NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!
Scott burst into the emergency room, nearly sprinting to the front desk. Still in his pajama pants, he'd thrown on whatever shirt was closest, and his coat, before rushing out of his apartment. He even forgot to put on socks. Considering it was still the middle of the night, the waiting room was empty.
"May I help you, sir-" the receptionist began.
"My fiance was just admitted! His name is Rayan Neel..." He was fighting to appear calm. "Please, can you tell me anything?"
"Just a moment, sir. Could you spell that last name for me?"
Scott raked his hands through his hair anxiously as he complied with the receptionist's question. He could have sworn ten whole minutes passed as he waited for information, but it couldn't have been more than a few seconds.
"Neel... Neel... Rayan Neel... Ah, here he is! Looks like he's still in surgery. If yo
Scott stepped back into the waiting room after collecting himself once more. The police officer was just finishing up with his questions, and though Michael was still visibly upset, he didn't appear anywhere near having a breakdown like earlier. Scott waiting for them to finish before he returned to his seat."Sir, do you have any connections to this incident?" The offer asked Scott.
Rayan decided very quickly he was not a fan of being fed like this. Not that Scott was doing a bad job, it was just embarrassing. The food wasn't even that good. But, Rayan put up with it. He was a little hungry anyway, and Scott was being so earnest about the whole thing. Rayan just wished he'd put a little more on the fork for each bite. Michael watched on awkwardly, until Rayan's phone started vibrating in his back pocket."I've got to take this call," Michael said as he stepped out.
"Why don't we stay until you fall asleep?" Howard suggested.Rayan agreed with the idea, then complained to Scott about being cold. He asked for his jacket. He didn't know where it was, but remembered wearing it to work last night. He started going on about how it was broken in just right and still smelled a little like Scott, but that Scott needed to wear it for a few days because the smell was wearing off and that he knew the jacket wasn't actually his but he hoped Scott would let him keep wearing it because he liked it so much.
They spent the rest of the day watching television. Rayan dozed off and on because of the pain meds. By his own rules, the teddy bear wasn't allowed out of the bed. If he was awake he was talking, even if he didn't have much to say. Dinner was served early, and even though Rayan got to pick what he wanted from the hospital menu, it still wasn't very good. Scott got him to eat most of it, promising he himself would get something to eat later.After dinner came bath time. A team of two nurses came in to do the job, and Scott was right in there with them, determi
The procedure began that very next morning. Rayan was allowed breakfast, and was once again forced to use the bedpan. Then he was wheeled out of the room bed and all, separated from both Scott and his teddy bear, to get prepped for the omega ward. He'd see Scott again once things got underway, but he was bummed about having to leave the stuffed animal behind. He'd grown rather fond of it the past few days.The ward itself had three consecutive areas for patient security. The first set of doors had the bright pink "Omega Safe" logo on the windows, and had a key
The day was cold and overcast. Winter had decided it was here, and everyone in the city was sporting warm coats and cold weather accessories.Michael rang up two girls at the register after handing over the cookies they'd picked out. He and Scott's folks had hit it off pretty well from their time spent in the hospital supporting Rayan, and one thing led to another, which led to Michael being hired as a seasonal cashier at their bakery.
I’m not gay. I’m not gay. I know I’m not gay. The thoughts raced through Edwardo’s mind. He was not, and has never been gay."I see you've met our seasonal hire, eh Eddie?" Howard delivered Edwardo's usual muffin and jam on a plate. "Michael, why don't you pick yourself something from the case. Safe to say I'm exchanging the usual one coffee for two? I have a feeling you two kids may want to get to know each other a little bit."
Trapped. That was the best way to describe it. He couldn't wash himself or brush his own teeth, he could barely feed himself, he had to be carried to the bathroom... Everything set to a schedule of taking pain medicine and assisted stretching...Even with the pills, he was still sore and uncomfortable. He wasn't going to ask for more though, Scott was already doing so much for him as it was. He hated that he was putting Scott through this. Maybe it would have been better if the accident had killed him. His life had been rough enough already, and when there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel, this happened.His freedom was gone.His independence was gone.Everything he'd worked for, all gone.He tried to tell himself this was just temporary. The casts would come off after New Year. It wouldn't be so bad. Then, he'd just have to get strong enough to walk again. He could d