Don't Panic (Jalex)

Just Another Something's Gotta Give Reference

He wakes up in a strangers bed with a splitting headache and an arm wrapped around him. This certainly isn't the first time, but this hasn't happened to him in years. Not since that one tour where he and Jack were broken up.

His hangover is blatantly obvious as memories from the night before seem to escape him. He tries desperately to remember where he is and who he's with, but the glasses sitting on the nightstand next to a pair of handcuffs give away the mystery before Alex even has a chance to realize his lack of clothing.

Jack snuggles up closer, and Alex feels his face heat up. This is bad. This is very bad. Alex isn't sure where he currently stands with Jack, but now they've slept together. This definitely isn't the first time, and hopefully it won't be the last, but this is bad timing.
Sure, maybe the familiarity of the circumstances makes Alex feel a little safer, but the empty pit in his stomach won't let him forget the last few weeks.

Darn you anxiety, making everything confusing as all shit.

Alex looks over his shoulder, careful not to wake Jack as he plans his escape. But the pit in his stomach deepens as he sees the peaceful expression on Jack's sleeping face. Alex hasn't seen him this relaxed since before the apocalypse.

Nevertheless, Alex can't help but think Rian was right when he said drinking was a bad idea. If Alex hadn't tried to drink himself to death last night, he probably wouldn't be here now.

Not wanting to talk to Jack about this when the younger man wakes up, Alex carefully climbs out of bed, thanking whatever god may or may not be out there that Jack is a heavy sleeper. Alex cringes when he hears Jack groan and roll over, but then let's out a sigh of relief when Jack goes back to snoring.

He gets dressed as quickly and quietly as he can, annoyed with the marks all over his body, but thankful they can be easily hidden. A little less so with the marks from the handcuffs that had been used, but at least it was starting to cool off so Alex had an excuse to be wearing long sleeves.
Alex is pretty sure he's wearing the wrong pair of jeans, but it wouldn't be the first time, so he's not worried. He's also pretty sure he was wearing a flannel shirt the night before, but when he can't find that he just takes Jack's hoodie instead.

He leaves the beach house as fast as he can, almost running back to the hotel as he prays to a god he doesn't even believe in that Rian won't be there waiting for him like a parent with a teenager who snuck out at 2 am.

Somehow he manages to do all of this while the devil on his shoulder calls him a coward.

*****

Jack wakes up with a deep hatred for the sun and the intro to A Party Song (The Walk Of Shame) pounding in his head.
The space in the bed next to him is empty, leaving Jack cold and alone as the scent of Alex still lingers on the sheets.

Jack can tell from the hangover that there's quite a few forgotten memories from the night before, but the one thing he does remember is Alex. Alex is the clearest memory in Jack's hazy mind, and yet the older man is nowhere to be found.
The only proof Alex was ever here is the smell of his cologne, and the jeans lying on the floor next to Jack's own shirt and boxers.

Thank fuck Jack and Alex or almost the same size or Jack would be totally screwed right now.

Sadly, when he's mostly dressed, Jack can't find his hoodie.
He doesn't have an emotional attachment to the damned thing, he's just not ready to explain the numbers permanently tattooed on his arm.

He searches for ten minutes before he finally gives up and shoves his hands in his pockets as he makes his way out of the room. He's lucky enough to spot Alex's flannel lying next to the couch on his way out. He just hopes Rian won't ask too many questions when he gets back to the hotel.

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