American Honey

Kendall Wells Tate. 18 years old. Not spoiled just because I'm the baby,but I'll say to anyone who hurts me better be warned of my sisters.

[kendollxtate]

It had been several weeks since Clu had been admitted to the hospital and Kendall had been faithful coming by everyday. She was like clockwork all the nurses in charge of her boyfriend knew her. “He’s at therapy right now, Kendall but he should be back any minute now.” Nurse Hannah called to her as she walked the familiar route to his room. “I’ll just wait for him in there then,Hannah, thank you.” She smiled at the nurse before she rounded the corner to his room. She was only in the room for two minutes before her boyfriend returned. “ Hi baby.” She said a smile on her face as he was helped back in his bed. “Getting stronger every day.” She couldn’t help but smile she was so proud of him for working so hard to get out of the hospital.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu gave Kendall a small smile for the first time ever he felt safe with someone other than his siblings. He waited until the others were out of the room before speaking,“K-Kenny..I don’t want to die without ever getting to say goodbye to you.” He swallowed the lump in his throat, “I don’t want you to be alone because you don’t deserve that.” He looked at her unaware that a doctor had come to talk to their siblings outside his room. “Before I wouldn’t have batted an eye to lie to you or anyone else that asked about me, Larkin, he makes me feel unwanted undeserving of love,” He paused picking a spot on the blanket that was covering him to stare at. “You’re the first person I’ve let in outside of my siblings, Kendall Wells Tate, I love you. And I promise I’m gonna do better.” As soon as Clu finished his sentence it was interupted by Carey coming in the room, “Cluey, I have some bad news you’re going to be in here for a while and its going to be a lot of work.” Clu sighed heavily causing him to wince at the pain it caused his chest and he wondered everything his father had done this time.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall could only imagine how hard and long his recovery would be. It was clear to anyone who looked at the teen he hadn’t been his usual self in a long time. “I’ll be with you the whole way.” She spoke up and offered the boy a smile. “Kenny, time for us to go. Don’t worry about anything Clu, I’ve got a bunch of my friends working on keeping you safe.” Keeley said as she entered the room to retrieve her sister to go home for the evening. “Do we have to go?” Kendall asked, before chewing on her lip she didn’t want to leave him so soon, “I mean I feel like we just got here.” Keeley looked to the teen with a sad smile. “We do, Little duck, not much we can do right now they’ve got to do a bunch of tests and it will be a lot of waiting. We can come back first thing tomorrow though.” She promised her sister and with that Kenny gave her boyfriend a soft tender good night kiss, “I’ll see you later and we can talk on the phone for a bit later.” She offered him before getting up off his bed and walking to meet her sister in the doorway and leaving the hospital.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu had listened to everyone the whole time they were talking about the situation. He didn’t know that his brother had no intention of actually telling him that he had died. “Care, I-I didn’t know you were the one who he had help him bring me back.” Clu chewed on his lip looking at his brother and then to Kendall. “Kenny, I’m okay.” He said pulling her hand to his chest. “Feel it?” He questioned her, “Beating heart.” Though in this moment Clu didn’t know who he was trying to convince that his heart was beating.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall was clearly upset at the both of them for trying to keep that away from her. But her expressions and tone softened when Clu grabbed her hand to hold it over his heart. “Beating hearts.” She said simply to let him know hers was beating too. “I’m still upset with you guys for not telling me, did you not think I could handle it?” Honestly she was only fairing with it because she was with people and she knew that. “Not that at all, little duck. You have the right to be mad but I think me and Carey will step outside and let you two have some time alone at least until visiting hours are over and you have to go home,Kenny.” Keeley said motioning for Carey to follow her outside to the hall to watch out for Larkin.The thought of leaving him was making her heart ache as she just got him back.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu sighed lightly his body still aching from all of what it had gone through with Larkin as he looked to Kendall. “I can definitely try for you,Kendall Tate.” He said a small smile on his face as he looked at her. He couldn’t say he didn’t still have fears that Larkin wouldn’t try his best to get him and hurt one of them for helping him; but he was trying to push it all aside and be in the moment with her. “I’ve gotta tell you something, Kenny and you have to promise you won’t leave.” he took a breath as he tried his best to think of how to phrase it so it wouldn’t upset her too badly, “ At some point during the month I-I uh I um died.” he chewed on the inside of his bottom lip as he waited for her to process what he had said, hell he was still trying to process it.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall had wondered what all had happened in the month her boyfriend had been locked away in his home with Larkin. She gasped as she heard the words come out of his mouth. “Oh my god.” That was all she could manage at the moment. She didn’t know what to say or how she was supposed to react to the news that he had died and she didn’t know, her worse fear since getting closer to the boy. “How could you two keep this from me?” Her voice betraying her emotions as she looked to the two who had sworn to protect Clu. “How could you two let this happen? How did he come back?” She had a million questions now and no answers to go with them.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu didn’t answer he just went with it as his brother pushed him to the car. He didn’t really say a lot in the car because he was definitely tired but he did smile a sleepy smile to Kendall when she said ‘I’ve got you now.’ They arrived to the hospital and were brought back to a room already set up for the teen probably because Carey had called ahead to let them know. “Don’t leave.” He said to all of them looking with panic in his eyes. “We aren’t Cluey, but they have to have space for a little bit to get you straight. We’ll be right outside, I promise.” At his brother’s words he nodded understanding and didn’t fight the nurses who were hooking him up to monitors and connecting him to ivs. “You’re in good hands, Clu. I promise, I work with these people everyday.” Another nod from Clu as the others exited the room to give them space to get his vitals. When they were allowed back in Kendall scooted on his bed beside him. “I like this,Kenny.” He said sleepily. “Promise me you’ll stay even if I fall asleep?”

