Barista Boy (boyxboy)

TWENTY

Zayden would sit by his bedside until the moment he flatlined, or until he woke. The brunet gripped Landon's boney hand and stared longingly at his beautiful face. No matter how many scars covered him, he could never be anything less than perfect. Zayden ran his hand through the boy's hair.

A knock sounded at the door but Zayden didn't tear his eyes away, "How's he doing?" Josh.

"Breathing."

Josh hummed and pulled up a chair beside Zayden. A long moment of silence passed between the two but Zayden didn't notice it, too fixated on Landon's perfectly scratched up face. His skin had gotten paler and his body got no fatter. After being in the cell for only two days, he had lost all the fat he previously had.

"I miss you, man."

"You know where to find me." Zayden hadn't used his voice too much so it came out more raspy than he wished.

Josh sighed, "Fuck, man. You can't stay here forever."

Zayden tore his eyes away from Landon to give Josh a sharp look, "Who the fuck is stopping me?"

"Zay. I promise you, if something changes with him, the nurses will call you. But until then, live your fucking life!" He hit Zayden lightly in the chest, "You deser-"

"-Stop. I did this to him," Zayden turned back to the boy. "I don't deserve shit. The most I can do is sit here, and wait."

"Please-"

"-No. Enough, already. Shut up or get out."

Josh knew Zayden was just trying to deal with the pain of knowing he put the love of his life in danger. He'd been in a coma-like state for three days. The doctors said that it was "self induced" by Landon himself. Josh didn't really know what that meant but he went along with it.

When he found out Landon was in the hospital, was when he also found out what Zayden's family business was. He understood why his best friend couldn't tell him, and he wasn't affected by that, but he was still surprised his friend was a trained assassin. Explains the fat cash, though.

"I'll be around. In case you ever realize the truth," Josh patted his best friend on the shoulder before standing up and exiting the room.

Zayden tightened his grip on the boy's hand, bringing it up to his lips and placing a chaste kiss to the back of his hand. The icey feel transported from his hand to Zayden's mouth, making a small chill run down his spine.

Zayden knew what Josh said was true. That he needed to get out of that room, of that hospital. Get some air, food, exercise, before he turns out just like Landon. But he didn't want to admit it to himself.

Feeling guilty since he was the one that put Landon in the hospital. Since he was the one that put a hold on Landon's life.

Everyday, either Zayden or Landon's family would visit. He heard his father was in the same hospital but his family never mentioned the man to him, knowing his offenses. His mother would stay around with Zayden for about an hour before leaving, and his siblings would pop in to say 'hi' and check on how the boy was doing.

Sure, Zayden was grateful for their ongoing support but he would rather be left alone with Landon. No family, no doctors, no friends, no people, nothing. Just him and the boy he loved.

Just Zayden and Landon.

It's all he could ever want. But it was something he could never have. He'd been thinking about what he'd do once Landon woke, and the idea was something he disliked very much but knew was necessary. To keep Landon safe. To make him happy.

Ultimately, happy.

A quiet knock sounded at the door, followed by a high creak and footsteps coming in, shutting the door behind them.

"Good afternoon, Zayden." Gina's voice was soft and quiet. It was always a soothing sound to Zayden.

He didn't respond and just lowered Landon's hand, still holding it. He remembered there were multiple footsteps but he was waiting until the other, or others, to speak.

"Is he doing any better?" Vivian was the next to speak. Zayden liked her, she was funny, kind, and reminded him a lot of Landon. They were more similar than other people gave them credit for.

"He's stable." Zayden answered stiffly.

Gina sighed and pulled up a chair on the other side of the bed, looking into Zayden's eyes. But he didn't reciprocate the eye contact, just kept watching Landon's hair drift slightly in the draft and his chest heave slowly as he breathed.

Vivian sat in the chair by the window and a strange man stood beside her, all watching the sleeping boy.

"Oh, uh, Zayden." Gina spoke up, glancing behind her at the man. "This is my boyfriend, Andrew. I thought it might be okay for him to visit today. That's alright, right?"

Zayden stayed silent for a long minute before glancing briefly at the male, "Does Landon like him?"

"Uh," Gina glanced between her son and Andrew, "I believe so. He never said anything negative about him."

Zayden didn't respond after that. He didn't want anyone near the younger male if he disliked a person. But Zayden was conflicted; Landon never mentioned anything about his mother dating someone so maybe Landon was still processing the whole thing. Maybe he didn't want the strange man to be watching him while he was in a coma.

When Landon woke, if he ever mentions any discomfort with the man, Zayden would feel awful. Like he disappointed the boy even more - if that were even possible, at this point.

-

Landon's family only stayed for an hour. They talked about memories, or telling Landon what's been new with them, or talking amongst themselves casually. Zayden ignored everything they said and focused on Landon, like he did every minute of every day. The same thing he's been doing for the last three days.

At the same time every day, the doctor and his assistant would come in at 7 PM to check his vitals and whatever else they did. Zayden paid attention to what they did and what they reported. He learned nothing new had happened, which Dr. Rodneck said it wasn't a bad thing, but not technically a great thing. It meant he wasn't getting worse but he also wasn't getting any better.

Visiting hours only lasted until 8 PM but Zayden had managed to be allowed to stay the night. He negotiated with the doctors and staff until he was let to stay overnight with the patient. The rule was, every Saturday and Sunday night, he had to go home. Until visiting hours started again at 8 AM. He reluctantly agreed, keeping in mind how much time would be able to spend with the boy.

Tonight was the last night of the week he'd be able to stay by Landon's side. Friday night. By 10 that night, he had folded his arms and rested his head on the edge of the bed to sleep. It wasn't good for his back or posture but it was the best he could get without leaving the room. And it kept him closer to Landon.

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1.2k words

Why aren't brick fights more common? They seem more productive :/