Set My Whole World On Fire (Austlan Cashby)

Going Home

Ehh... Screw it. I've seriously been a writing fiend lately and I'm proud of myself. I finished this chapter like a day or two ago but I was waiting to see if the previous chapter got anymore comments, but I don't really care anymore. So, I did something very terrible in this chapter, and if you can guess what's going on, I'll give you a dedication in the next chapter! Comment, loves!

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-STILL AUSTIN POV-

One month later and I had been told by the doctors that I was ready to be discharged along with my beautiful boyfriend. He had been here twice as long as I have, four months, and it was wonderful to see him at a healthy weight and smiling and laughing and being more confident in himself than I would have ever imagined. He was about a hundred and thirty pounds, still skinny, but he was so, so beautiful.

"Aussie, I really don't want to leave." my dark-eyed beauty confessed to me. He had been having a lot of anxiety about the outside world lately, being certain that he would gave in and relapse if he didn't have constant supervision.

"Baby," I started. "You've grown so much over these four months. I've gotten to know you for two, and I can promise you that you have a lot more strength than you give yourself credit for. You've been through so much in seventeen years, much more than a lot of people go through in their lifetimes and you're still standing here today, wearing smiles as if they were a drug. You have no reason to be afraid." I took his face in my hands, pecking his lips lightly before grabbing his shoes and putting them nicely in his suitcase.

"I... I know. I'm just scared. Who is picking you up today?" he asked. I was excited because I would be able to see my dad again.

It's not like he never visited me, but he was busy with work so I hadn't seen him in about two to three weeks. I had gained another five pounds in that time and had also gained a warm, healthy glow. I hoped that he would be proud of me.

"My dad is picking me up. Phil and Tino might be coming too, but I don't know about that exactly. Are your parents picking you up?" he nodded his head and wrapped his arms around my waist, snuggling his head into my chest. There were times where he felt extremely vulnerable and would need me to make him feel safe. It never worked that way when I felt vulnerable though because he didn't know how to take care of someone, only how to be taken care of. I always had to call Phil to take care of me in those times.

Once we got everything packed, we took our stuff out to the main room where we started saying our goodbyes to everyone. I ended up giving lots of hugs and gave lots of words of encouragement to the new arrivals or the kids who were still struggling to find solid ground. To tell you the truth, I didn't really want to go home. When I was here, I knew I could be safe and no one could ever hurt me except myself, but I guess that's not how the real world works.

When a nurse came out and told us our families were here, I grabbed Oli's hand and walked out the big wooden doors which seemed even bigger on this particular day. I was carrying both of our suitcases. When Oli saw Hannah, he ran to her and held her in his arms. When I looked at the group waiting for me, my jaw dropped.

Standing in front of me with crooked smiles on their faces was my dad, Phil, Aaron, Tino, and Alan. I felt my legs buckle under me and Phil came up and caught me before I smashed my face on the floor. I was overwhelmed with happiness and surprise.

Alan looked at me sadly, taking my suitcase from my hands. I stabilised myself on Phil and gave them all a big smile, holding out my arms for them to come and hug me. Oli and Hannah joined in our group hug, both giggling at the comfort.

Oli slung one of his arms around my lower waist, causing Alan's face to screw up in pain.

"So Aussie, will you introduce me to your friends?" He laid his head against my shoulder, smiling up at me.