This insomnia thing was growing old really fast. It was yet another morning after a restless night, but this time it wasn't because of heated fantasies - it was because there was a black pit of fear, despair, and anger in Hawk's gut, and it had kept him awake throughout the night.

He had a pretty clear idea what it meant when a girl said they needed to talk, and as he was walking down the hallway that led to Sky's hospital room, he was mentally preparing himself for what was coming. That scene had entered his restless dreams already last night - Sky, tears in her pretty eyes, telling him that it was truly over this time.

Hawk swallowed to repel the foul taste of fear that lingered in his mouth, and stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets. He wasn't going to give up, not this easily, not now when he was this close to getting Sky back—

He fucking loved her, and she loved him. He was prepared to do or say anything to make her see that he deserved another chance.

When he approached her room, his steps slowed down until he stopped altogether, realizing there was already someone in Sky's room. Sky's soft, husky voice and some laughter echoed into the hallway, but Hawk couldn't quite make out who was in the room with her.

The good thing was that Sky was laughing. That sound loosened the tight band that squeezed his chest, and he took a shaky breath. But—

Fucking Hell.

He wet his lips. If it was Demetri, who made her laugh that happy and carefree, Hawk would fucking lose his mind. He was painfully aware of the fact that he could not start another fight in here. If he got away with what had happened yesterday, he was one lucky bastard. He knew he wouldn't be so lucky twice in a row.

It was easier said than done, though. Just thinking about Demetri's stupid face was enough to make Hawk's fists clench tight.

"I still can't believe you're moving away. It sucks." Hawk heard Sky's voice, and frowned.

Moving away? Demetri isn't moving, is he? No such luck.

"I know," replied another voice. "I wish I could talk my parents out of it, but they've made up their minds. They really freaked out after the school fight."

Hawk's frown melted away. He knew who that was, and relief washed over him. With newfound confidence, he walked to the door and stepped inside.

"Hi—" he started, but the smile on his lips froze as he took in the scene in front of him.

Sky was on the bed, in her pink hospital gown and a robe, her hair braided in a one, thick braid that fell to her shoulder and over the cast on her arm. She looked happy and was sitting up, talking to Aisha, who was sitting in a chair next to her bed. Sky was holding the unicorn plushie in her lap (that sight filled Hawk with relief - she wouldn't be hugging the thing if she was gonna dump him, right?)

But it wasn't just Aisha and Sky in the room. There was also a very good-looking, tall, dark-skinned boy with dreadlocks leaning casually on the wall, his muscular arms crossed over his chest.

Hawk's heart sank, his smile disappeared.

Paulo.

Fucking Hell. Was Sky doing this on purpose? How was Hawk going to apologize now? No way was he going to pour his heart out to Sky in front of that dude.

"Hawk!" Aisha's eyes widened in surprise as she noticed him standing in the doorway. She smiled, but then hesitated and glanced at Sky. "Wait... are you two, you know—?"

Hawk didn't reply but just turned his eyes to Sky. Let her answer. After yesterday, he really had no fucking clue where they stood.

"We're... working on it." Sky said, and her cheeks turned pink.

A relieved breath escaped Hawk's lips. Working on it. That was definitely a good thing. Besides, Sky was smiling at him. Okay, maybe her smile wasn't quite as wide and radiant as it had been, but still, when she looked at him her eyes turned soft, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"So it was him, who brought the chocolates?" Aisha asked with a knowing look.

"And this plushie," Sky admitted, hugging the unicorn against her chest with her good arm.

"Oh, I see," Aisha gave Hawk a smirk.

Hawk walked into the room, bringing his awkward tension with him, painfully aware of the fact that he hadn't yet said a word. His mind was blank. The fine speech he had prepared about how fucking sorry he was and how much he loved Sky, was now useless. He was utterly at a loss for words.

He glanced from Sky to Paulo, wishing in his mind that he could throw that arrogant prick out of this room, and the other boy seemed to feel the same way about him. Paulo tilted up his chin and held Hawk's stare - and unlike the last time Hawk had seen him, there was now no hint of amusement or smile in his dark eyes. He looked at Hawk like he wanted to strangle him to death.

"What you looking at?" Hawk asked, squaring his shoulders.

"Just thinking that I still owe you a beating for what you did to Sky."

Those words hurt because they were true. Hawk knew better than anyone that Sky's suicide attempt was his fault and he was sick and tired of hearing everyone say he shouldn't blame himself for it. He did blame himself, and he would, for the rest of his life. But that didn't mean this dude got to do so too.

He let out a confident fake laugh. "You think you could beat me?"

Paulo smirked as if Hawk had said something funny. "Oh, I could beat your scrawny ass with one arm tied behind my back."

Hawk's anger stirred, a bright spark inside his chest. He took a step closer and stared at Paulo, letting him see that anger. "I'd like to see you try."

But Paulo never got the chance to answer.

"Oh my God," cried Sky, interrupting them. "I don't know which one of you idiots is worse. Can you just stop that stupid pissing contest? Nobody is impressed."

"I'm with Sky on this one," said Aisha. "If you guys can't chill, you need to leave."

Sky flashed Aisha a grin. "Maybe we should just give up on guys and start dating each other."

"I'm tempted," Aisha replied with a laugh.

"We could happily eat cupcakes and make out while these idiots beat the living shit out of each other."

Sky's words made Hawk's cheeks burn, for many reasons. Firstly because an image of Sky making out with Aisha suddenly appeared in his mind. But secondly, and more importantly, he was again reminded of the happenings of the day before, and the ultimate price he still might pay for starting a fight with Demetri. No matter how much he wanted to throw that arrogant asshole Paulo (who was still obviously trying to make a move on Sky) out of the room, Hawk really, really needed to chill a bit. Sky would never forgive him if they started fighting here.

