Everything

Chapter 16

"...stay...Stefon...buddy...hear me...with me..."

Noise reverberated from all sides. It was near impossible to make out words, let alone phrases. Muted colors danced behind a thin veil of darkness. Every inch of immoveable muscle was heavy, numb. Movement all around could be felt in vibrations. Every sense was beginning to ebb away as a shadow cast itself over the colorful space, one final desperate cry breaking through.

"...Just a little longer..."

---

"You're awake!" came a delighted squeal from the door. Stefon's head turned slowly. Shy practically jumped in excitement as he darted over to the bedside. He sat down and held his friend's hand, rubbing his thumb into the back of it.

"And you're...dressed for the occasion?" Stefon acknowledged the older man's three piece suit with raspy-toned humor.

"I had court today," Shy chuckled.

"Oh my god, why?" At this, Stefon started to sit up, but was stopped by a hand on his chest.

"I'm still an attorney, bud."

"Oh yeah."

The conversation felt rather lonely. Stefon was entirely monotone between speech and behavior, where he was usually over the top. But it was much less lonely than talking to him while he slept, probably never hearing a word. It fell silent between them for a short while. A couple nurses came in at one point to check in and make sure his brain was working, asking him if he knew who and where he was, his birthday, a bunch of super obvious things he should know. Then they asked if he knew why he was there. He nodded but didn't respond. When they asked him to, he simply said he didn't want to talk about it. After a bit of arguing amongst themselves about whether or not to get an answer, they left.

Shy spoke up when they were gone, hand squeezing Stefon's a bit tighter. "So what'd you take?"

The younger man stared at the ceiling. He knew what his friend meant. His stuff was still in the studio apartment so his family didn't find it and alcohol hadn't done this to him. The nurses talked to Shy, as he was the person who showed up with him. But he knew his family knew and they were probably just as upset. "A bunch of over-the-counter stuff," he said finally, "in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom."

Shy exhaled through his nose, his head hanging. Of all of the things Stefon had done, all of the things he thought he might do, an attempt on his life had never crossed his mind. Stefon loved the way he lived. Nightlife was home to him and drugs and hookups were just part of the fun. Shy just couldn't wrap his head around it. "Why?"

"It doesn't—"

"Don't even finish that sentence. You are laying in a hospital bed that I thought for sure was going to be your deathbed. It fucking matters."

"I was just being impulsive. Looking for a high." 

Shy frowned. "No you weren't. Stealing half my stash of acid would have been impulsively looking for a high. You took over-the-counter meds, and a lot of them."

"Ooh, speaking of which," Stefon spoke quickly, "I have got to get something in my system."

"You will as soon as you're out of here. Stop changing the subject."

Stefon sighed. His eyes closed for a moment. He didn't want this to end badly for anybody. "Alright. But you have to promise to not get mad."

"I make no such promises."

"At least keep your cool?"

"I mean duh, I'm Shy. I'm the coolest person you know."

Stefon rolled his eyes, managing a chuckle. "I'm serious, Shy. No jail time." Shy stiffened. He hadn't realized it was going to involve that possibility. He nodded slowly, forcing himself to relax. "Seth—"