Summary: Grian, Joel, and Jimmy are packing and getting ready to leave for the fall break.
Word Count: 2117
Warnings: Slight jealousy and very slight anger
AO3 Link
It's finally here! The start of the fall break arc in the BBBCAU! I am very excited for this arc, it's going to be a lot of fun. Lots of surprises in store in the next few fics! I hope you guys enjoy!
Jimmy could tell in the way Joel was refusing to look at both Grian and Jimmy as the three of them were talking. He could tell in the way Joel’s brows were furrowed and the way his leg bounced as he did something on his laptop.
And it was all because Grian had brought up the upcoming fall break.
“It’s a bit colder up where I live around this time. Did you want me to pack you that puffy jacket Cleo made for you?” Grian asked as he was putting together a suitcase for both himself and Jimmy. Jimmy nodded, still glancing at Joel through his peripheral.
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Jimmy said. He didn’t think he would need it, especially if he was staying in the whole time like usual, but better safe than sorry. Grian looked over and caught Jimmy’s glances, following his gaze to look at Joel himself. It was clear to Grian how Joel was feeling as well and he rolled his eyes.
“Joel, stop being pouty and get packing. Fall break is literally tomorrow.” Grian said, causing Joel to jump a bit in surprise. He snapped his head towards Grian and glared at him.
“I’m not being pouty!” Joel exclaimed, not convincing either of them at all.
“You kind of are.” Jimmy chimed in and Joel’s eyes snapped over to him. But his glare was less intense as their eyes met. Joel sighed and turned his focus back on his laptop.
“I’m not.” Joel said, voice nothing but a mumble now. Jimmy sighed and shared a look with Grian. Grian only shrugged and turned back to packing so it looked like it was up to Jimmy to try and get Joel out of this funk once again.
The borrower stood up on the nightstand and jumped over to Joel’s bed where Joel was propped up and working on his laptop. Joel noticed the movement but didn’t so much as say anything as Jimmy made his way closer. It took Jimmy climbing up and actually standing on top of Joel’s laptop to get Joel to finally look at him again. “Joel, you and Grian already decided all this before. I went with you for spring break and so Grian gets me for the fall one.” Jimmy said and that only made Joel groan.
“I know that! I just…” Joel looked away, a slight flush on his cheeks.
Jimmy titled his head. “Just what?”
Joel groaned again, his hands going to cover his face. “I’m not gonna see you for, like, two weeks!”
Jimmy blinked at the sudden outburst while Grian burst into laughter on the other side of the room. “Yeah, now you know how I felt.”
“Shut up!” Joel yelled, reaching behind him and then throwing his pillow and Grian’s face. Grian stepped to the side, dodging Joel’s poor attempt to hit him casually. Joel glared at him, wanting nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his face.
Jimmy sighed and shook his head, a small laugh at the edge of his sigh. His humans never failed to be interesting, that was for sure. He lifted his head and noticed how the flush had grown a bit and knew Joel was reaching the stage of anger fast. No thanks to Grian, of course. In fact, he gave a pointed look to Grian. “You aren’t helping.”
Grian grinned but turned back around to continue packing.
Jimmy turned back to Joel and smiled at him. “It’s okay, Joel. I’m gonna miss you too, ya know.”
Joel’s anger subsided greatly and now he just looked plain flushed again. He mumbled something under his breath that even Jimmy couldn’t make out. Jimmy didn’t pry though, he just placed a hand onto Joel’s and continued to smile. “We’ll call you, just like how we called Grian during spring break.”
Joel looked at Jimmy and then at his small hand over his own and sighed. Joel knew he was being ridiculous, everything had just hit him all at once. They had been so worried about Jimmy being sick it was like the fall break had snuck up on them. And maybe that was the other reason Joel was acting like this. He was still worried about Jimmy, sure the borrower was all the way better now, but the worry was still very much present. Not to mention the fact that this was the first time Joel would be away from Jimmy since they first met.
All these thoughts swam in his head, it was both overwhelming and strangely therapeutic to list it all out. And it did help him to calm down.
He turned his hand over and scooped Jimmy fully into his hand. Jimmy let out a small noise at the sudden movement but otherwise settled into his hand rather quickly. Joel closed his laptop and leaned back against the wall, letting out another sigh. “Yeah, I know.” Joel finally said and then smiled down at Jimmy. “Just make sure Grian doesn’t forget.”
Jimmy grinned and let out a small laugh, happy Joel seemed to be feeling better now. “I won’t.”
“I won’t because Joel will be the one calling us.” Grian chimed in and Joel sent him another glare, though this one was much less intense. Mostly because Grian had a point, not that Joel was going to say that out loud.
Joel set his laptop fully to the side and swung his legs over the bed, Jimmy still in hand and now held against his chest. He stood up and stretched a little and Grian finally glanced back over again. “You finally gonna start packing?”
Joel rolled his eyes but knelt down and pulled out his suitcase before placing it onto his bed. “Yeah, yeah, I’m getting to it.” He started unzipping it with one hand and Grian let out a small laugh.
“Are you gonna hold Jimmy the whole time?” Grian asked, though he already knew the answer.
Joel looked down at Jimmy and Jimmy just smiled up at him, looking comfortable. Joel nodded. “I’m not going to be seeing him for two weeks, I can do what I want.” Joel said with a huff as he pulled out some clothes. Was it a bit difficult to do it with one hand? Yes. But was that going to make him put Jimmy down? Absolutely not.
