The rest of winter break passed by slowly. I spent Christmas and New Years with the Fuentes family because of my injuries. My parents wanted to drive down to get me but somehow Mrs. Fuentes convinced them to let me stay. She said something about not wanting to put stress on my body or something. Honestly, I think she was getting used to having someone other than her sons at home.

Vic and I kinda made up. He did apologize but it was more of a “I’m sorry I said something to upset you”. Although it made me mad that he didn’t know what he was apologizing for I did accept it. I figured it’d be easier than starting a fight, and since I was with him for five weeks it was best to bury the hatchet.

Vic, Mike, and I were healing nicely. Skin was growing back over the burns so we didn’t need to have our bandages changed as often. Our broken bones were getting better to the point where Vic and Mike didn’t need their wheelchairs anymore. They were both on crutches though but they were happy about it. Vic was excited to be able to go upstairs by himself, and since his previously collapsed lung was functioning almost at normal levels, he’d been going up and down the stairs like a child learning how to walk.

I had recovered to the point where my arm brace didn’t need to be connected to my neck brace anymore. Rather, they were now two separate things. I didn’t even need a sling for my arm. All in all, things were looking up.

We were moving back to Dallas today. Mrs. Fuentes really wanted us to stay home, try to tell the president of the university or our deans about the accident and maybe get some more time off to heal. She was really adamant about it too. It took her sons, her husband, and Jaime to convince her to let us go back. I tried to stay out of it since I’m not that close to the family.

We were currently on the road to Dallas. Vic’s parents insisted on driving us. They said it was because they had a bigger car than Tony or Jaime but really it was so they could make sure we got there safely. I didn’t blame them. My parents were freaked out when it was decided that I wasn’t going back home, but with modern technology they felt more comfortable with it.

I sat in the backseat of the SUV with Vic. Mike and Jaime sat in the row in front of us. Tony had driven Jaime to San Diego, and unfortunately for Jaime, had left a day before us. Since he and Mike were roommates he wanted to make sure their dorm was accessible enough for Mike. Jaime wanted to help the three of us so he stayed behind.

“You doing okay?” I smiled at Vic and put a hand on his thigh.

“I should be asking you that. You kinda tired yourself out last night.”

“I was just excited to go places,” he said with a laugh. I laughed too. The band and I had gone out to eat yesterday before Tony left. Afterwards Vic couldn’t sit still. Even on crutches he insisted he show me around the entirety of his house, even though I’d been there for five weeks. He said I hadn’t seen all there was to see. I knew he just wanted to continue moving on his own so I humored him and let him give me a tour. We ended up on a swing in the backyard and stayed up talking for most of the night.

“What about you though?” he asked.

“What about me?”

“You were so ready to play skeeball yesterday.” I blushed. I guess finally being able to move my bum arm was as exciting for me as Vic being able to get around on his own.

“Yeah, whatever,” I mumbled. He laughed and kissed my cheek, making me blush more.

“Stop,” I whined, “not in front of your family.”

“Why not?” he asked, his mouth still so close to my skin. “They know we’re together.”

“Yeah but we’re in their car,” I pointed out. He chuckled quietly and sat back in his seat.

“Alright Kell, you win this round. I’ll get you next time though.” I rolled my eyes. When would there even be a “next time”? I had no idea and I didn’t question it. Frankly, I was glad things between Vic and I were getting back to normal. After he brought up his plan I didn’t really talk to him. Then he apologized and really worked on making me feel better. He hadn’t brought up his plan since we fought. In fact, none of the guys had. I found it weird at first but soon I forgot all about it. I figured they’d grown out of the idea.

“Kell, don’t make me pull your hair.” I snickered. He was referring to the fact that I had rolled my eyes. Ever since the night we first kissed he’d been pulling my hair whenever I did that. He said it was because it was bad for my eyes and he wanted me to stop but I was pretty sure he just liked exerting his dominance on me outside of the bedroom.

“Do it and I’ll fight you,” I challenged.

“We all know how that worked out last time. Besides, would you really fight a cripple?”

“If the cripple’s you then hell yeah.”

“Fine then.” He looked away from me and to the front of the SUV. “Mon, Kellin’s threatening me.” I sat there with wide eyes and an open mouth, trying hard not to laugh.

“You big baby,” I said as I hit him in the arm.

“Mom, Kellin hit me too.”

“Kellin, be nice,” Mrs. Fuentes said. That only made the expression on my face get wider. Jaime and Mike looked back at us laughing.

“No fair,” I whined.

“Yeah Vic,” Jaime chimed in, “you can’t tell on your boyfriend to your mom. She’s obviously gonna pick you over him.”

“That’s not true,” Mrs. Fuentes argued earning a laugh from her sons and husband. “It’s not.”

“Sure Mama,” Vic said triumphantly. He looked at me with that smug smile of his that I so desperately wanted to wipe off his cute face.

“You jerk,” I mumbled. He scooted closer to me and put an arm around my shoulder.

“Yeah but I’m your jerk.” I rolled my eyes, earning a tug on my hair.

“Mrs. Fuentes, Vic pulled my hair.”

“Do I need to separate you two?” Mr. Fuentes asked from the front seat.

“No,” Vic and I answered in unison.

“Good, now behave or else I’ll turn this car around and no one will be going to college.” Vic, Mike, Jaime, and I looked at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. We knew Mr. Fuentes was half-joking which made the situation funnier.

