Sempiternal

Chapter 18

--Dylan's POV--

It's been nearly a week and a half since I got that call. I've hardly spoken at all. I've had the urge to do some really stupid things. But I knew better, and that Ricky wouldn't want me to. So I drew on myself. Arms, legs, stomach, neck, anywhere I could. I let Andy draw on me too. Him and Oli hardly ever left my side, except to preform or go to the bathroom. I'm grateful for them. I was laying on my bed on the SWS bus. Socks way on my stomach. I had my earbuds in and my phone on shuffle. A song called 'Rise' by Sixx A.M. came on. I listened to every word carefully. Hearing what the song was saying made me realize that I couldn't keep going like this. I had to continue living my life. I needed to get myself together, for Ricky's sake. I gathered my strength for a few minutes, and finally got up. I got in the shower and got dressed. Black denim shorts and a blue flannel over a black tank top. I went out to the front of the bus. Upon seeing me, Kellin shot up. He ran over and engulfed me in a hug. I hugged back, a small smile tugging on my lips. 

"Are you ok? Doing any better?" Kellin asked and held me out at arms length. He looked in my eyes, which were still slightly red, and rubbed my shoulders with his thumbs.  I took a deep breath and nodded, smiling. A large grin grew on Kellin's face too. He hugged me again, then went into the kitchen.

"I'm making celebratory pancakes!" He shouted. I rolled my eyes.

"Kells, it's too late for breakfast. It's already 11:30," I said. 

"Fuck your breakfast limitations!" He yelled back and pointed a spatula at me. I laughed at that. Kellin smiled brightly. I felt a pair of arms snake their way around my waist. I looked up and saw Andy. He looked like he was about to cry. I scrunched my eyebrows together. He laughed.

"That was the first time I've heard you laugh in a week," he said and wiped his eyes. The reality of it sunk in. I haven't said anything to anyone. I haven't laughed. I haven't responded to anything or anyone. In over a week. I turned around and pulled Andy into a tight hug, which he gladly returned. He looked down at me. I stood up on my tiptoes, but was still too short. Andy leaned down the rest of the way and connected our lips. He smiled against it.

"Hey, no PDA in my bus!" Kellin yelled from the kitchen. I pulled away and laughed. Andy smiled and hooked his hand to my waist. "Pancakes are ready, by the way." I happily grabbed a plate stacked with chocolate chip pancakes covered in whipped cream and syrup. Andy, Kellin, and I sat on the couch and ate our pancakes in a comfortable silence. I poked Andy. 

"Babe, you have whipped cream on your face," I said mischievously. 

"Where?"

"Right, there!" I smeared some whipped cream on Andy's nose. He looked at me with his mouth hanging open. Kellin and I were both laughing. I laughed so hard my stomach started to hurt. But I don't care. I was happy to be back to normal. After calming down, with Andy wiping the whipped cream off his nose, I finished my pancakes and stood up. I placed my dishes in the sink. 

"I'm going to visit Oli, then Austin, Vic, Jack, and Aideen. Wanna come?" I asked Andy. He nodded and stood up. I grabbed my phone. Kellin smiled and continued to eat his pancakes as Andy and I walked out of the door. 

--Time skip to Oli--

I saw Oli before he saw me. His back was turned, talking to Ronnie Radke. I released Andy's hand and ran over to Oli, jumping on his back. 

"OLIVER SCOTT SYKES I FUCKING MISSED YOU!" I yelled in his ear and hugged on to his back like a koala. I could hear Andy laughing in the background. 

"Dylan?" Oli asked quietly, as if he couldn't believe what was happening. I dropped off of him, and he turned around. Upon seeing that I was actually there, he buried me in a hug. I gripped his shirt and pressed my cheek to his chest. Oli rested his forehead on the top of my head. I faintly heard Andy and Ronnie talking.

"I'm so sorry, Oli." I whispered. He tightened his grip on my shoulder. I could feel his tears drop on my hair.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I just missed you so much. You were there, but not. I thought you would never talk to me again. I was scared," Oli murmured, his voice quavering slightly. I felt the tears prick in my eyes. I shut my eyes tight and squeezed my arms around him tighter. 

"I love you, Oli. You are truly the best brother ever," I cried in his chest. He stroked my hair.

"I love you, too. I'll do anything to protect my baby sister," Oli said and gently rocked back and forth. Suddenly we heard shouting.

"I WANNA JOIN!" It was Lee. He was running toward us. Matt, Jordan, and Vegan were trailing behind him. Soon I was crushed in a pile of Bring Me the Horizon members. I heard Andy and Ronnie laughing. I didn't care. I was back, with my awesome brother and his awesome band in a giant group hug.