ephemeral // matty healy

(a) toast

Matty woke up first, cold, with the all blankets pulled to Blair's side of the mattress. He slept surprisingly well, considering he was still in his jeans from last night's party. At least he thought that until he stretched his legs with a harsh, hollow crack. He rose out of bed and walked into the kitchen. He made some toast; his usual, two pieces with jam. He bit into one piece as the sun rose in a tangerine hue. The light painted the hardwood floor like a Romantic as she rose from her bed and emerged in the doorframe.

Blair had a lazy look in her eyes and a soft, fluffy halo around her. She couldn't help but yawn in the new morning and quickly adjusted her clothes from last night back on into their intended place. Her blouse no longer sits on her body snugly instead, it hung off of her limply. It was wrinkly and dull, but he couldn't take his eyes off her still. She made coffee while Matty offered her the other piece of his breakfast.

"Thank you," she said sweetly. She sunk her teeth into his toast. He couldn't help but fall deeper in love with her. "Also I should thank you for not trying anything last night."

"I could say the same thing to you," he said smugly. He placed a kiss on her hand, but no more. Not yet, even though he desperately wanted to kiss her lips with all of his might.

"Well, either way, thank you for taking me to the party last night. It was fun even if we didn't stay for long..." she lingered on the last word, almost like she was expecting something. He wanted to hold her close enough to keep her heart, but he refrained.

It was a bright new day, but Matty didn't dawdle. He started to lace up his shoes after only a single sip of his coffee.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay awhile?" Blair asked nonchalantly. "You could see where Ronan and I have gotten with the video..."

"Oh, as tempting as that seems," he leaned in, causing her breath to hitch as she braced for an impact. "I've got to get going."

"Oh, alright," she said quietly. Blair took in his face carefully. He had collected a lot of sleep in his droopy eyes and his hair was curling and flopping down his rectangular forehead. Matty looked more disheveled than usual, "See you later, then."

He kissed the top of her head before leaving her place. It was fast and sweet, but it made her scalp feel itchy and hot. Blair paced around her kitchen and could not help but twirl and tug on the grey pieces around her face.

She finished the last bite of toast that she left behind on the plate.

-

On the other side of town, Bo startled himself awake. A nurse pushing a squeaky-wheeled cart shook him out of his slumber. He was still sitting in a waiting room, he couldn't remember where exactly. Was he still in the ER?

Probably not, he thought as he noticed a sign reading "TICU - Floor 3" on the wall. He squeezed his hands as he stretched in his seat, but he was holding something. Stella's hand.

She was lying down on the worn couch next to him but her hand reached around the wooden armrest to rest on his knee.

She stayed, he thought. He thought he would have to wait for his mum alone. His eyes shone with gratitude.

Bo followed some signs and rushed down the hall to buy two hot drinks. They didn't have many choices, but he was happy to settle on Earl Grey. Nothing in his, two sugars in hers. But when he came back to the worn-out seats, Stella wasn't there. 

"Down the hall, room 330," the nurse behind the desk said. She extended a long arm down the corridor, where he heard Stella's laugh lilt through the air.

"Mamma?" He rapped on the doorframe, but he wanted to turn and run. His mother was lying on the bed, broken, but with high spirits. Stella sat next to her, holding her hand softly.

"They called her name, but you weren't there, so I stepped in. I hope that's alright." Stella stood up and offered her chair to Bo. He gladly sat down next to his mother and nodding to Stella as she made her way to the door.

"Why don't you tell your son what you told me, Maja?" She smiled before taking the second cup of tea that warmed Bo's hand.

Maja's eyes were soft as she watched Stella exit her room and walk down the hall. Her voice was raspy and dry as she plainly said, "I like her very much." He offered his tea to her and she graciously sipped with both hands on the cup, savouring the taste.

"I do not want to be alone in that house anymore," she sat up a bit more. "Your sister is always sneaking away and thinking that I do not notice, and you are always at work or with your friends."

Bo opened his mouth but his mother continued on.

"And I do not want to hear you say that you will give up your life to help me."

"Yes, Mamma," he sighed.

"They will let me leave soon." She raised her paper cup. Bo held an imaginary cup and knocked his hand against her tea.

"That's something to celebrate," he said with a smile.