The Adventures of Jones & Walter

He woke up the next morning and looked at Jones bed, it was empty and the sheets lay on the floor. He got up and threw on a plain white t-shirt also changing into a pair of black sweatpants and put Jones’s sheets back onto his bed. He grabbed his key, and started walking till he got to the elevator to the first floor. When he got off he walked to the cafeteria to grab a coffee.
“Walter over here!” Jones was waving his hand in the air frantically trying to get Walter’s attention. Walter waved back then grabbed a coffee and went to sit down with Jones. Jones had three pancakes and a pile of bacon, both completely covered in syrup, on the side he had a cup of apple juice.
“Sooo, how’d you sleep?” Jones asked as Walter sat down, he grumbled and sipped more of his coffee. “Not good I’m guessing?”
“Nope, not good at all.” He drank more coffee then set his mug on the table.
“Well better get as much sleep as you can while you're on Earth.” Jones picked up his apple juice and took a sip.
“What do you mean by that?” He took another sip of his coffee after asking.
“We are going to space in a week!” Walter spat his coffee all over Jones giving him tiny burns all over his arms.
“God why do you like your coffee so hot?” Jones grabbed some napkins and started cleaning himself off with them.
“WHAT? A WEEK?” Walter yelled, people started looking in their direction.
“Yup, so you better get packing.” He threw the coffee napkins on the table, then took a few pieces of bacon in his plate and shoved them in his mouth.
“How are you not freaking out? In a week we are going to be as far away from our families as we ever will be!” Walter threw his hands in the air which got some more people to look in his direction.
“I guess, but just listen, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!” Jones grabbed Walter’s arm from hitting someone that was walking by.
“I understand that Jones.” Walter put his arms in his lap and started fidgeting with his ring. “But there won't be any internet to even contact our family, no service, no communication, just me and you” His face turned stern, pissed that Jones he had to spend probably the rest of his life with this delinquent.
“True, but like you just said to me and you, it's not like we will be completely alone!”
“I guess,” Walter sighed. ”When do we leave?”
“The shuttle takes off on Friday at five.” Jones shoved a pancake into his mouth.
“At night?”
“Yup.” Jones said with his mouth still full of pancake. ”We will get fitted for suits tomorrow.”
“Cool.” Walter looked down at his lap to see he was still fidgeting with his ring.
“I know right!” Jones threw his hands in the air, regaining the lost attention that had just left. “I'm so excited!” Walter let out a small laugh as Jones shoved the rest of his pancakes and syrup covered bacon into his mouth. He looked down at his lap, still fidgeting with his ring. Being here was already hard for him. How could he stay in space away from his husband?
“Hey.” Jones said after he swallowed all his food. He reached over the table and put his hand on Walter’s shoulder. “I know this is hard for you, but I’ll be here for you the whole way. Plus this could be the adventures of Jones and Walter!” Walter laughed.
“Why do you get to go first?”
“‘Cause I’m better.” Jones put his arms on his waist and did an awkward superhero pose. Walter laughed again then looked up. Jones was staring at him and their eyes met. His brown eyes meet Jones’s eyes that are filled with pride.
“Welp!” Jones suddenly spoke, slapping his hands on the table and standing up. “Should we head back to our dorm? Maybe play some games on my Nintendo?” Walter looked at Jones.
“Uhh sure, why not.” He stood up and grabbed his coffee cup off the tables as Jones put all the coffee napkins on his plate. Jones threw the napkins in the garbage then put his plate on top and Walter put his mug beside Jones’s plate. Soon they were sitting on the floor playing the limited games on Jones’s Nintendo NES.
“HAHA SUCK THAT!” Jones lept of the floor and started dancing, first the floss then the griddy. “I beat you! Again!”
“That's ‘cause I let you win.” Walter snapped back, now standing up.
“You let me win ten times?” Jones said standing on his bed to get taller than Walter.
“Of course, if I didn’t I would have beaten you so badly you would be balling your eyes out.” Walter snapped back, folding his arms.
“PFFFT! I never cry!” Jones snapped back, getting his face closer to Walters.
“Yea yea, and I’m not gay.” Walter said back in a snarky voice, tilting his head towards his Gay/Trans flag. Jones grabbed the collar of Walter’s shirt and pulled him closer, accidentally making his glasses fall off his face and clatter to the floor.
“I never cry.” He said in a stern voice.
“I-..” Jones looked down to see what he was doing, his face turning red with embarrassment as he let go.
“S-sorry”
“It’s o-okay” Walter responded and went to the floor to grab his glasses. After finding them he put them on, stood up and fixed his shirt. Jones stepped off the bed and grabbed his leather Lighting McQueen jacket.
“I think I might go to the Drinkers, wanna come?” he muttered as he walked to the door.
“I’m good” Walter walked to his bed and sat on his bed. “Have fun.” With that Jones left, leaving Walter alone with his thoughts, which always seemed to be bad ones. He walked over to his bed flopping down and opening his phone to scroll through TikTok. Hours passed and message popped on his screen from his husband, Ray Anderson.

