Mr. Goeman muttered as he stood, “I need a coffee…”
Chase didn’t meet his father’s eyes, but said, “D-Dad, I’m- I’m sorry I’m the way I am, b-but I love Alistair.” Chase could’ve sworn he saw water in his father’s eyes when he looked up, but coudn’t think on it after Mr. Goeman blinked a few times, then sighed.
“Alright, son. I’m glad you’re okay.” Then Mr. Goeman walked out of the room, muttering about how Chase should be resting, a nurse would be coming, and how he needed a coffee.
Chase looked at Alistair hesistantly. There hadn’t been rejection in his father’s voice this time. It was… strange. But a good strange. Chase wrapped his arms around Alistair, tugging him closer instead of talking.
Alistair uses one hand to cup the back of Chase's head, holding him close, and the other to gently rub his back as he sings softly, "The book of love is long and boring, no one can lift the damn thing. It's full of charts and facts and figures, and instructions for dancing. But I~ I love it when you read to me, and you~ You can read me anything…"
Chase loved it when Alistair sung. It was always beautiful. No wonder his heart melted in second, closing his eyes and listening to Alistair’s voice and heartbeat. It was what he needed, just the pure comfort. A man walked not too long after Alistair had finished his song, the nurse. Chase looked at Alistair, hoping he’d do most of the talking.
Alistair pulled back just slightly, so he could face the nurse. "Chase woke up about ten minutes ago," he told him.
The man nodded curtly, going over to the computer where Chase’s vitals were, clicking over the computer showing dozens of numbers and abbreviations. The nurse glanced at Alistair, “And how are you feeling? Food will be up in a moment, you -both of you actually- are probably hungry.”
"I feel pretty good, just tired and a bit weak," Alistair replied. "And I'm definitely hungry. How 'bout you, love?"
Chase nodded his head shyly. The nurse nodded with an easy smile, very much aware of Chase’s uneasiness, and he said, “The weak feeling is normal, you gave a lot of blood. Normally we don’t take that much at once, but you,” The nurse looked at Chase, “had lost more than fifty percent of your blood. Most people die by then,” The nurse sighed, finishing up on the computer, then smiled at them both, “The food and water will be right up.” Chase nodded, leaching off Alistair’s warmth for the time being, shielded from the world around him.
Alistair nodded. "Thank you, sir," he said. "I appreciate it." The nurse smiled and nodded as he left the room. Alistair returns his whole attention back to Chase. He reaches up and runs a hand through Chase's soft curls, humming softly. "You're probably going to have to stay the next couple nights," he murmured. "Do you want me to stay here with you?"
Chase felt selfish because of it, but said it anyways as he looked at Alistair, “Can you stay?” He didn’t want to be alone, but at the same time didn’t want to talk with anyone- anyone but Alistair. Chase squirmed closer to him, their bodies flush against each other.
Alistair smiled softly. "Of course, darling," he murmured. "I'm going to have to go home to get a couple of things later, okay?" He kissed Chase on the forehead.
“Okay,” Chase replied softly, his eyes fluttering closed against Alistair’s steady chest. Chase breathed, just taking in the peaceful quiet, and holding onto Alistair. It was perfect just with each other, Chase breathed to Alistair, “I’d been foolish to believe Kemp…”
"It's okay, love," Alistair replies softly, resting his chin on Chase's head and stroking his hair. "Try not to dwell on it, okay? If it makes you feel slightly better, I'm pretty sure I dislocated his jaw."
“You- You dislocated his jaw?” Chase asked in shock against Alistair’s chest. Wow… Chase brushed his hands over Alistair’s arms, feeling and savoring to corded muscle. I guess he can put them to use every once and a while when he wants to. Chase had never thought anyone would punch anyone for him.
"It was rather satisfying," Alistair admitted, shivering slightly at Chase's touch. "But I shouldn't have. If I had focused more on you and less on my anger, maybe I could have stopped you from getting hurt."
Chase slid his arms around Alistair, clinging to him as he responded, “I had been going to hurt myself no matter what, there’s nothing the could have been done.” Chase rubbed his hands down Alistair’s back, as if to assure himself that Alistair was still here.
Alistair's grip tightened and he buried his face in Chase's hair. "I could have stopped you from going home," he mumbled. "I could have done something."
“At least I’m still here,” Chase whispered, “I’m still here.” Gosh I almost died over a lie, if Alistair hadn’t given me blood… Chase pressed his face in Alistair chest harder, just focusing on that solid heartbeat of his. It’s okay now.
Alistair kissed the top of Chase's head and rocked gently. "I don't know what I would have done if you weren't."
Chase closed his eyes, just holding on to Alistair for a few moments, just for comfort and stability. Not too long after, a knock sounded on the wall and young nurse came in with a smile, holding a tray filled with protein bars and breakfast food. She looked fresh out of nursing school she was so young. Chase didn’t pull away from Alistair when she started talking, “Hi, hope you two are feeling better, I brought food for you.” The nurse set up the tray next to them, “Do you need anything else?”
"I'm okay, thank you," Alistair said gratefully, arms still around Chase. "What about you, babe?"
“I think I’m good,” Chase said shyly, staring hungrily at the food. Gosh it smelled so delicious, and he was starving. The nurse walked off with one last smile, leaving the two of them alone with the food.
"What would you like?" Alistair asked Chase. "They gave us a pretty good spread."
“The toast looks good,” Chase said toughtfully before reaching out and grabbing it. He started nibbling at the corner, despite his hunger he still felt uneasy after all that happened.
(I’ll be gone for 3-4 hours cause we’re driving up north)
(aww ok. Drive carefully, stay safe!!)
Alistair grabs one of the protein bars and starts to munch on it. He pushes the button that causes the bed to tilt up and gently leans Chase against it.
Chase smiled at Alistair, leaning his head against him as he nibbled away at the bread. Eventually his hunger won out and he started taking full on bites, finishing the toast and starting on a protein bar of his own, then said quietly, “Thank you, Alistair.”
After finishing the protein bar, Alistair grabbed an apple as he smiled at Chase. "Of course, love," he murmured, and kissed him on the top of his head. "Anything for you."
The little kisses, the pet names, the snuggling, the everything about Alistair that Chase didn’t want to ever end… Chase set down his protein bar for a second so he could dig his head into Alistair shoulder and close his eyes, breathing in the scent of him. Just so they were still together, still both here. They’d always both be here.
Alistair set down his apple and wrapped his arms around Chase gently, holding him close. "After we finishing eating and I talk to the nurse, I'm going to run and get my stuff, okay?" he asked softly, rubbing Chase's back.
“Okay,” Chase murmured against Alistair’s chest, shifting himself closer to -nearly on top of- Alistair so he could here his boyfriend’s heartbeat just for a little while longer, “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”
"Not long," Alistair murmured, running his hand through Chase's hair. "Maybe forty-five minutes or so. I'll have to take a cab, but it won't take me long to grab my stuff."
