I Don't Mind

Chapter 20

Trigger warning: use of homophobic slur

Derek's POV

I stayed right by Adrian all night in a chair. It was not uncomfortable. It was all cushioned, but sleeping in a chair is not fun. I'm also way too fucking tall to be sleeping in a chair. I couldn't really get a solid night's sleep, but it's fine. Adrian's alright, that's what matters most. 

"So, you sure you're okay?" I ask him as he sits up, finally waking up. 

"Yeah. Thanks for staying here all night, you didn't need to." 

"No, it's fine. I wanted to hang out with you last night anyways, and if staying at a hospital all night was what I needed to do to chill with you, it was worth the sacrifice," I state. 

"I really don't know what I would do if you weren't here for me, Derek. You're too nice to me," he claims. I don't think I'm being too nice. I think I'm doing the right thing by hanging out with him. You would do the same, hanging out with a literal angel is nice. 

"I'm not too nice to you, Adri. I'm just hanging out with you because I really enjoy the time we spend together." 

"Thanks. I really enjoy it too. I think we should probably get going. I need real clothes. I should've said something about the street clothes I have in the locker room, but I was so confused about where I was. Can we go back there?" he asks and I nod. 

"Yeah, of course. So you can't play for the next 2 games?" 

"Yeah. Good luck. Just know you're nothing without me," he jokes grinning at me. 

"Lowkey though, but we'll be fine. Two road games and then we're back here and you'll play that game." 

I see him visibly frown and furrow his brows. 

"Oh, shit, that's the game we play-" I start but I'm cut off. 

"Yeah. We play them." 

"I won't let them fuck with you, Adri. No one should hurt you," I look into his eyes and he smiles weakly. 

"Thanks. Don't fight them though, please. You shouldn't be starting trouble." 

"Of course." 

"Alright, let's go." 

Adrian gets out of the bed, in a hospital gown, which is pretty revealing. I'm doing everything not to stare at him. I don't even know if the back is tied right. What if he's not in anything under the gown? Holy shit. 

"Derek, could you do me a favor and check if this is tied in the back?" he asks and I scream in my head. What am I gonna see. 

"I-yeah. I will." 

I walk over to him, take a deep breath, and look down and see the gown tied correctly. I internally thank God for it being tied right. 

"It's tied right. Let's go." 

"Do you think they'll just let me walk out with this on?" Adrian asks. 

"I mean, you don't have any other clothes. They probably prefer for you to be wearing that than nothing, so yeah. Besides, there's no way they reuse gowns, it would be thrown out anyways." 

"You're right." 

We exit the hospital and he's still in the hospital gown. He's getting a hell of a lot of air circulation from that. I'm lowkey jealous because it is unbelievably hot outside right now. It's only 8 AM and it's already 90 degrees out. 

"I think people are staring at me," Adrian says sheepishly. People are staring at him, but I can't tell if it's because he's the most beautiful person in the parking lot or if it's because he's in a hospital gown.