Kings of Hawkings [bxb]

Chapter 46

The hospital room was silent, save for the steady beeps of the heart monitor and Jonas' quiet, deep humming. The rest of the group was sound asleep, undisturbed by the day's events. But Jonas remained awake, unable to take his eyes off his little brother.

A small groan from the bed broke the silence, causing Jonas to stop humming and tense up. He watched as Eli's eyes fluttered open, initially unfocused but gradually clearing as they settled on Jonas.

"Hey," Eli croaked out, offering a crooked smile.

Jonas let out a heavy sigh, relief washing over him. "Hey, baby brother."

The endearment earned him a nose wrinkle, making Jonas chuckle as he gently squeezed Eli's uninjured hand.

Eli's gaze shifted to the pressure on his hand and then flicked over to the blonde curled up next to him. "Angel," he whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Water?" Jonas asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.

"Water," Eli whispered, barely audible. Jonas quickly reached over, grabbing the cup from the table. He carefully helped Eli drink, his movements gentle, making sure he didn't choke.

When Eli finished, Jonas set the glass aside and noticed Eli's eyes drop to his bandaged hands. The way they trembled sent a pang through Jonas' chest. He softened, reaching out to gently pat Eli's head. "Your hands took a hit, but it's just a fracture. When they heal, we'll work on them together. You'll be playing better than Mozart, I promise."

Eli tried to nod, but the tears came anyway. "Jo, I'm so sorry," he choked out, his voice breaking.

Jonas' heart twisted at the sight of his brother's tears, but he stayed strong, squeezing Eli's hand as if to anchor him. "You've got nothing to apologize for, Eli."

"That place... how did you handle it?" Eli asked between shaky breaths.

Jonas let out a slow, heavy sigh. "Honestly? Not well, Eli. It broke me in ways I'm still trying to understand. But we're out now, and we're never going back."

The thought of that place sent a surge of anger and pain through him. It had taken so much from him—his innocence and his peace of mind. Eli could have suffered the same, but looking at Eli now, safe and alive, fueled a fierce resolve within him. No matter what it took, he would never allow his brother to be dragged back into that nightmare. If it meant breaking every law and burning down the world, he would do it without hesitation. Eli would never be lost to him again.

The weight of all they had suffered was finally lifting. Even in the sterile confines of the hospital, the realization that they had broken free from that toxic family brought a sense of peace, like a stone rolling off their shoulders.

"What now?" Eli sniffled, his voice fragile. Jonas leaned back, gently wiping away his tears.

"Alex and Chuck are working with protection services. They'll help get you into Hawkings and find you a spot in the dorms," Jonas said, smoothing Eli's hair with a reassuring touch.

They both fell silent, Eli's quiet sniffles filling the space between them. "Aren't you going to ask what happened?" Eli finally murmured.

Jonas offered a reassuring smile. "Only if you want to talk about it. I won't force you."

Eli sighed softly. "I'm officially out of the closet. No more hiding."

A pang shot through Jonas' heart, emotions swirling deep in his eyes. He had always felt a gnawing guilt for the silence he had imposed on Eli, knowing the fear they both lived under. He loved his brother fiercely, but the terror of their parents' reaction had kept them both on edge. Jonas never wanted Eli to hide who he truly was, but survival had forced their hand.