Work Text:
Beep! Beep!
"Cabin crew, we're ready for takeoff." The pilot announced over the intercom. One of the flight attendants, a woman in her mid 20s, passes through the aisle, closing the overhead bins as she goes by. Awsten's eyes are fixated upon her, watching to make sure each bin is securely closed. He has the window seat, the "best seat for first-time flyers," Otto had claimed as they waited on the tarmac to board.
At his high school, the seniors all vote for where to go for their senior trip; it's a week-long vacation with some of their peers and teachers, and this year it was Rome. The group of them, which consists of 15 students, three teachers, and two parent chaperones. The departing flight from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport takes off at 9:05pm. The first plane arrives in Istanbul at 9:35am for a 3.5-hour layover, before departing again at 1:05pm. If everything goes to plan, the group of 20 should arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport at 9:55pm that same day.
Awsten has planned out every single thing that could possibly go wrong. His anxiety does that to him, especially when facing something new. The only reason he was even going to Rome for his senior trip is because Otto and Geoff, Awsten's only close friends, were both going and he knew he'd just feel alone with them gone for a week. So that's where he is now, sat on an uncomfortable plane seat, knee bouncing. He's still watching the flight attendant, who's now at the front of the plane.
The seatbelt and oxygen mask demonstrations were done about 20 minutes ago, and that's now the only thing running through the shorter man's head; how to put it on efficiently, how he'd be able to get his own mask on while simultaneously helping Geoff and Otto -- obviously he can't leave them behind. He has to suppress a yelp as the plane lurches forward, shaking slightly as it drives to the runway.
His multicoloured eyes glance around the cabin, though he can't really see much down the front other than the backs of grey seats. He takes in the sight of Otto and Geoff, who are murmuring to each other, as the plane is already almost silent; Geoff looks tired and most likely will sleep half the flight to Istanbul, but Otto looks wide awake, which is not shocking as he probably slept most of the day in class.
Awsten's hands shook as he stared out the plane window. Was he scared of flying because they could fall out of the sky, or because he thought no one would cry at his funeral if he never came home? He felt a hand slip into his own, warm and comforting, and he looks over to see Otto. He's still chatting away with Geoff, but their intertwined hands prove that he knows of Awsten's inner turmoil. He always has.
Otto's been grounding him ever since they met. An arm around his shoulder, or subtly interlocking pinkies when holding hands is too obvious. In turn, Awsten reciprocates these comforting motions whenever Otto needs comfort; an arm around his waist, a hand playing with those all too familiar curls...a hand in the back pocket of Otto's jeans, yet that gesture is reserved for the privacy of their bedrooms.
As soon as the speed increases down the runway, Awsten's hand tightens around Otto's, seeking reassurance that everything is okay and that they won't die before the trip even properly starts. He feels the warm palm tighten around his own before pulling away. Just before Awsten can protest (beg) for the contact again, that same arm snakes around his shoulders, pulling him close.
He looks at Otto, promptly shoving his face into the other boy’s neck for comfort. “I got you, Aws,” Otto whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. Awsten was petrified, so much so that he’s trembling.
Just like that, the plane lifts off of the ground. Awsten jolts, but otherwise doesn’t make a sound.
1 Hour in - 10:05pm
Awsten hasn’t let go of Otto’s hand. Well— he did when the flight attendant came around with the drinks cart.
”Hiya, boys! Would any of y’all like a drink?” she asks, shooting a professional smile to the three teens. Geoff is the first to speak, eagerly asking for a soda. Otto does the same. Awsten thinks for a moment, before finding his voice.
”Water, please,” he asks meekly, attempting a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. The flight attendant’s smile softens as she hands him one of those small water bottles. He thanks her, before he opens the bottle and chugs almost the entire thing.
“Slow down, Aws,” Otto warns, gently nudging the other man’s knee. He doesn’t want Awsten throwing up 30,000ft in the air. He sighs, wrapping his arm around the other teen’s shoulders again, “I’ve got you..stop freaking out.”
“I know, I—“ Awsten cuts himself off as he sighs harshly. Glancing out the window, his face turns pale, and he quickly spins around in his seat to bury his face in Otto’s neck. “I’m gonna puke,” he manages to murmur, letting out a low groan.
