Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction, there's no resemblance to actual persons or events or places. If so, it is utterly not intended. I do NOT own Monster High, or anything to do with it. Thank you.

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Cast In Stone
Chapter Twelve

"I swear Mr. Mummy wants me to cry in the corner and I think he quite enjoys doing so," Heath conversed with the still unconscious Jackson as he worked on his math homework that Sunday afternoon. He would usually be lectured to do all his homework on Friday but alas, he didn't do so again and now he was backed up against the wall to get it done before Monday. "he knows I'm so bad at math, yet he still assigns this homework. I suck balls at math, y'know that. Remember when we did that thing on prime numbers, and I kept referring it to food?" He chuckled, "Prime ribs are great, Clawd totally agrees and… I was studying while being mass hungry. It should've been a no - brainer that I was gonna compare edibles with education."

Unbeknownst to Heath, Jackson lightly stirred and his eyes gently fluttered open. "You were just born hungry, Heath." He voiced sounding a little raspy, attempting to clear his throat and fully regain consciousness.

"Yeah well, that's pretty much true. And y'know-" Heath's eyes widened and he almost threw his homework clean across the room. "Jackson!" He couldn't restrain himself from hugging his cousin tightly.

Jackson stifled a small chuckle and mumbled, "Hey… and ouch, ooh that hurts." He was trying to wake up completely and it was proving to be difficult. Perhaps after a few minutes he'd try moving a little more? Progressively, he'd try.

Heath almost jumped back, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. But you're awake and I'm so happy to see you again! You don't even know…" A small tear made its way down Heath's face. "I didn't know if I would and I love you so much I didn't want to think about not being able to and -"

"Hey, Heath… shh, it's okay. I'm fine, see? I'm okay." He comforted his cousin the best he could without being submerged in pain, gently patting his hand. "I'm okay and now I just want to go home."

Heath lightly narrowed his eyes, "Speaking of that, dad's taking you back home, with us."

Jackson gave a slow nod, "Yeah, I figured as much. That's fine; I just don't want to be here in this hospital anymore. I'm sure I've been here long enough."

Heath shrugged, "Well the weekend at least, but you're really awake. I'm so glad, you don't even know." Heath repeated, unaware of doing so as result of being quite nervous and anxiously awaiting.

Jackson felt so loved when he was around Heath and his aunt and uncle. He truly felt that they cared about him. They cared more about Jackson, than Jackson care about himself. "Sure I do, I can feel it. I love you too." Before he could even ask for a drink of water, Heath was reaching over to get it.

"Here, you can have mine. I'm sure you're thirsty, personally I'd be ready to down a lake." He handed the styrofoam cup of water to the other, who accepted it graciously.

After finishing up with the entire cup, he felt a little better. "Yeah, thank you." He looked rather guiltily to the side, "I'm really sorry Heath. I didn't mean to cause so much commotion."

Right away Heath shook his head, "No, no – it's okay. You didn't cause lots of commotion, we just love you and wanted to be here, make sure you got the best of care all that kinda stuff y'know?"

Jackson nodded, "Yeah… hey, y'know what's weird? I had a really strange dream while I was out."

Heath raised a curious eyebrow, "You did?"

He nodded once again, it was honestly all he had the energy to do. "Yeah, first of all – I could've sworn that I heard Clawd talking to me. I mean him, of all monsters right? Why would he even notice my existence?"

The younger of both cousins narrowed his eyes, "He sure did notice you."

Jackson tried to think and analyze what Heath had meant, but he didn't have the will to. "Thing is though, he was… really nice. Sweet. But totally sincere. Strange huh?"

Heath shook his head in debate, "No, not really. I mean, he really was here Jackson. He did come visit you… he was sincere and I was here with him, I witnessed it all."

Jackson wanted to really argue this, but he couldn't be bothered. "Why did you let him? I mean, at least he was nice and sincere but still… he's one of them. Y'know, the ones that fit in and are popular and stuff. He shouldn't have visited me… our worlds shouldn't cross. I'm a nerd, he's a jock. No, no. Just – no thanks."

Heath shook his head, normally Jackson didn't think this way. Usually he wasn't so quick to isolate himself from others, but he knew that was due to what was said to him by his biological father at the asylum. He'd clouded Jackson's thoughts with that sort of 'you don't belong anywhere' opinion for as long as Heath could remember. Even as an infant, he would state how he didn't belong. He was damn good at manipulating Jackson's thoughts too.

It wasn't that Jackson didn't have a mind of his own, sure he did. It was just… being told something constantly for so many years, it sinks in and is believed to be true. He knew that it would take a lot of turning around from several people to prove this wrong, but Heath was more than willing to at least try. "You'll stay with us Jackson, won't you?"

Jackson wearily nodded, "Yes of course Heath, I… I can't promise anything, but for now – I'm not going anywhere." He weakly chuckled, "I have no energy to do anything to be honest."

As much as Heath didn't like the fact that Jackson couldn't promise that, it'd have to do for now. "Okay, good. Stay. Don't go anywhere for a long time, please."

It didn't take long for the doctors to run all the tests needed and finally let Jackson go home. Well his home now being with his cousin, aunt and uncle but he'd always felt at home there, so he wasn't forced out of his comfort zone or anything.

He had his nose stuck in a book that he'd read before, but decided to read over again for the fourth time now. He didn't really have the time to head out to the library and he hadn't booked out a new one from school yet, so this would have to do.

He seemed to be rather comfortable sitting horizontally in Isaac's favorite reclining chair, legs hung over the side as he was reading his book. Despite knowing how it ended, he seemed to be right into it. Even the knocking at the door didn't phase or distract him.

Heath passed through the living room, heading into the front hallway towards the front door. He opened the door and his eyes widened, "Clawd?"

Tada! Here it is! Don't forget to review! 'Tis always appreciated. :)