The first night in the hospital was difficult. I had too much going through my head to fall asleep. It hurt to keep my eyes open but it also hurt to close them. It wasn’t until two in the morning, after a nurse came in to check on me, that I was able to fall asleep—thanks to the drugs she pumped into my system. When I was finally awake, I was groggy and loopy but nothing hurt.

“Hi beautifuls,” I smiled upon awaking, seeing two of Phoebe and, to my delight, three of Mike.

“Good morning, baby,” he chuckled, brushing my face with his fingertips. I looked at him and he turned into four Mikes. As much as I loved seeing him everywhere, it was making me dizzy. I balled my left hand up into a fist and went to rub at my eyes, but he grabbed my wrist before I could do that.

“Why?” I pouted.

He chuckled again and slid his hand up so his palm was against mine. “It’ll hurt you,” he said gently. He reached across with his free hand and swiped his thumb under my eyes. “You should blink, maybe,” he suggested.

“I haven’t blinked?” Normally it was a natural action. But now as I was thinking about it I could feel my eyes burning and begging to close for a quick moment—I was just too afraid to. “There’s so many Mikes! I don’t know what to do with all of you!” I giggled, refocusing my attention to the quadrupling image of Mike. I turned my head to look at Phoebe. “There’s lots of Pheobes, too!” I exclaimed, giggling. She laughed and stood up, walking closer to me. “They’re closing in!” I squealed, kicking my legs.

Mike laughed hysterically next to me, catching my attention. I turned my head abruptly and placed my hand on his cheek as he laughed. I paid special attention to the way his smile stretched across his face and the way his eyes squinted and sparkled. “You’re so beautiful when you laugh,” I said softly. Then, I broke out into another fit of giggles. “Especially because there’s so many of you!”

“Faye,” he laughed. “Blink, angel,” he said softly. I frowned. My eyes were on fire. I could feel moisture building up in them.

Hesitantly, I started to close my eyes. They felt like they were ripping apart. Or like two pieces of sandpaper were rubbing together. Or like—

“Faye,” Mike cooed. I quickly shut my eyes but I think I might have shut them too tightly because I whimpered in pain.

“It’s weird,” I sniffed.

“I know. It’s okay, it’ll feel better soon,” he reassured. I nodded and creaked open my eyes. There was now only one Mike. I looked to my left and saw only one Phoebe, except Vic was now there, too.

Soon didn’t come soon enough, though. The entire day I was in and out of sleep. I was insanely uncomfortable with my eyes and my head felt like a ton of bricks inhabited it.

“Everything looks good, Miss Wilson,” Dr. Mills said. “The stitches are healing nicely and your eyes are looking amazing,” she smiled as she checked up on me. “We’re going to let you stay here one more night just to make sure, and then you’ll be home by mid-day tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I said softly. At this point—the late afternoon—the pain in my eyes wasn’t as piercing. They were more sore, now, but I could deal with it. Vic was in and out all day, and I thought it was nice that he was even here at all. Phoebe and Mike were always with me, though, keeping me company or holding my hand while I slept.

I knew I was a disheveled mess, though, and the more conscious I became of my surroundings the more I worried that Mike would be disgusted by me. I tried not to let it get to me, though; the nasty post-operation look was going to fade away eventually.

“Goodnight, Faye,” Mike said, kissing my lips softly. I smiled gently and mumbled a goodnight back to him, but the nurses had already given me medicine to sleep through the night and I was already drowsy.

Phoebe was the only one who stayed with me overnight. Mike and Vic went back home and she curled up in a chair next to me.

The next morning I woke up with a heavy head but I really did feel better. I could actually visualize myself going home today and being somewhat okay. Mike and Vic weren’t there when I woke up so it must have been really early. I turned my head and gazed at Phoebe who was still sleeping soundly. I smiled. I couldn’t get my eyes off of the way her mouth was almost turned into a cute pout as she slept, the rest of her face relaxed and peaceful, twitching at times—I wondered what she was dreaming about. A piece of her hair fell in front of her face. When she breathed out it floated forward a little bit and I smiled. I loved appreciating the little things like that. Looking at Phoebe made my eyes feel better.