Otto moves quickly, smacking Geoff’s shoulder and effectively waking him up, “Move, Awsten needs the bathroom,” he mutters. Once Geoff stands, Awsten begins to stand. To get past Otto, who doesn’t move from his seat, he climbs onto his lap before standing up again and walking out into the aisle.
They’re situated at the back of the plane, which is good as the bathrooms are only a few steps away. Awsten stumbles to the bathroom, face a sickly white. He doesn’t even notice that Otto’s followed him until there’s one hand on his back and the other on his waist, helping him into the bathroom and knelt on the floor.
“I— oh fuck…” the shorter man murmurs, running a hand through his hair and holding it out of his face. That’s when Otto kneels down beside him, gently holding his hair up as if he were a drunk party girl instead of an anxious 18-year-old on his first flight.
“You’re alright,” Otto reassures. His front is pressed up against Awsten’s side and the latter can’t help but shudder. His body gives out, collapsing against the taller man’s. He’s sure that he’s gonna die. However, in this moment, with his best friends arms around him, lips pressed against his skin, and kind words being spoken in his ear..he thinks he’ll be alright.
2 Hours in - 11:05pm
The plane is silent, aside from one of the teacher’s obnoxious laughter from the very front. The puking had stopped about 20 minutes ago. A flight attendant had knocked on the bathroom door to see if everything’s alright; whether she thought they were either in trouble or wanting to join the mile high club, who knows. She had told one of the teachers, who then came over to help, but once Awsten stopped throwing up, they left. Otto stayed. He always stayed for Awsten.
They were back in their seats, Awsten still trembling like he was a kitten left out in the rain. Otto notices this, his arm around the other male gently squeezing his bicep and rubbing it to warm him up, "Are you cold?" he asks, voice soft against the shell of his ear. Awsten shakes his head, taking a shaky breath in as he huddles against Otto's side, "No," he replies, "not cold, just-- not feeling well."
"You're safe, Awsie, we're safe. I'll always protect you," he whispers back in response, kissing the other male's temple. Otto looks down at him; his eyes furrowed in worry as he realises just how deep this fear goes. If he knew the emo boy would freak out like this, he wouldn't of encouraged him to join the other seniors on the trip.
6 Hours in - 3:16am
Awsten hasn’t slept a wink. Otto, however, is fast asleep with his head against the shorter boys chest. The only thing keeping him calm is his hand playing with Otto’s curls, twisting them around his finger and watching as they spring back into place on the messy mop of hair.
He sits up, cradling Otto against his chest as he subtly spies on his classmates. Some guy in Awsten’s english class, Julian, is snoring in the seats across from his. His head is thrown back, mouth wide open, and chest heaving with each loud snore that passes through him.
The emo boy doesn’t know how anyone could sleep in this metal tube. How could anybody willingly become vulnerable in a plane, where they could wake up to it going down in a fiery blaze? Awsten would rather jump out of the hatch without a parachute than fall asleep.
But god, do his eyes feel heavy. Even the uncomfortable seats feel nice enough to pass out on. He’s not going to fall asleep, that’s a fact. But laying down can’t hurt.
He gently leans Otto against the passed-out Geoff, before he reclines his seat. Then, he reclines Otto’s seat. They’re lucky they snagged the back seats, so they’re able to recline without annoying other passengers. Awsten lays down, getting comfortable before he gently pulls Otto off of Geoff’s shoulder, and back against his chest. The curly haired boy shifts, wrapping his arm around Awsten’s hips.
Awsten’s tired, and he knows it. He spent all of the night before pacing the length of his bedroom and mentally preparing himself for anything to happen, any possible reason for the plane to go down. He can’t stay awake much longer, but he tries.
The last thing he remembers is wrapping his arms around Otto’s shoulders, and the other boy murmuring something that sounds oddly like “I love you” against his chest.
10 Hours in - 7:21am
Awsten wakes when Otto gently shakes his knee. His eyes flutter open, and Otto smiles at him, “Flight attendant said they’re bringing out breakfast soon,” he murmurs. Both of their seats are still reclined, with Otto now laying on his own seat instead of being half on top of Awsten.
