A/N: Last Chapter people! Anyway, I want to say that I LOVED what happened in the episode yesterday. It kept to their personalities really well, and of course, the ending scene (the last Darco scene) was the greatest part. So, I'm so glad they didn't breakup.
"My lord," he whispered, shaking his head. "This can't be real," said Marco, completely shocked. He wouldn't let himself believe what seemed to be happening because then, when he awoke, it would be painful. No. There was no way this was real.
Dylan's eyes still remained closed, so he could easily pretend he was gone. "Can you open them?" Marco asked, not stopping to realize that Dylan probably had no idea what he was even talking about.
"Mmm," Dylan groaned, looking as though he was going to fall back to sleep. "Marco?" he whispered, disoriented. He tried to sit back up, but after a minute, he fell right back down on his back with a thud. He winced.
Marco searched for his hand, took it, brought it to his shaking lips, (as every part of him was unable to stop the shivering) and kissed it. "Yeah," he said, still slightly afraid to believe he was having a…well…sort of conversation. "I'm here, Dylan."
Dylan sighed, pulled his arm over his eyes, and muttered, "Tired."
Marco smiled slightly. He could be stuck in a hospital bed sleeping for a year and a half, but he was still Dylan.
"I know you're tired," Marco, not for the first time with Dylan, felt as though he was addressing a six year old who didn't want to get out of bed for school. "Can you please open your eyes for me?"
"I can," said Dylan, "but I'd rather not."
"Okay…" Marco said, unsure of how to respond. Did Dylan even realize what was going on? Was he being stubborn for a reason? Or, was he just in pain? Was he even in pain?
Marco leaned down to kiss him on the lips, which, he was glad to see, Dylan responded to. He was getting ready to pull Marco down closer to him when he finally opened his eyes, and pushed Marco gently away.
Marco had waited so long to see those beautiful blue eyes open, but when he saw the look of pure confusion in them, Marco just wanted to tape them shut. "I don't…"
"Dylan," Marco said slowly, hoping Dylan would remain calm, "I have to go tell someone you're awake."
"No!" said Dylan. "Stay with me. I've been asleep?" he asked.
"Yes," Marco started "for quite a while."
"Evan…" it all came back to him at that moment. The hockey stick, the missed game, everything. "What's a while?" he asked.
"I need to go get someone," Marco quickly excused himself. He didn't want to answer that.
"Elizabeth!" Marco called her name, running frantically into the waiting room. "I need…someone, Nurse Diana!" he noticed she was behind the desk with Elizabeth sorting through folders. She looked up, surprised he'd want to see her.
"It's Dylan," he panted, having run down three hallways and a staircase. "He's—he's awake!"
Nurse Diana shared a look with Elizabeth, disinclined to believe him. "Honey, I know that you--"
Marco rolled his eyes. "I don't want a speech on insanity. He is awake!"
She followed him into Dylan's room and, though he'd told her already, she was stunned to see he turned to her when the door closed. "Mr. Michalchuk…I'm so--"
"Please!" he interrupted loudly, causing her to startle. "I need to know just…how—how long have I been asleep?" he asked. "I mean, I know it's going to be weird when you tell me because it doesn't even feel like an hour. A day? A week? Surely," he laughed, "no more than that."
Marco bowed his head, obviously waiting for Nurse Diana to tell him just how long he had been asleep. However, she didn't speak either. Marco sighed.
"One year, six months, and twenty-seven days," he said mechanically, having had to say it to himself every morning just to see how long it had been.
Dylan looked stunned for a moment before laughing automatically, though the humor didn't reach his eyes. "You are joking, right?" he asked, waiting for someone to yell out 'Just kidding!', but it didn't happen.
"Marco," he begged, looking him directly in the eyes, voice still weak from not being used in so long, "tell me you're joking around, please."
Marco stared straight back into those eyes that were honestly trying to burn holes through his own. They were so hopeful that maybe Marco was not serious. For a moment, Marco considered lying. He considered telling him that, indeed, he was kidding. It had only been two days, but he knew that wouldn't work out too well.
He sighed. "I really wish I could, Dylan." It was at that moment that Marco realized why Paige had wanted to take him off the machines early in hopes that he would just quickly pass on. She wanted to avoid this.
Dylan closed his eyes again, pulling the covers over his head. Nurse Diana had left to make a few phone calls. Marco had to make some of his own, but couldn't bring himself to leave.
"Dyl," he said softly, pulling the covers down. He expected Dylan to protest, but he simply rolled over. "Are you angry?" he asked.
