Unleashed - Apocalyptic Friendlypack AU

"Stan. Can you hear me?".

The two men were sitting just outside of Garrett's car shop at night, leaned up against the building. Stan had a metal clamp around his neck with a chain attached to it, that was hooked onto the wall. Jimmy had came back just a few hours ago with food, blankets, and other sorts of supplies, leaving them in the safety of his car.

"Hm? Oh, y-yeah". As the hours passed, Stan had just gotten paler and paler. His skin was ghostly, and his eyes had dark bags under them. His voice was soft and barely audible.

"I'm...I'm so sorry" Jimmy mumbled, looking up at the  dull stars that were scattered across the dimming sky.

"Don't be, Jimmy. You tried your best, b-but... there was nothing you could do. Th-This was bound to happen" Stan said lowly "I'm just so glad it wasn't you".

Jimmy could feel the waterworks starting up again and he preemptively wiped his eyes "I don't deserve you, Stan. I really don't...".

"You deserve that and more, Jimothy. You're a good person. Don't beat yourself up...".

There it was again: that pain in Jimmy's heart that he just couldn't describe. Ever since he got to know Stan, he had feelings for him. He was the only person who didn't see Jimmy as a heartless criminal---the way Jimmy saw himself. Stan was always there for him, even during the roughest of times. The only reason Jimmy had never confessed his love for Stan was because of his fear of committed relationships. His view of love was tainted by this horrible city, especially after being forced into prostitution, but with Stan... he felt that love was real, and just out of his reach by a hair. "I love you, Stan" he whispered, his tone full of sadness and desperation.

Stan lazily took Jimmy's hand in his own and gave it a feeble squeeze. "I love you too, Jimmy".

They then stayed silent, and Jimmy scooted closer to Stan, allowing his head to gently fall onto his shoulder. He was going to stay there with Stan as he turned; there was no way he was going through it alone.

"Hey... Jimmy?".

"Yeah, Starshine?". Jimmy moved closer to Stan, snuggling up to his side and squeezing his hand for comfort.

Normally, this sort of closeness would send Stan into a frenzy of anxiety, but the brutal virus made him to fatigued to even get flustered "Could you do me a... Big favor. Please?".

Jimmy nodded "anything".

"Before we fall asleep tonight, ... could you get some distance between us? Maybe sleep in the shop?".

The drug dealer's eyes widened as he stared at his weak friend, as if he couldn't believe what he was asking "...S-Stan.....".

"Jimmy, I don't want to hurt you. We can't sleep together tonight... I'll bite you".

"Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing".

Stan frowned and gave the other a fatherly glare "don't be stupid, Jimothy. ...Stay over there, please. That's my last request. It was the whole reason you tied me up. Just please....don't let me hurt you" his dry eyes were filling with tears.

"F-Fine! ...Fine..." Jimmy grumbled "But, ...can I just, ..stay here with you for a few more hours?".

"Sure... o-okay".

----

Much to the dismay of both men, the next few hours were awfully short. It was much darker out, and Stan just knew that he wouldn't last any longer. It was time for them to separate.