Stuck in the Middle of it

Part 4

Will glanced up when a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. They landed on his brother who was staring at Frankie, brows pulled together as he took in the state of his best friend. Will was about to say something when you appeared from behind him, clutching his hand as you too looked at Frankie with a worried expression.

Will's own turned to one of confusion as he took the scene in. Why were you with him?

"What are the doctors saying?" Ben asked, pulling Will from his thoughts.

"He's declining rapidly," Will replied simply "He's not responding to the medication. Keeps seizing. It's uh... well it's been shit watching him just give up." Will choked out the last part as he fought to keep his tears at bay.

"Okay." Ben replied numbly "Where's Isla?"

"She's with mum." Will replied simply "She offered to have her so we could be with him."

"Always the saint." Ben replied, giving his brother a weak smile before they both returned their attention to the dying man across from them.

He wanted to blame someone. Anyone. But in truth, there was no one to blame for this. Fish got sick, and he wasn't getting better. Ben however let his emotions flow freely. He turned to you and buried his face in your neck, sobbing loudly as you stroked his hair. Will watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowed as he tried to work out what was going on but when Ben pulled back and pressed his lips to yours, Will saw red. He kept his anger at bay though. He knew that Frankie needed them all to be calm... Well, as calm as one could be when their best friend was dying. So Will knew he had to pick his moment to confront his brother about what he'd just witnessed.

~

In the three days that followed, Fish continued to cling on but the doctors kept telling you all the same thing. It was only a matter of time. You never left Ben's side. He came with you and left with you and Will suspected that his brother knew he was due a lashing when they were next alone together. For someone who fought for a living, he was king at avoiding conflict.

He finally got his moment when Monday came around and you had to go to work. Ben had said he wasn't going to go to the hospital so Will decided to go to him. This couldn't wait any longer. He parked on his brother's drive, pulled out his spare key and let himself in, scaring Ben in the process as he walked out of his kitchen.

"Whats happened?" Ben asked as soon as his initial shock wore off "Is it Fish?... Is he?"

"Fish is the same." Will replied steadily and Ben nodded "What the hell are you doing?" He asked and Benny pretended to look confused.

"I don't-"

"Frank left her because of you... Didn't he?" Will pushed "He loved her, told me as much but then suddenly they're broken up and you're spending almost all your time at hers."

"She's my friend." He protested and Will scoffed.

"She's your ex Ben... And now she's Frank's too." Will growled "You slept with her yet?"

"Will-"

"Just answer the damn question."

"Yes." Ben expelled "We're sleeping together." He confessed and Will nodded.

"How long?" Will asked and Ben sighed "How long?"

"Only a few days." He snapped "I went to hers after I found out he was sick and she held me. Let me stay and then in the morning we sorta got carried away and well..."

"You're an asshole." Will snarled. Never before had he been so disappointed in his brother.

"Fuck you." Ben snapped and Will flipped.