Nic caught the first pillow, but he didn't react to the second, letting it bounce off of him and onto the ground as he stood still. After a moment he swayed a little like she had hit him with something much harder than a pillow.

He wondered absentmindedly why he was still standing there as Laurel sobbed. His mind was flashing violently of memories long forgotten that going into the coma had resurfaced. Things he had once chosen to forget. They were dragging him back into that place Laurel hated him going as his eyes grew fuzzy.

But... he had to fight it off. It would hurt Laurel even more if he left again. He stumbled forward a little, each sob resounding in his head as images flashed past his eyes. He tripped on the pillow, half falling on the bed. He needed to touch her - he needed to come back to the present where he was stronger now. Where he wasn't helpless. He slowly reached out to put a hand on her arm.

When Nic touched her arm he could feel how badly she was shaking. After a moment she tried to shove his hand away.

Nic's hand fell away as he started to shake a little too. He started a little as he got lost in the memories, but then came back again. He tried to say something, but it didn't come out. So he kept trying until he managed to whisper something he hadn't said since he was a child, "... H... Help..."

Laurel reacted slowly, looking over at Nic through her tears. She had her own memories flashing before her. Of her parents fighting and yelling, of violence and abuse. Did she really trust Nic enough for this? Did she trust it would be different with him? That he wasn't like her father? She watched Nic, struggling to fight whatever was in his past and made her decision.

She reached down, wrapping her arms around his neck and cradling his head against her chest, "A-Always..." she whispered through her sobs as she rested her tear stained cheek on the top of his head.

It wasn't clear how much that actually helped. He kept fighting, but he was swallowed by the past once again. He had lasted a little longer this time, some sweat dripping down his forehead.

Laurel stayed where she was for a long time. Then she slowly pulled him all the way onto the bed and wrapped one of the blankets around him loosely. Slowly, she tried to stand. It was as hard as she had anticipated. She soon gave up walking and since no one would see her anyway, crawled to the bathroom.

The light was already on in the bathroom. There were two fresh towels laying by the side of the tub she could probably use to get into the tub. There was also a little table with a plate of some more fruit along with some bubble soap and a face washcloth.

Laurel would have smiled in different circumstances, she was only interested in getting into the tub. She carefully maneuvered her way in. She closed her eyes and stayed in the tub for a long time.

Nic was out for a little over an hour. Then he got up and went looking for Laurel.

Laurel was still in the tub, nothing around her was touched. Not the food or the towels. She had her eyes closed and was laying perfectly still.

Nic glanced in the bathroom before quickly looking away. He closed the door quietly, leaving it just a crack open before going to the kitchen to get something else to eat.

Laurel still didn't move. The water was probably getting cold by now.

--

"Missy!" Rosen exclaimed excitedly as he burst into her room without a shirt on.

Nic let it go a good while longer before going back to the bathroom and knocking gently on the door.

--

Missy sighed a little. She had got her weekly dose of Rosen all in that one trip. "Yeah?" she asked him as she did something on her pad.

Laurel still didn't move or say anything.

--

"Look what I got!" he grinned, holding up the newest, not even released yet video game from an insanely popular action franchisee. The players formed teams and fought against each other. "C'mon, let's play! We'll kick everyone else's butts!"

Nic waited before knocking again a little louder.

--

Missy blinked at the game in Rosen's hands before rolling her eyes. "... If the game isn't out yet - then there won't be anyone online to fight against," she informed him.

Still nothing.

--

"No, there will be people like us. Only hardcore gamers," he nodded still grinning.

"... Laurel?" Nic called quietly.

--

"Only rich people with not so honorable connections," Missy elaborated. Then she seemed to think about that for another moment. "Alright," she decided.

Laurel still didn't respond.

--

Rosen was very pleased as they went to his gaming room.

After another minute, Nic quickly glanced in through the crack to see if Laurel was even still in the tub.

It looked like Laurel had slipped down in the tub, her head was almost entirely submerged except for her nose which was just slightly above the water. It wasn't clear if she was even awake.

Nic quickly went to find another towel before going into the bathroom and putting a towel over Laurel in the bath before gently trying to pull her up so her head was out of the water.

When Nic pulled her up, Laurel slowly opened her still slightly puffy eyes and focused on him.

Nic didn't say anything as he propped her head back against the edge of the tub.

"... I notice the little things," she suddenly told him quietly in a hoarse voice.

Nic looked like he might say something, but didn't. Then he got up to leave.

Laurel grabbed his hand tightly, not letting him leave.

Nic still turned before sitting down.

Laurel was silent for a moment before continuing, "You rented a tux even though you didn't have to. You taste tested all those kinds of fruits. And every time I ask something from you, you go above and beyond. I mean, this bathroom... fruit, towels, soaps... you didn't have to do that. So... I'm sorry," she added in a very quiet voice, "I'm sorry."

Nic didn't say anything.

Laurel went on, "Please forgive me, Nic," she whispered, "I never want to hurt you... but it's not fair. I cause you pain... without realizing it."

Nic still didn't say anything, sitting there quietly looking at the door.

"Nic..." she whispered, "I want to be able to help when you ask for it." There was a little splashing as she slowly sat up and reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind.

He sat still and silent like a statue.

Laurel sighed a little, as she rested her head against his, "Relax," she told him gently, "I won't break."

Nic didn't seem concerned about that. But he was still rigid.

Laurel was silent for awhile before slowly letting go of his neck and gently starting to massage his shoulders, "Please forgive me," she murmured.

Nic was still rigid, but after another long moment he nodded briefly.

Nic could hear Laurel sigh in relief, still massaging his back, "Why are you so tense?" she asked after another long moment.

Nic debated for a long time whether to say something or not. But eventually he decided it was better to risk embarrassment rather than anger. "... You're naked," he muttered.

Laurel blinked, surprised, "But... we already..." she paused, voice sounding a little embarrassed, "Why does it still make you feel awkward?"