The Fallout

Austin's P.O.V

“Ready?” I asked Oli who was looking more than nervous as he gripped onto the piece of wood he was seated on, he warily nodded his head.

“Hold on!” I giggled as I brought the wood backwards before pushing it forward; he snickered as the small swing swayed in a fast rhythm. He eventually got a good grasp of it and was able to propel himself forward; the child like smile on his face was enough to bring me some piece at mind.

“You having fun?” Matt called back to us from his spot under a large oak tree; Tom was stuck securely under his arm. Oli gave thumbs up in approval, somehow we had stumbled across a seemingly untouched park just a bits way out of the city. While we had established a chain of hierarchy, with me being at the top, followed by Matt, Oli and then Tom; we collectively decided to take the day off, in a sense. Today was a day for us to forget about the struggles we were facing and just have a good time. Before coming to the park we restocked our food and water supply thanks to a small mini mart on the outer ring of the city; so we were feeling pretty good today. Oli laughed especially loud as he swung up level with the branch the swing was attached too, how he had gotten up so high was a curiosity. But I was learning that there really wasn’t much that we couldn’t do.

“Austie, help me get down!” he called as he stopped pushing his legs forward and instead sprawled out in an attempt to stop the swing from going forward. I giggled as I ran forward in time to catch the back of the wood and stop him in his tracks. He threw his head back and smiled up at me,

“Thank you, love.” He said with a glee that I wish was always in his voice, I took the opportunity to lean down and kiss his forehead. His skin flushed a bright shade of red as his eyes slipped shut, and it was moments like those that I longed to stay like that forever. Though that was entirely impossible. Even after coming to terms with that, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him back so that he rested against my torso. I admired the way his skin shone, even in the bleak gray that covered the entirety of the sky. His hair was a bit astray in places, and dirty from a few days without a proper bath, or improper in the current state. Yet his small lips were pulled back to reveal a set of still pearly white teeth and his gorgeous hazel eyes were shut with what could only be described as content. I wondered if Matt felt the same as I did, not towards Oli obviously, but Tom. I wondered if he, being the stronger of the two, had the overwhelming urge to protect and conceal the one he loved. I knew I did. If it came between Oli and the world, I would choose him; as horrific as that sounds. But is it that different then taking a bullet for someone? You still give up your world for them, and in my opinion; that makes it the same.

“You alright today?” Oli asked with a curious tilt of his head. I bit my lip at first but burst out into a full blown grin, “Yes, of course I am. Today has been wonderful. But how could I not have a good time when I'm with you, especially like this?” I retorted playfully as I pointed at the scenery. He tilted his head down and had a look around for himself before nodding his head in agreement.

“Today has been magnificent.” He replied as he took a deep breath whilst wrapping his arms backwards and towards my shoulders. I got the hint and leaned down enough so that he could slide them around my neck, my skin unwillingly heated under his touch. He pulled me down gently so that our eyes were level and I once again, got the hint and pressed my lips lovingly to his. There wasn’t a ferocious need to it like the one from the previous day, and their wasn’t a hint of longing or lust. Instead, the contact felt surreal. Like something out of your favorite childhood movie or a romance novel you had to read in high school, it was magical. Sparks instantaneously ignited as he smiled into the kiss, I couldn’t help but do the same; and the next thing I knew, we were both laughing hysterically.

“I'm sorry, I'm just happy.” Oli murmured as he ran his fingers through my hair, I politely hummed in agreement. The next few minutes were quiet, Oli and I carefully studied the other with gracious smiles and the occasional laugh; but neither of us said a word. Both of us were savoring the little bit of heaven we found in the chaos. Somewhere in the distance I heard the ruffling of feet on crunchy leaves and Tom screeching for Matt to stop chasing him, which was followed by a thump and a lot of hysterical laughter. Oli slipped out of the swing and my arms before grabbing my sleeve and tugging me over to where his brother and the drummer were rolling on the ground.

“Oli, help me! I'm being attacked!” Tom made out in between giggles, while the drummer continued to spin them round and round. Oli shook his head at their antics, but nonetheless pried the two apart before plopping down on the grass. He pulled me down with him, and despite my consciousness of my heart condition, I crossed my legs. Yes, I was unable to sit that way a few months ago, because my heart could simply not handle the lack of blood flow. But I was feeling brave today; I was feeling a tad…immortal. None of the men knew about that little fact, the fact that I was supposedly limited to what I could do and how I could move about, but to my relief it caused me no issues. We spent the majority of the day chatting about what we had wanted to do when we were younger, even going into detail of what we had wanted to do with our musical careers. It wasn’t very painful to talk about anymore, and eventually I spilled my guts on Gielle. They seemed a bit shocked, but didn’t say much else but offer up condolences for my loss. It didn’t sting like I thought I would, but it could have been for the fact that Oli, the whole time, clasped my hand in his and offered me the same smile that always made everything seem okay.

