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DISCLAIMER: INFORMATION IN THIS CHAPTER MAY NOT BE ENTIRELY MEDICALLY ACCURATE FOR THE SAKE OF THE STORYLINE. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH CONCERNING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY HAPPEN.
NOTE: I also feel I should clarify; reader and Seb did NOT have sex, they just had intimate cuddles.
"What is that?", Sebastian's gravelly voice woke you. It was barely dawn. You lifted your head to look up at him; sometime during the night, the two of you moved so your were laying in the bed normally, he on his back with his arm around you and your head on his shoulder. You were both sharing a small throw blanket from your bed, since you never got under the covers.
He was listening and then you heard a knocking sound from the outside of the house on the wall of your room. "What the fuck is that?!", he exclaimed.
You were blinking and listening as he got up from under you to go out the back door and investigate, "Be right back, babe."
You heard the back door open and close, silence for about 10 seconds, then the back door opened and closed again. He padded back into your room and got back under the blanket with you. You moved to let him get back in place and you laid on him again, "Fuckin' woodpecker pecking the eave. It's aluminum. Stupid bird. It flew off when I came around the corner.", he said groggily and closed his eyes.
You laughed and he hushed you, "Shhh...", he kissed your forehead, "Go back to sleep, doll."
The next time you woke up it was on your own. You left Sebastian sleeping in the bed, quietly closing the door and you went into the bathroom to pee. You started making coffee and you paused when you heard the front door unlock, open and close softly. Chris came in quietly and entered the kitchen, hanging his keys on it's hook when he saw you, "Oh, morning (Y/N).", he barely smiled.
"Morning." You continued making coffee now, and asked, "Everything okay?"
He shrugged out of his jacket, "Yeah, everything's fine.", he gave you a bigger smile this time and walked into his room to toss his jacket on his bed while you finished pouring water in the coffee maker and turned it on. He came back out and gave you a friendly hug. He smelled like her perfume... But not like sex. 'Guess he could've showered, but he's home pretty early- (Y/N)! Stop thinking about it! It shouldn't matter.' But it did; you missed the way things used to be.
Sebastian came out of your room and stopped only a couple steps out of the door and looked at you both, blinking, his brows furrowed, his face rigid and grumpy... And that hair, that crazy ass hair. He stood there for a couple beats, looking at your both. You and Chris were just waiting and anticipating when and what he might say, his face didn't change at all as he spoke, "Why do you guys always have to wake me up with your talking?"
You both laughed.
"Mornin', dude.", Chris said.
"Morning.", he mumbled as he started moving forward, pulling one corner of his mouth up in a half smile, his eyes closing as he did.
Chris went into the bathroom and shut the door as Sebastian made his way to you while you leaned your front against the island and waited for the coffee to brew. He stood behind you, placing his hands on your arms just below your shoulders. He nuzzled just behind your ear through your hair as he whispered, "Thanks for last night, doll. Wanna do it again tonight?"
You shivered and let out a quiet chuckle.
The toilet flushed in the bathroom and Sebastian kissed your head and made his way in that direction so he could use the bathroom as well.
Chris opened the door and started, "Since we've got everyone coming over tonight to hang out, anything you guys want to get done beforehand?"
"Ooh!", you squealed and clapped once, "Can I play hosty lady?!"
Chris shook his head, hiding a laugh, then failing, "What is 'hosty lady'?"
"Can I make a buncha food?"
"Sure.", he chuckled pouring cups of coffee.
Sebastian had put going pee on hold momentarily, in lieu of the conversation, resting his elbows on the island opposite you and Chris, "I can take you to the store to get food stuff, babe. We need more firewood and beer, lots of beer."
Chris addressed Sebastian while he handed you a cup of coffee and then put one in front of Sebastian, "It's B.Y.O.B., bro.", he took a sip of coffee.
Sebastian picked up his own cup and replied, "Well, we still need to B.O.O.B.", he casually took a sip of his own coffee as you snorted, giggling and Chris had to spit his coffee back in his cup and he started laughing.
"Boob?!", Chris was howling with laughter by now, "Nice one, Seb."
Sebastian smiled smugly and nodded, lifting his cup, "Thanks.", then he laughed as well.
You all three decided eat a quick breakfast and go for a run together through the neighborhood before the sun got any higher, making it hot. It was a beautiful morning too. They guys ran a little slower to compensate for you shorter legs, but you still had to push a little harder than you were used to. You all usually ran solo or the guys with other taller guy friends. You kept up for the first two miles, then had to let them know that you had to slow down. They gladly came down to your pace for the last mile. You all got back home and took turns showering. The guys told you to go first. Once you got out, Seb went next, down in his own bathroom, so that you and he could leave for the store soon.
Once you both got back, you got busy making appetizers and a few desserts in the kitchen. The guys offered to help, but as per usual, you declined their help. You loved making food and you were being selfish; you wanted all the credit should anyone or everyone love what you made. You told the guys that if they were good though, that you'd let them do dishes. They agreed without hesitation. It took you damn near all day to get it all made, but it was fun. They guys then did the dishes while you all talked and you sat at the island having your second cup of coffee for the day.
