Swallow your pride

Hospital

Yarra opened her eyes to find herself lying on a hospital bed. There were chairs on both sides. Ominis sat on one, Sebastian on the other. They both had their heads resting on the mattress next to her body, blowing softly. Two boys who fought for supremacy in her heart. But it was an even fight. She ran her hand through both of their hair, enjoying their presence without arguing with each other.

When she saw the bandages on Sebastian's hands, she remembered what happend. The memories were choppy and blurry, but she remembered most of it. While she pondered the motive behind Liam's act, Sebastian slowly woke up. He blinked as his eyes slowly focused, and the first thing he saw was Yarra looking at him with a mix of affection and curiosity in her eyes. He instinctively leaned into her touch, enjoying the soothing feel of her fingers running through his hair.
"Yarra," he whispered, his voice thick with sleep. He rubbed his eyes, trying to fully wake up. "You're finally awake."

Yarra smiled at him and nodded. "Sebastian you look tired, you should go rest" she told him with concern. Sebastian sat up and stretched, his muscles stiff from sleeping in an uncomfortable chair. He stifled a yawn, trying to shake off the grogginess.
"I'm okay, really," he said, giving her a reassuring smile. "I just couldn't sleep well while you were in the hospital wing. I wanted to stay here and make sure you were alright.. and safe." Yarra carefully placed her hand on his bandaged hand and said, "I'm fine thanks to you and Ominis. Thank you"
He gave her a gentle smile in return, his eyes soft. "You don't need to thank us. We're always here for you, Yarra."
His gaze then shifted to her face, taking in her tired but awake state. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm better...physically." she said, looking down. "But mentally... It's too much. I feel guilt, remorse." She looked at him, tears starting to flow down her cheeks.
Sebastian's face softened instantly as he saw the tears stream down her cheeks. He immediately leaned on, cupped her face gently.
"Yarra, you don't have to apologize," he started, his voice gentle but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong. You were under the influence of a love potion. None of that was your fault, okay?"
"I know.....actually, I don't mean this.
I mean how I hurt you ...when I rejected you." A pained expression appeared on her face. "When you said you wished you'd never met me... I've never felt such pain. It was like a stab in the heart." Tears were pouring from her eyes and she was sobbing quietly. " She cupped his hand over her cheek and closed her eyes for a moment as she pressed into his touch. She looked deep into his eyes and breathed out softly, "I love you, Sebastian. I've always loved you. But fate does not wish us to be together in this life."
Sebastian's heart was torn in half as he listened to her words. The memory of that painful conversation came back, bringing a pang of guilt in his heart. He brushed away the tears from her cheeks, his own eyes glistening with emotion.
"Yarra..." he started, his voice cracking with raw vulnerability. "I never meant those words I said. I was angry, hurt. I wanted to hurt you back then..... I was a moron. I didn't mean any of it. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

She gently tilted her head, closed her eyes and pressed a tender kiss into his palm that held her cheek. "I am sorry too....I wish that we don't live in an age where social norms dictate how we should live."
"I do too, Yarra," he replied, his voice laced with a note of resignation. "But that's the world we live in. A world where fate seems to enjoy playing cruel tricks on us..... Ominis told me about that arranged marriage. You don't have anything to apologize for, Yarra," he said softly, his gaze holding hers. "I was unreasonable. I should have been more understanding." He let out a heavy sigh and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb.
Yarra felt a lump in her throat as she heard Sebastian's words. "We both had our moments of irrationality," she confessed quietly, giving his hand a squeeze. "But that doesn't change the fact that we're stuck in this situation, with no control over it." She leaned into his touch, her eyes becoming misty once again. "It's not fair, Sebastian. It's not fair at all."