Kawaii-Cherri: Well, you don't have to wait long. This has drama in it. I hope you enjoy. I hope you're feeling better, I'm sorry it's been so long. I hope this is worth it!
A/N: So. Things happened this week. I was burgled and I came down with pneumonia. Yay?
Chapter Twenty-Six: Knowing me. Knowing you.
They had gotten home, absolutely exhausted. They hadn't done much more than eat dinner and once Elspeth had seen to her animals, they went to bed. As usual, Elspeth got up with the sun and left Sebastian in bed to continue sleeping. He missed her warmth and found that although it had merely been days, being able to go to bed next to her seemed completely normal. Sebastian woke up, leaning over to check his phone that he had plugged in the night before. It was just after eight. He sat up and rubbed his face, yawning. There was work that he needed to do; his deadlines were coming faster and he preferred to have his work done before the last minute.
With a stretch, he stood up and walked into the kitchen. Buddy was out and he could hear the animals in their fields. 'Elsie?' He called out as he walked towards the coffee machine and clicked it on. 'You in, sweetie?' He asked. I love the fact that I can call her that… it seems totally surreal. To the point where I question the fact that I survived that fish attack. I could have just died and this is my afterlife, he thought with a smile.
'In the shower!' Elsie called back; she had left the door ajar so she could hear what was going on. 'I'll be ten minutes,' she added, knowing that he might need to use the bathroom.
Sebastian nodded to himself and pulled out another mug for her, he'd wait a few minutes and then make one so that it would still be hot when she got out. He could hear her singing loudly and he loved the sound. I can't believe how much my life has changed in literally less than a week, he thought as he watched the coffee machine. Looking at his hand, he could see the residue he created and while flexing his fingers, he thought about the surreal feeling and everything that happened.
There was a rattle at the door and he turned around to see Hayley standing in the open doorway. They both stared at one another. Sebastian was in shock and Hayley seemed to mimic his expression, until her eyes darted down to his bare chest. He looked down and realised that he was just standing in his tracksuit bottoms. Mentally, his mind raced in panic as he made a checklist of everything that he had touched in the last ten minutes.
'What the fuck?!' Hayley almost screamed at him.
'Hayley! What are you doing here?' Sebastian asked as he looked around for his clothing, desperately.
'I could ask you the same question!' She snapped back at him and strode towards the bedroom.
'Hayley, no!' Sebastian said as he ran forward to block the door; the toxin would still be on the handle and things. 'She's in the shower,' he said, panicking. Fuck, I can't remember what I've touched, Sebastian thought, feeling his blood pressure rise every second. Hayley spun on her foot and faced Sebastian who stepped back from her making sure he was out of reach. She looked furious. 'Elsie!' Sebastian called out, scared of Hayley's expression. He was concerned that she might actually try to hit him.
'Couple of minutes!' She called back.
'Now! Sweetie!' Sebastian said over his shoulder as he backed down the hallway towards the bathroom. 'We have a problem!' Hayley followed him, giving off a predatorial vibe. She was not happy and Sebastian didn't want to find out that he was the problem, even though he knew that he was part of the source.
'Babe, if you need the loo, just come in,' Elspeth said with a laugh. 'I deal with animals all day, the things I've seen,' she added.
Sebastian was outside the bathroom door and was about to answer her but Hayley barged past him, making him jump aside as she simply walked in. 'Ah, Hayley-!' Sebastian couldn't stop her; he hadn't managed to find any gloves or a top to pull on and so he had to keep his distance.
Hayley strode into the bathroom and pulled back the shower curtain, making Elspeth squeal and attempt to cover up. Sebastian completely covered his eyes and groaned at the situation. 'Hayley!' Elspeth squeaked, staring at her best friend in shock. 'What are you doing here?'
Hayley picked up a towel and threw it at Elspeth. 'What am I doing here?!' She snapped. 'How about the fact that I've not heard from you in the last three days! You've not replied to any of my messages or calls!' She explains. 'I thought something bad had happened to you and I come over to find that you've been shacking up with lover boy instead!'