[kendollxtate]

Kendall made sure she was careful for all the wires and wounds her boyfriend had as she wrapped her arms around him. “I promise I’ll stay.” She whispered as her sister and Carey looked at the teens. “You’re safe and I’ve got you, Cluey.” She repeated as she closed her eyes gently reminding herself where they were. “I’ve got it completely covered, Clu. Everyone knows not to let him in if he shows up.” Keeley spoke up letting him know she and his brother had things under control. Kendall gave her sister a small smile before speaking again, “You focus on getting better for me, Clu Baxter.” She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “It’s my turn to save you.”

[getaclubaxter]

Clu was glad he was with her there was no doubt about that. At her words he just nodded before taking off the oxygen mask. “I’m scared too Kenny,” He started taking as deep a breath as he could manage before continuing “but I’m here and our hearts are beating.” Though his was weakened he knew it was still beating. At her next question he didn’t know how to respond so it took him a few minutes. “I don’t know honestly.” He put the mask on for a minute to get a good amount of breath in his lungs. “Will you come with me to the hospital?” He didn’t want to be alone and she was the only thing he wanted to be constant. “I mean Keeley is coming too from the way my brother sounded earlier.”

[kendollxtate]

At his question Kendall nodded as long as she was wanted and allowed she would go where ever he needed her to. “Of course, Clu Davies Baxter.” She saw her sister and Carey coming back out of the Tate house. “You both ready to go?” Keeley asked as the pair had reached the teens. “I’m ready.” She said with a nod and grabbed for Clu’s hand. Carey pushed the teen to Keeley’s Suv and they helped him in. The ride to the hospital was quiet except for the occasional wheeze coming from Clu but Kendall had not let go of his hand since they got in the car. “I’ve got you now.” She whispered lightly squeezing her boyfriends hand.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu couldn’t help but have tears show in his eyes as soon as he saw Kendall. She was off her crutches and he wasn’t there to see it happen. “Not okay..Kenny.” He swallowed hard he knew he wasn’t Carson had showed him that. “I-I’m—“ he stopped and looked at her eyes still full of tears. He couldn’t bring himself to say it. He didn’t want to leave her or his siblings anytime soon. He was gonna get better. “I’m so happy to see you.” He gave her a small smile behind the oxygen mask. “I’m sorry,Kenny.” Was all he could manage to say to the blonde. He had warned her that he was not worth the pain of knowing him and here he was proving it. Carey beside the teen the whole time and it hurt to know what the teen thought. “Kendall, is Keeley home?” He asked wanting them to have some alone time after all it had been a month. “Care, don’t.” Clu urged his brother not to talk to his girlfriends sister.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall shook her head at her boyfriend, “Hey, don’t say sorry. You can’t control him. I’m just glad you’re alive and here with me.” She chewed on her lip before leaning down to kiss him gently on his forehead. “Yeah, Carey she’s home go on and talk to her.” She had a guess as to what he wanted with her big sister. She had wanted nothing more than to be able to touch him, to kiss him but now she was so scared to even try. She was scared she would hurt him. “Cluey..I’m scared.” She finally admitted to the teen. “Scared that I could lose you and not know.” She looked at him getting down to meet him on his level. “Do you think they can stop him?” she questioned him.

