"You didn't have to come," I mutter to both Dylan and Liam when we step into the hospital.

Apparently, Dylan inherited a lot from his dad. The crazy fast driving seems to have been another one. We were three hours away and made it here in half the time.  The same way his mom had said he had come back when he broke up with his ex. 

The car ride was silent and stressful for me but I am grateful for their help. Also, grateful for the fact that they all insisted that  Liam would come with us. He volunteered right away.

"Of course, we had, sweety." 

If I weren't too worried, I'd be more appreciative of Liam's soft tone. The whole family has welcomed me since the beginning but I know that out of all of them, Liam is the protector of the family. He'll stay quiet and observe, trying to understand the situation of the person that is coming into his loved ones' lives.

I was no exception. He was always kind and nice, but I know he has been assessing me from the beginning. It doesn't bother me, it makes me respect him even more - he is doing for his kids what my dad never did for me.

And I know that with the amazing examples that Dylan has in his life, he'll get so far and be so happy.

I just hope I can be the one by his side. 

"I know the staff," Dylan's dad informs me. "I have worked here a lot over the years. I'll try and know what's going on. Dylan, take her to the waiting room." 

I don't hear Dylan's voice because my focus is on the white hospital walls that surround me, the awful sterile smell that fills my nostrils and the fallen heads of the other people who sit in those dreadful chairs, waiting for the same as I: news. Who would have thought that this would be where I'd end up the night.

Dylan's birthday night.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" Dylan pauses, looking at me confused. "Why are you saying sorry?"

"I shouldn't have come. I ruined your birthday and now..."

"Hey, hey, look at me," he orders and I obey. "My birthday will never be ruined as long as I am with you. I'd be rather angrier if you hadn't come to spend the weekend, end up here all by yourself and me not having a clue. There's nowhere else I'd rather be." 

"You're so cheesy," I sigh to his chest.

His strong arms wrap around my body, tightening, holding me against him.

"You love it." 

I can hear the smirk in his voice and I know he didn't mean it that way but I do. I really do - even if I am not ready to tell him that. 

However, not answering makes it all awkward. His arms tense slightly and I freeze, not knowing what to do or say to get out of the funk. Honestly? This should be the last thing on my mind now, I have bigger things to worry about. 

I mean... Dylan has become one of the most important people in my life - if not the most important. He's been more supportive, and always there in the last few months. More than my dad, more than my... mom.

And yet, if she needs me I'll show up, every single time.

Just like now. 

"I am so worried," I whisper.

"I know baby, but she's at the only place that can help her. I am sure she'll be fine."

Oh god. This is bad. He is so optimistic and makes me believe that things can be better, and will be better.

"Let's go let's sit and wait. My dad will tell us something as soon as he knows what's going on." 

Dylan guides my body to the plastic grey chairs, but instead of sitting me down and doing the same next to me, he sits down and pulls me into his lap. One of his arms is placed around me tightly while the one free hand intertwines with one of mine.

The moment the pads of his fingers start to caress my hand, I sink into him, welcoming the heat and the comfort. We're both silent but it's no longer uncomfortable, it's part of the wait and he can read my mood well to the point he knows when I am in the mood to be bothered or not.

I am not.

So as his head lays on my shoulder and my back is pressed to his chest, we wait. The seconds turn into minutes and the minutes dissolve into what I think are hours. The double doors of the entrance open numerous times as people rush in and leave.

It's agonizing to see the number of people who come here in a panic frenzy. If I weren't this worried about her I'd be feeling for them but at this moment all I can think is...

What if...

What if something happens to her?

 What if I were here with her? Could I have helped her? Stopped her?

What if it was too late? 

What if I am too late?

"Baby," Dylan calls for me. "Stop overthinking." 

"Dylan, I-I should've been there for her," I stutter.

"And then what? It'd be the same." One hand pressed to my cheek and wipes a tear I didn't even know was falling. "You'd find her unresponsive and rush her to the hospital and wait here. Because when someone overdoses there isn't a magical procedure you can do at home." 

"I know but, maybe if I was home she wouldn't have taken so much and..."

"Do you believe that?" 

Turning me to him, he cradles both my cheeks. 

"N-no but-"

"But nothing, don't try and blame yourself for something that isn't your fault. You've been there for her for years, but you're not God - there is a limit to what you can do for her. You can't be blamed for her mistakes. Ok?" 

I look away, not allowing his words to sink in. He is right but this heaviness in my heart, the love that I can't help but have for her and all the words that have been ingrained in my brain for years now, are telling me otherwise.

"Look at me," he orders. "Luna, it's not your fault. Repeat it."

"Dylan," I try but his glare makes me resign. "It's not my fault," I whisper.

"Good, now repeat it inside your head until you believe it." 

"Guys," a familiar voice sounds and we both leap from our seats. 

It's Liam.

"She's fine," he reveals and we both sigh in relief. "It was a close call, though. She was unresponsive and had a couple of cardiac arrests and they had to perform CPR both times." 