'Hayley, it's not like that-' Elspeth said as she turned off the shower and used the towel to cover herself.
'Oh-hoh, I can see what this is-' Hayley said as she turns to Sebastian and waves her hand around. Elspeth's eyes widened as Hayley's fingers smack Sebastian in the arm. Where he had covered his eyes to avoid looking at Elspeth, he didn't realise how close he was to her.
'Hayley, no!' Elspeth called out. Sebastian dropped his hands as he felt a touch and stared at Hayley in panic. It took mere seconds but Hayley's body began to stiffen and she froze before slumping to the side. 'Catch her!' Elspeth shouted, awkwardly climbing out the shower while covered in towel.
Sebastian reached out and grabbed Hayley by the top of the arm, causing her to simply hang in his grip. Elspeth waved her hand at Sebastian who looked like he was going to be sick. With her motions, he picked her up. 'Elsie!' He said in panic but followed her down into the front room.
'She can't get more paralysed!' Elsie pointed out as she rolled her eyes. 'Sofa,' she said, waving a hand in the direction. She tightened the towel around herself and ignored her wet hair, which was dripping everywhere.
'Elsie, this is bad. First Hayley, and we had that close call with Buddy yesterday,' Sebastian said as he placed Hayley very carefully on the sofa. 'I was worried that this wasn't going to work and I've been proven right-'
Elspeth ignored his spiral and let him pace while she kneeled next to Hayley. 'I know you're confused and scared right now, Hayley,' she said softly. 'Don't be, this won't last long. You're just going to be a little paralyzed for a little bit. Not even half an hour,' she explained, trying to keep her friend calm. Hayley's eyes said it all and Elspeth mouthed an apology before standing up to sort out her boyfriend's panic attack. 'Bazzie,' she said softly, holding up her hand to stop his back and forth.
'Elsie, this is falling apart-'
'Breathe in,' she said, standing in front of him. He looked incredibly pale but did as she asked. His hands were on the back of his head and he breathed heavily. Elspeth nodded gently, 'okay, now, try to relax. Go get some clothing on, make yourself more comfortable and then, when you're ready, come back. I'll look after Hayley,' she said, softly.
'The salve-'
'We don't need the salve, Bazzie,' Elspeth said, firmly. 'That won't do anything really. She just needs time. It won't last long,' Elspeth said as she grabbed a scrunchie from the coffee table and pulled up her wet, soapy hair. He looked terrified but Elspeth placed her hand on his chest, making him jolt. He calmed and placed his hand on hers.
With a nod and a heavy exhale, he smiled weakly at her. 'Okay,' he whispered.
'Okay,' she replied with a smile. Sebastian walked into the bedroom and Elspeth sat on the pouffe next to Hayley. 'I'm so sorry, Hayley. I'll explain everything as soon as you can move again. Are you okay?' She asked, knowing that Hayley couldn't answer her. Elspeth lifted her hand and pressed her fingers against Hayley's neck, feeling her pulse. 'Okay, that's steady and not too fast,' she said as she mentally counted. Hayley made a few noises, as much as she could, speaking without moving her mouth in any way. Elspeth winced; Hayley sounded pissed. 'I know, I know. This is a lot. Believe me, the last few days have been a little bit of a rollercoaster,' she said. Hayley managed to roll her eyes and Elspeth sighed. 'Seriously, Hayley,' Elspeth mumbled, rubbing her eyes. 'I have so much to tell you and that was before all this happened. Now, I've got so much more to tell you.'
Sebastian walked back in, almost fully covered. It was a blast to the past with the way he used to dress; even though Elspeth knew that past was less than four days ago. Elspeth stood up and moved over to him, it was clear by his red eyes he had cried a little, or at least come close. 'I'm so sorry,' he whispered, pulling at his sleeves.
Elspeth's heart clenched and she shook her head, 'it was an accident, Bazzie. I'm sure Hayley will understand when we explain what's going on,' she said, softly. 'She's breathing fine and her pulse is fine as well. You need to just try to stay calm, okay?'
