Disclaimer: I do not own Bates Motel nor do I own the characters
Summery: What happened after the bathroom scene. Dylan and Emma bond while Norman's sleeping.
After what seemed like an eternity, when it was probably less than a minute, Dylan tare his eyes away from Emma's and coughs nervously, scratching the back of his head. Even though a part of him didn't want to move, this was getting a little awkward.
"Why don't you go downstairs and watch some TV? I'll clean this up." He suggests as he gets up from the floor and extends his hand to help her up.
She nods, giving him one of her warm smiles before taking his hand. It felt so warm and strong against her own; it was hard to imagine how gentle he just was with her.
"Thank you Dylan." She says as she gets lost in his eyes once more. She grabs her "pet" and then makes her way downstairs to make some coffee for them both.
Meanwhile, Dylan takes some paper towels and quickly cleans up the small pile of phlegm on the tile. He can't believe how selfless of a person Emma is. He honestly has no idea how he would have gotten through this night without her. For her to stay with him so he wouldn't have to go through this alone warmed his heart. Emma was beginning to be someone he could count on and he liked that more than he was willing to admit.
He slowly joins her downstairs, not wanting to seem too eager, to see her sitting at the table with two steaming coffee cups next to her.
"Hey I made us some coffee, we can sit and drink it here or in the living room if you want?" Her smile was contagious because he immediately found himself smiling along with her.
"Lets go to the living room to get more comfortable." He suggests, knowing it was going to be a long night, but also thankful she was here to help clear his mind.
They move to the living room both shyly looking at each other when the other wasn't looking. Emma sits on the couch and Dylan sits in the chair.
"I was really angry with Norman when he told you that he told your mom about Caleb." She blurted out wide eyed. She didn't think Dylan knew Norman told her that Caleb was his father, but she wanted him to know someone understood why he wants a relationship with him despite all he did to Norma.
He looked at her and could see the genuine empathy in her eyes and once again his heart soared at the thought of someone understanding him. Out of all the people in the world, it seemed like Emma Decody was the one who wanted to understand him. To be there for him.
"Thanks Emma." He mutters shyly. He didn't know why he was being so shy with her but he couldn't help it; there was something so...good about her that drew him to her. After a minute or so a thought kept occurring to him.
"Can I ask you something? You don't have to answer if you don't want to." He said quickly not wanting to offend her.
"Sure. Anything." She swore smiling at him. She wasn't sure what it was, but something about Dylan kept her smiling. With Norman, he was always so confusing and secretive, not to mention always acting odd(like tonight), but Dylan was always so honest with people, so genuine and it always made her happy to see him.
"Why do you want to be apart of this family so much? Why don't you spend more time with your dad?" It was something that always nagged him. Was her dad one of the many shady people in White Pine Bay? Or was it something else?
Emma looked at Dylan for a little, with a sad little smile on her face while she tries to collect her thoughts enough to answer his question. She was going to be honest with him of course, he was always honest with her, but it was a long explanation.
"I was diagnosed with CF when I was almost 7. It was right before my mom left and my dad and I moved from London to White Pine Bay. When I came to the school...the kids were okay, but they kept away from me. They didn't understand why I had my oxygen tank with me all the time and usually made up mean things about me. So for the last 10 years it was me and my dad. He was my only friend." She told her story with a factual tone. She remembers girls like Bradley Martin and her friends making nasty comments about her when she thought she wasn't around. How her tank was the only thing that could put up with someone as weird as her. It was one of the many reasons the recently deceased girl bugged her so much.
"After I met Norman and he didn't immediately run away from me like everyone else has, I told my dad I think I found a friend and he was so happy for me. As much as he loves me, he's always wanted me to experience life before I had to leave it. I never expected a novel worthy life, but he wanted me to have people to be inspired by or be inspired by me. Then when you and Norma met me...Norma was so blunt with her curiosity. She asked about my disease and even how long I had to live and it was so refreshing to have that. She didn't pity me, she just asked the questions everyone always wonders but no one wants to ask. And you..." She laughs and he looks at her questioningly. He doesn't even remember speaking to her when they met other than his name.
"I doubt you thought I'd hear you, but I heard you ask your mom if I needed my cannula when Norman and me make out. I know you said it to bug your mom but when I heard that, I knew there was something about this family and it made me want to know you all." She finishes and Dylan felt a whole new respect for this girl...no woman. She was basically alone most of her life, without a friend in the world...just like him. He knew they had a lot in common but he never realized, she was like a kindred spirit.
Without thinking about it he took her hand in his and squeezed tightly. As he looked into her eyes for the millionth time that night; he realized no words were needed. The looks they give each other, holding her hand; they are small gestures that spoke volumes.
She smiles at him, thankful to finally have someone else to tell her story to. She never bothered to tell Norman because she knows he probably thinks she wants to be apart of his family because of her feelings for him but honestly, it's the exact opposite. She developed feelings for him when she realized how amazing his family is.
"Why don't you get some sleep? You must be tired." He suggested not in a patronizing way, but still concerned since it was like 3am.
Just then she yawns and laughs at how silly she must look. She nods her head and gets ready to lie on the couch.
"What are you doing?" He asks
"I told you I can sleep on the couch." She laughs and he gives her a blank look. It seems like a life time has passed since she came over.
"I'm not letting you sleep on the couch. You can sleep in my bed." He states before putting his hand on her lower back and leading her up the stairs to the third floor. He would have put her in her boyfriend's ("are they still dating?" He wonders) but if he woke up from his black out, he might want to sleep in his own bed. Or if Norman got violent, he may need to hit him again.
When they reach his room, she looks around to see the nick-knacks around the small space. A couple books, a lap top, even a couple photos. It was a nice room.
He lets his hand off her back and goes to his dresser, taking out a pair of sweat pants and a gray wife beater.
"Here this should make you more comfortable. Just let me know if you need anything." He smiles and hands her the cloths before making his way out the door.
"Dylan." She calls back making him turn and look at her. She's staring at him with her big and innocent brown eyes and in that moment he realizes just how beautiful she is. Not just her looks, but she has the kindest and purest heart he's ever seen. He just hopes his family doesn't taint her goodness.
She smiles before slowly walking towards him until she is inches away from him. He swallows nervously before she wraps her arms around him in an awkward hug. It takes him a second to comprehend this was his first real hug that he can remember and he was glad it was her giving it to him. He wraps his arm around her as well and holds her tight, not wanting to let her go but knowing he would have to.
When they finally do release each other, they are both smiling, knowing that their relationship has changed after tonight and both extremely pleased about it.
"Thank you Dylan. For everything. Goodnight."
As he closes the door behind him he smiles to himself. If he keeps these feelings up, he's going to be in a real dilemma.
THE END! (Or not) I had to put the dilemma part in there I couldn't help it I'm a nerd.