The bus was quiet and almost completely dark. Tim quietly walked towards the front, figuring that everyone had finally gone to bed. He had stayed in the back lounge the whole day, not wanting to talk to anyone just yet, and was desperately in need of a drink.

As Tim's eyes adjusted to the dark he noticed someone huddled in the corner of the couch, fast asleep. He opened the small refrigerator just enough to slide a bottle of water out and shut it quietly. He glanced back to the figure on the couch, to make sure he hadn't woken them, and saw two beautiful blue eyes staring at him.

"Hey" Adam said quietly, looking up to where Tim was standing.

"Hey" Tim whispered back. "Sorry I woke you. I really needed a drink."

"It's okay, I wasn't asleep" Adam yawned. "Brain won't let me." He paused and took a deep breath. "Are you ready to talk yet?"

Tim looked everywhere but at Adam, "Um... I'm not sure talking while this tired is a good idea..." he held up his hand when Adam opened his mouth to speak. "but I also believe that you should never go to bed angry." 

Adam half smiled, "That's why I'm not in bed and asleep."

"Since I'm really not up for this talk right now" Tim sighed as he leaned against the small table across from Adam "can I just say a few things and we'll get more in depth later?"

Adam swallowed hard as he nodded his head yes. He was afraid to hear what Tim was going to say.

Tim took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm no longer angry, just disappointed and hurt. We have a lengthy conversation ahead of us and probably a long journey to rebuild trust..." Tim could see the fear in Adam's eyes as he spoke. "But it's going to take more than this to break us up." Tim hid his smile as he watched Adam finally let out the breath he had been holding. "Adam, I've loved you for too long to let you go so easily."

Adam stood up, off the couch, then hesitated as he remembered Tim stepping away from his touch. "Tim, I want to touch you, to hug you, to... but..." Adam had never felt so unsure of himself around this man before. He hated that he was questioning his every move. 

Tim pushed up from the table. They were standing toe to toe. Adam slowly reached out and touched Tim's hand before gently gliding his hand up Tim's arm. The brunette closed his eyes and reveled in the touch. 

Adam's hand slid across Tim's shoulder and around his neck as he pulled him into a hug. Tim wrapped his arms around Adam's waist and held him close. 

There was so much Adam wanted to say but he knew now wasn't the time. They were only words but they were a start, "I'm sorry" he whispered in Tim's ear.

"I know" Tim whispered back.

Adam whispered in his ear again, "I love you."

"I know" Tim whispered back with a smile.

Adam kissed Tim's cheek before pulling back just enough to stare into his boyfriends eyes and give him a shy smile.

"I love you too" Tim said quietly.

Adam looked at Tim's lips before looking back up to his eyes, "I want to... Can I kiss you?"

Tim nodded slightly, "Yes, please."

Adam leaned forward and kissed Tim gently. It was a sweet, loving, short kiss. He pulled Tim into another hug and held him close.

"I'm sorry." Tim said quietly into Adam's shoulder.

"What?" Adam asked as he pulled back to look at Tim. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

"For stepping away from you" Tim sighed. "Twice... I shouldn't have done that." Tim looked away, "You're questioning everything that you use to just do without second thought."

"Well, clearly I need to" Adam sighed. "A thoughtless decision is what got us here."

"That's a little different than a touch or a kiss." Tim smiled as he caressed Adam's face.

Adam leaned into Tim's gentle touch, "I just... I know it's my fault that you stepped away but that hurt. I don't want that to happen again. I'd rather ask permission every time than ever have to deal with that feeling again."

Tim leaned in and kissed Adam gently before pulling him into another hug and burying his face in the blond's neck. They stood there for quite some time, enjoying the peace and quiet, and the warmth of their embrace. 

"I'm really enjoying this but if we stand here much longer I'm going to fall asleep right here on my feet." Tim said quietly into Adam's neck. 

"Mmm, I understand" Adam chuckled. "I just don't want to let go."

"We really need to get some sleep" Tim said as he finally lifted his head and looked at Adam. "It's been a stressful day."

"I'm sorry, again" Adam whispered as he looked away from Tim. 

"I know, Adam." Tim pulled completely out of the hug and took Adam by the hand. "I know" He said as he lead the blond towards their bunks.

He stopped in front of Adam's bunk and pulled him into a hug. He whispered in Adam's ear, "I know you're sorry. I know you love me. I love you, too." Tim gave Adam a quick kiss. "Now go to bed."

Adam turned to get in his bunk and felt Tim slap him on the ass. He whipped his head around in shock, mouth open, unable to form words.

"Goodnight" Tim laughed as he climbed in his own bunk and shut the curtains.

Sorry this was a little short. I spent last week recovering from traveling and trying to stay away from sick people and this week I've been sick. Clearly, the staying away didn't work. I don't fly out again until next week so I'm hoping to get at least one more update before then, but then it's 4 shows in 4 days and another flight back across the country and probably another delay in getting a chapter written. Hope you enjoyed this short update.

To be continued...

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