Warmth cradled Kazimir, luring him into dreamland. He leaned against the hospital's bathroom faucet. Wads of bloody toilet paper were scattered everywhere. His nose burned from the cocaine he'd just snorted, savoring the high as he reeled back. If he kept it up, he'd damage his poor nostrils and lose his sense of smell, but it was better than bruising his arms by injecting.

Getting high after his boyfriend overdosed was fucked up. Kazimir hated himself for it, but he needed a fix. Seeing Emmett break down in front of his mother was too much for him to handle. It shattered Kazimir's heart, but what could he do to help him? Kazimir shared similar demons. An addict couldn't fix another addict. The only way Emmett could stay clean was if they both vowed to quit the drugs and stay away from them.

No amount of interventions would save them. It was silly to think that they'd get better in some miracle rehab center. Emmett was probably right. Those doctors only had money in mind when recommending them. People like them weren't meant to be fixed or helped. And even if they went, what would stop them from using again? They relied on drug dealing to survive. Having that temptation so close would be impossible to fight.

If Kazimir didn't get a grip on himself, he'd be admitted next. He just couldn't help it. Had Emmett known he'd sneaked some coke into the hospital, he'd plead for him to share it with him. That's why he hid in the bathroom while he got blitzed. Kazimir couldn't let Mrs. Larson notice either. She'd be just as concerned, worried he'd been enabling her son.

After cleaning up his mess, he checked his phone for texts from the other rebels. Snorting coke helped clear his mind from worries and other distractions. Kazimir tried to keep everyone calm, ensuring them that their leader was perfectly fine, but it was difficult to tell them when he didn't even believe that himself. New messages popped up on his screen while he typed out a response in their little group chat.

Alfie: Tell Emmett to call me when he can.

Charlie: Wat can we do to help

Rylee: Keep us updated on him. We're holding down the place for now. Had a bitchy client earlier who wants to talk to Emm. Lied and said he was busy with others but he'll get to her soon.

If only they knew how Kazimir abandoned Emmett to get high in the bathroom. He thought about how Mrs. Larson asked him to help get the rebels on board with an intervention, wishing he'd had the strength to tell her no. The desperate, sorrowful look on her face made it impossible to do so. Kazimir would've done anything to have his mother worry about him like that again.

Unable to face Emmett again, knowing how he'd realize he wasn't sober, Kazimir crept out of his hospital room. He was fortunate enough that his lover had fallen asleep again and Emmett's mother paid no attention to him. Mrs. Larson was a sweet woman. Emmett didn't realize how lucky he was to have a mom who loved him that much.

Staggering down the hallway, Kazimir spared a glance at the wall clock. A quarter past one, meaning they should still be serving lunch down in the cafeteria. Hopefully, he'd find a table to quietly nibble on some pudding and nod off without anyone catching him. If they asked, he'd lie about being tired from staying up all night with his husband.

It barely registered to Kazimir when he stepped inside the cafeteria, almost tripping over his own untied shoelaces. Thankfully, no one paid any attention to him. Only a few people sat at a table, with their heads down, speaking in soft voices amongst themselves. Most of them seemed like they'd been crying, with sullen expressions and bloodshot eyes.

After getting his food, Kazimir nibbled on his platter and sipped his apple juice, wishing he could've traded it for some booze. He needed to get back to Emmett soon, but instead, he made his way outside for a smoke. He needed to pull himself together.

As he a long drag, he tried to forget about the sorrowful look in Mrs. Larson's eyes. He couldn't tell her to screw off when she came into Emmett's room. He couldn't tell her that an intervention wouldn't work. Not while she went on about her sweet boy and how she wanted him to get better.

Kazimir's own mother never wanted him to get better. She wanted him to overdose and die. It surprised him how she never killed him herself. If he had someone like Mrs. Larson encouraging him to stay clean, he'd try his damndest to stay that way and refrain from relapsing. Emmett couldn't even bother to try and wanted to push his family away, something Kazimir would never understand.

"Kaz?" Everly hurried over to him. Her blonde ponytail blew in the breeze. "What are you doing out here? How's Emmett?"

"He's sleeping," Kazimir replied. "I just needed to step away and smoke."

Everly sighed. "Are you high right now?"

"Yeah," Kazimir's hoarse voice barely came out above a whisper.

"How much have you been taking lately?" she asked.

Kazimir shrugged. "The usual. Your mom's already in there. She said y'all's dad waited out in the car."

Everly frowned. "Huh? What are you talking about? Adam drove her here. He went all the way down to their house because Dad didn't want to come. They had a falling out last time and Emmett told them he never wanted to see them again."

"Why did she tell Emmett that he's out waiting in the car then?" Kazimir asked.

"I guess she's still trying to pretend that he cares about Emmett." Everly sighed. "Dad gave up on Emmett when he turned to drugs. He was always a rebellious teen, but that last argument really did it in for him. He wants nothing to do with Emmett."

"But why does your mom try to act like he cares?" Kazimir asked. "He seemed to know that his father wasn't going to come visit him."

"I don't know. I think maybe she wants us to be the happy family we used to be," Everly replied. "Let's head up there and check on him."

Kazimir stubbed his cigarette out in the ash tray and followed her back inside. He hoped Emmett was still asleep so he wouldn't see how high Kazimir was. They made their way down the pristine hallway and into the elevator to take them up to Emmett's hospital room.

Everly gently pulled the door open, and Kazimir followed close behind her. Mrs. Larson still stayed by Emmett's bedside, where he snoozed away.

"Hey, mom." Everly went over and hugged her. "How's he doing?"

"Oh, you know how your brother is." Mrs. Larson sighed. "Always so strong-headed and not wanting to listen.

They stuck around and chatted more while Emmett slept. Before long, it was suppertime, and Everly offered to take Kazimir out. Mrs. Larson stayed behind, wanting to spend more time alone with her son. Kazimir wished Emmett would realize how many people cared about him and wanted him to get better. If only he'd at least try to get clean for his mother...