It's Us Against The World

6. Um, Ouch

I heard footsteps get closer to me. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a bright light. Oh god, am I dead?

"Is he okay?"

"He's fine, Amethyst."

"Is he dead?"

"No, he's not dead. He's just resting."

"He looks dead." 

Nope, not dead. 

"Weren't you a cop?"

Amethyst and Walter were talking with their backs to me. Trying to be as silent as possible, I pushed myself to a sitting position and rubbed my eyes. God, my stomach was empty. When was the last time I ate?

"So?"

"Shouldn't you be calmer about this?"

"It's been a while, and things have changed."

"What sort of things?"

"Life as we know it, Walter."

"True, but I mean with you."

"I'm fine."

"You're a terrible liar." 

"I just haven't had someone else around me in a year. For an entire year, I was by myself."

"You've got feelings for him?"

"Platonic feelings, but yes."

"Hm...Are you sure you're okay?"

"I will be once he wakes up."

"Mother hen much?"

"Bite me."

I felt my lips curve into a smile as I pushed my bangs from my face. Amethyst turned around, and her face lit up. She hurried over and instantly began to inspect me. Her soft hand pressed against my forehead to check for a fever. Her eyes met mine as she looked between them to check for irritation. 

"How are you feeling?" She sat on the side of the bed. 

"Better than when I was down there," I nodded.

"You scared the crap out of me, Kieth."

"Sorry," I rubbed the back of my neck.

I was guessing she couldn't tell her hand was on mine. I didn't say anything either. She glanced down at the tattoo on her wrist before returning her gaze to me. God, her eyes were amazing. 

"Do you need anything? Food, water, rest?" Amethyst asked in a comforting voice. 

"Some water and food would be nice. I've been resting for the last who knows how long, so I think I'm good on that," I chuckled.

Her lips curved into a soft smile as she nodded, stood up, and made her way to the hotel room's kitchen. Walter sat on the opposite bed with a huff. "Heya, Walter," I waved.

"How are you feeling, kiddo?" He cleared his throat.

"Not bad. I've got a little headache but, other than being hungry, I'm fine. How long was I out?"

"A couple of hours. Nothing major," He ran a hand over his salt and pepper beard. "You terrified Amethyst," he smiled.

"So I heard," I returned the smile. "What happened?"

Walter tilted his head in confusion. "You don't remember?"

"Not enough to put together what happened."

He nodded as he leaned back on the bed. "After you threw up, we came out of the kitchen. Amethyst asked if you were okay, and then you hit the ground. We brought you back up here and checked for any injuries before leaving you to rest. Your heartbeat and breathing were regular, so I knew you'd be fine."

"Is that everything?"

"Besides Amethyst not being able to sleep, yeah."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Why couldn't Amethyst sleep?"

Walter chuckled in his soothingly deep voice. "She was worried about you, kid."

"She was?"

"What part of terrified and not sleeping do you not get?" he joked. 

I shrugged. "I guess I've never really had someone care for me that much besides my little sister."

"Well," Walter stood. "Now, you've got two." 

My attention turned from Walter to Amethyst as she walked in, holding a bowl of mixed berries and yogurt. She smiled as I took the bowl and thanked her. Amethyst then turned her attention to Walter. "Do you want me to make you one too, Walter?" She brushed her hair back.

"I already ate this morning, honey." he patted her shoulder. "You go on and make somethin' for yourself, alright?"

"Will do, sir," she nodded before returning to the kitchen. Walter again sat down on the opposite bed and pulled out a book from a pocket inside his coat. I glanced at the title as he opened it: Good Omens.

"Isn't that story about the apocalypse?" I swallowed a mouthful of yogurt. 

He nodded. "Indeed, it is. One of my personal favorites," he winked before returning to his book. 

As Walter and I continued to chat aimlessly, I heard Amethyst return. The end of the bed dipped down as she sat beside me. I glanced at her and smiled. When she wasn't running around with a gun and trying to kill zombies, she looked peaceful. 

I felt my eyes studying her, taking in every detail. 

Everything from the small scar that was visible from her right eye to her ear, to the light freckles dotted across her nose. I noticed the way she smiled and memorized the sound of her laugh. I wasn't trying to be creepy or weird, I promise. It's just that something about Amethyst makes me so calm and comfortable. 

It's like being in her presence puts a sort of spell that removes all my fears and insecurities. I never wanted to lose her if I was sincere. 

"Um, ouch," Amethyst's voice brought me out of my trance. She was chuckling, and I looked between her and Walter. 

"What did I miss?" I quirked an eyebrow. 

Amethyst and Walter looked at one another before bursting into laughter. Between the howling and snorting, Walter managed, "Childhood joke."

My confusion only doubled, and Amethyst looked at me with flushed cheeks from laughing. "Walter reminded me of when I used to dress up as a cop when I was a kid and tell people I was the real deal. My uncle would play along, and I'd hang out in front of the station like I owned the place," she shook her head with a smile. 

A chuckle escaped my lips. She continued. "Walter told me that he'd seen me outside the station before and once gave me money to get a pastry at the local bakery because he thought I was trying to get money for the station."

Walter's deep and rumbling laugh rattled our ribs. He smiled at both of us with a twinkle in those chocolate brown eyes.  

"What?" Amethyst and I asked in unison. 

"Just something you kids'll see soon enough. I won't spoil the ending for you, don't worry." And with that, he got up and walked away while humming "Chances Are" by Johnny Mathis.

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