What Makes This Fragile World Go Round [Tom/Mark]/[Mark/Tom/Matt]

4: You Dont Know A Thing

|| Just to clarify, In this fic, Mark is 45, Tom is 40, and I've changed Matt's age to 29. ||

|
||
|||

The trip to the bus was quiet and uneventful.

Tom followed Mark and said nothing.

"Finally," Mark said, pumping his fist in to the air as they arrived to a large black bus with white lettering that spelled 'blink-182'.

"No wonder everyone wants to be on this bus," Tom said, noticing the two other buses nearby. They were plain. "Your bust is representing the band."

Mark shrugged. "It was first come first serve and I got to the busses way before the others so..."

He stepped closer to the bus, punching in the code to unlock the door and yanking it open.

Tom flinched as his ears were met with a loud, gross, annoying squalling.

"WHERE DID SHE GOOOOO AND WHAT DID SHE HOPE TO FIIIIND THEEEEERE! YOU DON'T KNOW A TH--"

"SKIBA!" Mark shouted, interrupting the noise while climbing the three steps on to the bus. "How many times to I have to tell you to stop yelling on my fucking bus!?"

"Um, if I remember correctly you once said 'a screamy matt is a good matt' so I think--oh, hi..." Matt trailed off as Tom stepped on the bus behind Mark. He quickly sat up from where he was laying down on the small couch.

"You've already met before so I'm not introducing you." Mark declared, walking passed Matt and toward the back of the bus. He grabbed a shirt from his 'closet area'. Since they each had their own busses, they had more than enough room. The back area of the bus that was usually used as a lounge room had been converted in to a small bedroom with a large bed in it. The area that would normally hold bunks had been transformed in to closet and storage space. It was like that on each bus.

He peeled his shirt off, tossing it on to a small pile of other dirty clothes on the floor of the closet compartment, then slid his new one over his head.

Tom stood awkwardly trying not to watch. Matt sat on the sofa, unphased.

"He does that all the time in front of me and Travis," Matt said, turning his attention toward the TV as he switched it on.

"I know." Tom said, taking a seat on the sofa as far away from Matt as possible.

Mark came and sat between them. "Where the fuck is Jason?"

"The bus driver? He left." Matt shrugged. "Like 10 minuets ago."

"You probably scared him off with your screaming," Mark chuffed, leaning back and stretching his arms out over the back of the sofa. One arm slid behind Tom's shoulder. The other slid behind Matt's.

"It's not horrible." Matt protested. "It's better than your horrible screaming."

"I don't scream," Mark said, shaking his head. "And I've never screamed."

"That's a lie," Tom scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You did an awful lot of screaming when we recorded Dude Ranch...and Cheshire Cat."

"You were wild and extremely loud in that studio." Mark looked between the two of them. "I can't decide which one of you is louder."

"Is that a sexual joke?" Matt asked.

A small flare of jealousy erupted inside of Tom.

"We've never had sex," Mark said, turning his attention to the TV. "What the hell are you watching?"

"American dad," Matt answered. "Now shut up, I can't hear." He curled up on the sofa, resting his head on Mark's lap. Tom glared daggers at the younger man.

"Well maybe if you would go to your own bus," Mark grumbled, but he subconsciously reached a hand down to pat the younger man's hair.

The bus door opened and the three men turned their heads as Travis stepped on the bus.

Mark groaned, "You too? I swear, you guys don't even know your own bus drivers 'cause you're always on my bus."

"Everyone's here and I didn't wanna be left out of the party," Travis joked. Despite his multiple tattoos and facial hair, his voice betrayed him, being several octaves higher than expected.

Tom, without thinking, quickly scooted closer to Mark to give the drummer room on the already crowded sofa. Travis nodded his thanks and perched on the windowsill behind the couch, placing his feet on the seat.

"Actually," Mark said, grabbing the remote from Matt and shutting the TV off.

"I was watching that!"

"Shut up, Skiba! I have something important to discuss. Now, you're probably wondering why Tom's here," Mark slung his arm around Tom's shoulder.

"Not really. No." Matt shook his head.

Mark ignored him. "He's gonna be joining us on the tour..."

Mark awaited the shocked response...but there was none.

He looked down at Matt, who was staring at him incredulously. Slowly, the blonde sat up. "Am...am I...does this mean I have to find a new job?"

"You aren't losing your job, kid," Mark said, patting Matt's shoulder. "Actually...Tom and I were thinking about making blink a four piece...after we finish the tour and everything."

"So are you two back together?" Travis asked, leaning back saving the window.

"Yes!" He looked at Tom. "No? Arē we?"

Tom blushed, shrugging his shoulders. "Um...yes?"

"Yes," Mark said to Travis. "But we're still working things out so none of you tell anyone."

Matt and Travis nodded.

"Good. Now get the fuck off my bus so we can get back on the road, fuckers!" Mark shouted. Matt and Travis got up and retreated to their own buses.

"I wish it was that easy to get them out of here all the time." Mark chuckled, keeping his arm around Tom. "It's like I'm in a band with two needy children..." He glanced at Tom. "Now three."

"Im not needy," Tom protested. "I'm just...really..."

"What?" Mark said, looking at his friend.

"Im...hmmm..." Tom mumbled, his face growing red.

"Tom?" Mark's voice was filled with concern for the first time in years.

"I said I'm just really in love with you!" Tom exclaimed. "It's awkward admitting so, okay? I've been wanting to tell you since I woke up the first time this morning but...I haven't found the time but now that we're alone I can tell you. Lastnight i realized that I still really love you and I don't know what we are right now but...I hope we can make it work because I miss you."

Mark said nothing, staring down at the floor quietly.