G/T YouTubers (One Shots and More)

Phantoms of Hope (Nate and Mat+Steph) (Part 4)

"I got you. I got you, don't worry." A hand came up under him. Mat let go and staggered onto his back, but the surface under the borrower supported him. He was lifted up as Nate slowly sat up, and then the human glanced down at the long drop below before looking at Mat. "You could have gotten hurt," he murmured groggily.

"I- sorry." Mat sat up and tugged his jacket lapels. Nate studied him.

"You okay?" He asked. Mat nodded, and Nate sighed, blowing a warm breath of air that ruffled Mat's hair. "That's a relief. Wouldn't want you getting yourself killed before I can thank you." Mat was caught off guard.

"Wh- thank-thank me?" He echoed. Nate tilted his head and slumped against the couch back.

"Yeah. You called them, didn't you, Mat?" Mat opened and closed his mouth, and then he looked down.

"I-I didn't think you'd remember," he mumbled.

"I almost didn't," Nate admitted, "But when I called my doctor and heard him say that someone named Mat called me in, I was able to recall some memories of what happened." He rubbed his head and then scratched it carefully. "I-I hope I didn't hurt you." Mat shook his head.

"No, no you didn't. You were kind." Nate scoffed.

"I was an asshole."

"You helped me heal my wife."

"I yelled at you." He looked at the borrower with reflective eyes. "I was angry, bitter, and for no reason."

"You were sad," Mat said quietly, "And lonely. You were just trying to defend yourself. You were hurting." Nate looked too tired to persecute himself any more. He sighed and looked down, while Mat sat up in the human's hand and let one leg hang off the side of his acquaintance's palm. "Nate... Why did you try to kill yourself?" Nate looked away from the borrower, staring vacantly at the main hallway.

"... You said your wife was the one that needed the medicine?" Mat nodded. "So you're married." Nate bit his lip. "And you know what it's like to share difficulties with a woman."

"We've... had our fair share of arguments." Mat recalled their most recent one. "But we always pull through, that's what couples do." Nate closed his eyes, nodding.

"Yeah... but me? I fucked it all up. I pushed her away, yelled her off."

"But she came back," Mat gently reminded. "Because you needed her help."

"This time." Nate looked down at the borrower with worry glittering in his eyes. "But what if I screw it all up again? What if next time, she doesn't come back?"

"Well..." Mat bit the inside of his cheek. "I'm not an expert on these things, of course. But... I think that you both just need to remember how much you love each other. Aren't you willing to fight for her?" Nate nodded. "Well there you go. Whatever sparked the argument in the first place, just remember to consider the other's opinions. Try to find reason in whatever they're saying, no matter how crazy or mind-boggling it sounds. Try to find even ground, you know? You have opinions, she has opinions, and they're not always going to align. That's what makes a relationship a relationship, because of the effort and time you put into it. And believe me, it's worth it."

"... Wow." Nate smiled a little with a small exhale. "You sound like an experienced husband." Mat clamped his hand over his mouth to muffle a fit of laughter.

"I'm not even close to it," he giggled, "We still have our fair share of quarrels. That's how relationships go, you're not always going to agree on everything." Nate grinned, and Mat found himself relaxed and smiling back. Then he remembered why he came in the first place. "Oh yeah, um, one more thing..." He looked down, twiddling his thumbs. "You're-you're not gonna tell anyone about us, are you?" He asked in a small voice. He then waited anxiously for the answer.

"No, of course not. Not if you don't want me to." Relief flooded Mat. He sighed in relief. "You saved my life," Nate said firmly, "The least I can do is keep your people's secret." People! He said people! Not kind or race or species, but people! Delight bubbled in the borrower's chest. He sees me like a human, like an equal!

"Thank you!" Mat breathed, dizzy with joy. Nate smiled and nodded, and then he yawned. Mat noticed and cleared his throat. "I, uh, I should probably let you get back to resting now."

"Mm." Nate grunted as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Well don't hesitate to visit again. You and, uh..."

"Stephanie." 

"Yeah. You and Stephanie are welcome to whatever you need. Don't hesitate to say hi, okay?" Mat smiled so big that his dimples hurt.

"Thank you, Nate," he said with earnest gratitude. Nate smiled and closed his eyes, putting his head on the pillow.

"It's nothing, really," he mumbled. Then he stirred and sat up again. "Oh, here." He lowered his hands and brought Mat safely down to the floor. Mat climbed off and gave the human a grateful nod.

"Night sleepy head," he called playfully, stepping back. Nate grinned and lay down.

"Night, uh... Shortcake?" Mat laughed.

"Really? That's the best you could do?" Nate huffed.

"Gimme a day! I'm a little drugged right now," he chuckled sleepily. Mat giggled and waved before turning and heading back to their home. Nate watched him go until his eyelids grew too heavy to bear, and he slowly closed them and sank into his pillow with a happy sigh. He fell asleep almost immediately, and had pleasant dreams.