Hollow | BxBxBxB

-39- Heartbeat

**This chapter contains detailed descriptions of self harm, gore and injuries. Viewer discretion is heavily advised. If anyone is struggling please reach out for support, you're not alone**

Connor leaned into Riccardo crying softly and inhaling the brunettes scent as he sat on the couch, Riccardo had an arm around him comforting him whilst salty tears also spilled from his own chocolate brown eyes.

Doctor Mercury was sat opposite them, Liam was practically curled into the doctor sobbing bitterly. He hadn't stopped crying since the ambulance had arrived and Alex was taken away. Despite the blonde having a faint pulse and being semi responsive by twitching when touched, it still looked pretty hopeless. He was in critical condition at the hospital and in that exact moment should be having surgery.

"Boys... I know what happened was so difficult, and I know you probably think I'm going to punish you, but I'm not. What you did was careless, we can't hide from that, but you're all humans. Humans make mistakes. I'm not mad, upset or even cross with you. I'm here to make sure you're okay. Not be a dictatorial enforcer" Doctor Mercury explained. Liam buried his face into the doctors jacket further sobbing his loud cries echoing through the room.

Riccardo had explained to Connor how close Liam and Alex truly were on the way back, their connection ran deeper than simply being boyfriends. They knew each other even before coming here from having been in general hospital on the same ward at one point, back then they'd grown attached but been separated, then reunited by pure coincidence once they were both admitted here. Liam was so protective over all the boys but Alex especially because of what he'd been through. Liam always blamed himself for the bad things that happened to those around him, from his sisters death to Alex's abusive history.

"It's not your fault, Liam" Riccardo whispered glancing at the boy sympathetically.

"It is, I- I should've stopped him, I should've been there, I should've said something, I should've pulled him back after he'd pushed Connor. Fuck I shouldn't have even let him leave. I'm such a fucking useless idiot" Liam ranted water spilling from his eyes as he broke down again wetting the doctors jacket with his tears.

"Liam... I know it might feel like you're at fault, but I promise you there was nothing you could've done. Alex acted the way he did to save Connor from being hit, there wasn't physically enough time for you to do anything but watch" Doctor Mercury soothed, Connor felt a lump in his stomach. He felt awful about it, if he'd just looked where he was going none of this would've happened. Liam might think it was his own fault, but in reality it was Connor's reckless mistake that put their boyfriend in the hospital. Alex not being with them felt so wrong, there was so obviously a missing component to the dynamic.

Standing up Connor glanced around the room. "I-I'm just gonna take a- a minute to myself" He told them before walking slowly to his room. As he walked in he heard footsteps behind him, so much for being alone.

Owen stepped into his room behind him not bothering to shut the door.

"Hey Connor" Owen jeered quietly, pacing around the room slowly as Connor slumped down onto the chair.

"Owen, I- I want to be alone r-right now" Connor muttered cupping his face in his hands. The guilt was practically eating him alive. Owen being there just heightened his anxiety.

"I'm here to help" Owen assured him sinisterly. He sat on the edge of the bed beside Connor's chair and turned to him with a malicious smile.

"It was your fault, you know that right?" He told Connor stonily.

"I- I know" Connor admitted crying softly, he felt Owens hand move cautiously onto his leg patting him comfortingly. An unexpected but calculated move from the blonde.