[kendollxtate]

Beating hearts|K &C

Kendall had healed but had yet to return to dancing afraid she would hurt her knee so soon after healing. She was also focused on Clu she hadn’t been able to see him since they had become an official item but she was thankful for Carey keeping her informed of the cycle well except for one thing that is. So she had tried her best to prepare herself to see Clu as he had asked about her. “Cluey.” She said simply wrapping the boy in an embrace careful not to squeeze too tightly. She wasn’t going to mention how thin he was or the fact that he had oxygen and a feeding tube or the fact that he was borrowing a wheelchair from the hospital. “I’m so glad you’re ok.” She tried to keep things light and upbeat because that was who he needed her to be in this moment.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu couldn’t help the smile that formed as they met for their first kiss. He had never seen himself falling for someone as he was her. He thought he was happy pushing people away so they didn’t get hurt but Kendall certainly changed his point of view on a lot of things. “Your knight in broken armor, Kenny. I must confess I wanted to since I rescued you too.” He said as he leaned in closer and before he knew it his lips were colliding with hers.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall didn’t want the kiss to end but she knew it had to but there would be more encounters of this kind or she hoped there would be. “Clu Baxter, you are one hell of a kisser.” She giggled, she didn’t want to tell him he was her very first kiss so she didn’t have much to compare to but he did live up to the rom coms she loved to watch when she wasn’t dancing. “How bad do you think it will be when you get home?” She knew her question would ruin the moment but she also wanted to know his pain. That’s what you do when you love someone right? She didn’t have the heart to tell him that she had been replaying the way his body had crumpled when his father had tossed him in the cage in his basement. “S-sorry.” She said as she came back from her thoughts looking at him.

[getaclubaxter]

Clu nodded lightly at her offer to sit. “Told you I can deal with a little pain.” He said as they walked to the bench. “You look good.” He was glad of that. “Do you think your sister would mind if I um maybe kissed you?” He asked her he had wanted to do that that day in the hospital but he didn’t.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall blushed at his question of kissing her. She licked her lips and looked down and back to Keeley for a second. “I don’t think she would. I know I wouldn’t mind it.” She bit at her lip, “I’ve wanted to since you rescued me. You’re my knight, Cluey.” She said leaning in a smile on her face.

[getaclubaxter]

As soon as they were done Clu he hollered for his brother to help him look presentable. “Can you drive me to the park to meet Kenny?” He asked once Carey came in his room. “And before you give me the ‘you shouldn’t speech’ don’t. I know I shouldn’t but I also know that neither of us will feel better until we see each other. So please do this for me.” Carey nodded to his little brother that he wouldn’t argue with him and helped him get cleaned up and dressed in to new clothes splinting his broken arm for the time being. Once they were finished they were on their way to the park to meet the girls. Clu waited nervously as he looked for Kendall once he spotted her he hopped out of the car grateful that Carey put a split on his hand. “H-hey Kenny.” He said as he walked up to her.