'I'll look after her, finish your shower,' he replied, with a nod and a refusal to look at her. I'm such a fucking idiot. Why did I follow her into the bathroom? The first thing I should have done was get changed. Minimise the risk. I failed and now her best friend is… paralysed, he thought, bitterly.
Her eyes narrowed; she recognised the signs of a mental tirade. Elspeth reached up and gently grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. 'This is not your fault,' she said, firmly. Sebastian gently took her hand and removed it from his jaw, giving her a look. 'I mean it,' Elspeth said, bluntly. 'I'll be back in a minute, just… be patient.' She moved from him, giving his fingers a squeeze before she did so and walked into her bedroom.
Sebastian sat on the side of the coffee table and looked at Hayley, who was completely limp on the sofa. 'Fuck,' he swore as he rubbed his face. 'Hayley, I… I'm so sorry,' he mumbled, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. She made a few noises in reply and he tilted his head unable to understand but attempting to. With a heavy sigh, he bit his lip. 'Hayley, I know you can't move and shit at the moment but know that this wasn't intentional. I didn't ever want something like this to happen. This is… well, somehow this is actually better than anything that I thought would happen,' Sebastian said with a bitter laugh.
He stood up and walked into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and walking back to the coffee table where he sat down again and placed the bottle on the side. 'For after you can… y'know, move again,' he mumbled. 'I haven't touched it, touched it. I'm wearing gloves,' he said as he held up his hands. He sighs again and lowers them, 'fucking hell, I sound like a moron.'
Hayley's fingers twitched and he jolted forward. Her hand began to move and she made more noises. Sebastian stood up and looked around, brushing his hair back from his face. 'Elsie?' He called. 'E-Elsie?' He repeated. 'I think she's… waking up? Like, she's moving? What do I do?' Sebastian asked as he walked over to the bedroom.
Elspeth ran out the bedroom, half dressed. She wore a pair of jeans, some socks and bra, the top she was clearly going to put on was in her hands. Elspeth zoomed past Sebastian, pulling her t-shirt over her head, and pulling her arms through while she kneeled next to Hayley. 'Hey, you're okay, just take it slow,' she said pulling her top down. Her hair was still wet and shoved in the messy bun that she had put it earlier. Hayley began to properly stir and Sebastian was pacing behind them.
She slowly sat up with the help of Elspeth and rotated her jaw, clearing her throat. 'What… the fuck happened?' Hayley moaned as she rolled her neck and shoulders. Every single part of her body felt stiff and heavy. 'Fuck, I feel like I've been on the piss all night,' she groaned.
Sebastian was jittery behind the two girls and looked at Hayley anxiously. Elspeth looked back at Sebastian. 'She deserves to know… all of it,' she said, quietly. He bit his lip and nodded. 'Do you want to tell her? Or do you want me to do it?' Elspeth asked.
'I… uh,' Sebastian faltered. He looked like he was going to faint.
Elspeth stood up and gave Hayley an apologetic expression. She walked over to Sebastian and took his hands. 'Hayley and I will have a proper girl's chat. Why don't you go have a cigarette and get some air? If she has questions after that, you can answer them, if I don't know the answers?' She suggests.
He shook his head, 'this is my fault. I shouldn't leave you to sort it out,' he said, quietly.
'It isn't your fault and we're a team, Bazzie. Your problems are mine and vice versa,' Elspeth said, low enough so that only he could hear. She smiled brightly at him and he faltered.
'Okay,' he whispered. 'I'll be back soon. I'll give you a bit of time,' he said with a small nod. Elspeth grins, bouncing on her heels. She was pretty confident that Hayley would completely understand and not blow up over it all. Sebastian walked towards the door and looked over at Hayley who was taking a drink from the bottle of water he had brought her. 'I'm sorry, Hayley,' he mumbled.
Before he left, Elspeth followed him and stood on her tiptoes, giving him a gentle peck on the cheek. His cheeks flush and he can't help but give Elspeth an embarrassed smile before leaving. Hayley gave Elspeth a look as she swung her legs from the sofa. 'Alright, hit me with it. What the fuck was all that about?' Hayley said as she flexed her fingers.
Be well. Stay safe.