I must have faded off again, because one moment I was staring at a sleeping Phoebe and the next I was looking the entire other direction and yawning, seeing her in the doorway with Vic.

“Hi,” I greeted them with a small, tired smile.

“Hey cutie,” Phoebe said, walking in and kissing my forehead. I was feeling more okay with blinking now, so my eyes didn’t really hurt as bad. “I brought you clothes,” Phoebe said, holding up a pile. It was just leggings and another sweater from what I could tell—comfy clothes. I smiled gratefully and looked around the room.

“Where’s Mike?” I asked.

“Right here,” I heard his voice first and then I saw him poke his head into the room. “Hey,” he said as he walked inside. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

“A lot better,” I said.

“That’s good,” he smiled.

“Ugh!” Vic raised his hands in exasperation. I laughed because while his expression was serious and disturbed it was also playful. “It’s so weird seeing my brother all… as kids would say it… feely,” he mockingly shuddered. We all cracked up, and I beamed at the sight of Mike’s cheeks heating to a bright red.

“You’re blushing!” I exclaimed, pointing at him with excitement. He chuckled and his cheeks darkened. “Wow,” I breathed. “That was so cool.”

Mike’s face stretched into a grin. I didn’t understand why he was smiling like that but I liked the view. “You’re so cute.” He touched his palm to my face. “Now you’re the one blushing.”

“Too much!” Vic exclaimed.

As much as it was nice to hear the sound of laughter ringing in my ears, it was even nicer to see it. They all had beautiful eyes.

“Starry eyes,” Mike murmured.

“I can still have those?” I asked quietly, the words just slipping out.

He chuckled and nodded. “Of course, darling. I told you nothing would change about you whether you were blind or not.” I smiled widely at him; he grinned back and leaned over, kissing my cheek.

“I have to go with Vic to deal with band stuff, but I’ll be back at your house tonight, if that’s okay?” I nodded.

“You’ll stay over?” I asked, just to make sure.

“Of course,” he smiled, squeezing my hand. “I’ll see you as soon as possible,” he said. He leaned over me, his hand gently on my shoulder, and kissed my lips softly. I smiled as he turned away with Vic, both of them waving goodbye again until they disappeared out of the room. I must have been staring at the door for a while because all of a sudden I felt someone poke my cheek—Phoebe.

“Hi,” I giggled.

“I love you,” she said happily.

“Aw, I love you too! I just love looking at you,” I sighed. Phoebe laughed and squeezed my arm.

“You’re too cute,” she said, shaking her head a little.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“It’s, like, noon-ish. We’re getting ready to take you home,” she said.

I nodded, itching to get out already so I could see the world. A few minutes later, a nurse came in with discharge papers. Considering I haven’t picked up a pen in years, Phoebe still had to fill them out. I couldn’t wait to learn, though. There were so many things that I couldn’t wait to do.

----

Out of habit, I held Phoebe’s arm as we exited the hospital. I had to wear special sunglasses so my vision was dimmed significantly, but I was still breathless walking outside. Everything was a blur in the sense that it was a lot to take in at once. When we were driving home, I stared out the window as the world literally burred around me. “You good?” Phoebe asked, reaching across the console and grabbing my hand. I nodded and smiled at her. I blinked a little and I found that my eyes were beginning to hurt again, though.

“This might sound ridiculous, but can I close my eyes when we get home? I don’t want to look at the house just yet. I’m really tired and can’t be bothered taking in anything else,” I requested. She smiled and nodded.

“Okay, Faye,” she laughed a little. “That’s fine. You can explore another time.”

When we got home I closed my eyes. I felt physically and emotionally drained already that I was afraid I would explode if I took anything else in. Phoebe held my hand, guiding me inside. “You want to go to your room?” she asked. I nodded. It was getting late and Dr. Mills said to rest as much as possible.