-&-

Tom's P.O.V

“Be right back guys, I'm going to go pee.” I admitted awkwardly as I sunk into the tree line. Today had been a lot better than I had anticipated, and my head was still swarming with the things we were all able to get off our chests. Most importantly, I was feeling particularly lucky. I had taken so many things for granted, and now I realized how truly blessed I was. I had an amazing support team, and that was something I should be happy about. I only wished to be as charismatic and handsome as my brother, longed to be as strong and unwavering as Austin; and could only dream of being as calming and ambitious as Matt. I confessed this to the drummer while we relaxed under the safety of an old oak tree; but he said I was being silly. He began to tell me about how he used to feel inferior to his family, and inferior to everyone else he knew. But that was preposterous to me, I've always thought he was perfect; and I may have even let that thought slip out into the open. He had smiled at that and thanked me shyly, before kissing the top of my head and telling me how important I was to him. How I was something he cherished, but I couldn’t see why. As I wrapped up my bathroom break I felt an unnerving sensation, something or somebody was watching me. I took a step backwards and into the trunk of a sturdy tree, but my mind was racing with precautions. I should run, I should tell the others and get out of the area as quickly as possible, but I didn’t feel it was necessary. Not just yet.

I heard rustling in a nearby bush and turned my head in time to catch a small deer poke it head out from the shrubbery, relief washed over me as the horrid feeling sunk away. The deer looked at me curiously as I stuck my hand in its direction, but to my surprise, it didn’t flee. Instead it took a step closer,

“Come here little ‘un .” I encouraged, but I was still slightly taken a back as he came close enough to rest his head in my hands. I stroked his early soothingly as my eyes checked him over for wounds, miraculously there weren’t any. I felt compelled to try something, as part of me came to a reasoning that this could be part of my calling. As lame as that sounds aloud.

“Lay down,” I coaxed while looking at the ground, the deer willingly complied and laid down on the spot. I crouched down next to it in awe of its obedience, “Can I have a kiss?” I asked awkwardly as I leaned my face down to his, I chuckled when he rubbed his nose against mine. This wasn’t normal, by any means was this was a miracle. Had I finally found something else I was useful for instead of being my companion’s medic? I wasn’t sure but part of me already knew that yes, this was something else that could come in handy.

“Tom! LETS GO!” I heard my brother call back into the trees, and instantly the deer jumped up in fright, my hands flew out to catch the small creature, who looked only to be a few months old.

“Whoa, easy there boy! Calm down, it’s just my brother and my friends…they weren’t hurt you. Come with me, okay?” I cooed as the deer looked at me expectantly with wide eyes. As I stumbled out of the tree’s cover the deer followed closely.

“Right here, and I made a new friend!” I called back as the three men came into sight, they gawked at us in awe.

“Whoa, how did you get him to follow you?” Oli asked as he took a step forward, I laid a hand on the animals back for assurance, and shrugged.

“Don’t know, I just told him it was okay to follow me, and he did…he’s actually listened to everything I've said thus far.” I commented as Matt and Austin also approached us; goofy smiles on both of their faces.

“No way, Tom's that’s incredible.” Matt murmured as he stuck his hand out towards the small mammal who shrunk back and hid behind me, I laughed.

“It’s okay, go on, and say hi.” I giggled as I reached around me and stroked the deer’s face, surely enough he showed himself once again and carefully strode towards my friends who fawned over him.

“Perfect ending to a perfect day?” Austin asked as he scratched behind his ears,

“Definitely.” Oli added in agreement as he leaned down and kissed its head. Matt smiled at me before making his way over and snaking his arms around me, bringing me into his chest.

“You look exhausted Mr. Deer Whisperer,” he joked but I could hear the concern that leaked into his voice, I nodded my head.

“Very, today was great though.” I added with a grin, he squeezed onto me tighter. Everything was looking up for us, and for that I was grateful, but apparently, I had a habit of speaking too soon. Before I could decipher what was going on, a loud popping noise admitted from the surrounding area and the deer flopped to the ground, blood oozing from its neck. I shrieked in horror as my new found friend lay motionless on the ground, but Matt, Austin and Oli didn’t falter in their conclusions. Matt swept me up in his arms and darted off after Oli and Austin who were rushing out of the park and down the winding street in search of our RV. It was moments like these that I remembered that nothing in this world lasted forever. We were all like the deer, and eventually we would succumb to something; eventually…we all had to die...and that...terrified me.

Notes

title Cred: A day to remember

Okay, so a bit of filler, but then BAM.
Something is going down, but what do you think it is? ;D

LEAVE ME STUFF <3

XOXO
Siren