I Promise. (Nateiplier)

"Honestly, I hope this is it."

 Sean arrived at the house after a few minutes, getting out before going back to help Steph.

Steph then opened the door with her key and walked in with Oliver in her arms, sleeping. Sean lifted Matt out of the truck, walking in and resting him down on the couch. 

Steph places the sleeping baby on top of the dad, then knocked on Nate's closed door, wondering if they even woke up yet.  "Hello? Mark? Nate? You both awake?" She said, hoping she didn't wake them up. She glanced at Sean worriedly, knocking a little more. 

Sean glanced at Steph, shrugging worriedly. He placed his hand on the doorknob, opening the door gently. Steph gasped as he sees Mark on the floor, bed messy. She kneeled down and slightly shakes Nate who was curled up near the bed.

Nate flinched at the touch, his breath hitching. He curled up tighter, shaking his head frantically as his breathing grew worse. Steph raised Nate up and leaned him against the bed frame. "N-Nate?!" Nate, assuming it was Mark, tried to fight against her grip. He shook his head frantically, tears streaming down his face.

Sean kneeled down next to the unconscious Mark, shaking his lightly. "Mark?.." After getting no response, he sighed, glancing over at Steph. "How's it going over there?.."

Steph slinked away and looked at Sean. "Nate's scared. Something must've happened while we were gone.." She looks down at Mark. "What happened to Mark?"

Sean shrugged, looking down at the redhead. "No idea. He won't budge." Steph looked back at Nate. "What do you think happened?" She bit her lip, placing a hand on Nate's shoulder.

Nate jumped from the touch, his breathing growing worse by the second. He could feel himself growing light-headed.

Sean looked down at the male worriedly, shrugging again. "I have no idea..do you think Carl got to him? Maybe this was what he was planning when we left?"

Steph nodded slightly, taking it into consideration. "That's true... Carl's smart." She looked over at Nate, and see him struggle. "You're fine, Nate... you're fine.. deep breaths.." Steph tries to calm him down.

Nate paused, hearing a voice. It sounded distant and muffled. It definitely wasn't Mark..was that Steph? When did she get here? Nate kept his head down and his eyes closed as he slowly reached out a shaky hand, trying to find the source of the voice. 

Sean nodded, nudging Mark again. "Honestly, I hope this is it. If this was his plan, at least it's over. We can deal with it, and know there's nothing else coming."

Steph nodded. "Y-yeah... but we should always be on our guard. Who knows what trick he has up his sleeve..." She glances at Nate and takes his hand. "You're fine, Nate... Deep breaths..." 

Sean still attempted to wake up the unconscious Mark. "We should all keep in our ear plugs for now. I'll give some to Mark and Nate after we sort this out."

Nate immediately intertwined his fingers with Steph's, gripping her hand tightly. The hand was way too small to be Mark's. It had to be hers. He gripped her hand tightly, doing his best to follow her instructions. Though it was hard, seeing as he could hardly hear her, her voice sounding muffled and distant. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force out a deep breath. It simply resulted in a coughing fit, his body curling up tighter. 

Steph kept an eye on Nate. "Make sure Mark is okay... I'll take care of Nate.." She pets his hair slightly, in an effort to calm him down. "He's traumatized."

"Got it." Sean sat down, moving Mark's head onto his lap. He sighed, gently tapping his face as he tried to wake him up. "Matt and I only left about an hour ago. Maybe even less..what the heck could've happened while we were gone?"

"I have no clue... but I saw that grin on Carl's face... he had a plan. A big one." She says, glancing over at Sean. 

Nate held onto Steph tightly, now using both of his hands to grip hers. He leaned into the touch, his body shaking violently. Nate rested on her chest, breathing frantic and uneven. He hugged her tightly, gripping onto her shirt as he squeezed his eyes shut, tears streaming down his face.  

Sean nodded, continuing his movements. "Knowing him, there's no telling what he has planned. He doesn't hold back.."

~~~

Soon, Mark's eyes start to open. "Urgh," He groans, raising a hand to his aching head. "W-where... where am I?"