Lay It Down
You and Sebastian headed for the table. Chris stood, "Wait. Let me clean up the cup." Both you and Sebastian were barefoot and he didn't want either of you getting shards in your feet. He was beginning to feel like he had overreacted... And was starting to feel a bit like an ass.
He swept up the broken pieces while you and Sebastian waited silently by the island. Sebastian was holding you close from behind now, thinking about how he would've popped his friend right back if he could have been sure it wouldn't have upset you more... But, you were his priority.
He and Chris had their fair share of scuffles over their entire friendship. Not too many, but enough. Most of them were earlier on, in their teens and early twenties when their hormones were running rampant.
Once Chris finished cleaning up, he moved the table to it's proper place and you all sat in your respective usual seats around the small round table; you in the middle, Sebastian to your left and Chris to your right.
You looked to Chris and sighed heavily, your lips pressed together. He was making solid eye contact, but you could see a hint of regret in his eyes as he spoke quietly, "So what happened?"
You took a quick breath, "I had a really upsetting dream about being pregnant and something- a black mist, taking our baby right out of me and sucking it into nothingness." You felt the tears coming.
Chris's brows pulled together in sympathy, as he continued to listen.
You looked at Sebastian for a beat, feeling bothered by talking about it once more and he took your hand on the tabletop before you addressed Chris again, tears rolling down your cheeks when you blinked, "It was painful... Heartbreaking... And terrifying. I called out in my sleep and he tried to wake me, but I struggled and fought him, dreaming that I was being attacked by something I couldn't see. I didn't know it was him. He was trying to pull me to him, afraid I'd hurt myself on the concrete wall." You huffed out a pitiful attempt at a chuckle while tears started falling down your face, "I fought against him with all the strength I had, so he had to grip and hold me tighter."
You searched his eyes; nothing but sadness now.
"He didn't mean to hurt me, Chris. It only happened because he was trying to prevent me from hurting myself. Things could be worse if he hadn't done what he did.", you looked at him blankly.
Chris swallowed hard, "I'm so sorry, (Y/N)..." He looked his friend in the eye, "Seb."
Sebastian nodded, "I get it, man. You did exactly what you should have done if I were to...", he closed his eyes for a long beat. He didn't even want to think about it, let alone say it, "abuse her." He brushed his thumbs over your hand, which he was still holding, "Thank you for protecting her." He glanced at you, still feeling guilt for this whole situation, then his eyes were on Chris again, "I just wished you had let us say something, anything, before you decked me."
"I know,", Chris started, shaking his head, "I just... you know I have no tolerance for that kind of stuff and there didn't seem to be a good reason for that to happen by accident. I snapped. I'm sorry."
Sebastian nodded again and got up to offer Chris a hug, which he accepted. Chris looked down at you from where you he was standing. You gave him a tight lipped smile. Chris looked at Sebastian standing behind your chair. As if they were speaking through a telepathic bond, Sebastian tilted his head a touch and nodded slightly.
Chris reached down and took your hand from the table, pulling you up to stand. He took your face gently in his hands, his eyes searching your face for a moment. You were caught a bit off guard, you felt nervous, your heart was beating a degree faster. He was acting more forward and why was Sebastian just standing there... Watching? You started blinking more quickly, your eyes barely closing before snapping open again each time. His gaze was burning through you. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke.
"I'm so sorry that I upset you, (Y/N). And that you had that dream. And for punching Seb, making you cry. I just could never live with myself if someone hurt you and I did nothing about it." He pulled you closer and wrapped his arms around your shoulders, giving you a surrounding hug as he kissed your head.
You let out a breath your didn't realize you were holding, "Thank you, Chris." Then you thought to yourself, 'Holy shit, I thought he was gonna kiss me.'
Chris was also thinking to himself, 'God, I really wanted to kiss her. I probably would have been the one getting punched now if I had.'
He pulled back, his hands lightly on your arms, just below the shoulder, "So, uh, someone punched Seb before I did?" His forehead wrinkled up in curiosity.
"Oh.", you looked apologetically at Sebastian, who tilted his head and puckered his lips.
"She punched me... While she was dreaming and I was trying to wake her. Maybe we don't have to worry about anyone hurting her after all. If she can land a punch and make it count, in her sleep?" He turned his head slightly and breathed out, "Whoo."
Chris chuckled, "Oh, I'm no stranger to the little fists of fury.", he winked at you, referencing your outburst at Yellowstone when they scared you while fooling around.
After all was said and done, everyone was pretty level about the whole thing. Sebastian understood why Chris did what he did and was actually glad. It was good to know that someone would take care of his girl if he ever wasn't around. Chris felt terrible that he punched first and asked questions later. He felt even worse that he got so worked up that he didn't even notice your crying and pleading for a moment. But, he was relieved that you and Seb had accepted his apology.
Sebastian headed to take a shower downstairs and invited you to join him. You told him you'd be there as soon as you grabbed a change of clothes. He went on his way as you headed to your room.
Chris followed you to your room and spoke low, "(Y/N)..."
You turned at the sound of his voice from the doorway. He waited until he was right in front of you to speak again, quietly, "If anyone, anyone," he raised his eyebrows to emphasize that his statement included Sebastian, "ever lays a hand on you, you come to me. I'll take care of you, okay?"
You nodded, "Okay, Chris."
He lifted your chin to lock eyes with you, "Promise."
You eyelids fluttered as you blinked. "I promise.", you whispered.
You found it interesting that Chris was sometimes acting as if he wasn't seeing anyone and that Seb was really okay with Chris's affections toward you. You enjoyed still being able to have Chris as a close friend during those times, but it surprised you. Then again it was only during stressful or intense situations. That was probably it.