Perception {Dreamnotfound}

31 | See You Again | 31

-Clay's POV-

Consciousness comes and goes along the trip back to wherever Nick is taking me. I hope it's not too far, as the pain in my stomach is only made worse by the way I'm being carried. Not that Nick can tell, and I appreciate enough that he's helping.

I can't talk to him, which makes this harder. Communication is impossible when George isn't here to help. He's nowhere to be found, and hasn't caught up with us at any point along the trip.

Wherever he is, I just hope he's ok.

The worry from that alone is enough to keep me conscious most of the time. Worrying over someone who isn't immune to death, and is far less capable in combat than his opposition. I remind myself he excels in stealth, but that's not enough to settle my troublesome thoughts.

Either that or the pain keeps me awake. A method that also keeps me unconscious, when it becomes so much that my body screams out for it to drag me back under. This is the case when Nick tries to climb a ladder and carry me. I pass out from then onwards, and don't wake up for what must a while after.

~~~

"Clay are you there?" Slowly I open my eyes, blinking a couple times to adjust to the light shining into my eyes. A figure blocks out that light, standing over me with a worrisome look plastered across their face.

"Clay? Clay? Clay?" they ask over and over, poking me in the arm each time they call my name. I want to answer, to give them a sign. But I can't bring myself to, and I quickly fade away again.

~~~

"Clay?" Another voice asks. It's someone else this time, their voice is higher pitched. Rich and sweet like honey, familiar. I blindly reach out with my eyes still closed, fingers knotting into the fabric of a shirt. "You think he'll hold on this time?" another voice asks from further away, nervous. "I hope so."

The name doesn't come to me, but I know who this is. They're safe, and it's ok. Blearily I open my eyes, immediately noticing the red blood running down a turquoise face.

My hand drifts towards the blood, wiping it away softly. The familiar figure wraps their hand over mine, smiling sweetly. "I'm ok" they reassure me, smiling sweetly. From over their shoulder I see the other figure, the one who asked if I'd remain conscious this time.

That's quickly answered when I fade back out of reality, my fingers grazing the blue boy's face as they slip away.

~~~

"Clay? Clay can you hear me?" When I open my eyes I'm met with George, wide-eyes focused on my face. "Hello? Earth to Clay?" he asks.

I notice he's holding one of my hands, sitting beside me on the bed I lay upon. Our fingers are neatly intertwined, his thumb caressing the back of my hand gently. He looks worried, and tired. There's dark lines under his pretty eyes, proving he must be exhausted.

"You should sleep" is the first thing that comes to me, and George sighs in relief. "That's what you have to say?" he laughs. "I can't anyway, Nick is using my bed."

"That's ridiculous" I smile. With a quick pull I tug George down so that he's laying beside me. Careful to avoid my stomach, which I notice is now covered in a thick layer of bandages, he shuffles closer to me. "Need anything before I inevitably fall asleep?" George asks, and I giggle before debating my answer.

"You."

"You're ridiculous" he blushes. It's funny how he still gets flustered by even the simplest of my cheesy remarks. George rests his head in the crook of my neck, wrapping his arms around my chest. I drape my own around his waist, moving away only briefly to plant a kiss on his forehead.