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“It's pretty,” Lucas commented while Jacob tried to steady the camera in his hands.
It was pretty, bright clear blue skies and a view of trees stretching miles. The sound of birds chirping and other wildlife running about added to it, even if those couldn't be captured in the photos the same way. Jacob had taken plenty of both anyway.
Lucas's parents stood a bit away from the two talking while he had joined Jacob when he went to take a photo of the skyline and its scenery. He had complimented everyone the other took so far, excited to have this trip remembered through photos too.
“Thank you for letting me come along.” Jacob said as he finished up.
“Hey, of course! Why wouldn't I?" Lucas grinned at him.
Jacob smiled back.
“Come on boys! We have to make it back to eat.” Lucas's mother called.
Lucas broke out in a sprint yelling out after him.
“Last one there is a rotten egg!”
“Wha- Hey!”
—----------------------------------------------------------
Both laid on the ground, hand in hand, staring up at the sky. The stars had started to show a little bit ago, lighting up the sky in such a way that Jacob wished he had brought his camera when they went over. It's alright though, he's just happy to see it with Lucas.
“I wish I could do this forever.” Lucas said quietly.
Jacob turned his head to him. Lucas was still staring at the stars, but there was almost a sad look on his face. He didn't get it.
“Why can't you?”
The hand in his tightened.
“Because it's not real.”
What.
Jacob's eyes widen a bit, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“What do you mean? We're both right here-”
“It's not real, Jacob.”
“I-”
It wasn't, was it?
“I don't want to leave…”
“I know. You have to though.”
Jacob turned to his side looking towards Lucas.
“What if I don’t? Maybe I just don't wake up and this can last forever.”
Lucas didn’t respond to that but Jacob knew he wouldn’t want him to do that. Not again.
They laid in silence for a bit, there wasn't anything more to say. Jacob’s eyes started to close. He fought it, he didn't want to leave, he wanted to stay with Lucas just a few minutes more.
“Goodnight Jacob.” was the last thing he heard.
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Jacob woke with a start, sitting up in his bed and hand on his chest. His breathing was heavy and frantic.
He didn't want to go back to sleep, didn't want to dream again. He didn't want to bother anyone else though.
He’ll just grab a glass of water and just sit in the living room quietly.
Jacob stood up on unsteady legs. They shook like a fawn, making him feel like he’d fall over at any moment. He took a shaky breath as he stepped towards his door. He turned the knob carefully, peaking out to see if anyone was there. It was like he was afraid of being caught, like he wasn't supposed to be out and about.
There wasn't any noise from Brandon’s room, the other fast asleep as far as Jacob knew. A faint light came out from under Sean’s door, but if he was quiet enough, he’d probably never know Jacob was up and about. He opened his door more, slipping out and moving down the fall quietly.
He stepped into the kitchen, heading towards the cabinets and grabbing a glass. Jacob looked towards the window for a moment, the snow still fell outside like the day he arrived, piling up it'd be hard to make it down the porch steps. Brandon would be happy when he woke up.
Jacob wasn't sure how he felt about snow anymore.
He shook his head and wandered over to the sink, turning it on and placing his glass under the running water. When it was filled, he turned it off and moved to the living room. Everything was off but a small table light that Sean had left on. Jacob was somewhat tempted to turn on the tv so he didn't have to think on his thoughts or dream, but Sean would definitely know he was awake if he did.
He curled up on the couch, staring down at the glass of water. His hands still shook from their grip around it and he narrowed his eyes. Why couldn't he just be okay? It already happened didn't it?
He had already pulled that trigger, why make him deal with it more? Why not just let him be with his father.
“Want to talk about it?”
Jacob looked up at the edge of the couch. Sean stood there, almost like he had just woken up if Jacob hadn't known better.
Did he know he was awake the entire time?
Sean almost seemed to know what he was thinking.
“The floors creak just a bit, but maybe I just am too aware of every little noise. It’s a habit.” He spoke as he moved around to sit on the couch next to him.
“Im sorry.”
“What for? Nothing wrong with grabbing a glass of water.”
“For making you come out here.”
Sean didn't respond for a moment, only looking at him. Jacob heard as he let out a sigh.
“You didn't make me do anything. I wasn't even asleep and not to mention I've done this plenty for Brandon.”
Jacob looked up at him.
“You have?”
“Everyone has their fair share of bad dreams, kid.”
“Do you?” Jacob asked, almost regretting it the moment he did.
“Even me.”
He hummed in response.
“I don't want to go back to sleep.” He said quietly.
Sean moved his hands towards him and Jacob leaned forward. He pulled him close to him, running a hand through his hair, minding the bandages they changed before he slept.
“You’ll have to sleep eventually, but it's alright. We can just sit here.”
“Okay…Can we watch TV?” Jacob asked, his hand moving to grip onto the sweater Sean was wearing.
“Yeah, we can watch tv kiddo.”
Jacob felt as Sean moved to grab the controller and the sound of the tv quietly came on. The cartoons Brandon was watching earlier that day filled the space. He distantly wondered if they were even all that interesting to Sean but he was too exhausted to ask. A blanket fell over him as he curled up further.
His eyes started to droop as he tried his hardest to pay attention to the tv. Between the hand cardigan through his hair and the comfort he felt, it was a losing battle and not long after his eyes fully shut, off to a peaceful rest.