in pieces

10. invisible

I woke up feeling strange. Someone was in my bed... my body hurt... I looked over. The man was similar to Mike... easy to get them confused. I was startled. Immediately I started to try to get anything to protect me. Apparently I was making quite the mess and racket Rob came downstairs, baseball bat in hand.

"Rob-" my body was covered in sweat as I shook. There he was... it wasn't Mike. I cried out for Mike. I needed someone to hold me. He's the only one I knew who could calm me. He's the only one who knew me. And yet... yet I almost ruined it.

Rob had detained Jason and called the police. I heard rushed footsteps down the stairs. Mikes hair was everywhere, his bunny slippers on the wrong feet. He didn't care... he didn't care what I had done... he just hugged me. He just held me close and kept me warm.

"Oh... oh god..." he looked at my shaking body. "I promise I'll protect you. I... I didn't protect you in the past... I had a job. Chester I had a job and I blew it because I was in denial that I loved you! I said when you first joined the band you'd never be hurt again by anyone! I made this promise to you..."

I looked up at him with teary eyes. He smiled at me, stroking my cheek to wipe the tears. His eyes were soft and warm, like chocolate fudge. I leaned my head into his chest and yawned. I hadn't been getting enough sleep and this didn't help.

"Just rest buddy," Mike hummed. I nodded, hearing sirens. The police were here... I wouldn't be raped for a while now. My body could rest. I could feel safe again. Mike was humming a tune. I couldn't recognize it, so it was probably something he made up. It's like he knows a soothing melody for every occasion.

•••

I didn't even know I had fell asleep. I noticed someone holding me close.

"Oh my god, did they make up?"

"Shh don't wake them up I still need pictures!"

"Quit stepping on my feet fatass."

"Quit calling me a fatass, Dave."

"Okay, Hoe Hahn."

"Quit bickering you two Chester's had a stressful night and needs as much sleep as he can get!"

"Okay momma Rob."

I opened my eyes and rubbed them. "Out, you're blocking the bathroom door. I'll piss on you."

"Joe has a piss kink anyways," Dave remarked.

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"You two shut the fuck up!" Rob yelled.

I shook my head, pushing them out of the way and shutting the door. Once I was out I laid down again. "Quit watching us sleep it's weird."

Once they realized I wasn't joking they left. Which was a good thing. I could finally sleep again.

•••

My eyes were heavy. How long did I end up sleeping for? I knew one thing, Mike wasn't beside me. He had protected me... he was my savior. Suddenly I felt bad for all the hell I put him through. It was never him.

"Look who's awake. It's 3 in the afternoon. Did you sleep well?" Mike asked.

"I guess. No nightmares which was surprising," I shrugged. My body was tired still but my mind was racing. Was Mike mad at me? Does he hate me now? Are we still at the level of small talk? Why did I ever think it was Mike? Will our relationship ever recover?

"Chester- shit!" I didn't even realize I was falling. "Don't hit your head buddy... easy..."

"Mikey?" It came out weak and pathetic. However he didn't seem to mind it. He held me in his lap and played with my hair.

"Just relax, okay?" He held me closer. I nodded and just accepted his embrace. He seemed to know something I didn't. I glanced down to my service dog alerting. Shit...

•••

Mike was humming and holding me as I woke up. It seemed we were now in bed, the ball of fur at my feet and Mike's arms around me. Honestly, I didn't know how I got in this position but I didn't mind it.

"What happened?" I asked groggily. Mike just continued humming, which just confirmed it was a seizure. I thought the medicine was supposed to help. I thought I was supposed to be safe.

"Just relax. Rob's got a doctor's appointment set up for next week. For now just take it easy," he smiled. I just yawned.

"Brad give me my underwear back! I'm not running naked through the house!"

"But Rob I love to see you naked!"

I laughed and shook my head. I sometimes forgot that I was currently sharing house with Mike, Rob, and Brad. I was hoping that soon I could get a house of my own... not like they'd let me considering a suicidal klutz with a seizure disorder is the last type to need to live alone. Maybe once things are better with me and Mike we could move into his place.

"Mike?" I asked. He looked at me to show he was listening. "One day could we be housemates? Or boyfriends who live together. What even do we call ourselves?"

He chuckled, "Whatever you want us to be, Ches."

Whatever you want us to be...

What did I want us to be?

The thought of us being lovers pulled at my heartstrings. I sighed. "Let's just see where life takes us. Live in the moment."

This moment was the moment that would change us forever.