Hold

Afterword

SIMON, 12:10 PM
I woke up earlier than I thought I would today. I still remember last night, and this morning. Baz's hands are on my back. He's cold. My hands are on his waist, I hold him close. His face is in my chest. I can feel his cold breath.

My phone is nearby, so I take it and turn it on. I look at the time, 12:13 PM. Penny must be wondering where I am. I open messages and find several new messages from Penny.

Pen, 2:30 AM: WHERE ARE YOU??
Pen, 2:30 AM: COME HOME
Pen, 2:31 AM: ARE YOU WITH AGATHA?
Pen, 2:31 AM: WAIT ILL ASK HER
Pen, 2:32 AM: SHE DIDNT REPLY
Pen, 2:32 AM: R U OK??
Pen, 2:32 AM: R U ALIVE??
Pen, 2:33 AM: IF YOU DONT COME HOME BY THE END OF TODAY,
Pen, 2:33 AM: IM GONNA REPORT YOU MISSING
Pen, 2:33 AM: OR IM GONNA FIND YOU MYSELF

She started texting me when I was still fucking Baz. He was riding me. In the shower.

I scroll down to the end of her messages. Which lasted until it turned 3:00.

You, 12:20 PM: hi penny
You, 12:20 PM: im fine
You, 12:20 PM: im not dead
You, 12:20 PM: and i wasnt w agatha

She replies immediately.

Pen, 12:21 PM: WHERE WERE YOU?? I WAS ABOUT TO CAST A 'come out, come out wherever you are'
Pen, 12:21 PM: AND WDYM BY U WERENT W AGATHA??
Pen, 12:21 PM: JUST TELL ME WHEN YOU WONT BE COMING HOME, OKAY?
Pen, 12:21 PM: I don't want to get worried again. Please.
You, 12:22 PM: im okay penny. but u wont believe it
You, 12:22 PM: i found baz at the pub
Pen, 12:22 PM: Actually? Really?
You, 12:23 PM: yes. baz fucking pitch! dev and niall were there, too.
Pen, 12:23 PM: So you were with him, the entire night? He didn't do anything bad to you?
You, 12:24 PM: yes, yes and no. he did not do anything bad to me
You, 12:24 PM: that night was maybe the best nights ive ever had out
Pen, 12:24 PM: Really. Even better than the ones you've had with us?
You, 12:25 PM: yes. yes yes and yes. he was amazing. okay??
Pen, 12:25 PM: Were you two alone, or??
You, 12:26 PM: yes and we kinda uhhh
Pen, 12:26 PM: You what?
You, 12:26 PM: 👉👌
Pen, 12:26 PM: WHAT
Pen, 12:26 PM: WBT AGATHA??
Pen, 12:26 PM: R U FR??
You, 12:27 PM: yes. im sorry. but please dont tell her.
You, 12:27 PM: but he was better than agatha though
You, 12:27 PM: he felt so good likeiekeiek he was squeezing me and he let me leave marks on him and he was sosoosso sweet
Pen, 12:28 PM: I need a break.
You, 12:28 PM: im also still in bed w him lol

I put my phone down, and put my fingers in Baz's hair. "Good morning," I greet. "I need a bath," He sits up and yawns, not even a good morning. . . "You look awful," I say. I never thought Baz could look awful. "Because of you. Bring me to the tub. I can't walk." He scratches the back of his neck.

I carry him, (bridal style) and set up the water. "Can I wash your hair?" I'm dying to know if I can. "No. I'd rather not wash my hair properly today, than let you wash it. With the hotel soap, no less!" He says, sinking into the water. "Shoo now, I'll get washed. Close the door." He waves me away, but then when I exit the door he remembers something. "Wait. And a towel." I leave and go get a a robe from the wardrobe. I put it on the sink, next to the tub. I close the door then I wait for him to finish.

