Don't Hide Your Love Away

16

Javi
"Mama?"
She screamed, collapsing at my side.
"Javi baby!" She grabbed my hand- but I didn't feel it.
"I... can't feel your hand." I choked out, feeling like my lungs were overfilled with air. Yet, I could barely breathe.
"Can you feel your other hand?" The doctor asked, surprisingly giving us a moment before checking me out.
I moved my left hand, bending my fingers.
"Yeah."
"Try to move your legs."
My left leg moved, but my right one did not.
"We'll have to have you in physical therapy. Is it ok if I check you out?"
—-
So the arm thing is superficial; I just need to practice, but my leg might be more permanent.
"So Julian knows I'm gay?" I sighed, running my hand down my face.
Mama sighed and looked at my dad.
"He was by your side regardless." Lupi said, patting my head.
"Yes. He seem gay for you Javier." Papa spoke up, glancing at his watch.
"Estrada is sentenced to death you know?" He added.
Woah. What?
"Really?"
"Yes. I would have done it myself had he not already been jailed."
"Javi I missed you baby." Mama whispered, kissing my forehead.
"I missed you too mama."
She tears up, smiling at me.
"You grown up so much- so handsome just like papa."
"Almost 10 years, Javi. We knew we'd find you!" Papa grabbed my other hand, looking at it before squeezing it.
"Son.... I love you very much." He sighed.
"I love you too dad."
- time skip again
"We are going to lunch with your friends now, Javi... are you ready to roam outside the hospital?" My mom asked, combing my hair for me. I haven't seen them yet- other than Julian when I woke up. Doctors said I should focus on healing and family. It's been a week.
I shrugged my shoulder. "Nervous." I sighed, looking up at her as she grabbed the walking thing for me- I think it's called forearm crutches.
She helped me into them and we got me to my feet.
My dad was the main strength but finally I was balanced. I had a little bit of motion, my arm was coming to, but mainly just had to use one arm to walk.
"You'll be back to yourself in no time." Papa said to me. I nodded, looking up at him.
"I'm still nervous." I spilled, taking a breath.
"Alright. Try your steps."
—-
My parents were proud, but I felt like a joke walking a crooked line.
We were going to The Laverne, and meeting with my friends and their families.
We sat down, my parents helping me into my chair before sitting in either side of me. Marianne and Andrea were here, sitting on the left of my mother.
"Do you want the steak?" Mama asked, looking at the menu.
"Yeah."
"Hey... Javi." I nearly jumped out of my skin. Julian.
"Hello." I said awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with Ezra.
"You're looking better."
My heart was definitely in my throat now. I guess feelings don't die.
"Thanks."
Ally and Daysha arrived with their families, and the chaos began.
My sisters were especially chatty with Julian's sister Hope.
Andrea was mainly talking to Ally's brother- obviously intrigued.
"So... Javi" I turned to look at Julian, suddenly the whole world was gone.
"Y-yeah?"
"I'm glad you're awake." He grinned, cheeks slightly red.
"Me too. I'm glad my family is back too."  I looked around, admiring my sisters and parents. 
Ally and Daysha were deep in a conversation about Roe Vs Wade with my sisters and Dylan- Ally's brother.
"So you're gay?"
I glared at him, startling him.
"Come on."
He frowned at me, but his face fell when I twitched.
"Ah- what the heck."
"You ok?"
"I need to use the bathroom..."
I went to try and get up, but it was proving difficult.
"Baby- ask your hunky friend for help!" My mama was suddenly demanding, eyes focused and narrowed.
Oh crap.
"Wait what-" I started, but Julian was already to his feet.
"O-of course I'll help him!" He saluted my mom and dad, getting a smile from them.
Fuck.
We walked through the tables and chairs slowly, people staring as we passed.
"Everyone's watching me." I muttered.
"Hey I know he's a looker but come on people!"
My jaw dropped and I stared at him as people looked away awkwardly.
"Julie why would you say that?!"
He shrugged, opening the door for me- wait a damn-
"I don't need a handicap stall!" I was fuming, but Julian was just laughing.
"So now you're too good for it?" He backed me up into the stall grinning.
"You can't stop me."
I gasped,  looking up at him.
"That's rude Julie."
"I missed you so much." He was suddenly hugging me, his scent totally chloroforming me.
"I missed you too..."
"Sorry for all I did- and uh...." He pointed at the toilet.
"Oh shit- why did my mom ask you I can't do it my-myself?!" I was freaking out because not only that, now he knows I can't take off my pants on my own.
"Woah what-"
"I'm like half paralyzed Julie.... I can't get my pants off..."
His brows went up, before he nodded.
"Ok... uh I owe you I guess."
"Woahkay- hey wait!" He grabbed me by the belt and started undoing it, before just pulling my jeans down.
"Hey! You're being too rough!" I muttered, looking at his hands.
Fuck.
"Sorry- do you need me to turn you-"
"...maybe."
He grinned at me, laughing.
"I would hope you weren't gonna piss on me-"
"Only if you like it." I sighed.
"Ew no- tried that once."  He suddenly grabbed my waist and spun me around in a single move, almost cheerleader style.
"You help the cheerleaders, don't you?" I asked, doing my business with my good hand.
"Yeah. Every now and then."
"It's nice to talk normally again- that was a rough period of time." I said quietly, trying to pull my pants up.
Surprisingly, he took over, without making it weird...er than it was.
"So- who have you fucked?" Shit.
He had a big grin on his face.
"U-uh why?"
"You never told me yet!"
"Miles and Mathew really is all."
"Oh dang really- so do you give-"
"Julie! I don't wanna tell you about how I have sex!"
"You don't have to say it that way!" He laughed, helping me out of the stall.
"You left my crutches." I whispered.
"O-oh crap!" Then he almost dropped me. He let go to grab the crutches then down I went just for him to catch me.
"Ah Dex-Javi I'm sorry oh-"
"You're all frantic! You're good big guy!"
He looked at me, having pushed me up to the counter in an attempt to stop my fall.
"Why'd you get with Ezra?"
My heart dropped, and I looked away.
"Please tell me.... Do you like him more?"
I shook my head.
"Of course not! I love you Julie so much, you're my other half!" I grinned at him, seeing his face perk up.
"Oh awesome! I love you too!" Not the way I want.