Grian rolled his eyes fondly. “Fair enough.”
The two continued to pack their bags, making light conversation with each other. As they were nearly done, a knock came at their door. The three of them paused and Joel glanced over at Grian. Since Joel was holding Jimmy, obviously he wasn’t going to be the one to answer the door. Grian nodded and walked over, opening the door slightly to peek his head out and see who it was, all without letting the person at the door see in.
“Oh!” Grian let out and a second later had pulled the door open all the way. Impulse and Tango were at the door and, if Joel had to guess, Skizz was probably in Impulse’s chest pocket. “What are you guys doing here?” Grian said, moving out of the way to let them both in. He closed the door behind them.
“Just thought we’d stop by before heading off.” Tango said with a smile and Jimmy blinked.
“Wait, you guys are leaving already?” Jimmy asked and Tango nodded.
“Yeah, my family lives in just the next city over so it’s a short trip for me. And I’d rather get going now and beat everyone trying to leave tomorrow.” Tango answered.
“Huh, I didn’t know you lived so close.” Grian said with a thoughtful hum. He turned to Impulse. “Are you also close by?”
Impulse laughed and shook his head. “The opposite actually.” As he said that, Skizz emerged from his chest pocket, just as Joel had thought, and hung his arms off the side as he smiled at the three of them. Jimmy perked up when he noticed the other borrower.
“Hi Skizz!” Jimmy said with a wave.
“Hey, Jimmy!” Skizz exclaimed with a wave back. “Yeah, we gotta get going because it takes us at least two days to get home.” Skizz revealed for Impulse.
“Wow, that far huh?” Joel said with slightly wide eyes.
“Yeah, but it’s not too bad of a trip. We go about halfway the first day and then get a hotel for the night. We’re home by dinner the next day usually.” Impulse explained.
“It’s actually really fun!” Skizz said with a grin. And then his eyes lit up with an idea. “You guys should totally come with us one of these times. Impulse’s mom has been wanting to meet his friends for ages now anyway.” Skizz blurted out and Impulse’s face flushed a bit.
“Skizz!” He said and reached down, gently pushing Skizz back down into his pocket. Skizz laughed as he fell down.
“It’s true!” Skizz yelled up from inside the pocket, his voice now a bit muffled by the fabric.
Jimmy’s eyes lit up at the idea. “That does sound fun!” He said and Impulse looked at him with a bit of a surprised expression.
“Could be fun to do one big road trip with the six of us.” Tango said with a smile, his arms crossed as he bumped Impulse’s arm with his own. “And it sounds like your mom has already invited us.”
Impulse sighed but smiled. “I mean, if you guys are down we can plan for it. I’ll talk to my mom more about it when I see her.”
Joel gave a half shrug but he, too, was grinning at the idea. “Sounds fun to me.”
“Getting to see where Impulse and Skizz grew up? Sign me up.” Grian joked though he was also a hundred percent serious. Impulse nodded and that was around the time Skizz got himself hanging out of the pocket again.
“It’ll be so fun! Jimmy, I can show you all the nooks I’ve got for myself!” Skizz yelled and Jimmy nodded.
“Oh yeah! That would be so cool!” And now Jimmy was even more excited.
Impulse chuckled. “Like I said, I’ll talk to my mom about it. But it sounds like a plan.” Impulse said and then Tango took out his phone and looked at the time.
“Whoops, looks like it’s getting a bit late.” He pocketed his phone again. “We better get going if we don’t want to run into any traffic.” He said as he looked at Impulse. Impulse nodded.
“See you guys later! Enjoy your fall break!” Skizz waved at the three before dropping back down into the pocket.
“You too, hope you guys have fun.” Grian said. They all waved and said their goodbyes as they made their way toward the door. Grian followed them, closing the door behind them once they had left.
“It was nice of them to stop by before they left.” Jimmy commented, settling back down against Joel’s chest. Joel hummed, which Jimmy could feel the vibrations of.
“Yeah, it was.” Grian agreed as he turned back to his suitcase. He was almost done, he just needed to pack up his laptop and chargers now. “Nice of Skizz to invite us over at some point too.”
Joel snorted. “That’ll be something, for sure.” He was excited at the idea of spending time away from the college all together though. Unlike now, where Joel would be parting ways with Jimmy and Grian for the entirety of the fall break.
The thought soured his mood a little but he tried not to let it get to him. It wasn’t like he was never seeing Jimmy again and like Grian had said earlier, Joel would make sure to call. Maybe not every night but…close.
“Anyway, let’s get this packing done and then we can order us some food.” Grian said, zipping up his suitcase and grabbing his backpack to slip his laptop into.
“Oh yeah, I could definitely eat.” Joel said in agreement and picked up the pace just a little more. Jimmy’s stomach made a noise at the mention of food and Joel was close enough to hear it. He laughed as Jimmy flushed and Joel couldn’t help but poke his side. “Sounds like Jimmy could as well.”
Grian laughed and the two hurried to finish up. Jimmy shifted slightly but remained comfortable in Joel’s hand. He’d miss Joel for sure, just like how he had missed Grian during spring break. But he was also so excited to see what he and Grian would get up to during the fall break.
He had a feeling it was going to be two weeks to remember.
