The Princess Groom
Ch.7: Watershed
"Hello Lilith. Yeah...Listen, can you help us out? David had a nightmare and he's not talking. Sweet. See you in a minute."
These were the words that Vaggie spoke on the phone, her eyes looking at me in a concerned gaze. She hung up, sitting in my gaming chair, and wheeled it over to me. I was taking deep breaths, internally at war.
As Charlie went to say something, she was interrupted as the door opened. Charlie smiled. "Hi Mom!" I opened my eyes to the love of the Man in Black, Lilith Morningstar.
She had a regal appearance, graceful as she walked over to the bed. She smiled down at me. "Had a nightmare, hon?" she asked, mother mode on display. I could only nod.
"He was screaming like mad" Angel explained, scooting over so Lilith could sit. She chuckled and sat, frowning. "Is it about being with Charlie?"
I nodded. I went to say something but stopped. If I could not be forward with the others, how could I with Lilith? For crying out loud, I had only been there a few hours! To say my introverted side was on display is an understatement.
"If I may" Vaggie said, "Maybe you should put him under hypnosis"
Angel snapped his fingers, grinning. "Great idea! That's helped me out a lotta times."
"I don't know" I finally said, adjusting so I was sitting up cross legged. "I mean, I am a human after all. I won't be hurt mentally? Physically even?" Lilith said nothing, but reached over , taking my left hand.
"That is a promise, David Allen Root."
There was something to her words. Something so earnest, so honest, that I could not help but finally approve.
"Let's do it" I said with a small smile.
The bed was vacated except for me. Angel was standing at the end of the bed, his arms crossed. Nifty had left to take care of a customer. Charlie and Vaggie were standing by my side. Lilith had sat in the chair, taking my hand.
"The process is simple, hon. After I stare into your eyes for 10 seconds, I snap my fingers. Trust me, I have had to put Charlie under hypnosis before."
"What, for her whipped cream fetish?" Vaggie smirked.
The dam broke now as the room filled with laughter. Lilith's was awkward, confused. Noticing, Charlie leaned over to her mom's right ear, whispering.
Lilith laughed a hearty laugh after. "I see now. Lucy will like that joke. Anyways" she smiled, looking in my eyes. "Time to see what has you in your spiral, David."
After she said that, I recall being in a catatonic state. Empty of everything, incapable of movement mostly. It was peaceful. With no nerves, worries, or fears, I could finally tell my piece.
"I'm scared." I started. "I don't hate any of you. I cannot say thank you enough for how nice you all have been. With my past, on top of having Asperger's, It is difficult to judge or even find friends in new people I meet. I'm afraid. I'm afraid that this is all a façade. That the joyful feelings I have had at points today are going to crumble under the devastation of me being a slave to Charlie. Or...even worse... my family as victims of slaughter by demons. That was my nightmare. But most of all, I worry that you all will get tired of me and throw me away. Even hate me. Please don't be mad." I stated, finally having said my troubles.
After not speaking for a time, Lilith snapped her fingers. I blinked as Vaggie came over, hugging me. To my surprise, she had tears in her eyes. "David, hurting you has never once appeared in my mind. Me and Charlie used to be together, so that's why I said what I did. I think you're sweet. And fuck what that scum did to you. Yes, we know"
"And we hate it" Angel added. "If I could get the Book, I'd go up and blast those bitches to Hell myself. Nevermind that though. I think you're cool."
"You were not chosen by accident" Lilith said. "We know how hard you are on yourself. How you hate when you error. To hate someone or even disassociate with them for being themselves? Not when they are so kind, I will not."
"David" Charlie smiled, walking over. "Having Asperger's is tough. There's someone else here that knows that feeling" she said pointing to Vaggie, who gave a soft smile. "I would never treat you badly for being you. And your family? Why would I ever want to see them destroyed? The idea is fucking appalling, really."
I closed my eyes, making a resolution. I had said my piece, they had said theirs. All my fears and worries were out. Did I trust them? I did.
It was there that I let it all go.
"Thank you, everyone" I said, surprising Charlie and taking her hand, kissing it. Angel chuckled at this. "Ah, young love" he smiled, raising an eyebrow as I flipped him off. Vaggie broke, falling to the floor in laughter.
After we recovered, I sat up further. "I think I'm awake now. I was just stressed. But now- I feel fine. I think I wanna check out the hot tub though."
Charlie beamed. "We'll leave you to it" she said, surprising me now by kissing me on the cheek.
Angel ruffled my hair before he left, Lilith giving me a warm smile.
There would be new contacts in my cell phone now. That night, everyone would come together.
That night, Friendships were forged.