Ray Ray ♥️
How is ur dorm life Sweetheart?

Walter Rogers
Ehhh, its been OK. hows u been?

Ray Ray ♥️
Good actually! Found a hot girl and got her phone number. Thinking of going out with her.

Walter Rogers
Oh… good for you…☺

Ray Ray ♥️
IK RIGHT?!

Walter Rogers
Yea… Well ive gtg. Ily…

Ray Ray ♥️
OK! Love u!
Walter’s eyes started swelling up. Did Ray actually want to leave him for a hot girl when they had all this history? Walter started crying, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He cried for what felt like hours before his eyes grew too heavy to open. So he kept them shut and fell asleep.
Walter arose in an all black room.
“Hey sweetheart.” Walter turned around to see a muscular man with short blonde hair and blue eyes.
“Ray!” Walter shouted and he ran towards him. When he got to Ray he gave him a big hug. “I missed you. I’m so sorry-”
“I’m breaking up with you” Ray interrupted.
“What?” Walter let go of the hug and took a few steps back.
“I found someone better who is kinda like you.” appearing bedside Ray was a girl with her head down. She was wearing an oversized Thrasher hoodie and a pair of black sweatpants. She wore a black beanie that covered most of her hair except two long strands that hung from the front.
“No…” Walter took a few more steps back until he physically wasn't able to, like a wall was blocking his way from moving backwards. That wall started moving him closer and closer to Ray and the girl.
“Her name is-” Ray began.
“NO STOP!” Walter shouted, tears now falling from his eyes.
“Charlotte…”
“NO! ST-” Walter tried to continue but he couldn’t, almost like someone put him on mute.
“Her name is Charlotte Elizabeth…” Walter started fully crying as the girl turned her head up to show she had dark brown eyes and huge circular glasses like Walter. “Charlotte Elizabeth Rogers.” Walter kept crying and trying to scream as he got pushed closer and closer to Charlotte and Ray.
“Walter…” He kept trying to scream and move backwards.
“Walter!” Walter kept getting pushed closer and closer to Ray and Charlotte.
“WALTER!” Walter sat up in his bed hitting Jones square in the nose. Sweat and tears ran down Walter’s face.
“Oww” Jones sat up rubbing his nose.
“S-sorry.” Walter said, wiping his sweat and tears off his face.
“It’s okay.” He turned to Walter with blood running down his nose.
“Holy crap, uhh your nose is bleeding.”
“It is?” Jones wiped his nose with his hand and it became covered in blood. “Oh shit, it is haha.”
“Here let me grab you some kleenex.”
“No no, I've got it.” Jones stood up and grabbed the box of kleenex then sat on the edge of Walter's bed again. He shoved one kleenex up his nose to stop the bleeding. “So, what was the matter? You were screaming in your sleep.”
“I was?”
“Yeah, you were screaming no and stop.”
“Oh, I can't remember haha..”
“Okayyy.. Anyways we have to get our suits fitted.”
“Oh okay, let's go then.” Walter got up and stretched his arms then got changed into new clothes. He threw on a new white t-shirt and a pair of jeans along with a blue coloured varsity jacket. “Uhhh wear exactly do we have to go for this?” Walter asked as they approached the Space Academy Departure Centre.
“We are actually here, it has everything outside of the academy.” Jones told Walter as they approached the building. The doors are clear except for the handles that were black. The words “Space Academy Departure Centre” read out above the door in red letters on the black and white building. They opened the doors and walked inside the building. The lobby was completely empty, a nice change with the constant busyness of the lobby. A desk sat in the middle back of the room, chairs and tables perfectly situated in the corners and set in pairs of two with a table in between. A table with a coffee machine sat right beside the front desk. Walter ran straight to the coffee machine, grabbed the biggest cup and started to fill it up. Jones looked at him with quite a concerned face.
