Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.
Chapter 18 - February 15th, 2017
"Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny. Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly." - Excerpt from Keep Holding On, Avril Lavigne
One, two, three.
Miley looked up at Demi as the girl entered the room, her expression unreadable. "Nick?" Miley breathed, asking Demi in one word what she couldn't say.
A slight smile shifted on Demi's lips. "He's alright—well, he's going to be fine. He just needs some rest... He's asleep." Demi's smile—which didn't quite reach her eyes—faded into a slight frown. Miley groaned, knowing that there was a catch. There had to be a catch. Demi bit her lip and took a seat by Miley, resting her fingers on Miley's wrist. Demi's gaze traveled to Miley's. "They don't know when he's going to wake up."
"YOU MEAN HE'S IN A COMA?!"
"No, no," Demi said, slightly impatient. "They just don't know."
"THEY DON'T KNOW?! THEY'RE DOCTORS, FOR GOD'S SAKE! HOW DO THEY NOT KNOW?!"
"Miley, calm down," Demi said in a firm voice—but not without kindness. Miley got up and started pacing, and Demi sighed. "Miley, take your seat and breathe. Nick's not going to get better like that"—Demi snapped her fingers to emphasize her point"—just because you're going to hyperventilate to death." With a sigh, Miley took a seat. "Miley, calm down, okay?"
"But—"
"Calm down," Demi interrupted sternly.
Miley sighed. "Do you think that—?"
"Ladies?"
Miley looked up, cutting off her sentence as she saw a nurse. The nurse looked quite cheerful, and Miley sank in her chair in relief. That probably meant good news—probably. Miley probably shouldn't keep her hopes up. Miley and Demi got up wordlessly, but Miley couldn't stem her rush of words. "Is Nick alright? Is he in a coma? Is he going to wake up soon? Is he—?"
"—Miley," the nurse chuckled. "Nick is fine. He'll feel a little sore when he comes to, but he's going to be just fine. You can go see him. The doctor's with him."
Miley felt like hugging the nurse, but she didn't. That was just plain weird.
"Thank you!" Miley exclaimed, a smile spreading across her lips.
"See?" Demi said, smirking as she nudged Miley in the ribs. "Nick's going to be fine. That's basically what I just said."
"Sorry, Demi," Miley apologized with a sheepish smile. "I was just..."
"Worried?" Demi mused. "Yeah, I know the feeling. Well, let's go see Nick." Miley and Demi quickly followed the nurse to Nick's room. The nurse nodded at the door in front of them, and Miley swallowed uneasily. She didn't know what to expect. Miley squeezed Demi's hand, and Miley wondered if she was reassuring Demi or herself. "You ready?" Demi murmured, her fingers in front of the door.
"No," Miley confessed. "But I have to see him."
They pushed open the door.
Miley hardly dared to breathe as she took in everything. The hospital bed was white—an alabaster that made everything look clean yet homely. The doctor was standing by the bed, apparently scrutinizing Nick... Miley's gaze drifted over to the handsome "Chains" singer, her heart racing. He looked a little pale, and his curls were wild and untamed, but besides that, he looked fine. He looked peaceful.
"Nick," Miley breathed.
The doctor looked up, and Miley could see a little tag pinned to his shirt that read 'Dr. Kenny.' Dr. Kenny smiled warmly yet formally at them, and Miley returned the smile. The doctor rubbed his hands together. "Ms. Cyrus, Ms. Lovato," he greeted them, stepping towards them. He reached out and shook each of their hands in a firm handshake. It felt a little awkward, to be honest, but whatever.
"Please, call me Miley," Miley murmured politely though that was the last thing on her mind.
"And call me Demi," Demi said, grinning. "'Ms. Lovato' makes me sound a billion years old. Come to think of it, it makes me feel a billion years old, too!"
"No offense intended," Dr. Kenny apologized, a sheepish grin rising to his lips.
Miley let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She felt relieved that this doctor wasn't one of those serious workaholics. Miley gestured towards Nick. "Do you know what happened to him?" she asked anxiously. Demi shot her a look that lucidly said, Miley, tone down the freak-out. Miley ignored the look and turned back to the doctor. She paused, forcing herself to breathe and speak calmly. "I mean..."
"It's quite alright," Dr. Kenny said with a smile. "Nick's diabetic system didn't agree with the excessive running." He turned to Demi. "That was what you said, correct?" Demi nodded wordlessly, and Dr. Kenny continued. "Perhaps he was forcing himself too hard... but I don't know what would trigger him to act so nauseating... Truly no one could force him—and who would want to? Forcing would be beyond heinous... But I don't know..."
Miley felt sick.
Demi caught her eye and said, "Mr. Doctor-Sir, do you think we could have a moment with Nick? Alone?" Demi emphasized the word 'alone.'
Dr. Kenny chuckled, amused. "'Mr. Doctor-Sir'?" Demi blushed. "Why, of course," Dr. Kenny said, and he left.