Everyone came over about 7 PM, Sharon included. There was the fire, music, beers, and as per usual, the hard stuff for shots later.
You had laid your whole spread of food out on the island and you were pretty damn proud of it. Everyone was still gathered in the kitchen from arriving, so it was a little loud with all the voices and music.
You and Maria were talking at the island when Tony came by, beer in hand and hugged you around the shoulders, "How you doing, kid? You really got our guys over there worried and missing a lot of work.", he gestured to Chris and Sebastian who were on the other side of the kitchen. Your eyebrows shot up and your mouth opened to apologize, but before you could, he started again, "I'm kidding, they can take all the time they need to see to you. How are you?"
You smiled, "I'm doing pretty good, Tony. Thank you."
"Wonderful!", he said, plucking a tiny, bite sized, pink frosted sugar cookie square from it's platter and popping it in his mouth. He chewed, his face surprised. When he swallowed, he asked you, "(Y/N), where did you get these? It tastes and feels exactly like those big pink sugar cookies!" He popped another into his mouth.
You smiled, "I made them."
His brows furrowed, "From a package?"
You chuckled, "No, from scratch."
"So good." He spotted something else, "Sushi rolls? Did you make the sushi? You didn't make the sushi.", he picked one up and placed in his mouth.
He was so silly, he always made you laugh, "I made all of it, Tony."
His eyes rolled back, he titled his head and hummed as he chewed, "Mm. Hey!", he yelled across the room at Chris and Sebastian, "This girl's a keeper!", pointing down at you, "Don't you guys let her go!"
Chris looked at Sharon standing next to him. She was looking at Chris, clearly bothered by what Tony had said. He just shook his head with an expression that said 'don't worry about it'. Sebastian hollered back, "Wasn't planning on it!", then lifted his beer.
A couple hours later, everyone had had their fair share of beer an some had taken shots. You steered clear of the shots yourself that night and had only had a few beers.
It was dark by now. A few people were hanging out in the chairs on the deck, Bruce and Nat were swinging and cuddling in the hammock at the back of the yard. Every once in a while, one to a few people would wander into the house for more food or to use the restroom.
You were standing around the fire with Chris, Sharon, Sam, Thor, Maria, Tony, Clint and Laura. There were no chairs close by at the moment. Sebastian was also there, standing next to you and talking. Everyone was kind of talking to everyone. There wasn't a whole lot of rhyme or reason to the conversation. You saw Sharon get up on her toes a little to say something into Chris's ear as he put his arm around the back of her waist, leaning over a little to hear her, then his eyebrows shot up and he smiled. He said something back into her ear and kissed her head. It made your heart ache. You stared at the fire, trying to get your emotions in check and then it hit you...
Your heart started pounding, your breath was increasing and then the dread came. 'No, no, no...', you pleaded silently in your head as you started to shake slightly. You tried slowing your breathing and were failing. 'Fuck! Why can't I do this?' You started to sweat and feel sick... dizzy-- you knew what was coming, 'No.'
It had come on and escalated in only a few short moments. Chris was standing almost directly across the fire from you and he glanced at you, but it turned into a concerned gaze when he noticed something was off. It all happened so fast. He feared he wouldn't get to you in time and you looked like you were going to pass out, so he called out, "Seb!" When Sebastian's head snapped to look at Chris, Chris gestured at you, his face worried as he started to move around the fire toward you.
Sebastian turned his head just in time to see you start to crumple, "Shit!" In a matter of one second, he dropped his beer, took a step toward you and caught you, your head falling back. He picked you up in his arms and lowered you both to the ground gently, but quickly so he could sit cross-legged and hold you in his lap. He supported your head against his shoulder, "God.", he whispered.
By then, Chris was crouched in front of you both, more to be a supportive presence than anything, but also to be there should Sebastian need help. This was the first time that Chris had seen you passed out... And it really scared him.
Everyone had panicked themselves and started to gather around exclaiming and asking questions.
Sebastian spoke loud and firm, "Just give us some space for a minute, please." They all complied, some just stepping back a ways and others went to sit in chairs and wait; everyone was worried, even Sharon. Most knew what you had been going through, a couple didn't. Those who did know explained quietly to the others to try to ease them.
Sebastian checked for your breath; you were breathing. He wrapped his arms around you, kissed your head a couple times and started cooing, trying to control his own panic, "Seb's here, baby doll. I've got you... I've got you." He knew you couldn't hear him, but he needed to say it just in case... and for himself. He rested his head against the top of yours, closed his eyes and waited. All he could do was wait for you wake up and it was killing him.
The two minutes you were out felt like eternity to the guys. You're eyes fluttered open, uncontrollably rolling around in your head trying to focus and closing again.
Sebastian had been watching your face, waiting for you to wake up, "(Y/N)? Doll? You with me?", he stroked your hair.
You struggled to open your eyes again, managing to do so for only a quick moment and they closed again. You were mostly conscious now, but so tired. You murmured quietly, "Seb?"
His brows pulled together in simultaneous worry and relief as he replied softly, resting his cheek on your head, "Yeah, baby. I'm here." You whimpered and he pulled his head back to look at you, his worry increased, "What's wrong, honey?" He stroked the side of your face gently.