“What? I like coffee.” Walter snapped back before chugging his coffee and sighing in relief. Jones walked up to the front desk and asked the lady that worked there.
“Hi miss, me and my friend.” He pointed to Walter with his thumb as Walter chugged his third cup of coffee. “We have to get our space suits fitted.”
“Great!” She responded, “Farthest door down that left hall.” she pointed to the hall on the left of her.
“Thank you so much, miss!” Jones gave her a wave before pulling Walter away from the coffee machine and down the hall. The hallway was really long, there had to be at least over twenty doors on each side. On the far end there was a huge double wooden door with the sign “Suit Fitting” above it. Jones pulled Walter down the hall as he was trying to run back to the coffee machine. Finally they reached the end of the corridor and Jones pushed the doors open. The floor was made of hardwood which complemented the gray walls. One wall was covered in changing rooms, the opposite was covered in hung orange space suits and multi coloured under suits in every size. The far wall was split evenly in two, both sides had sideways rolling racks, though one side had helmets and the other had boots, once again in all sizes. Benches and tables with sewing machines scattered in front of the wall of suits. People ran around carrying boots and suits trying to find ones that fit, then making sure they fit perfectly by sewing them perfectly. Walter and Jones stood at the entrance for about ten minutes before someone came to help them.
“Hello! My name is Sarah.” she pointed on her name tag right above her right tit. Sarah had blonde hair in a high ponytail. She has blue eyes and freckles scattered all over her nose. She wore the normal blue space uniform but she sat in a wheelchair. Jones’s mouth dropped, Walter pushed it back up with his finger.
“I’m Walter, this is-”
“Jones Smith!” He stuck out his hand, Sarah shook it back.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you in a wheelchair?” Walter pointed to her wheelchair as he spoke.
“Oh I don't mind at all! When I was little I injured my spine, causing me to be paralyzed from the waist down.” Walter was shocked, Jones just kept awing over her face.
“I'm so sorry to hear about that.” Walter said.
“Oh it's okay! I'm used to it, anyway should we get you guys suited?” Sarah turned around and wheeled away, Jones stood still, his face bright red. Walter walked up to him and put an arm on his shoulder.
“That’s how I feel about coffee.” Walter whispered to Jones then followed Sarah to get his suit fitted. Jones shook his head and ran after.
It felt like hours until they were finally finished. Their suits are orange like all the other suits, except for their first and last names embroidered on to their right shoulder.
“Holy that took way longer than expected.” Jones said once finished. Walter put on his blue varsity jacket back on. Then they headed back to their dorm to wait out six agonizing days. Five days passed, all their bags were packed with clothes laid by the door for them to bring tomorrow. Walter lays on his bed FaceTiming his family for what very well be the last time.
“Yes, I know mom.”
“And make your having showers too!” Walter’s mom added,” Can't have you stinking up the whole ship.”
“Momm…”
“Give me a second hun, your dad wants to talk to you.”
“Mom please no.” A guy with a thick mustache and no top hair appeared on the screen.
“Hey Charlotte!” Walter’s dad adjusted his high prescription glasses back up his nose.
“Dad, it's Walter, please.” Walter turned his head to the side to try to avoid his dad.
“Oh yea I forgot your gay Charlotte. What is it called again? Bipolar or something?”
“Dad…”
“Or was it lesbian?”
