Actions Speak Louder Than Fortune Cookies

96 - Almost There

"Stop! Please!"

Sebastian's head shot up quickly. He hadn't realized he fell asleep, head lulling back into the couch cushions behind him.

Rylee twitched roughly in his lap below him, his hand still resting gently on her shoulder.

"Hey..Ry. You're okay. Ryles. Wake up." Sebastian shook Rylee lightly by the shoulder, trying to get her attention.

"Please stop. Please, Michael. It hurts."

And at that, Sebastian's heart snapped into two. God. Fuck Michael. Sebastian gently shook Rylee's shoulder again. "Ry, wake up baby, it's not rea-"

As Sebastian spoke, Rylee's eyes shot open and she punched him square in the face.

"Fuck," Sebastian exclaimed, surprised at the action, putting both his hands over his nose.

Rylee sat up on the couch, both her hands clenched into fists, defensive, ready to fight, pouring sweat at this point. Her breathing heavy as she panted to catch a real breath. She finally came to herself within the next few seconds, realizing where she was and who she was with. But the man she was with was doubled over in pain. Oh shit.

"Oh my God. Oh shit. Seb...Seb. Oh my g- are you okay?"

Sebastian put out one of his hands, to signal he was okay, but when he put it out, Rylee saw that it was covered in blood.

"Seb. Shit. You're bleeding. Come on." She stood up quickly, grabbing gently onto his elbow to guide him up and walk together to the bathroom. A small trail of blood slid through his fingers, dripping to the floor.

He sat on the closed toilet seat tilting his head back, resting it against the wall, as Rylee grabbed a washcloth, getting it wet and placing it over Sebastian's nose, trying not to put too much pressure on it, though she received a wince from him anyway.

Sebastian sat there quietly, breathing lightly through his mouth as he held the washcloth tightly to his nose, eyes closed.

"Sebastian...."

He held up a hand, again, trying to signal he was okay, and yet it was still covered in blood.

"Should we go to a hospital? I don't kn-" Rylee was trying not to panic.

"I'll be fine." Sebastian responded, his hand still out. His voice sounded different with his nose covered, half swollen. "Are you ogay?"

Rylee huffed out a laugh, of course Sebastian would be making sure she's okay, as his nose was dripping blood like a leaky faucet.

"Yes," Rylee sighed, "it was a...a nightmare..."

Rylee felt utterly embarrassed and awful. Here she was having nightmares, punching her boyfriend in the face...who does that? And here he was, trying to comfort her..

Sebastian wiped his hand on his shirt, smearing blood across the crisp white t-shirt he was wearing, just so he could put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it to calm her.

She put her hand over his, unsure what to do.

Rylee patted his hand for a moment and said "I'll be right back," and quickly scooted out of the room.

When she came back a minute or so later she was carrying ice from their champagne bucket in a baggie and a fresh dry towel.

She traded Sebastian the wet washcloth he had, now coated completely red, though his nose had seemed to stop dripping for now. He placed the ice across his nose, flinching again at the hardness of the ice on his tender nose.