The Rickbond tales

Bad news - Losing hope (Fluff)

Another few days in and Ben still hasn't woken up.

What was worse, Larry refused to leave his side. He refused to eat, drink or sleep and his friends didn't know what to do about him.

Simon stayed by his side for the last few hours. They just sat quietly in the room. Larry sat by the bed and Simon in a chair nearby. He said: "How long do you want to do this?"

Larry looked at his friend and said: "Until he wakes up."

Simon sighed and leaned on his elbows, placing them onto his knees. He said: "What if he doesn't?"

Larry looked at him and said: "If you want to sit here and keep talking shit, you can go."

Simon sighed, rubbing his face with his palms. He said: "I'm just saying...some people stay like this for years. Do you really wanna sit here for years?!"

"Yes! If I need to!" Larry raised his voice and Simon said: "I'll go get you a sandwich from the vending machine."

"Don't bother." Larry said, but Simon went there anyway.

After a while, Simon came back and placed the sandwich in front of him on the bed. Larry said: "I don't want it."

"You have to eat something." Simon replied and Larry said: "He doesn't eat. Neither will I."

"BUT HE'S GETTING NUTRIENTS THROUGH THE DRIP!" Simon shouted and Larry got up. He grabbed the sandwich and threw it across the room. He shouted back: "I DON'T GIVE A FUCK!!"

He sat back down and Simon was in shock. Larry wiped his tears away and grabbed Ben's hand once again. Simon has never seen Larry act like this. He was always the rational member of their group who hardly ever raised his voice and now he was full-on screaming.

"Go home, Larry." Larry shook his head and Simon grabbed his arm. He said: "Come on. I'll give you a lift."

"I WON'T LEAVE HIM HERE! I CAN'T GO HOME!" Larry shouted and brushed the hand off of him. "If I step into the house I'll die." He said more quietly now and Simon looked down. Larry whispered: "I can't go home."

Simon picked up the sandwich from the floor and placed it on the table near his chair. He sat back down, opened the sandwich and started eating it.

He then noticed a movement on Ben's body as his eyelids fluttered.

"He blinked!" Simon shouted, getting up and placing the sandwich down.

Ben stirred on the bed and Larry pushed a button, calling the nurse.

Ben slowly opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but the pain didn't allow him to do so. He slumped back onto the bed and hissed.

"Ben!" Larry shouted and smiled for the first time in days.

He looked at the both men and said: "Wh-where am I?"

"You had an accident." Larry said, tears filling his eyes. "God, I'm so glad you're alive." Larry pulled Ben's hand, touching his face with the back of it, but it was quickly pulled away by Ben.

Ben said: "Who are you?" and looked at Larry, who now fought hard to not cry again.

He said: "I-I'm your husband, Ben."

"Husband?!" Ben said and tried to get up again, forgetting about the pain for a moment, but he slumped back, just like before.

Simon said: "What do you remember?"

"I...nothing. I can't remember anything." Ben said, panicking and Larry placed a hand on his thigh, squeezing it affectionately. He said: "Nurse will be here any minute, love."

Ben looked in his eyes and nodded.

Even though he didn't remember the man before him, his eyes shone with kindness and care.

Simon placed a hand on his shoulder and Larry got up. He said: "S-sorry. Give me a minute."

He then walked out of the room.

Simon followed him as he paced back and forth in the corridor. He said: "He doesn't remember me! He doesn't know who I am!", crying hysterically.

Simon pulled him in and Larry buried his face in Simon's chest. Simon said: "He'll remember, Larry. Don't worry."

......

They were now back in the room and doctor was examining Ben. He said: "Well, it looks like there's just a minor damage on the memory centre in the brain, which should start getting better over time. It's the best to talk about your memories and see as many people that you know as you can. You memory should return. Although, it might take days, weeks, moths. In some cases even years."

Larry turned pale at the thought of Ben not remembering him for years.

Ben said: "Thank you, doctor.", and the man nodded and left.

......

Larry still stayed by Ben's side after Simon left. They were quiet for a while and Ben then said: "May I ask what your name is, please?"

Larry looked at him and said: "L-Larry." With a shaky voice. Ben said: "Hi, Larry. So...we're married, right?"

Larry nodded and Ben said: "Tell me about us, please."

Larry took a deep breath and said: "We...we live together. We have a pet parrot and a chocolate lab."

"Are their names Pete and Bucks by any chance?" Ben asked and Larry's eyed shone. He said: "Yes! Yes they are!" "I remember them!" Ben said and Larry smiled.

Ben then said: "Tell me more."

"We were friends before. Best friends for over five years, before we opened up to each other." Larry said and Ben nodded.

"You're gonna love our friend group. Simon, Jim..." "Mat and Martha." Ben finished and Larry smiled, saying: "Very good. You're picking up so fast."

"But I still don't remember YOU." Ben said and Larry smiled, grabbing his hand. He said: "It's okay. I have an idea."