“Dad!” Walter was crying at this point, tears streaming down his face. “I’m Walter! And I'm Transgender and gay. Which means I'm a man and I love men!” His dad looked shocked, then his face turned stern.
“It’s just a phase.” At that Walter broke, his mouth dropping and tears falling down faster. “You’ll grow out of it” Walter turned off the call and threw his phone across the room. His breath grew more shallow till it didn't even sound like he was breathing. Hot tears sped down his face leaving a trail of salty tears down his face. He’s had panic attacks before but he had Ray to help him, right now he was alone in his dorm. A loud knock on the door pounded through the room, Walter tried to get up to open the door but his legs were so wobbly he just plopped back onto his bed and cried more. The door opened and Jones walked in carrying a bag of chinese food.
“Holy shit dude!” Jones dropped the chinese food and ran over to Walter. “Are you okay?” Walter shook his head, unable to speak. Jones looked around the room frantically before kneeling in front of Walter and looked him in the eyes.
“Walter, listen to me, I want you to name five things you can touch. It doesn't have to be what you feel right now.”
“M-my hoodie…” Walter spat out.
“One, come on, four more things.”
“M-my bed… c-cats… a-air…”
“One more king.”
“D-dogs..”
There you go!” Jones sat on the bed beside him as his tears slowed. “Now four things you see.”
“You…” Walter’s breath steadied, but every once in a while he took a shaky breath. “The bags, m-my flag, your posters.”
“Now three things you smell.”
“Chinese food, your dirty clothes.” Jones and Walter let out a giggle at that. “And rain.”
“Two things you taste.”
“Chicken balls a-and peas.”
“Last one, one thing you hear.”
“Your voice.” Walter’s breath was completely steady now, no more crying or shallow breathing, just a very dry throat. “How did you know that?” Walter looked at Jones who was once again standing up and picking up the chinese food.
“Oh, my little sister gets panic attacks quite often. So when those happen I know what I can do.” There was a pause where Jones opened the bag of chinese food and took the container of chicken fried rice, opening it as well. He dug a spoon into the rice and shoved it into his mouth. Walter sat on the side of his bed for a minute as Jones kept shoveling spoon after spoon of fried rice into his mouth. Finally Jones looked at Walter.
“Do you want some or are you just gonna sit there like a bump on a log?” Walter looked at Jones then spoke.
“Sure, did you grab water?” Jones picked up a cold bottle of Dasani water and tossed it to Walter who caught it. He opened up the bottle and chugged it till it was about half full. When he was done Jones handed him a bowl with fried rice and two chicken balls.
“Thanks”
“No problem buddy.” Jones nudged Walter's shoulder and Walter rolled his eyes. After he finished his chicken balls Jones asked:
“If you don’t mind me asking.” He sat on Walter’s bed beside him. “Why were you having a panic attack?”
“Oh, it was nothing.” Walter lied and smiled.
“Okay, when you want to talk about it I'm here.” Jones set his hand on Walter’s thigh to pull himself up. He turned on his TV and started playing Donkey Kong. Walter gave out a sigh and set his bowl on the ground before standing up to retrieve his phone. When he grabbed his phone his screen was badly cracked, making the picture of him kissing Ray look shattered. He laid back down in his bed and opened TikTok to scroll for the next few hours. until he couldn't keep his eyes open and fell asleep.
A few minutes after Jones stood up and stretched. He turned off the TV and looked at Walter whose glasses were falling off his nose. He sighed and set Walter's glasses on the table, then plugged in his phone which sat on Walter’s chest. He moved the blanket over Walter before laying in his own bed and falling asleep.