Dylan sighed. "Lay down," he whispered, pulling Marco down next to him. "Not angry, no," he answered Marco's question.
"Then, what?" he asked, moving closer so that Dylan's arms were around his back. He'd missed it so much. The feeling.
"Confused. Lost. I don't know," he replied, putting his hand on his forehead. "I don't like this."
Marco nodded. "I understand."
"How?" he asked, realizing he'd spoken too harshly, he lightened his tone. "How could you understand?" he asked again.
"Dylan," Marco sighed, trying to reason with him, "I've felt that way too since you fell into the coma. Along with helpless, scared, depressed, angry…I felt like it was my fault and your fault. I didn't know what to do."
After Marco's statement, the two fell silent. Marco didn't really know what else to say, and Dylan was too overwhelmed to speak.
Marco took out his cell phone from his back pocket, and dialed Paige's number. "Paige, it's Marco."
Dylan's eyes opened wide. He'd forgotten all about his sister! What had been going on with her? How was Mike? Julia? Did Julia remember him?
"Yes, he's awake. I'm completely serious." Marco laughed. "Dyl, she won't believe me until you talk to her."
He eagerly grabbed the phone from Marco's outstretched hand. "Paige! Oh my gosh!" his weak voice was forgotten. "Come here now!"
Marco smiled at Dylan's new state. For a moment, he seemed utterly excited. He touched Dylan's hand, and Dylan entwined them. "I love you," he said to Marco.
Marco closed his eyes again, relishing the moment that Dylan's lips touched his. "I've waited so long just to hear you say that. I've said it every day…and got nothing."
Dylan laughed. "Well, with my limited memories, can't we just pretend I said it yesterday?"
Marco nodded. "We can do that," he answered, kissing him again. "I love you too, by the way," as though Dylan had forgotten.
"How long until I get out?" he asked, eager to get home.
Marco shrugged. "Diana says she's got to take care of some stuff for you, but then you should be free to go. Also, they have to check you out, you know?"
Dylan nodded, not looking forward to that part quite as much.
"Dylan?" Marco and Dylan both turned their heads to the doorway to see Paige, tear-stained face, in the doorway. Marco wasn't sure if the tears were there from earlier, or if she'd cried more after finding out about her brother's awakening.
"Paige," he sat up only slightly, spreading his arms out for her. She ran across the room, practically throwing herself at him, and started crying all over again into his shoulder.
"Shh," said Dylan. "I'd like to say I missed you too, but that would be a lie. I feel like I never left."
"Will you still feel like that," she asked, "after you see Julia?" She pulled away from him, her eyes questioning if he wanted to see his niece yet or not.
"Bring her here," said Dylan. "Please," he added. She nodded.
"Mike," she called, walking out of the doorway just a step or two. "He's ready."
Though Dylan had declared he was ready, nothing could have prepared him for the shock of seeing a walking talking Julia.
"Hi, Unca Dilly," she smiled, never the timid one.
Never in his life had Marco seen Dylan so close to tears. He completely froze, unable to speak a simple word. Finally, his vocal cords seemed to find him. However, he wasn't capable of saying anything more extravagant than:
"Hi."
She was satisfied, though, even with such a short response. Her fairy tale man that she'd heard so much about was real. He could speak. It was a miracle for her. She saw that he was crying (as well as the other three in the room who had just noticed the tears falling down his cheeks) and immediately began to apologize.
"So sorry, Unca Dilly!" she rushed over to wipe his tears off his face. "No sad. No sad!" she demanded.
Dylan smiled in spite of his sadness. "It's okay, Julia. It's not your fault."
"Sure?" she asked, frowning. Julia hated to see people unhappy. He nodded and she squealed excitedly.
"Can I…" Dylan became cautious. "Can I hold you like I used to?" he asked.
Julia nodded, letting him hoist her up onto his lap. "Careful, Jule," said her mother.
"I won't break," Dylan argued, though he admitted he was having a hard time sitting on the end of the bed. Julia hugged him tightly, and he kissed the top of her head, smoothing her hair down.
He held her in front of his face, examining her features carefully, running his fingers over her cheeks. "You're beautiful," he whispered, "not that you weren't always."
She smiled, always the lover of compliments. "Dank you."
He feared he was going to start crying again. "Baby, it's like you grew over night."
"Guess what!" she exclaimed, pointedly ignoring his statement. "Unca Marco told me all stowies of you."
