The door opened.
Chase already hated the noise. There was a small squeak, the door seemed heavy to open.
Chase only managed to eat a few bites of soup and all of his bread. The bread was like a clogger, it didn't make him nauesous at all. Even if it did, he couldn't throw it up.
The room was empty of people, well, except for Chase. And now Maxwell.
The blonde shuffled towards the side of the bed, frowning at the site of his boyfriend in a hospital bed and gown, a needle in arm.
Max opened his mouth to ask Chase if he was okay, but quickly shut it. He was in the damn hospital for fucks sake.
Max scanned Chase, noticing his wrist. It was titled slightly, showing red lines. He grabbed it, harsher than intended.
Chase's eyes widened, he instantly tugs his wrist from Max's hand, his breath becoming shakey. The blonde frowned even more, he didn't think Chase would do that to himself.
Max didn't say anything about it though, not outloud. He rested his hand against Chase's forehead, rubbing and tracing Chase's face.
"Did you drink water?" Chase nodded, staring up at Max. He was waiting for more questions, for tears, for him to fucking yell! But Max wasn't like that. "Oh, Clyde asked if you could t-text him later. To let him know you're... Erm...a-alive..."
Chase nods once, releasing a breath.
"I'm glad that you're..." Max sighs, his eyes finally watering. He gripped onto Chase's hand, wanting to just cuddle and hug the boy. "I was s-so scared."
"I know-"
"You can't do this to yourself, Chase! You need to drink water and eat and not overwork yourself and..." Max stopped his ramble, pursing his lips. He gave Chase's hand a light squeeze. "I'm sorry... Just..."
Max stopped talking, he didn't even know what he was saying, he forgot the point he was trying to make.
He was scared. Still is. Especially seeing his wrist and needle.
"I'm okay, Max, I promise." Chase assured, smiling gently. It wasn't a real smile. And both knew that. "Sorry I freaked you out... And that I didn't listen when you told me to eat... And I kinda fainted right in front of you..."
Max rubbed his knuckles against Chase's cheek bones, which were more prominent than usual.
"I'm just glad you're okay." Max still had several questions, some were small and self explanitory, others were huge and could possibly be insensitive. "Do you know how long you'll be in h-here?"
Chase wondered if the doctor said anything about that but he didn't listen. "I'm sure it's only for a few days, I don't think I'll be in here for week."
Max nods once, slightly relieved. "And you're not in here for..." He tapped the top of Chase's wrist. Chase shook his head. "Chase?"
The blonde's voice was soft, small, broken.
"Yes, Max?"
"Why didn't you eat or dr-drink?"
Chase clenched his jaw. He didn't want to even mention the disorders. He didn't want to say how he ate too much days ago and was restricting himself now, taking laxatives on an empty stomach.
"I didn't want to."
"But why?"
Chase didn't answer. Max dropped the subject quickly, he knew now was not the right time to ask questions.
"We won the game." Max whispered, swallowing harshly. Chase couldn't help but crack a smile, a genuine smile. "It's was... 17 to... I think 21 or 22..."
Chase nodded, "that's good." Max run his thumb against Chase's jaw. Chase pursed his lips, bracing himself for what he was about to say. "I'm in here for eating disorders."
Max dropped his hand from Chases face, frowning. He looked like a kicked puppy.
"Chase..."
"I didn't know it was that bad and that there were names for it... I thought it was normal to binge eat to feel better, feel guilty, then throw it up, then restricted for days..." More tears spilled. "I guess not."
Max sat on the side of the bed, facing Chase. Max's eyes were glassy, tears on the tip of his lashes.
"Awe, baby boy." Max sniffs, holding Chase's face. He couldn't help it. The phrase was filled in his mind, the petname slipped. "Can I h-hug you?"
Chase wrapped his arms around Max, very carefully with the one with a wire and needle. A clamp was on his finger, shining a little light.
They held each other for the longest time. Both cried silently, not saying a single word.
Chase finally spoke, his mouth near Max's ear. "I promise that I'm okay."
The dark haired boy didn't know if he was trying to convince himself or Max.
Max pulled away slightly so he was looking at Chase. He pressed his lips to his forehead, wiping away the older boys tears.
"I'm tired, Max."
"Go to sleep then."
"No, I mean, mentally. I'm tired of having a shitty relationship with food because of my mental health... Nothing bad has happened, I just... Feel nothing or sad or angry or..." He stuffed his face in Max's shoulder, sighing. "I just couldn't keep it together anymore... And my mom is pissed..."
Max nodded, caressing his boyfriend cheek. "I understand... Are you wanting to go to therapy?"
Chase shrugs softly. He knew he needed help, it was more emotional help. But considering that he held everything in and suddenly exploded because he passed out...
"I want to... I don't like holding things in and exploding when they get bad."
Max hums and nodded again. "Therapy isn't going to cure anything, but it's someone to rant to and someone who gives you undivided attention. It can either suck some days or can help... You just need to be willing to commit to it."
Chase was ready to commit to it. Hunger and headaches are the worse pains. He didn't want to pass out again, he wanted to get better. He wanted different coping mechanisms and to not throw up.
He knew it'd take a while. He was ready for it.
"And even if you don't think therapy with a stranger is good, you can always talk to me. And I'm sure there's other friends that are willing to listen. Or a t-teacher you like."
Chase sniffs, his mind was still a mess. He nodded, that's all he could do.
"Thank you."
Max peppered sweet kisses on Chase's head. "Of course. I want you to be happy."
~
Chase ate a bit more of his soup, it was hard to keep the liquid down. But crackers and bread helped.
Max stayed with Chase for another hour before he had to leave due to visitation hours. It was quite late, nearly 11.
The blonde assured Chase he'd text him in the morning and call him after he got home from school the next day.
Chase nearly forgot about school. And how so many people saw him collapse. How the word would spread that an ambulance came.
The dark haired boy tried not to think of it.
Milo kissed Chase on the cheek and then left with his parents. His dad would stop by during his lunch break at work since the hospital was near it.
Chase didn't want to be alone at the hospital. He was in a building with strangers.
A pitcher of water was on the desk near Chase, the nurse and doctors kept reminding him to drink, even though the IV was helping.
Chase was still tired. His body was still exhausted and weak.
He made sure he texted Clyde that he was okay before going to sleep.
