youth → sebastian stan [1]

EIGHTEEN → REAL LIFE

PUSHING THROUGH THE HOSPITAL DOORS, Rowan's eyes looked around frantically for any Cruz family member.

"Rowan!" She knew that voice from anywhere. Rowan turned her head to the direction where the voice was coming from, just to see her sister running towards her.

"Ava." The two Cruz sisters came into a hug, Rowan hadn't seen Ava for over six months, with filming coming in the way. And their mother didn't make it any easier. "You came."

"Of course I did, kiddo. How's Ma-" Rowan's words were interrupted as her mother's figure became visible, walking towards them with a look that could kill. Rowan felt her sister come beside her, squeezing her hand a bit more than usual.

"What are you doing here? I told you not to come!" Rowan sighed deeply as she took notice of the nurses giving the family looks as her mother began to raise her voice. Of course, she did not want to cause a scene but the way her mother is acting is taking a toll.

"And I told you I was coming to see my siblings. Which is what I'm doing." Taking her sister's hand, Rowan walked past her mother to the front desk to ask for her brother's room number.

"Hello, I'm here for Matthew Cruz. Are visitors being accepted?"

"Yes of course, but only one at a time." Rowan looked down at Ava, who gave her a sincere smile signaling it was okay. Giving her hand one last squeeze and weak smile, Ava watched her older sister disappear into the doors only to feel her mother creep beside her.

"I can't believe she actually had the nerve to come. Who does she think she is?!"

"She's your daughter. That's who she thinks she is. Mom, I know it's impossible to change your mind now. But at least for Matt, be civil." Laura Cruz watched as yet another one of her daughter's walked away from her, leaving her to only sigh out deeply.

As Ava walked with her hands in her pockets, she found herself trying to block out all the people frantically running past her. She never understood what broke up her family, being too young then to know. Despite rarely seeing Rowan due to her job and their mother making it difficult, Ava adored her sister. And Rowan never left her unattended, neither did Matt.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for the Cruz family. They have a family member here." The sound of her last name out a halt to Ava's thoughts, making her shoot up her head to look forward. In only a few seconds, her eyes were able to realize who it was.

"Sebastian!" The youngest Cruz sibling watched as Sebastian turned to where he was being called and once he recognized Ava, he bid his thanks to the nurse and walked over to her. "Oh thank god, you're here. I'm sorry I'm late, my flight got delayed for an hour and the traffic here is a-"

"It's okay, Sebastian. What matters is that you're here." Before he was even able to say anything, Sebastian let out a huff as Ava wrapped her small arms around him. He was taken back at the quick show of affection from Ava, but he soon hugged the young girl back. It was perhaps a selfish thought to even think about but Sebastian couldn't help but feel overjoyed at the fact Rowan's family accepted him. Or at least Ava.

"Thank you so much."

"No, thank you. Without you reaching out to me I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for Rowan. Speaking about her, where is she? Is she okay?"

"She's inside with Matt. I honestly have no idea how she is, Matt's like her other half. Well, they kinda are since they're twins but yeah you get the picture." Sebastian laughed Ava's wittiness, she was like a mini version of Rowan.

"Alright then, I'll just wait-"

"Are you serious? This is a family issue, not everyone can just show up!" Sebastian watched as Ava's facial expression dropped drastically at the sound of a woman approaching. It took him a few seconds to put the puzzle pieces together to realize who she was.

"Mom, please."

"Um, hello Mrs. Cruz. I'm so sorry that this is the way I get to meet you but I just wanted to show my support and my sincere prayers to Matthew's recovery." Ava switched her eyes from her mother to Sebastian, feeling the tension arise from her mother's behalf.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry I even have to face you right now. I'm not going to be okay with you just waltzing into this hospital like you have any right to be here!" Sebastian didn't want to fight back, much less show any disrespect to Laura. It didn't matter if her and Rowan got along, she was the mother of his girlfriend and he would respect that.