--
A long 30 minutes pass. I hear Baz shout my name. "Snow!" I walk to the bathroom, and Baz is in the tub, standing up wearing the robe. He's leaning on the wall, so he doesn't fall. He's also drained the water. "Carry me, please."

I take him and toss him over my shoulder. He isn't protesting, so he's fine. "Get changed. I have to leave soon." I grab my clothes and a robe which was also hanging in the wardrobe.

I go into shower and I take a quick bath. I'm still really hoping to exchange numbers with him. The water isn't cold. I think Baz prefers to use cold water, rather than hot.

I finish up and change, walking out of the bathroom to see Baz laying on the bed scrolling through his phone. His bag is on his side.

You, 1:40 PM
I think I'll text them.

You, 1:40 PM: I can't walk or drive, nonetheless, I can't even sit. My thighs are covered in bites.
a fucking ponce 2, 1:40 PM: Damn, Snow really fucked you up, did he?
a fucking ponce 3, 1:40 PM: You good, m8?
You, 1:40 PM: No. I'll have Fiona pick me up. My ass hurts. Even when I'm lying on my back.
a fucking ponce 2, 1:41 PM: Get Snow's number before you leave. It's actually pretty hard to find the Chosen One again.
a fucking ponce 3, 1:41 PM: Get it. Are we still on for tea, today?
You, 1:42 PM: Yeah. We are. Come to my flat.
a fucking ponce 2, 1:42 PM: Aunt Fiona okay with it?
a fucking ponce 3, 1:42 PM: Fiona's fun. But please tell me she's out today.
You, 1:42 PM: Fiona won't even care anyway. And, Niall, she's out. She has a job now.
a fucking ponce 3, 1:42 PM: Yeah? What is it?
You, 1:42 PM: A vampire hunter.
a fucking ponce 2, 1:43 PM: I'll give you my condolences early.
You, 1:43 PM: Speaking of which, I had Simon Snow in bed. 50 pounds, you two. It never looked like I was gonna ever lose.
a fucking ponce 2, 1:44 PM: I'll get it to you by today.
a fucking ponce 3, 1:44 PM: Me too.
You, 1:44 PM: I'll be going now.

I'm a fucking ponce 1, obviously.

SIMON, 1:45 PM
"Well, I'll get going," He sits up.

"Will you be all right?" I ask. "Yeah."

"Could I have your number, by chance?" I say, and he doesn't look shocked. "I was about to ask you that," So I'm guessing its a yes.

"So it's a yes?" He nods. "Okay, great." He types put his number for me, and I type out mine. He grabs his back and waves me bye. "I'll be going now."

"Wait!" I go closer to him, and he turns. I give him one last kiss. "Thanks." I smile. He smiles at me, too, and kisses my cheek then leaves. I leave with him.

I'm hungry. "Do you need a ride?" I offer. "Yeah. . . But I was about to call Fiona," he says, nervously, "but I suppose I could take a ride from you."

"Okay. Come." We go the the parking. Baz goes into the passenger seat, putting his bag on his lap. I start the car.

"Where's your house?" I get out to the highway, and he tells me his location. We strike up a conversation during the ride, like what we've been doing these past two years.

I drop him off at his flat. "Thank you," he waves me goodbye, "call me soon." And he winks.

Oh, what I might've done for that boy.

Once I arrive at my flat, Penny checks me for any damage. "Thank Morgana you're home," she hugs me. "I was so worried." She hugs me so tight.

"Did you eat?" She asks, and I nod my head no. She takes some food from the kitchen and puts it on the table. With scones.

"So? Any news?" She says, preparing some tea. I can't believe I've gone 14 hours without tea.

"Baz is so sweet."

BAZ, 3:40 PM
I tell them: "Do you know what he did to me?"

God, I love Simon Snow.

I might tell Dev and Niall. I can trust them. Always.

"No, but I can imagine." Dev snort. Niall takes a sip of his tea. "Oh I can! Did you get laid?" He sets down his teacup. "Yes. I got laid, bad."