Meant to be?

Is this real?

TW:
None
Please let me know if you find any!

———

Alex POV:

"I- Sap?" My voice is small and hopeful, yearning to hear the others' words again.

"Please wake up soon, we miss you... I miss you."

"Wake up? I'm already awake. You were the dream, not this."

I can't allow myself anymore hope than I already have, already any is too much. Hope leads to being let down, and I don't think I can take another hit like that.

But then again, I have to go back. For him. At this point, my care for falling into another false dream reality is diminishing by the second. I have to see them again.

What is left for me in this reality but pain, anyway?

3rd Person POV:

George sat, rocking on the floor and mumbling to himself (which he just recently relearned how to do):

"52, demons, tea- No, no, no. Come back."

He uses all of his strength to keep himself out of his head, to only pay attention to the now, and all that is happening around him. He wishes with all of his being to see his friends again, but he isn't allowed yet. Yet.

"Just prove you're mentally stable and you can go." He mutters, trying to find the strength to will himself to use his feet.

Karl sits, digging his nails into his arms, ready to wait forever, if need be. Hope is something that comes and goes. One moment, he'll be sure if he walked into that dreaded room he'd see Sapnap and Alex having a gentle conversation, and laughing over stupid things.

But on the other hand, the reasonable side of him knows that he'd find Sapnap talking to Alex, and George in that room he'd been dragged off to, all those days ago. Karl's in better shape, he should be able to provide some comfort to the man, maybe help him to come back to his normal self. He should help, but he doesn't.  He can't. 'Maybe tomorrow' he lies to himself, time and time again, knowing all too well that he won't.

He used to comfort people to comfort himself, to be a shoulder for others to lean on when they stumble. But now, he may need someone to help him walk, the same way George does. Except George has willpower. George can stand. George can stumble. George can fall. But George can pick himself back up. When Karl stumbles, he trips. When Karl trips, he flails, trying not to fall. When Karl falls, he plummets. Karl needs to help someone else up, so he can tell himself they need him. When someone needs Karl, Karl will be there in a heartbeat. At the moment though, Karl doesn't seem to be needed, in his eyes at least.

Sapnap whispers words of comfort to Alex as he stirs in his half-hearted sleep. Sapnap checks on Karl and George everyday, but they don't know it. The doctors tell him to stay away, George needs space to help himself, but Sapnap watches. Sapnap is the one who brings Karl food, only when Karl is in his head though, the thought of Karl seeing him terrifies the boy. He knows that seeing Sapnap's unkempt hair, and bagged eyes will send him into a full on panic, and that's exactly what Karl needs the least right now.

So Sapnapwatches when their backs are turned, or when they are blinded by their minds, for just a moment. And that's enough. That's enough, because it needs to be.

Alex POV:

I turn my hands over, again and again, wondering what is really real anymore. Is it the bruises and cuts? The aches and pains? The harsh words and lack of love? Or is it the soothing voice, calling from somewhere else?

"Is this real?" Alex questions aloud, curiosity behind his eyes.

Nothing.

"Is this real?!" He shouts, louder this time.

Nothing.

"IS THIS REAL?!?!" Alex screams with all the passion and wonder he can muster.

But he is met with nothing.

———
How are you guys' days/nights going?

Have you guys seen Stranger Things?

(No spoilers for people who haven't seen it, or haven't finished it!)

(From Z: no im not allowed el oh el)

(From Blu: hehe el oh take the L)

(From Blu: also, El is amazing 🤩)