“Sorry Papa,” Vic said with a chuckle. He rubbed my arm slowly before kissing my cheek.

“What was that for?”

“My brother feels bad for telling on you so he wants to make sure you still like him,” Mike answered. Vic flipped him off with a charming smile on his face.

“It’s okay Vicky, I still love you.” He rolled his eyes at the name but gave me that loving look that made me know that he wasn’t that annoyed.

“I love you too, Kelly.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes back at him. He removed his arm from around my shoulder and held my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Always.”

***



“Swear sis, your place needs an elevator.”

“It’s only a two-story building.”

“But we’re on crutches.”

“I said we could hang out at your place.”

“But you offered food. And besides, we have stairs too.” I laughed. Vic, Kellin, Mike, and Jaime had randomly shown up at my apartment. According to Mike his dad asked where they wanted to be dropped off and he said my place. I wasn’t opposed to it, I just wished they’d let me know before they started knocking on my door.

“Wait, when did I offer food?”

“C’mon sis, it’s standard southern hospitality.”

“So is telling someone you’re coming over.” Vic just waved me off. I shook my head and sat next to Mike on the couch.

“How are you three?” I asked.

“Doing great as you can see,” Kellin answered with a smile. I couldn’t help but smile back. I thought of the three of them he would be the most depressed but no, he was smiling and laughing as if the accident wasn’t the worst thing to ever happen to him. Maybe it was because he’d spent weeks with his boyfriend, or maybe he was just happy to still be alive. Either way, I was glad he was okay.

“I’m really glad you guys are here,” I said. I felt tears threatening to fall. Mike grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

“I swear Kay, if you start crying I’ll come over there and hit you,” Vic threatened. Mike shot him a look. “I’m sorry but you shouldn’t be crying.”

“And why not?” I questioned.

“Because your brother, boyfriend, and best friend are all here right now. Don’t think about what could’ve happened. Plus, if you start crying then Kellin’ll start crying and he’ll be your problem.”

“You wouldn’t try to comfort me?” Kellin asked a little offended.

“It’s not that…I just….don’t wanna do it right now.” We all looked at Kellin to gauge his reaction. He was just staring at Vic with his mouth open and a look in his eyes that showed that he couldn’t believe his boyfriend had just said that.

“That’s the last time I do special things for you,” he finally said.

“Okay but that’s a lie,” Vic shot back. The two laughed at each other and soon we were all a part of it.

“Seriously Ladybug, thanks for letting up hang,” Jaime said. “I know it must have sucked no knowing what was going on.” I nodded.

“I can only tell so much on FaceTime.”

“And I told you not to worry,” Mike said.

“You know I’m not that kind of person.” Mike didn’t respond but instead rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand. I smiled at the gesture.

“Enough on this subject, where’s our food?” I stared Vic down and he did the same to me. We were waiting to see who’d crack first. Unfortunately, I was the one to break eye contact and walk to the kitchen.

“I’m only doing this because I’m hungry too.” Vic chuckled.

“Uh huh, sure.” I smiled and searched for something for the guys.

***

“You know, I can just go back to the dorms. I don’t wanna put you out.” I shook my head. Mike had been trying for the last half hour to convince me to let him leave. He said he wanted to stay the night with me but then he backtracked saying that he didn’t want me to have to worry about changing his bandages in the morning.

“Mike, I want you to stay. Stop trying to get out of this.” He chuckled.

“Alright, I guess you win.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and started typing. I looked at him questionably when he set the phone down.

“That was Tony,” he answered my unasked question. “I told him that I’m staying here you know, so he doesn’t worry.” I nodded. Lately all we’ve been doing is worrying.

“Cool,” I said with a smile. I went to the bedroom and set it up so Mike wouldn’t have to struggle. After adding more pillows to the foot of his side of the bed I invited him in. he hobbled on his crutches but made it onto the bed without help.

“Don’t give me that look.” I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“What look?”

“That 'you’re surprised I can do things' look. I’m not a baby, Kay. I’m okay.” To prove his point he grabbed his bum leg and lifted it on top of the pillows.

“I know you’re okay, but that’s not gonna make me worry about you any less.” He gestured for me to come over. I sat next to him.

“I love you, you know that?” I nodded. “No, seriously, I really love you. I’m lucky to have someone like you in my life to worry about me.” He kissed my cheek before turning my head and capturing my lips with his. We shared a sweet kiss before I went to turn off the light.

We laid together and enjoyed the shared warmth of the other’s body and the blanket. I’d missed him, all of him. He held me tight and played with my hair. We barely spoke but when we did it was to fill the other in on what happened over the break. According to him, Vic and Kellin were “too gay for his liking”.

Mike’s hold on my body weakened, meaning that he was falling asleep. I snuggled closer to him and nuzzled my face in his chest. He tightened his hold only slightly but it was enough to make me smile.

“I love you, Kay,” he whispered in a tired voice. I pecked his lips softly and went back to my original position with a small smile on my face, happy to have my boyfriend back where he belonged, safe and sound.

Notes

Ok so a couple things:

1) The semester started up again so updates are gonna be....meh
2) I'm sorry this update was meh. I had writer's block SO bad for SO long
3) I'm thinking about just updating on Tumblr since no one uses this site anymore. What do you think?
4) I'm writing a new story! I had an idea in my head and now I'm writing it down. I'm gonna put it on Tumblr but if some of you want I can put it on here. It is Kellic so if you're not a Kellic fan (who isn't???) then don't read