MUTE [A Chris Colfer Imagine]

Mute 12/?

I was in hospital for another day before they discharged me. My arm was in a sling, so I couldn't sign, but Chris bought a whiteboard and pen to the hospital so I could communicate that way. He didn't leave my side, neither did my dad either which surprised me. I hadn't seen Liam again though which really upset me but Chris explained that it was Liam who found me, and it was Liam who heard me speak again. I felt guilty about it all, but Chris told me to just give him some time to cool down. If I was honest, I just wanted to get out of this hospital and get plenty of rest at home.

---

I didn't know until I got home that my dad and Chris had spoken and it was decided that Chris would stay with us until I got better - he refused to leave and that just made me fall for him even harder. I wanted to tell him that I was in love with him but I was to scared to write it down incase I got rejected or he laughed in my face.
Chris was going to sleep on the sofa bed in my room, I thought my dad would have had a problem with this but he simply stated that he trusted us and maybe having Chris nearer to me would help with my recovery faster.

A couple of hours after we returned home, we all sat in the lounge before my dad started talking. "I know I have to apologise to you for a million and one things I've done wrong, but I think that's something I'd rather do when it's just the two of us here - no offence to Chris." I nodded and agreed with my dad. It was the best thing to do, especially to not get Chris involved in this. "But first things first.." He pulled out some pamphlets and pushed them over so that I could see what they were and was shocked as I read them. "I have my first AA meeting tomorrow."

'IM PROUD OF YOU' I wrote down on the whiteboard and showed it to him.

"I'm proud of myself to, but there is one more thing I wanted to talk to you about." And then he handed me a leaflet with the number to a therapist on. "It's for you."

'WHAT'S THAT FOR?' I wrote down looking at my dad confused. I didn't understand why he was heading me this leaflet.

"I think it's time for you to get your feelings out in the open to somebody who won't judge you. I think it will help you take a step towards getting better and towards speaking again." He explained, looking at me sincerely.

'I DON'T NEED HELP' I wrote angrily. How dare he say I needed help. He didn't know anything.

"I agree with your dad [Y/N].." Chris spoke for the first time since we all sat down in the lounge. I have him a betrayed look but he took my hands and squeezed them tightly. "I think you've dealt with this on your own for to long and it's time you spoke to somebody else who could help you. I want to help you as much as I can but getting some professional help might work better. Me and your dad will be there for you okay? But I think now is the right time."

I stared at him in silence before looking down at my hands. I didn't want to go to a stupid therapist but I knew Chris was looking out for me. I only had a month until I graduated and I was working hard to pass my exams, I was nervously waiting to hear back from internships I applied for, and maybe speaking to a therapist before moving to a new city would be good.

'OKAY' I wrote down showing it to them before rubbing it out and writing again. 'I'LL EMAIL HER BUT IF I DON'T LIKE IT, I'M LEAVING.'

---

I went to bed early that night, and Chris decided that he would turn in also. But as the hours passed, I woke up thrashing about with no sound coming out of my mouth. I'd had a nightmare about the attack and I couldn't get my tormentors faces out of my head, all I could think about was how Jade held me by the throat and kicked me in the stomach over and over.

It must have been a few seconds before Chris was flying off the sofa bed and bringing me into his arms whilst tears continued to run down my face. "Hey.. Hey.. Shhhh.." He rocked us back and forth and I tucked my head into his shoulder. "Was it nightmares?" I managed a nod. "About the attack?" I nodded again. "We can always call the police like I suggested."

I froze as he said that. Earlier that day, Chris had explained that the police had been in touch about the attack but I wrote a long essay about how I didn't want them involved. It would just cause mayhem and court cases and that's not something that I wanted to be dealing with now, especially with finals coming up. Chris wasn't happy as he wanted justice for me but he understood. I shook my head aggressively.

"Okay beautiful.." He sighed.

I lifted my head from his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his neck bringing him into a heated and passionate kiss. Chris moaned into it and I tried to push him back but he stopped me. "You don't want this now honey," He moved a strand of hair from my face. "You're upset and this isn't the right time. I love making out with you but you're exhausted and you need sleep. So how about I stay here and tomorrow we have some quality time together?"

I kissed him once more and pulled him down onto my bed, making him get under the covers. Once he was, I immediately snuggled into him. A kiss on the forehead was the last thing I felt before I fell asleep, and whilst I was in Chris arms, I was free of nightmares. I felt safe.