Chapter Text
Xavier felt like he hadn't slept in days, but Simon looked worse. And he actually might not’ve.
“You okay, man?”
He looked up, strands of dark hair hanging over his dark eyes. “She still hasn't woken up.”
“She couldn't have come back to a dead body,” Nicole snapped, but it was quiet, and she looked down immediately. “Sorry, Si.”
“It was a rock and a hard place.” Claire set a hand on Nicole's, giving Simon a look she tried to make soft.
Simon just stared, eyes locked on the monitors beside Maddie's bed. Her hospital bed.
Xavier glanced beside him, where the man in the fishing vest sat. Maddie's dad. But even he wasn’t looking at Maddie. He was staring at Simon, who he'd already told Xavier was so different from when he knew him.
‘Dave’ he typed into his phone, turning it over.
He never did explain exactly what he meant. Typical dad stuff. But it probably was better that Xavier heard it from Simon, or at least Maddie. He trusted Dave when he said that more than he trusted his own dad saying stuff like that–he didn't know much about Maddie's dad, but he seemed good. Granted, Sandra wasn't the most reliable narrator. But the others had said small things here and there, even Maddie had.
“What's up, kid?”
Xavier blinked, taking a second to register that was for him.
‘is she gonna be ok?’
He sighed, lowering his gaze. “Honestly, I don't know. You know more about this stuff, about ghosts, than any of us here do. The doctors are saying to each other exactly what they are to you–she’ll wake up soon. They're not concerned. But if she wasn't able to reach that ambulance..” He closed his eyes, sitting still. When he finally moved again, he almost laughed. “Well, I guess you gotta get her back to that damn school.”
Xavier huffed. Either nobody noticed, or they ignored it. He'd mostly talked to Dave, but even some of the other ghosts had come by to introduce themselves, even if they didn't say anything else and left right after.
“Xavier, I don't know if this is a big ask.. but can you try to get Simon out of here?”
‘?’
“I know you're all here just about ‘round the clock. But you can see it on their faces Nicole and Claire haven't just been wallowing like he has.”
‘yeah. they've been bringing sandra food when she gets off work
‘i’ll ask when they leave again’
“Good.”
Simon finally dozed off a couple hours before the girls left. It was getting later in the day, so they probably weren't coming back. But Sandra would be getting off her shift soon, so Xavier was hoping he’d wake up soon, even if he needed the rest.
And he did, gasping and gripping his armrests. Xavier knew that feeling too well. He waited for Simon's breathing to steady before he spoke up.
“You alright?”
“Yeah.” Muffled from where his face was buried in his hands.
“You need some actual sleep, man. If she's stuck at school, we're gonna have to go back to find out, and if she's not, she's gonna be pissed you caught a cold losing sleep over her.”
“What if she is?” His voice had gotten progressively more fried as they searched for Maddie, and Xavier was almost surprised it was still going.
“Dave said he guesses we're gonna have to get her back to that damn school.”
It got a huff out of Simon, which Xavier considered a win.
“I’ll drive you, Simon. I'll get Nicole to come pick me up from your house so you still have your car.”
“What if she wakes up and there's nobody here?”
“Look at the clock. Sandra just got off work.”
“Fine. I'll sleep.”
He nearly went down instead of standing up. Xavier was happy he was taller, because he might not be bulky, but he could still catch the guy. One of the nurses, who had just been waiting for her next round at the station, rushed in. Maddie wasn't one of her patients normally, but they got to know her a little bit when she filled in.
“Are you okay, Simon?”
“Hey, Sophie,” he said, not helping his case.
“Hey, Sophie–he’s fine, I think, he's just barely slept.”
“He probably got lightheaded when he stood up. Let me just make sure his blood pressure and everything is alright–I’m not putting another one of you in here if I can help it.”
The exhaustion seemed to have hit Simon all at once. Xavier would find it funny in any other circumstance–his friend being stupid tired because he willingly stayed up for days–but he knew how much Maddie meant to Simon. Hell, he probably didn't know how much. But he knew it was a lot. Sophie gave him a jolly rancher to placate him while she made sure his vitals were stable.
“I know you know this, Xavier, but don't let him drive.”
