Stolen Chances

Chapter Twelve

Tommy woke up for a very brief moment. He noticed he was no longer staring up at the night sky hidden by smoke but instead a light grey ceiling. His head was laid on top of someone's lap, a hand gently running through his hair. He felt himself wanting to return to his quiet sleep but was cut off in the process when his body was jolted, and immense pain spread throughout his body. He choked on a breath that felt like fire in his lungs.

Hands tugged him close as they began rubbing comforting circles on Tommy's back, "Shh, shh, I've got you, Toms," Wilbur's voice rumbled. He could have cried. "You're alright now. You're safe."

Wilbur's words ring through his head, the weight pressing him down as his fingers curl into the soft sweater of the man holding onto him. Tears wet his face as he gave in to sleep once more.

Tommy came around slowly the second time, ears picking up on soft singing from a voice he knew he recognized. He squinted and whined, pressing his aching head back into a soft pillow, unable to open his eyes. His eyes felt too heavy to open and check, but he could feel the tug of an IV in his arm, which would explain why his body felt so floaty.

He wouldn't describe it as a pleasant feeling; he wasn't warm or soft. More like a lukewarm numbness. Not calming or peaceful. Just there. All he wanted to do was roll over and go to sleep again. He needed to wake up and remember where he was, though.

Tommy instinctively sat up but was met with a wave of pain. He felt the tug from his I.V.s and was pushed down back onto the bed. "Don't rush yourself."

Tommy wanted to resist, but he couldn't open his eyes. The bliss of sleep didn't greet him. He was met with-

Morning lights.

Warmth leaked through curtains as his eyes slowly adjusted.

He was in a bedroom of sorts. He is hooked to an IV and a bunch of other shit that should be in a hospital, but it wasn't a hospital. It looked like a bedroom. He looked over to his left and saw a heart monitor creating a very annoying beeping noise and an I.V.

He turned his head and saw Wilbur sitting on his phone in the chair next to his bed. Tommy attempted to clear his dry throat, which felt coated in dust and just started coughing. A gentle hand reached over and rubbed his back as he doubled over with coughs, rubbing up and down his prominent spine as he strained to breathe.

The hand left for a few moments, too long, Tommy's touch starved riddled mind thought before a paper cup was placed in front of him and a warm hand cupped his face softly before helping him drink from it.

The teen gulped the cool liquid down hastily before the brunette pulled the cup back, forcing him to slow down. After a second, the cup was empty, and Tommy was heaving in breaths. "Would you like some more?" Wilbur asked gently before receiving a shake of Tommy's head.

"I was gonna ask," Tommy took in another breath, "If you had any games on your phone."

Wilbur stared at him in concern before collapsing back into his seat, holding his head in his hands, "You fucking child."

"I'm not a fucking child," Tommy sneered as he dropped back against the bed. Then, finally taking note of how haggard Wilbur looked, "You look like shit, big man."

Wilbur gave a disbelieving scoff before settling the child with a glare, "You are unbelievable." he murmured, pulling his chair closer.

"Come on, dude, I just woke up. Don't lecture me." Tommy rolled his eyes before glancing around the room briefly, "So uh, what the fuck happened to me?"

Wilbur's mouth twists with a wry sort of emotion, "The building blew up." his voice dips strangely. Tommy straightened up then to look at him properly, but the brunette avoided his eyes.