Work Text:
Two years had passed. Two years since the world had changed. Two years since the group had begun searching for the people who had disappeared, traveling along abandoned roads, empty towns, and places where barely any traces of life remained. And although they were still the same people they had always been, none of them was exactly the same.
Bethan had learned to control her emotions much better. She was still sensitive and expressive, but she no longer reacted impulsively like she used to. She had also grown a little and stopped hiding her hair, wearing it loose as she walked through the bus corridors.
Josh had become much more serious. He spoke less and observed more. If someone needed protection, Josh was there. But if Bethan was in danger, there was no discussion.
Misha wasn't the same either. She could no longer sit still for too long. She had learned how to fight the orbs and, although she still had her impulsive nature, she now knew exactly when to act.
Chelsea was still the one who organized everything, although she now did it much more calmly. She had grown quite a bit and, much to Misha's surprise, she was now even taller than her.
Sophie had changed in a different way. She was more serious, more careful, always keeping an eye on everyone. She had ended up becoming the leader who guided the group, making decisions even when she knew they could go wrong.
And then there was Tom.
The two years had made him much calmer. He no longer reacted impulsively to everything. He thought before acting and had learned to keep a cool head.
But the most noticeable change had been Nas.
Nas had grown. His hair was now considerably longer, and his face had changed over the years. He was also much thinner than before, not because he wanted to be, but simply because he had spent too much time working.
With supplies becoming increasingly scarce, Nas had grown used to keeping himself busy: repairing things, looking for food, checking the bus, helping with whatever task came up. And whenever there was something to do, he was almost always one of the first to volunteer.
That night, they had found an abandoned hotel that still had a few usable rooms.
Misha parked the bus in front of the entrance.
—Well —she said as she got out— what do you guys think of a hotel?
She looked at the building.
—Too bad it doesn't have a swimming pool, a five-star restaurant, and a date waiting for me.
Nobody answered.
Misha waited. She looked at the others.
—Nothing?
Chelsea walked past her.
—Nope.
Misha frowned.
—It was a joke.
Josh kept walking.
—A bad one.
—It was hilarious!
Bethan smiled slightly.
—Maybe two years ago.
Misha put a hand over her chest.
—You guys have all become so cruel.
Sophie opened the hotel door.
—Rooms. Now.
Everyone began to walk inside.
For a few minutes, the group split up. Chelsea checked the rooms and organized who would sleep where. Bethan and Josh disappeared down one of the hallways. Misha went straight to look for water. Sophie checked the supplies. Tom stayed at the entrance.
—I’ll keep watch —he said.
Sophie looked at him.
—You don't have to do it all night.
Tom smiled.
—I know.
—Then get some rest afterward.
—Yes, boss.
Sophie gave him a look.
Tom raised both hands.
—It was a joke.
While the others settled in, Nas went upstairs and entered one of the rooms. He left his things on a small table and walked over to the window. From there, he could see the bus parked in front of the hotel. The lights were off. Everything was far too quiet.
Nas rested one hand against the glass.
Two years.
And they were still searching...
Sometimes he wondered how much longer they could keep going. Not because he wanted to give up, he was simply tired. Very tired.
He heard footsteps behind him. He didn't need to turn around.
—Hey, Fefee.
Sophie appeared in the doorway.
—Hey.
Nas continued looking out the window.
—What are you doing here?
—Checking that my favorite brother isn't planning on running away.
—I'm your only brother.
—Touché.
Nas rolled his eyes. But he smiled, a small, tired smile.
Sophie walked over and stood beside him. For a moment, neither of them said anything. From there, they could hear the distant sounds of the others moving around the hotel.
Moonlight came through the window, partially illuminating his face.
Nas continued looking outside, his arms crossed over his chest.
Sophie raised a hand and carefully took one of his curls.
—Your hair is curlier.
Nas lowered his gaze to the strand she was holding.
—And longer, but there's no one to cut it.
Sophie fell silent because it was true.
She studied her brother's curls for a few seconds.
—Can I tie your hair back?
Nas looked at her but didn't answer.
He simply turned his gaze back toward the window.
Sophie smiled slightly.
To her, that was a yes.
—Okay.
She stepped behind him and began carefully gathering his hair.
Nas remained still. Every now and then, a curl slipped between Sophie's fingers, forcing her to fix it again.
—I didn't know your hair was this difficult —she muttered.
—I told you it was long.
—You didn't tell me it was an enemy.
Nas smiled slightly.
Sophie continued working while she spoke.
—By the way, you missed quite an interesting show at the gas station.
Nas raised an eyebrow.
—What did you guys do?
—Misha and Chelsea.
That was enough for Nas to know it had probably been a disaster.
—What did they break?
—Nothing.
Nas looked at her over his shoulder.
Sophie smiled.
—Well... almost nothing.
Nas let out a small laugh.
—What happened?
—Misha tried to open a vending machine.
—And?
Sophie finished adjusting another strand.
—Chelsea tried to help her, and they ended up setting off the alarm.
Nas shook his head, amused.
Sophie lowered her voice slightly.
—You were working on that new control for the orbs.
Nas turned his gaze back toward the window.
—It's almost working.
—Nas...
—Really. It just needs a few adjustments.
Sophie sighed.
—You always say that.
—Because it's always true.
Sophie finished tying his hair back and took a small step backward to look at him.
—Done.
Nas turned slightly.
Sophie picked up a small mirror she had found among the hotel's belongings and handed it to him.
Nas looked at his reflection. For a few seconds, he said nothing.
His curly hair was tied back behind his head, leaving his face more exposed.
Nas tilted his head slightly, then smiled.
—I like it.
Sophie smiled too.
—It suits you.
Nas looked at his reflection again.
—Thanks, Fefee.
Sophie didn't answer immediately. She simply stood there looking at him.
There was something about him that seemed familiar. Maybe it was his eyes, maybe his smile, or perhaps it was simply the way that, even after everything they had been through, he was still her little brother.
Sophie lowered her gaze.
—You look like Mom.
Nas stopped smiling for a moment.
Silence filled the room once again.
Sophie thought that maybe she had said too much.
But then Nas stepped closer and hugged her.
Sophie stayed still for just a second before wrapping her arms around him.
Nas rested his head against her shoulder.
—We'll see her soon... I'm working on it.
Sophie slowly rubbed his back.
—I know.
Sophie closed her eyes.