“Good. I’m starving,” the other boy murmurs, sighing shakily as he sits up and glances out the window. For once, he can actually stomach to look out, “Wow…” he whispers, a hint of childlike wonder in his voice. Otto’s hand moves to rest on Awsten’s lower back, gently caressing it. “Pretty, isn’t it?” he asks, smiling softly as he watches the other boy.
“Mhm! Everything looks so…” he trails off, sighing. A shiver goes up his spine as Otto’s hand gently brushes against his hipbone. “Small?” that same boy suggests, putting both seats upright again and getting comfortable.
Awsten nods, sighing softly as he stares out the window. He can’t look down for long before he’s curled back up against Otto, “I think i have flight sickness,” he mumbles with a pout. The other boy sighs before gently carding his fingers through his hair, “Then don’t look out. I can take photos for you, if you’d like?”
Instead of verbally replying, Awsten nods, closing his eyes. Geoff, who had been pretty silent throughout the flight, suddenly reaches over and flicks the back of the boys head, “We’re landing soon. Istanbul for four hours, then we fly to Rome.”
Awsten groans at the thought of boarding a second plane.
12 Hours in - 9:43am
The plane has just landed. Awsten had clung to Otto the entire time, his seatbelt done up so tight that it was almost impossible to breathe properly. Once the plane landed, he felt safe enough to dislodge himself from his boyfriends safe grip.
The group of 20 are now stood in the Istanbul airport, unsure of what to do for the next almost-four hours they’re going to be here. Their luggage is already being put onto the second plane, but now they had four hours to kill.
There’s a group of girls near the back of the group, laughing obnoxiously despite whispering to each other. The glances they take towards Awsten are obvious, and he’s already overwhelmed enough. Otto notices, slipping his jacket off his shoulders and wrapping it around Awsten’s, “Ignore them, they’re living off daddy’s money,” he mumbles, smiling slightly.
Awsten hums, leaning against Otto and wrapping the fabric tighter around him. It smells like Otto’s cologne, and that’s all he needs right now. The same man grabs Awsten’s arm, tugging him towards some seats by their gate, “You haven’t slept much. We’re on land, so…try,” he prompts.
The younger man nods, getting comfortable on the very uncomfortable seats. Otto gently guides Awsten’s head down to his lap, letting him lay comfortably, “Sleep…I’ll be right here,” he whispers. He doesn’t even question the way that Awsten’s gone nonverbal, as he knows this happens a lot when he’s stressed and scared.
The next thing Awsten knows, he’s waking up to Otto shaking him, “Aws, c’mon, get up. They’re gonna leave without us!” he whines. Awsten bolts up, grabbing his carry-on bag and standing, “Did I sleep through the whole layover?” he asks, to which Otto shrugs.
“On and off…you had a nightmare halfway through.”
“Oh…thanks, for taking care of me,” he whispers. Otto smiles, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulders as they make their way to the gate.
The Connecting Flight
“It’s only an hour…it’s only an hour,” Awsten whispers repeatedly under his breath. The wheels lift off the ground and for a moment, he feels weightless, like nothing can touch him anymore. The feeling only goes away when he glances out the window and his brain instantaneously creates fifty thousand ways the plane can go down.
“Fuck–” he whispers, flinching back. Two arms wrap around his waist, tugging him close. A chin upon his shoulder, warm breath against his neck, “I’m here,” Otto whispers, breath tickling the shell of the younger’s ear. Awsten shudders, pressing back against the other boy, his head tilting back to rest against the crook of his neck. They sit like that until the plane stabilises in the air.
“I’m sorry,” Awsten whispers, turning his head to press a sloppy kiss against Otto’s cheek, “I’m a fucking baby.”
“No, you’re not. It’s a phobia…completely normal.”
“Yeah, but–” there’s suddenly a finger pressed against his lips, silencing him.
“No ‘but’s. I don’t care, I love you either way so…deal with the love, accept it.”
His arms wrap around Awsten again, squeezing him so hard that he might burst. But it’s full of love, the type that makes you feel all warm and tingly inside, like nothing bad could possibly happen. He trusts Otto with every fiber of his mortal being, and if that means boarding a metal tube that could fall out of the sky at any moment? He’d fall to his death; happy his last moments were with his love.