[kendollxtate]

Keeley had decided to hang back a little ways to let the two have their time alone. She knew neither would be completely settled until they had seen each other.When Kendall her the familiar voice she smiled resting on her crutches ever so slightly. “Hey Cluey.” He smile didn’t fade as she looked at him though she could tell he was hurting. “Lets sit,” She offered up pointing to a bench nearby. “You must be hurting with everything.” She chewed on her lip as she started walking she was surprised he was even standing.

[kendollxtate]

chaperoned park date|Kendall & Clu

As soon as they were done with their skype Kendall called for Keeley to come back in her room. “I need to get to the park to see Clu. Can you help me?” She asked her sister knowing she needed the help after all her knee was pretty much shattered thanks to Larkin. “He’s having Carey drop him at the park. I figured this would be easier then him hurting himself via a screen.” Her voice a mix between nerves and excitment.

[kelseaisee]

Kelsea sat the bear down on her sisters nightstand and took her forgotten gloves off placing them in her lap as she listened to her sister. “I’m so grateful for him working so hard to get you out of his house,” she started licking her lips for a minute before continuing, “you are so amazing Kenny, you have such a big heart and this boy he needs you just as much as you need him. You can’t help him the way you want to you but Kendall just being here for him is going to go a long way, I promise you that.”

[kendollxtate]

Kendall shook her head at her sister. “How do you know that’s enough?” She questioned her tears evident in her eyes now. “I— think I might love him. Something about the way he was shocked I was there and then his only focus was me getting out. Risking everything for me. Is it wrong of me to want him without really knowing him?”

[kelseaisee]

Kelsea walked in a bit closer now the little get well bear visible. “I still have to apologize though,Ken. I should be here for you. We’re the barbies of the family.” She said a small chuckle following. “How are you? How is Clu?” She finally brought herself to ask her sister.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall smiled once she saw the little bear in her sisters hand. “I know you love me, Kelsea. You and me are alike in wanting to hide when things are tough.” She reminded her gently before chewing on her lip at her sisters questions, “I’m okay. Missing dance but I’m alive because of Clu. As for him I don’t think he’s ok..I don’t think he’s been okay for a long time. I wish I could help him my heart hurts for him so much, Kels.”

[getaclubaxter]

Clu nodded slightly to show he understood her worry and that they had been keeping contact with Carey. “No I’m not fine, Kenny, “ he started chewing on his lip. He needed to hug her to feel her presence. “Yeah, the park sounds nice. I can get Carey to drive me there. Larkin isn’t home right now.” He told her knowing he would have to play for his little adventure but she was worth it. He hadn’t met someone so worthy of pain until her.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall’s heart skipped a beat when she noticed Clu wince harshly in pain. “Only if you are up to it? I’ll get Keeley to drive me. Meet in like five?” She questioned waiting for him to answer she also didn’t want him in any more trouble then he was.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall let the previous topic fall as she could tell he was sincere. “I missed you too. I was really worried about you. We kept in contact with Carey.” She stated looking at him trying to read him a little more. “Are you sure you’re fine? I mean we can meet up if that would be better? I know I’m not allowed at your house but maybe the park?” She offered up just in case she knew he was hurt but didn’t want to cause him anymore harm.

[kelseaisee]

Kelsea had been so nervous around her little sister lately after her run in with Larkin Baxter but she knew she needed to face her. Standing at her sisters door in her leggings,sweater and gloves on her hands still from practice she knocked and waited to hear her sister telling her to come in. “Kenny, I uh, I brought you something.” She stated through the door before hearing Kendall’s voice telling her to come in. “I’m also super sorry I’ve been distant lately.” She chewed on her lip looking at her little sister laid up in her bed.

[kendollxtate]

Kendall knew that Kelsea loved her there was never a doubt in her mind about that. She was almost as sensitive as Kendall herself and she needed her space to think and feel the events out before the two could talk. “You didn’t have to bring me anything, Kels.” The younger blonde stated with a small smile looking at her sister to let her know it was all okay. “No apologies needed like ever. You didn’t do anything to me. I know it’s gotta be hard to see me so down.”