Tides Change

A visit

You choke back a sob.

Damien paces nervously back and forth, the white bright lights buzzing overhead.
You sit in the cold, uncomfortable, and uncomforting chair.
Your hands tug absently at your hair.
Tia sat next to you, her leg bouncing up and down relentlessly, wiping tears off of her face, her perfect makeup smeared into abscurity.

Why would this have happened to him? How could it? Shayne was so great, and nice, he didn't deserve any of this.

You watched as somebody was wheeled passed, doctors and nurses gathered around the stretcher.

You turned your eyes away, choosing to bury your face in your hands instead.
You replayed the moment Damien told you in your head over and over again.
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"(Y/n), it's Shayne..." His voice cracked as he looked away, your face and you nearly broke as the next part came "He... uh-" Damien began coughing as tears filled his eyes and he stalled for time. You remained silent, paralyzed.
"There was an accident, well, not that kind... I got the call, he was stabbed."
You nearly fell of your stool, and got off.

How? why?

Questions circled in your mind. You hugged Damien, tears welling in your eyes. He wrapped his arms around you and continued.

"His girlfriend-Tia--called the police. Somebody tried to mug them and Shayne tried to talk them out of it. The guy turned hi-" Damien's voice shook "Turned his attention on Tia and Shayne took charge, the guy managed to... well, they're looking for him."

You let out a sob and Damien began shaking. You gripped him tighter.
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The doctor came out.
"Damien ?" He asked
"Yes." Damien said quickly, stilling even quicker as he turned to face the doctor.
"No major arteries were hit. The knife did not penetrate the abdominal cavity, and though it was close he got very lucky. No permanent injury will be left except for scarring."
You released your breath, and Tia let out a sob of relief, putting her head in her hands.
You rubbed her shoulder and she leaned into you, exhausted, relieved, and still crying.
You all were exhausted, but Shayne was alright.
" Thank you Dr. Estural." Damien breathed, shaking his hand.
The doctor nodded "You're welcome."
"Are we allowed to visit?" You asked, gently moving Tia and standing up.

He nodded "Not for long, but yes."

They couldn't put Shayne on pain killers or under to go through the small surgery needed, you had learned, so he would very much be awake. You felt the tears in your eyes well up again.
You entered the room first, Tia behind you, and Damien bringing up the rear.
"Just, one at a time please." Dr. Estural asked.
"Tia would you li-" You began to ask and she shook her head, looking like she was about to cry again. You nodded, and you look at Damien but he was already back in the hall.
You entered and Shayne looked up.
"Oh... I was expecting-" he began
"Tia." You smiled gently.
He nodded and fumbled with the covers.
"Oh god shayne..." You whispered.
"I'm all right (y/n), " He began, you shook you head "I'm just a bit sore." He said trying to lighten to mood.
You walked closer to the bed and sat on the side of it.
Shayne was staying one night so the doctors could monitor him before giving the okay for him to go home.
You opened your arms, offering a hug.
He opened his,"but be careful please." he instructed, voice small.
You nodded, and hugged him gently. You let a few tears escape before you pulled back.
You wiped your tears away and he looked down.
"Why?" You whispered.
"I didn't mean to get stabbed." He said, voice showing a hint of anger.
"That's not what I meant." You blinked away more tears, and sniffled.
"Sorry." He murmered.
You nodded, but stopped when you saw that Shayne's eyes were trained on the small window peering into the hallway.
You turned your eyes to see Tia and Damien in what looked like a small argument.
"I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say that you have no idea what they're arguing about either." He muttered, tone serious. You looked at him and he laughed, then his face contorted in pain.
"Really? Jokes?? Now?" You asked, but appreciating that Shayne was apparently well enough to make a joke.
"Yeah, whattaya gonna do about it stab me?" He asked, laughing again .
"You're going to end up tearing all your stitches." You chastised, making him settle back onto the bed fully.
"Okay okay, sorry." He said, voice light.
"I'm going to send Damien in." You said, getting up and squeezing Shayne's hand goodbye.
"Okay." He smiled, squeezing your hand back.
His smile was reassuring, and you left.
As you opened the door the words that flew out of Tia's mouth shocked you.
"What so you think that I can't date your best friend even though you dumped me and decided to date his crush?" She asked, furiously whispering through tears.
"What?" You said, mouth going dry.
They both turned to look at you.
Guilt was evident on Tia's face and Damien looked... hurt.

You shut the door with a gentle click and breathed in as both Damien and Tia began rushing to explain.
You held up a hand and they both quieted.
"Now-" You said sternly "is not the time to be arguing."

They both looked down like children.

"Shayne is hurt, and he is your best friend-" you said turning to Damien, "and your boyfriend." you said turning to Tia.
They both nodded.
"I don't care what kind of history you two have, but Shayne doesn't need it. Not after all of this. If neither of you are moved on-" you said, making a point to meet both of their eyes.
"Then you need to end it. Because that's not fair, to Shayne," You said, making eye contact with Tia until she looked away.

"Or me." You said, this time meeting Damiens saddened and guilty face.