"ENOUGH." Laura jumped at the sudden raise of voice her youngest daughter projected. "Sebastian has every right to be here. He's Rowan's boyfriend. He's here to support her since you obviously refuse to do so. So just because you can't accept Rowan's life choices doesn't mean you can cause a scene and disrespect her or Sebastian."

Laura looked at Ava in utter disbelief. The youngest Cruz sibling could feel a bit of guilt creeping up on her, but she shrugged it off knowing she did the right thing. Not wanting her mother to blow another casket, Ava turned to face Sebastian and give him a weak smile.

"Let's go sit and wait for Rowan." Sebastian and Laura shared one last look and surprisingly neither of them held anger. From pity to regret. Sebastian gave her a small nod before turning on his heels to follow Ava.

It took a while for Ava to let out anything as the two found some spare chairs in the waiting room, letting out a sigh as she settled her eyes on the floor. "I'm so sorry about my mom. I'm sure Rowan has told you about... everything. But still, she had no reason to attack you like that."

"It's fine Ava, I'll do anything for Rowan. Plus, your mom does have a point, I'm not even part of this family."

"Yes. Yes you are. I believe you don't need a few signatures in some papers to make legal, as long as you feel it in your heart, then you're family. You make my sister so happy, happier than I've seen her in so long. That makes you family." Ava watched as Sebastian tried to rub his eyes, predicting a few water works, making her smile weakly. "Plus, you'd make a great brother in law."

"I'll be honest here, your contact name is already lil sis in law, so this family is already stuck with me." It put the two at ease to be able to share a sincere laugh in such a tragic situation they've been placed in.

The hospital waiting room was oddly empty, with only two or three people with Sebastian and Ava in the waiting room. So the sound of the intensive care doors flipping open felt like hundreds of bells ringing at once, provoking Sebastian and Ava to lift their heads up towards that direction.

Sebastian didn't know what do once his girlfriend came in sight. He'd never seen her so, empty. It broke his heart. Broke his heart watching the woman that brought happiness in him wasn't happy herself.

Ava took the first steps and walked over to her sister, who had her sights set on the ground. The youngest sister gently grabbed a hold of Rowan's hands. "Rowan, it's okay. Matt's going to be okay."

"I don't think anything can make this okay, Ava."

"Well, I think one thing could." Rowan finally looked up to meet her sister's hopeful eyes. Following Ava's lead, Rowan finally understood what Ava meant.

"S-S-Sebastian?" The tone of her voice made him want to cry right at that moment, but Sebastian knew he had to stay strong for Rowan. It only took a few steps from both of them to finally be in each other's arms.

"Doll, I'm so sorry I-"

"No. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want to freak you out." Rowan felt Sebastian rest his chin on top of her head, feeling safe as she had ever felt. "I'm just glad you're here."

"Well, thank little Ava here. Without her, I wouldn't be here." The couple looked at Ava, who was just happy at doing something right in such a tragic situation.

"Someone had to do it. I'm going to go back in with Matt, you two should rest. Don't worry about it." Giving Rowan a small nod, Ava walked back into the intensive care room, leaving the two alone.

"Ava is such an angel. I'm so lucky to have her." Sebastian held onto Rowan's dangling hands, looking at her as she was still staring at the doors her sister went into to.

"She really is. Pretty sure she got it from you." Rowan felt a sincere smile forming, coming in contact with Sebastian. She didn't know what to say to express the emotions she was feeling, and Sebastian knew that. But he knew he could.

"I love you." The words came out before he could debate whether or not to say them, making him want to slap himself right at that moment. But once he felt Rowan's hands move up to behind his neck and seeing her display an actual smile, his doubts disappeared.

"I love you too. So, so, so much."

_______

THIS WAS HELLA LONG ONGJBH BUT SO CUTE OKAY

this arc hasn't ended tho so row's fam is still making appearances in upcoming chapters, especially to see my bby matt's recovery

okAY AND WTF 23k READS JVUJJMCU YOU GUYS