I'm Just Septic-Eyed

Chapter 13: Cold Hands

Felix had to help Cry up because of his hands. He really wanted whoever did this to his poor Cry to pay. But that was a wish for another time, it seemed. When Mark scooped up Sean, they all hurried to Felix's car with Chica chasing after them. Felix and Cry sat in the front while Mark and Chica sat with Sean in the back. Cry glanced back at them. Mark was holding onto Sean as tight as he could without hurting him. Both of their faces were pale, but Sean's was from blood loss -- which is exactly why he was unconscious. Cry frowned and made a noise to get Mark's attention. Mark looked up and Cry motioned to his face. Mark put his hand up to his face, but didn't find anything wrong until he noticed his glasses were missing. His world was so blurry from tears that he didn't even notice.

But that wasn't the most important thing at the moment. Sean seemed to get paler by the second and Mark felt completely useless. Sean was practically dying in his arms and all he could do was watch. Cry turned his eyes away from the side mirror when Mark began sobbing.

~~~

Sean felt odd. There was a strange feeling of coldness that slowly spread to warmth. He felt sunlight on his arms and face. There were birds chirping cheerily. Where was this? "So what's your name?" That was Mark. Who was he talking to?

"I'm Sean," Sean heard himself answer. "But I prefer Jack."

Mark chuckled a bit. "Alright, Jack it is. Which apartment is yours?"

Sean remembered this. This is when he met Mark. They had bumped into each other on the sidewalk. To this day neither of them could find out who was to blame. But whoever it was, they deserved a thanks. Their friendship started with a simple accident. Sean felt his fingers gripping a paper. He remembered that he almost tried to give it to Mark to read. "First floor, number seventeen," Sean answered.

"Really?" Mark sounded amazed. "I guess we're living together, then." Sean could hear the smile in his voice. That's when Sean discovered he liked hearing someone's smile. And Mark sounded genuinely happy, well, at least very amused.

"Shouldn't you take me out to dinner first?"

Sean never realized how sarcastic he always was. He felt his lips pull up into a smile at the sound of Mark's laugh. It was really pleasant. Sean remembered he wanted to make Mark laugh as often as he could. But something changed drastically. The birds stopped singing their happy tune and it felt like the sun vanished completely. Mark's laughter turned into quiet whimpers. This wasn't part of any memory Sean knew. What was going on? Then there was another voice. Was that Felix? Sean couldn't make out what he was saying. It sounded way too muffled -- like he was in an underwater tank.

Piece by piece Sean started to feel things. He felt something below him and a thin material over him. His body still felt a bit cold, but it was different from earlier. Sean knew he wasn't fully awake yet which bothered him. He was in that stage of between conscious and unconscious. When he started to hear a steady beep from a monitor, he felt himself fully wake up. He heard everything clearly and smelled odd things. This was a hospital room, Mark was crying beside him, and there were footsteps leaving.

Sean tried to say something. Nothing came out. He tried moving but his body just wasn't listening. Sean began to get frustrated. Mark was crying and all he could do was listen. He heard the heart monitor pick up speed slightly and he felt an odd sense of accomplishment. At least he could make something move.

It sounded like Mark got up from wherever he was sitting. "Jack?" His voice was the quietest Sean had ever heard it. "Are you awake right now?" Sean felt a hand in his. It was warm in all senses of the word. Sean tried to move his hand -- he tried so hard -- but it just wouldn't budge. Mark laughed bitterly which caused an odd jump on the monitor. "I guess not. It's getting close to the end of visiting time hours, buddy. Are you gonna wake up anytime soon?" Mark sighed softly after a moment of no response.

Sean felt Mark's hand beginning to leave his. He had to do something. So he grabbed it. Mark took in a sharp breath and Sean felt instant relief at finally being able to do something. "J-Jack?" Mark's voice wavered. Sean turned his head to Mark and gave a weak smile. "Oh my God, Jack!" Mark squeezed his hand. "I-I thought... I don't know. I was just so scared a-and you passed out and I-I -- holy fuck, you're okay." He started crying again -- but out of happiness this time.

Sean laughed as best as he could and Mark chuckled out of relief. "Where's Chica?" Sean's voice came out rough. Maybe it was because he felt really weak.

"She's right here. Do you want me to leave her with you?"

"If you can." Sean smiled. It was hard to do simple things like that. "But if you miss me too much you might have to take her with you."

Mark scoffed. "Yeah right. I'll be glad to finally have some piece and quiet." The smirk in his voice could be heard. For some odd reason, the heart monitor began to pick up speed again.

Sean gave a shocked gasped. "How dare you. I am a delight."

"A delight to not have around?"

"Dick."

The two started laughing. And, for a moment, everything was right in the world. 

A/N: Just a short chapter to give a bit of fluff and feels :)