"Miley," Demi said slowly, "don't do that face... That face you make when you blame yourself—I mean, how would you know Nick's motive?" Miley shook her head and reached over to grab Nick's hand. She gave his hand a tight squeeze, sighing a little. "Miley, look at me," Demi said. Miley twisted her gaze away from Nick and turned to Demi. "Don't blame yourself..."
"I just..." Miley shook her head. "It's a feeling... I feel like it's all my fault..."
"You don't even know that," Demi interjected. "How can you think that?"
"Well..." Miley frowned shakily. "Survivor's guilt. Or, well, the same concept because he obviously isn't dead..." Miley reached over to Nick's wrist to make sure his heart was still beating. Relief washed down her spine. Miley reddened as she saw Demi watching her with a sort of knowing look in her eyes. Miley pulled her hand away from Nick's hand and sighed again.
"Miley..." Demi said sort of helplessly. "The way I see it... you really care about Nick." Demi's words were sincere.
"I do," Miley admitted. "But that sort of caring always got me in trouble... It hurts to see him so... so helpless." Helpless indeed. It seemed wrong to see him so... vulnerable.
"No," Demi said softly. "I mean really care." Miley watched her wordlessly. "Miley... I might not be the best judge of character, but I know that what you have with Nick..." Demi shook her head absentmindedly. "It's real. You guys will fight and hurt each other verbally just to feel something sometimes—and then you'll always make up. You can't stay mad at him, and he can't stay mad at you..."
"What're you saying?" Miley inquired.
"I'm saying that..." Demi pursed her lips, cutting her off her words. "You really take to it, Miley, don't you? Just... the minute I called you—no, the second I called you, you were out the door to be there for Nick." Demi shook her head again. "I think..." Miley looked up, frowning. "I think," Demi repeated, "that... Nothing..." Demi watched her quietly. "Nick's opened up for you in a way that I've never seen before."
Miley shook her head. "We're not having this conversation—not with Nick sleeping less than two inches away from us."
Demi put her hands up. "I wasn't going to say anything..."
"Yes... you were," Miley said, flashing Demi a sharp look. "Admit it. You were."
Demi laughed. Then, she smirked. "You know, I get why you rushed over... but what I don't get is how the hell did you get Liam to call the hospital!"
Miley laughed. "I just... I just kind of told him to?"
Demi grinned. "Okay. Let's say, hypothetically, I had a best friend." Miley nodded and crossed her arms with a smile. "And this best friend's name was Miley." Miley grinned, amused. "And Miley had a boyfriend... Hypothetically speaking, let's just call him Liam." Miley shook her head as she smiled at Demi's antics. "And let's just say... hypothetically... that Miley also had a crush on her best friend..."
Miley's eyes widened. "Miley had a crush on you?"
Demi grinned and hit Miley lightly on the arm. "No! Of course not! It was a guy, dummy."
Miley stuck her tongue out lightheartedly. "Uh huh."
"And let's say," Demi said, "that the best friend's name was Nick."
"So your name's Nick?"
"Miley, quit that!" Demi crossed her arms, and Miley grinned lopsidedly. "Anyway... let's say... that—"
"We're not doing this!"
"Why not?!"
"Because!" Miley shifted uncomfortably. "What if Nick's actually... well, not awake but... but... what if he can hear us or something?"
Demi burst out laughing, and Miley quirked an eyebrow. "I'm—sorry—this—is—just—" was all Demi was able to choke out between laughter. Demi started coughing, and Miley gently pounded on Demi's back to ease the choking. "Thanks," Demi spluttered, and Miley nodded, watching her friend with a tender look. "I'm fine now. But if Nick did hear this..." Demi grinned.
"Yeah..."
Miley cast a tender look at Nick. He looked so peaceful. His dark curls framed out his handsome face, and his lashes lay against his face, his lids stretched tightly over his eyes, concealing the lucid brown Miley was so used to. Miley ran a hand through Nick's curls, and a small smile lit up her face. "I don't think I've ever seen him so peaceful."
Demi grinned. "When sleeping, your defenses are down."
Miley sighed. "You know, Demi, I'm really glad you're here. I think if anyone else was with me, I'd break down."
Demi pulled Miley into a hug, and Miley closed her eyes for a brief heartbeat. She was really glad Demi was here. Demi had been there—and then some. They had gone their separate ways, but Miley held no bad blood for Demi. But they had found their way back to each other. It was kind of ironic—how everything was happening all at once—but it was all kind of awesome.
"You know, I don't think Nick's going to wake up any time soon," Demi said. "If you feel up to it, let's go grab a bite."
Miley smiled. "Yeah. Let's do this!"
Demi rolled her eyes. "You just had to throw that line in, right? From that old Hannah Montana song?"
Miley grinned. "I couldn't help myself."