Dylan laughed, looking over at Marco who had long since stood up to give him some room. "Oh, did he? We'll have to see how many of his stories were true."
Marco smiled shyly in his direction, looking back down at the floor. Damn, it had been so long.
"Dylan," said Nurse Diana, coming into the room, "we need to do some tests and such, but in a few days time, you'll be able to leave."
…………………………………………………………………………….
"Be careful," Marco begged, holding Dylan's hands as they climbed the stairs to their apartment. Dylan waved him off.
"Like I told Paige, I'm not going to break, Marco; relax," he replied, rolling his eyes.
"Still…" said Marco, opening the door to the apartment. "I just want you to be safe. Sit," he ordered, pointing to the couch.
"Yes, Sir," Dylan said sarcastically, though quickly sat down after a glare from his boyfriend. He didn't need to start his first day back on thin ice.
Marco rummaged through the things in the cabinet, pulling out a few plates.
"I'm eating?" Dylan asked, confused.
"Mhhm," Marco answered, not quite paying attention, as he was focused more on his cooking. "Oh! Just to let you know, Ellie's coming in today from school, and she doesn't know that you're home yet," he warned before bursting out the word, "home!"
Dylan turned at Marco's sudden outburst with the word." Sorry," he laughed, "I'm just so happy you're really here." He let the kitchen stove wait for a minute by walking over to Dylan to peck him again on the lips. He smiled. "Just had to remind myself." With that, he walked back into the kitchen.
"So, she's coming over to eat?" asked Dylan.
"Yes," Marco mumbled, busy. "Why?"
"Mind if I take a little nap before then? I'm kind of tired."
"No!" Marco yelled. Dylan looked up, holding his hands out in defense. "Sorry," he corrected himself. "Go ahead."
Dylan laughed. "Is that how it's going to be whenever I decide to sleep? Because if it is, we're going to have a little problem here."
Marco shook his head. "Go to sleep, and leave me alone," he said, thinking about how a week ago, he'd never thought he'd say those words.
About a half hour before dinner was ready, Dylan had jumped in the shower, and Marco was getting ready for Ellie's arrival. A knock on the door sounded. She was early.
He walked over to answer it, seeing the beautiful face of his best friend. "Marco!" she screamed, hugging him tightly.
"Hey, El," he said, wondering when he'd be able to breathe again. Eventually, she detached herself (fortunately).
"So, what's been up since the last time I visited…was it a month ago?" she inquired, her curiosity of what life had been like without her was burning.
"Well," Marco heard the sound, or rather, stopped hearing the sound of the shower water running. Dylan was done.
"I've got myself a boyfriend, actually," he smirked.
Ellie was stunned, to say the least. "What?" she asked quietly. "When?" Marco could tell she looked slightly upset. She may have not known Dylan so well, but his coma had affected everyone, even the not-so-close friends.
Marco laughed as he saw Dylan emerge from the hallway, arriving behind her in nothing but a towel. "Ellie," said Dylan, smiling.
She closed her eyes, (they seemed to be doing a lot of that as of late) and turned around slowly, knowing that voice. She opened her eyes and saw him.
"No way," she whispered.
"It's nice to see," said Dylan, walking over to hug her, "that everyone just LOST faith in me."
"I didn't. It's just…wet!" she screamed, "and get dressed!"
Dylan laughed. "Well, excuse me! This is my place." He did let go of her; however, and went into the bedroom to get dressed, leaving Marco and Ellie alone.
"Your father called," yelled Marco, assuming Dylan could hear him.
"Yeah?" he yelled back.
"He misses you, of course. While you're in there, call him, okay?" Marco heard no response, but figured Dylan was going to do just that.
Ellie looked at Marco in awe. "I can't believe it," she said softly, her hands on her temples. "It's not something you see happen everyday. It's, like, one of the happy endings in movies."
"No one ever said we're going to have a happy ending," Marco argued, "but at least, hopefully, we'll have a while before either one of us has to end at all."
Ellie smiled. "I hope you're right."
A/N: Okay, like I said, there's another idea I have in mind, but sadly, my uncle just died. It's kind of an awkward thing after writing this story to find out he just died…yesterday, so yes. There's a lot of stress in my family right now, and the idea is still kind of fuzzy in my mind, so I'll be starting it as soon as I get a chance. It's Darco, I'm sure you could have guessed, and it will be called Closed Eyes. I'm not sure about this chapter; hopefully you liked it. This was my favorite story overall to write, so thank you to all those who have read and reviewed. Please review for this chapter too! Thank you!