"Oh god," I stumble back but Dylan's arms grip me tight against him. 

"She's out of danger now. They did all they could to try and block the drug effects on her and she'll stay to be under vigilance until they're sure she's good." 

His face is still strained though. 

"What's wrong?" Dylan speaks for me.

"I might have slipped this is a long-term problem. They were suspicious either way the person who brought her seemed high as well." 

Oh, Dean brought her.

"When can I see her?" I change the subject. 

The last thing I want is to see him tonight.

"Probably in the morning. She's not in the condition to receive anyone now and you're both tired. I'd say we go to Jake's tonight and come back in the morning." 

"Can't I stay here?" 

"It won't change anything sweety, at least at home you'll be able to get some rest and be in a good shape to see her tomorrow." 

"Yeah," I answer absentmindedly. "I'm just going to the restrooms and then we'll go." 

"I'll wait here," Dylan's hand caresses my cheek as his lips press to my forehead in a gentle kiss. 

His face is troubled and worried but I don't have the strength to care. 

Down the hall, I spot the signs to the restrooms and head there. The first thing I do inside is punch the wooden door of the wall cubicle, to get the frustration out. Then I do my business before washing my hands and splashing some cold water on my face to try and think clearly. 

They're right, there's no point in waiting here all night long if no one will let me in. We'll go and wait comfortably before we can come back in the morning.

With newfound determination, I exit and walk through the corridor back to  Dylan and Liam. But before I can reach them, I am roughly pulled into a side room. 

"What the-" 

"So you're fucking him? I thought I told you to stay away!" 

"You're still here? You fucking bastard!" I free myself from his tight grasp. "You almost killed my fucking mom. I want you to stay away from us, from both of us, Dean. I mean it!"

"Well, it worked, didn't it? It brought you back."

I gasp. He...

"You made her overdose on purpose?" I pull at his chest but he barely budges.

"I told you there'd be consequences Luna," he snarls. "If you want your loved ones intact and healthy, I'd suggest you start listening to me." 

"Is that a fucking threat? You know how well I deal with threats!"

"No darling, it's a warning. I will eliminate each and everyone that tries to take you away from me." 

Asshole. Bastard.

"You're fucking disgusting. If you think I'll give in to your threats and manipulations. Think again. I will never - EVER - go back to you. And after this, you won't even set sights on my mom either."

He grabs me again, pushing me against the wall and closing the proximity between us. I writhe in a desperate attempt to break free from his hold. 

It hurts and feels utterly wrong.

There is only one person that I allow and want that close to me, and he's out there waiting for me.

"You think you're that powerful? We'll see darling. Game one, and we'll see who wins." He smirks sickly. "Don't come back crying and begging in the end. It'll be too late."

"Let me go," I growl. When nothing happens I repeat louder, "Let me go!" 

He chuckles but does as I say. The door is just next to me so I open it and stumble outside, coming face to face with Dylan.

"What's wro-" 

"Oh man, pretty boy caught us together," Dean smirks. "I guess she doesn't like you that much, dude." 

"Stop lying." I turn to Dylan. "He's lying. H-he pulled me inside forcefully and threatened me. He admitted to being the reason my mum overdosed. Don't believe him, Dylan." 

His blue eyes are shining in a stormy darker shade as they jump between me and Dean and for once, I am afraid of Dylan's reaction.

"Baby," I try, ignoring Dean's scoff.

Dylan's eyes snap to mine and soften slightly, giving me hope that he believes me.

"Come here," he extends his hand.

Accepting his call, I grab his hand and position myself on his side.

"You're one of those, huh?" Dean taunts. "She just two-timed you and like the baby boy you are, you'll stick to her side as she fucking deceives you." 

My mouth opens to argue but before I can react, a cracking sound echoes and I gasp as I see Dylan's fist hit Dean's nose, causing blood splotches to fly all over. 

When I thought it'd stay like that, Dylan stalks forward, toward Dean with fire in his eyes.

"Dylan, that's enough." I try but unsuccessfully. 

It's only when I step in front of him, palms splayed against his chest and a shaking head that he stops.

"He's not worthy," I mutter and he nods. 

His hand, reddened by the punch, raises and grabs a strand of my hair, "He isn't. But you are." 

A soft smile creeps onto my face for the first time since I answered that call from the Hospital. 

"Let's go home," I tell him, tucking my body next to his.

"You've just made your bed," Dean chimes in, making me look back.

He's wiping at his nose with a sick smile and glint in his eyes, letting me know that he won't stop at anything. Not now.

But honestly, I don't think I could care less right now. What can he do?

 "I can't wait to watch you lie in it."

"I can't wait to see you try," Dylan flips him off as we walk out, towards home.

⛓️ A u t h o r ' s N o t e ⛓️

Whoops... Things were too good, right? We had to disrupt them a little bit....^^

Not edited folks, sorry for the typos and stuff.