"Well," Demi said with a lopsided grin, "then I wouldn't change a thing."
Still In Love Somehow
Liam watched Joe with a rueful smile. "Dude, you're stressing out over nothing..."
Joe sighed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe Demi just wants some alone time." A weird look crossed Joe's face. "How come you aren't with Miley?"
Liam shifted uncomfortably. "It's not that she doesn't want me there..." he said in a low voice. "It's just that she, uh, specifically asked me not to be there." Joe's jaw dropped, and Liam shifted uncomfortably again. "I... I'm just respecting her wishes," he mumbled, suddenly feeling very, very insecure under Joe's intense scrutiny. And why was the room so hot all of a sudden?
"Ouch," Joe grimaced. "Guess our girls just want some time to themselves..?" he offered lamely.
"Yeah, that must be it," Liam said, though he didn't really believe that at all.
Miley could give him a million reasons why she wouldn't want him to be there with her, but Liam knew the truth. He knew that Miley didn't want to hurt him, and she knew that him seeing her acting so worried about Nick would really put a dent in Liam's ego. And yes, it did hurt. It was hard letting Miley do what she wanted sometimes, but he could tell Miley needed it. She was so worried...
No, don't go there, Liam told himself.
But no matter what, he did. He always went to the dark side of his mind... the side with all the doubts, insecurities, and flaws. Oh sure, the good side of his mind could have all sorts of flaws—but that good side ignored them. It was so much harder to ignore what the dark side of his mind said... It was so convincingly that Liam would—and this was really hard to admit—question everything he ever knew.
Sometimes, Liam would wonder if Miley was ever in love with him. And then, he'd go back to those wonderful memories with her, and he knew that she was. But was she now? That was the question. Miley did tell him that she loved him. He wondered if she said it only as a duty—as if she felt like she had to do it instead of wanting to do it instead. And that struck a chord deep within Liam.
Ever since Nick hopped back into Miley's life, Liam had known that things had been different.
He felt like he didn't know Miley at all some days, and he would try so hard to pretend. But she would see right through him—and he was partly exasperated and partly relieved. Exasperated because he didn't want to be labeled as 'vulnerable' though Miley would never call or make him feel vulnerable. If anything, she would make him feel the opposite. And relieved because she still understood him in that special way.
And sometimes, he would wonder if she pretended, too.
Was it easy for her to pretend?
"How are you and Demi, by the way?" Liam inquired, hoping the question wasn't too sensitive.
Joe scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know," he confessed. "We talk... and it's all great... and then, after, I'm just confused."
Liam frowned. "Why?"
Joe sighed. "How do you define a relationship, Liam?" Liam laughed, and Joe shot him an offended look. "Oh, is my love life amusing you?"
Liam chuckled. "Not really. More like your attitude."
"Just answer the question."
"Sheesh. Bossy. Anyway," Liam said, "you should just talk to Demi. Surely that isn't beyond your... er, somewhat lacking capabilities."
Joe quirked a brow in exasperation. "Don't you think I've tried that? I can't!"
"Wow. You're a loser."
Joe glared. "What kind of pep talk is that?"
Liam smiled wryly. "I was being sarcastic. But honestly, your best bet is talking to Demi. You don't want to not talk to her and make her think you aren't interested, do you?" Liam raised his eyebrows in an arching way at Joe. "This is Demi Lovato. You may be a Jonas, but she's great. Beautiful, talented, confident—not that I'm into her or anything. I can just see how she can be appealing."
Joe sighed. "Then what do I do?"
"I already told you. Talk to her. That's the best way to solve your problems."
Joe glared. "Like you've solved your problems with Miley?"
Liam scowled at the barb. "I'm giving her time to deal with the whole Nick thing."
"And then what?" Joe demanded. "Are you going to give her enough time that she decides that she wants Nick instead?"
Liam's frown deepened, but he began to feel a little fear.
What if Joe was right?
QotD: What is your deepest fear?
#Failing
A/N: Hey, it's Darky here! I know I took FOREVER to do this chapter, but... I just... I didn't really know what to put. Okay? There, I said it. I didn't know what to put. I knew what I wanted to happen, but I didn't want to make Nick wake up in this chapter—because how lame would that be? The answer if very for all of ya'll. VERY.
Just wanna say: I'm very displeased with this chapter. I've been displeased with my writing for several of these chapters... hence the fear of failing. I think.
Sorry for any mistakes AND for the SUPREMELY late update. I just wasn't feeling it. But I pushed on. Here are the results. Chances are, I'm going to do a Liam POV when I don't know what to do, okay? Don't hate me too much. AND OH GOD. Who saw that little thing where Miley gave this cute little speech to introduce Noah Cyrus at the Radio Music Awards? #SisterGoals
Review your answer to the QotD! Tell me your thoughts? I appreciate it though you don't need to. But who doesn't love reviews? ;)
- Darky