Turning his back on Paulo, Hawk walked to Sky's bed and took a seat on the edge. Gently he took Sky's hand, and to his huge relief, she let him do it. Her fingers were cold and slender in his grip.

"Hi, babe," he said softly. "You okay?"

"Babe?" Sky looked up and arched a brow.

Hawk tried to keep his smile confident. "Too much?"

"Maybe a little," Sky replied, but her cheeks were turning pink and her hand was still in his, reassuring Hawk that things could still be mended between them.

"You wanna have that coffee now?"

Hesitantly Sky smiled up at him. "I could have coffee."

That smile was the only thing in the world, the only thing that mattered, and he didn't give a shit if everyone in the room saw how he melted under her gaze. He was falling into her eyes, the freefall making his heart jump into her throat.

"Can you walk, or should I get a wheelchair?"

"I'll be damned if I have to be pushed to our date," Sky rolled her eyes and let out a soft, husky laugh. "I'll walk, but you need to help me."

"I'll fucking carry you if you want to."

Sky blushed. Her smile was the sweetest thing Hawk had ever seen.

"Okay, it's time for us to go," Aisha said, making Hawk startle - he had almost forgotten there were other people in the room.

"Seems like it," Paulo replied. "But Sky–"

"Yeah?" Sky turned to look at Paulo, her hand still in Hawk's, their fingers entwined.

Paulo glanced at Hawk, his jaw clenched tight.

"Are you sure about... this?" he asked. "Dating that guy again?"

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," Hawk snapped - resisting the urge to add an 'asshole' at the end of that sentence.

Sky didn't reply, she looked down, and her smile faltered. Hawk hated Paulo for taking that smile away, it made his chest ache painfully. He tilted up his chin and stared at the other boy, but he seemed unaffected as if he was too cool to even notice Hawk's presence. It was annoying as fuck.

"Just saying–" Paulo continued. "-- that he treated you like shit the last time. And it ended pretty badly for you."

"Hey!" Hawk stood up in a swift motion, letting go of Sky's hand. "You know nothing about that, so stay out of it."

"I'm not talking to you," Paulo replied, barely glancing at Hawk. "I'm talking to Sky."

"What happened between us, is none of your fucking business."

"It is, if she's getting hurt."

Hawk's throat was thick with emotion, anger made the words get stuck in his throat. He hated that Paulo was right. Sky had gotten hurt because of him. First, because he had lied to her, then because he had failed her in the school fight and left her alone. But what Paulo didn't know, was that those had been the worst moments of Hawk's life, and he would do anything to take those things back. He would do anything to keep Sky safe from now on, and if she ever got hurt again because of him, Hawk would fucking take his own life.

"I would never hurt her," he let out, his voice low and dry, raspy in his throat. "But I'd gladly punch you in the face if you try to come between us."

"For the love of God, stop that!" Sky let out an angry huff, and both Hawk and Paulo turned to face her. "Aisha, please take one of these hot-heads out of here, will you? I can't take any more of this alpha shit."

That made Paulo let out a sigh, and take a step back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, Firefly. Just... be careful, will you? I would hate to see you hurt again."

"I appreciate it," Sky replied. "But you don't have to worry - I'm not gonna do anything stupid this time."

"Oh yeah? Because you were always known for wise decisions," Paulo teased, flashing Sky a smile - and Hawk was choking in jealousy.

"I blame Kat for all the stupid things we used to do," Sky laughed.

"Talking about Kat - You do know what she would say about you dating that mohawk boy?" Paulo asked, his smile vanishing as he gave Hawk yet another glare.

"Oh I do," Sky replied. "Maybe better than you do."

Paulo arched his brows as if he wanted to ask more, but Aisha stood up and took his hand.

"Okay, time for us to go," Aisha said, her fingers entwining with Paulo's. "Let's give these two some privacy to do whatever stupid stuff they want to do."

Hawk's brows shot up in his forehead, his gaze glued on Aisha and Paulo's joint hands. A blush crept to Aisha's face as Paulo leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Aisha's cheekbone.

Hawk's jaw dropped.

"What—?" he started, but then closed his mouth, only to open it again, feeling suddenly like an idiot. "Are you two... like a couple?"

Aisha laughed, her blush deepening. "You're so slow sometimes."

"He is," Sky grinned. "For a smart guy, he's surprisingly slow."

"I'm not–" Hawk muttered, his cheeks now burning too. "Someone should've said something."

"It's none of your business," said Paulo, but maybe it was Aisha's closeness that softened his tone. Aisha was now leaning softly against Paulo's side, and the tall boy wrapped an arm around her shoulders. With a promise to come back the next day, Aisha and Paulo left the room, and for a couple of heartbeats Hawk could only stare after them.

"How did that happen?" Hawk asked, turning back to Sky. "And when?"

"I introduced them at the All Valley," Sky shrugged. "They kept in touch."

"So Paulo is dating Aisha?"

"Yes."

"And... he's not here to date you?"

"You are an idiot," Sky laughed. "You know that?"

"You should've told me. I thought he was here because–" but he stopped talking mid-sentence. Perhaps this wasn't the best time to start explaining how fucking jealous he had been when walking into the room and seeing Paulo there. How his first thought had been that he was losing Sky again, losing her to that asshole.

"Coffee?" he said instead and offered her a hand. "Let me help you up."

"Yes, please," Sky replied. "And then we'll talk."

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