Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 20

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

Stan had never been so relieved to see the flashing lights of an ambulance. Bill's head was cradled in his lap, his fingers tracing over the bruised and bloodied skull gently probing for what he didn't know. Bill's hair was sticky with blood, pieces of gravel were embedded into his skin and clothes, his breathing was coming in uneven bursts, and Stan feared that there had been permanent damage done.

Already bruises were blooming across his jaw and ribs. Stan wished he could wash them away. He wanted to take away all of Bill's pain if he could. He wondered if all fights were this brutal. How had Bill managed to stay alive for so long if they were? Distantly he heard Richie talking softly on the phone; Stan guessed it was Wentworth on the other end.

The police arrived first. They threw questions at Richie and Stan, and although they were able to answer them perfectly, the police seemed unhappy with all their answers. It was probably because they didn't like to hear about the sheriff's son getting involved in such things, but Richie didn't give a damn. Someone had almost died. He tried to make the cops see that.

The ambulance arrived next.

Stan was reluctant to have Bill taken away from them, but a pretty EMT assured him that it would be alright now, and that Stan could come see Bill at the hospital.

Maggie and Wentworth came last. Wentworth stood by Richie as he retold his story for the third time, assuring the cops that his son was not one to make up this sort of thing. Maggie picked her way through the gravel coming to Stan.

She helped him up from his knees. Gravel stuck to places on his khakis, and when it appeared that Stan didn't notice she brushed them off for him.

"Stan, honey? Went told me what they did to you, how are you holding up?"

Stan, eyes seeing nothing but the disappearing lights of the ambulance, tried to focus on her. "I'm –" his voice broke.

Maggie pulled him into her arms. The embrace was nothing like Patrick's. Instead of being restrictive and chocking, Stan was instantly comforted. "Your parents are going to meet us at the hospital once the police clear you. They're already there waiting for Bill."

A sense of gratitude flooded through Stan immediately. Bill wouldn't be alone. Someone would be there to look out for him.

"Thank you." He said stepping away.

"Of course, sugar."

The police turned their attention to Stan, questioning him once more. And not once through their line of questioning did Maggie let Stan go. She kept a hand on his shoulder, grounding him in the moment.

By the time Richie and Stan were able to get to the hospital, Ben, Beverly, Eddie and Mike had already arrived. They were sitting in the waiting room along with the Urises. Upon seeing their son, Andrea and Don rose and wrapped him in a hug. Stan sobbed in the embrace. There was no need for empty promises, this was enough.

Before anything could be said, the doors to the floor opened and Robert Gray strode in, pulling Georgie in behind him. To anyone else it looked as if the small boy was cowering with worry for his brother and Robert's touch was merely to keep him upright, but the Losers knew better.

Robert went straight to the nurses station to ask for updates, allowing for Eddie and Mike to sneak away from the group.

It was clear that Robert was upset, his tone rising as he asked for news on his son. The other adults looked uneasily at one another. The nurse assured Robert to let him know what they could once the knew more, and requested that he go sit down.