When I got into my room, I opened my eyes. Instead of taking in my room, though, I spotted Mike standing there, smiling broadly at me. I dropped Phoebe’s arm and walked forward, immediately wrapping my arms around his waist. I took a deep breath, inhaling his smoky and sweet scent. Her rubbed the back of my head, running his fingers gently through my hair. “Hi,” I mumbled.

“Hey, there,” he said with a chuckle. I yawned against his chest.

“Hold on,” I said. I turned around back to Phoebe. I took her face in my hands and just stared at her. I couldn’t get enough of the sight of my best friend.

“Sleep well,” she said softly, hugging me carefully. I squeezed her before turning around back to Mike. My eyelids were already drooping; it hurt to keep them open.

“You’re so tired,” he laughed. “Come here,” he pulled me over to him. Just like I had done with Phoebe, I took his face in my hands and just stared at him. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead gently, tugging me over to the bed. He pulled the covers back and slid under them with me, immediately wrapping his lanky arms around my waist. I curled up again him, lifting my head so my chin was on his chest but I was looking at him. “Close your eyes,” he whispered. He leaned down and kissed the space between my eyes, the bridge of my nose.

I nodded and snuggled closer to him. He was so warm and gentle. Even though I could see him I couldn’t ignore the way he felt. I was torn between which I liked better. It was weird to think that people were used to having all five senses at once—it was overwhelming for me.

Eventually, I fell asleep—I could feel his heartbeats and breaths slow so I knew he was asleep, too. With Mike, my mind was clear and I didn’t have to think of anything except his arms that were holding me.

----

Tiredly, I rolled to my side, forgetting that I was still cuddled with Mike and stopping mid-roll as I realized I couldn't go anywhere, his arm around me so securely. I smiled and rolled back to the other side, closer to him. His grip around me tightened. I parted my eyes to get a quick peak at him, but then I screamed in fear.

Disillusioned from sleep, I ripped away from Mike and jumped backwards—luckily staying on the bed and not falling to the floor. My chest pounded as I looked around blindly. I couldn't pay attention to detail and even if I could I knew I wouldn't see anything because everything was black. My breathing quickened and panic and disappointment rose in my chest.

"Faye? Faye! What's wrong?" I felt Mike's hand touch the side of my face worriedly and I closed my eyes in fear.

"It's dark," I croaked out, tears dripping out of my eyes and probably on to his hands that were on both sides of my face.

"What do you mean? Open your eyes," he said softly. I shook my head and kept my eyes shut, afraid to open them just to be greeted by more darkness.

I heard a clicking sound—the light flicking on?

Mike stroked my cheek gently. "Open your eyes, baby, the light is on," he cooed.

"Mine isn't," I whispered, my eyes only tightening.

"No, Faye," he said gently. "Just take a look, please?"

I whimpered, but my eyes fluttered open anyway.

Light poured into them. A yellow, bright light. More importantly, Mike's brown, sparkling eyes bored into mine.

"Oh," I sighed, crashing into a strong embrace with him. "I'm so sorry," I whispered.

"It's okay, darling," he stroked my hair.

"I think I'm afraid of the dark," I whispered, trying not to laugh considering I had been so scared seconds ago but now suddenly finding the situation kind of humorous.

"I think that's kind of reasonable, sweetie," he chuckled. I nodded against his chest and sighed, my heart rate returned to a normal pace. "You okay?" He checked.

"Yeah," I breathed. "I'm good. Sorry for waking you."

"It's okay, Faye. I'll keep the light on for the rest of the night, is that okay?"

"No, Mike. You don't have to do that," I assured.

“Shh, it’s fine. I want you to be comfortable.” I bit my lip but then I nodded.

“Okay,” I said with a small voice. I crawled back over to him and he was already waiting with open arms.

“It’s going to take getting used to but you’ll be okay,” he whispered.

I leaned my head up so I could look at him significantly. My eyes were burning. Mike leaned over and gently kissed both of them. “Goodnight, starry eyes.”

Notes

Holaaa!!

You guys, all of your reactions to the last chapter made me smile so bad!! I'm so happy you are enjoying this! :D
Thank you so much for reading! Love you all <3
xoxo