He smiled. “Not a chance.”
“Simon?” Sandra set her bag down, rushing to Xavier's side. “Is he okay?”
“Everything looks stable, don't worry Mrs. Nears,” Sophie assured her. “Maddie has good friends–Xavier finally coaxed him into sleeping in a real bed and he just had some trouble standing up.”
“I'll get him home safe.”
“Are you sure, Xavier? I can drive him, it's getting late–you should be getting home.”
Simon hummed, but Xavier wasn't sure whether it was his assent or dissent.
“The thing he didn't want was Maddie waking up alone if she picked the second he left.”
“You are an angel.” Sandra hugged him. She slipped past Sophie as she stood up, putting her things down in her seat. Right by the head of Maddie's bed. Or as close as hospital chairs got.
She stepped back forward as Simon stood, adding to the corp making sure he didn't fall again.
“Be safe, you two, okay?” Sandra gave them both brief hugs, then ushered them along.
Sophie escorted them out to Simon's car, only waving goodbye once Simon was safely in the passenger’s seat. Dave waved too, smiling. It was a little sad, but they all were.
“What's your address?”
Simon had fallen asleep again by the time they got there. Xavier went ahead and called Nicole, putting off waking him up.
“Xavier? Is something wrong?”
“No, no. Not really. I need help, but not for a bad reason.”
He cleared his throat.
“I, uh, finally convinced Simon to go home. But I drove his car so he'd have it tomorrow. Can you give me a ride back to mine?”
“Xavier Baxter,” Claire scoffed in the background. Nicole laughed.
“What?”
“You've gone soft.”
“Well-”
“No, don't start making excuses. I'm glad. If Nicole's parents won't let us leave I'll convince them.”
“Is he inside yet?” Nicole asked.
“No, but he's asleep.”
“Get him inside. We're on our way.”
Nicole hung up before he could. He stepped out of the car, walking over to Simon's side.
“Simon,” he tried not to say it too loud. But truth be told, they all just let him sleep whenever he got it. He wasn't sure what the best way to wake him up was. A little louder, “Simon.”
Grabbing his arm worked. But he jumped, staring at Xavier like a deer in headlights. His chest rose and fell, visible even in the shadow because of just how hard he was breathing.
“Fuck. Sorry.”
“Shit, I'm sorry man,” Xavier laughed. “I’d wake you up gentler if I could.”
Simon didn't smile, but he seemed to lighten a little. Which made Xavier glad.
“You have a ride home, right? I can try to ask-”
“Nicole and Claire are on their way. Get out of the car before I drag you.”
That finally broke a small laugh out of Simon. He let Xavier grab his arm as he got up. It was the first time he'd really let anybody touch him, other than Maddie, that Xavier had seen. Excluding the drinking incident.
“Can you get the door?”
Xavier blinked. “Yeah, man. Yeah.” He shut it as Simon started up the driveway. He wasn't sure if Simon couldn't walk fast, or it was a leisurely pace inviting Xavier to walk with. Either way, he followed, worried Simon might trip.
“If you do ever need a place.” Simon left it there. Xavier tensed a little. He didn't really have many friends, but he knew what Claire meant when she said it. Obviously there was an ulterior motive when they were hooking up, but she also put together how his dad was.
He shouldn't have been surprised, really. Simon had been Maddie's friend for years. His dad wasn't like Sandra, not exactly. But it made sense he saw the signs his dad was also like her, not exactly.
“Yeah.”
He leaned against the doorframe as Simon looked at the door.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Seriously. I know we- weren't good. At first. You've still got shit to work through-” Xavier couldn't help but smile. Simon. “But thanks. I like you.”
“I like you too.” Xavier nodded, laughing a little.
“You better.” Simon opened the door, then paused. “If you don't feel safe literally just come inside. My parents can deal with it.”
“If it takes Nicole much longer,” Xavier put on a faux-annoyed voice. “Don't forget your keys, by the way.” He fished them out of his pocket, locking Simon's car as he handed him the keys.
Simon nodded. “Seriously. I'll see you tomorrow.” He went inside, closing the door. Xavier heard somebody call out Simon's name inside, muffled through thick wood. He sat down, crossing his legs down the steps as he waited.