"Headache.", you managed quietly, your face pained; this was an excruciating headache.
He hugged you firmly in his arms, "Okay, we'll take care of it." He looked to Chris and spoke quietly, "Chris, can you take her to lay down, please? I need a minute."
Chris still looked pained himself, "Of course.", he replied. He scooped you up out of Sebastian's lap and stood. As he carried you into the house, you were falling in and out of consciousness, but not from fainting; you were just so damn tired. Sharon and Nat followed Chris inside.
Sebastian stayed sitting where he was and rested his elbows on his knees, he laid his face in his hands and took a deep breath.
Tony and Pepper approached him, Tony squatting next to him and putting a hand on his back, "You okay, Seb?"
Sebastian, turned his head for a moment to look at Tony and then turned back to the ground in front of him, his elbows still on his knees. He rubbed a hand across his mouth harshly and then closed it, holding the fist to his lips. He was fighting back tears. He closed his eyes and shook his head gently, his hand moving to his forehead, "Watching her go through this is killing me."
Tony's face showed sympathy. "Just keep taking care of her like you have been; you're doing great. This can pass and if it doesn't, there are ways to help it stop. You'll all get it figured out. And if you guys need help from us,", he gestured to Pepper, "monetary or otherwise- Anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. We care about all of you." Pepper nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, as Chris had taken you into his room, Natasha had followed him in and asked him, "What can I do? Does she need anything?". Your best girlfriend was worried, but she kept a straight head in a sticky situation.
Chris laid you on his bed, Sharon looking in from just outside the doorway as he answered Nat, "A cool cloth, a glass of water and pain relievers." Nat rushed out to get everything as Chris layed down on the bed next to you, propped up on his elbow. You whimpered at the stabbing pain in your head again, your eyes closed, not really able to notice anything else. Chris's brows furrowed at the sound and he instinctually moved closer, enveloping you in his arms, pulling you into his chest. Nat returned with everything. She set the water and pain relievers on the night stand and handed Chris the cloth, then stepped back to the foot of the bed, near the door to wait.
Chris started stroking the cloth gently down the side of your face. The coolness pulled you away from the pain long enough to notice his smell. You hummed, "Chris.", you said softly against his chest. He knew he had an audience, so he hid his reaction to you saying his name so softly. He missed hearing that so much... And holding you.
"Yeah. I'm here, hon. Just rest."
Watching all of this had proved to be too much for Sharon. She started quickly for the front door. Nat had seen her rush away and followed her.
"Shit.", Chris muttered under his breath. He needed to get up to talk to Sharon, but he wasn't going to leave you alone. Seb should be in soon. Hopefully, Nat could save his ass until he got there.
"Sharon! Sharon, wait.", Nat quickly caught up to her going through the dining room and gently grabbing her arm once she reached the living room.
Sharon turned, she had tears in her eyes, "I can't. It's too much. I can't handle him being like that with her."
Nat tried to talk her down, "Hey, they're just friends. I know that he has hardly even touched her since he's starting seeing you. But, this-- Sharon, you have to understand that this is a more serious circumstance and he's going to react accordingly. He's not just going to ignore her in a situation like this; he's going to do whatever it takes to help. You should feel lucky that a stand up guy like him who does anything to help his friends chose you... and know that if you gave him the chance, he'd do the same for you."
Just as Sharon had stormed away amd Nat followed her, Sebastian entered the room and went to your side, laying down. Chris handed him the cloth and Sebastian took it. Chris asked, "You alright, bro?"
Sebastian nodded and sighed, "Yeah." He nestled into you from behind and wrapped his arms around you as you hummed and gripped his forearm weakly, then he kissed your head. He moved your hair off your neck and started gently wiping it with the cloth.
Chris continued as he got up, "The water and pain relievers are on the nightstand when she wakes enough to take them. I gotta go put out a fire...", he started for the door.
"Yeah, I saw that." Sebastian said, his eyes following after Chris. "Good luck, man."
Chris went into the living room and looked at Sharon, then Natasha, "Nat, can you give us a minute, please?"
"Sure.", she replied softly and turned to go sit with you and Sebastian on Chris's bed.
Sharon's face showed hurt and anger.
Chris sighed, "I know I told you that everything stopped when I started seeing you, and it did. But, I can't stop being there for her to the fullest when she needs me during something like this."
"Why can't Sebastian handle it?", she sniffed.
Chris's eyebrows raised and his voice became slightly louder and strained as he held his hands out from his hips, "Seb needed me too! You saw how wrecked he was seeing her go through that! He needed me to take over for him!"
She looked defensive now, trying to hold her own, "This isn't normal, Chris."
"It is for me, for the three of us. I stopped doing anything unconventional for a friendship once I started seeing you. But this- tonight... It may happen again and I'm not going to stop being there for her if she needs me; she's still one of my best friends. I need you to accept that. Please."
She hung her head and sniffed, "I don't think I can." She turned without looking at him, grabbed her purse off the coat rack near the door and left.
Chris was standing with his hands on his hips. He pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut and muttered to himself, "Fuck!"