner with a nervous expression on his face.
"IV, Love. Keep III occupied up here, I'll take II to the back," Vessel ordered gently. IV nodded and walked over to the lanky bassist, taking his hand in his and walking him over to sit on the couch. Vessel grabbed II in a similar fashion, walking with him over to the bunks. He sat the smaller man down with him on one of the bunks and held him.
"I…I didn't mean it y'know," II muttered softly as he buried his face in Vessel's chest.
"I know, Beloved. I know," Vessel whispered back, holding II by the back of the head. He nuzzled his face against the top of his head, sighing deeply. Vessel peeked over to III and IV, the two of them tangled up on the couch.
They would fix this.
It would be okay
It had to be okay.
~
IV held III's head in his lap, his fingers running through his short bleach blonde hair. He knew that II didn't mean what he had said. However that didn't undo that he did say it. III was a mess. His long legs took up the entire couch as he rested his head on IV's thighs. IV didn't mind, he was more than willing to comfort his partner even as the man's tears started to stain his jeans.
"Shh…Darling. Its okay, let it all out." IV muttered, his thumb rubbing away the tears that were trailing down III's face. III sniffed, looking up at IV. His aqua eyes glittering with tears.
"I don't wanna lose ya. I don't wanna lose any of ya. I would never…I feel like such a dumb fuck right now. I didn't mean ta lose the headphones, I never mean to lose anythin' b-but I just…fuck," III rambled as he started to fall apart. IV's heart ached as he watched III curl up into himself. He knew he had to try to fix this.
"I know, Darling. I know. You aren't dumb. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. It's alright," IV reassured III, his voice gentle. He took one of III's hands and held it up to his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. III muttered something that he couldn't hear as he curled up against IV. He was like a Great Dane, too big to fit in his lap but he was going to try his damnedest anyway.
After a long while Vessel and II joined them. Vessel sat next to III, pulling his legs onto his lap. II squatted on the floor in front of IV's lap. The drummer's expression was filled with remorse as he looked at III.
"I'm so sorry, III. I didn't mean what I said at all. I was just so wrapped up in the argument and I wasn't thinking about what I said before I said it," II started gently. He reached up to rub III's shoulder in small repetitive circles. III started to instantly melt against IV.
"I know…it just hurt is all. I know I'm not good at keeping track of my shit. I honestly didn't mean to lose your headphones. I swear sometimes I put things down and they fall into the void," III let out a huff of laughter, still trying to mask how upset he was. The others didn't fall for it. Vessel made a sympathetic sound and IV held III a little tighter.
"That may be true but that doesn't mean I get a pass for what I said. I hurt you and I shouldn't have," II squeezed his shoulder gently before moving to take III's chin in his hand. He tilted his face so their gazes met, "I love you, III. Flaws and all."
"Really? Even though I'm a massive fuck up?" III asked, looking up at him with his lip jutted out in a pout.
"That's what 'Flaws and all means', you dunce. And for the record I don't think you're a massive fuck up," II reassured him, leaning in closer to press a kiss to his cheek. III smiled and wrapped his arm around the smaller man, pulling him into the cuddle pile. IV couldn't help but sigh in relief. He never liked when the four of them fought. It was never a fun time. Now that everything was resolved he felt like he could actually relax.
However they didn't have very long to relax. Sandy knocked on the divider between the driver compartment and the main bus. All four of them looked over as the screen slid open.
"We're good to go gang," she smiled cheerfully, giving them a thumbs up before closing the divider again. The bus roared to life and started to move out of the lot. IV looked up as the winter scene started to pass by their windows. He was quite content where he was, rather squished under two of his partners, the other leaning his head on his shoulder.
Just as IV thought he might be drifting off to sleep he saw something out the window.
More snow.