Catch Me When I Fall [BxB]

Worst. Headache. Ever.

Rassler searches for words temporarily.

"I mean that figuratively. Not literally." He manages at last. "I've lived here and there since Hazel took off but this town is still my home. So I always come back. Recently, I was again and I heard rumours from some people I know that she was back.

"But why would Hazel move back if she wanted to protect Khai? How would she know whether or not it was safe to do so again?"

"I don't really know for sure, Tyrone. I mean, I know she missed me. But that would never overrule her wanting to keep Khai safe. He's more important to her than anything in the world. She cares about his safety more than she cares about her own. And I know I'm not the reason she moved back. I would never be, not if it concerns Khai's well-being. I guess only she knows the real reason she came back."

I nod.

"Well, at least he's safe now."

"Yeah. Things are back to normal and all that drama is done and over with."

Rassler looks thoughtful for a second.

"Hey, Tyrone, at some point I should let you go through the photo album Hazel has of Khai growing up. She's showed it to me so many times that I feel like I was there when the pictures were taken because I know all the stories behind them. I feel like you'd like it. Khai might be a bit embarrassed, but who isn't of their baby photos?" Rassler asks.

I laugh.

"I'd love that."

"I thought you might. We'll find some time at some point and we can go through it together. Maybe with Khai, too, when he feels a little better."

"If." I correct worriedly.

Hazel suddenly reappears at the bottom of the staircase. She seems concerned, and now that Rassler has explained more about her, I realize I shouldn't be all that suspicious of her. She really is trying her best. 

That doesn't mean I trust her completely, but at least I understand her a bit better.

"Any conclusions, Doc?" Rassler asks.

Hazel just shrugs, looking stumped.

"He's not feverish or anything. He looks a bit pale but I can't make out the cause."

"Wait, you're a doctor?" I ask.

"Hmm... not really." She replies. "But I do tend to have a broad understanding of medical knowledge compared to most people. I used to practice quite a bit. I mean, I suppose I've treated patients before. I just mean that I don't have a degree." Hazel glances at Rassler, as if they are exchanging something non-verbally.

Hazel sighs, then shrugs again.

"Khai eats enough, he's been sleeping okay lately... or at least, I think so. Apparently teenagers don't talk as much as younger kids. But I think he'd tell me."

Hazel glances at me.

"He had really bad sleeping problems when he was a kid. The poor thing, he'd get so overstimulated and frustrated but his ADHD messed with his sleeping schedule so bad and he just couldn't sleep. He's suffered from insomnia a lot. It still comes and goes even now, though it's not as bad. His meds help a bit.."

"That's why he was so sympathetic when I told him I have insomnia." I realize. "He's been there himself."

Hazel nods.

"But then again, that's just Khai. He's very empathetic." She points out.

"Yeah, that is true." I agree.