Of Flowers and Fire

Chapter 21

Diego was laying in bed holding his phone up to his ear and listening to the voicemail Sawyer had left him for the sixth time. "Hey honey it's me. Stop by or give me a call or something. Please? It's been five days, I know you're hurting but please just give me something to let me know you're alive. I don't want to find you at the hospital. I love you, Diego." Diego played the message again. He burrowed deeper into his blankets, and pushed his head into the pillows stiffly. He had laid his pillows next to one another vertically, trying to simulate Sawyer laying next to him. It wasn't working.

He replayed the voicemail.

Sawyer sounded sad. Worried. Not angry or disgusted as Diego had feared. The thought of Sawyer looking at him, pitying him, after those pictures made Diego's chest and stomach hurt. Diego replayed the message again. Even through a phone Sawyer's voice was soothing. More so even, because Diego didn't have to look at him. Didn't get to look at him, more like. Diego closed his eyes and groaned into the pillow.

He need to get up, shower and shave. He needed to go see Sawyer.

He heard a knock from his front door and groaned again. He pulled the blankets over his head and replayed the voicemail. He laid in silence with only Sawyer's voice before the blankets were whipped away, fanning out around him. He glared up at the offender and shielded his eyes. Maria was standing there, hands on her hips.

"Diego, esto es ridículo. Levántate y llama a tu novio." Maria ordered.

"I don't want to get up and call him." Diego grumbled.

"Diego," Maria said.

"I'm not ready to see him," Diego sighed, locking his phone and putting it on the bedside table.

"Well Mr. Hannigan is worried about you." Maria said.

"I know," Diego said sheepishly.

"You know," Maria parroted, "Diego! That makes it worse!" Diego didn't answer. "You're going to shower, put on clean clothes, eat something and go talk to him. He deserves an explanation."

"Madre," Diego mumbled.

"I'm not leaving this apartment until you do," Maria said crossing her arms over her chest.

Diego begrudgingly sat up, and got off of the bed, joints popping. Maria looked fairly satisfied with herself, and went into the living room. Diego fumbled into his bathroom and started water for the shower. He followed his mother's rules: showered, dressed and emerged healthier. Maria nodded and kissed his cheek, pushing an apple into his hands.

"I expect great things from you always, Diego. Don't disappoint me by running this one off," Maria pointed at him. It was a warning and Diego knew it. "I like him." Diego nodded and Maria left the apartment.

Diego stood in the middle of the floor for a while. It would be easier to turn and go back into his bedroom, but he had already showered and gotten dressed. He took a bite of his apple and grabbed his keys. It was the first warm day in March, so Diego neglected his jacket and decided to walk.

~

Sawyer was in the workshop when Diego came inside. "Just a second," he called. Diego picked up the watering can by the door and watered a pot of daisies that looked a bit worse for wear. Diego knew when Sawyer came out, because he heard him gasp. Diego placed the can down gently and turned to look at Sawyer. He looked great, like always, and surprised to see Diego.

"Hey," Diego said.

Sawyer took a deep breath and wiped his hands on his apron. "Hey," he said. He was wearing his glasses and had this soft look on his face. "You're okay," Sawyer murmured, face forming a smile.