Columbus's head lolled back onto the car window as he tried in vain to stay awake his whole body was hot and he feared it was the beginnings of a fever. With his cheek resting on the cool glass he could see the silhouette of his partner in the side view mirror, darkness obscuring his features but Columbus had memorized the southerners stoney expression. They had been traveling together for so long the brunette had lost track of time all of the days running together into one continuous loop in Zombieland. Hours into days days into months, months into seasons, had it been more than a year, or only a day, was this all a dream? Would we all wake up and everything was back to the way it had been? Columbus didn't know. All he knew was he was on a stretch of desolate highway for an unknown amount of time with a man he had met at the beginning of his nightmare, and had decided to travel together, their most recent trek started during the daytime and was now running late into the night on their way to the next town where they could stock up on gasoline and other supplies.

The long stretch of highway was eerie in the lateness of the night shadows of abandoned cars and bodies lining the road illuminated by the bright headlights of the SUV. It was completely and utterly empty. Not even the undead were prowling the desolate high way, everyone was gone either dead or running. Even the girls had left them, Columbus grimaced at the memory, that night Columbus had begged Tallahassee to allow him to take the night shift with Little rock the older man was reluctant but eventually allowed the brunette to have his bonding time with the only person he considered a friend on the face of what was left of the planet. As the night drug on, both Columbus and Little Rock had unintentionally fallen asleep making them unable to spot the zombies that would almost take Little Rocks life. After that night Wichita gave Tallahassee the decision to leave Columbus or watch them leave. And here they sat alone in the silent car the only noise was the quiet hum of the engine in the dead of night.

"Tally?" The brunette mumbled his breath fogging the cool window half hoping that the blonde hadn't heard him.

"Yer supposed to be asleep spitfuck." The southerner stated in response, reaching out a hand in the darkness to affectionately stroke the brown curls atop Columbus's head. Columbus shied away from the touch, still staring out the window with tired eyes.

"You won't leave me right?" He asked half terrified of the answer, Tallahassee's rule of don't get attached, rattling his mind causing his heart to pound against his rib cage. The blondes reaction though was completely against Columbus's expectations as his body was jarred by the SUV stopping abruptly, Tallahassee slamming his foot on the brake. The blonde parked the car and flipped on the lights, filling the vehicle with a pale yellow glow.

"Now you listen here and you listen good." Columbus dropped his head, staring awkwardly at his lap mentally preparing himself for the worst. "Look at me" Tallahassee gripped his lovers chin between his forefinger and thumb and tilted the brunettes head upwards forcing the younger to look at him. "There ain't no way in hell I'll leave you. Yer mine, ya got that?" Tallahassee pointed his index finger and middle finger into Columbus's chest. "They will have to pry you from my dead fucking hands." Blue eyes stared intently into brown, the blondes face set in a stern scowl.

"But you said not to get attach-" Columbus's rambling was cut off by the tall blonde pressing his lips to the brunettes sweaty forehead.

"Thats it. Get yer scrawny ass in the back." The blonde demanded, pulling away from the brunette and pressing a palm to his forehead. "Ya got a fever babydoll."

"I'm fine." Columbus protested, pulling away from the older man.

"Get in the back." The brunette wisely did as he was told, unbuckled his seatbelt and awkwardly climbed over the center console and into the back seat. Tallahassee choosing to step out of the car and around to the back opening the car door and climbing into the back seat, his body hovering over his lovers as he closed the door with his foot.

"This is completely unnecessary for us to stop, what if they get us, we wont be able to get away. Please don't stop I'm fine." Panic rose in Columbus's belly, twisting and clawing at his insides like a beast rearing its ugly head. "It'll just be better if I just go my own way, I'll be out of your hair, whats left of it anyways and it'll keep you from getting weighed down and-" Tallahassee cut Columbus's rambling short by sealing his lips in a gentle kiss.

"Shut up for once, you'll wear yourself out." Tallahassee gave his best attempt at trying to sooth the panicking brunette by pulling the boy into his chest and rubbing his back. "Those bastards can't do nothin'" Tallahassee sunk down on to the vinyl car seat keeping his lover on his chest, the smaller body radiating feverish heat

"Keith?" Columbus whispered softly, shivering despite the heat of the warm car.

"Yeah Jaymie?" Tallahassee ran a large hand through the brunettes curly locks, a soft snore was his only response. "Sit tight darlin'." The large blonde said, shifting Columbus awkwardly so he was laying on the seat, shedding his beloved snakeskin jacket Tallahassee draped it over his lover before kissing Columbus's head, brushing some of the curls from his eyes before stepping out of the car and into the drivers seat.

Chapter one done! Next chapter to be up soon! I hope you enjoyed it! Please comment and favorite and all that jazz

~Hope