V & V - Rageous Rageon Rise

Bru Syndrome

Justin POV:

I take deep breaths, struggling as I try to sit up again. Shit... it's okay. I'm going to be okay. I get up slowly, holding my rib as I walk to the door. I find my other guys and show them my injury.

Boss: "Damn it, Justin. You are our best man on the team."

He sighs in an upset tone as he pulls out his phone. He dials for a medic, making me feel embarrassed and ashamed I let a drunk guy beat up my rib so severely. I close my eyes and wait quietly, quite upset to be dealing with this all.

I... can't believe I cried and freaked out in front of Roman. I... I want Roman with me.

I take more deep breaths, struggling greatly over not getting to be with him. A medic arrives and sits me on a couch as the show onstage plays loudly on a floor above us.

I listen to Roman's muffled singing, wishing I could watch him as I'm examined.

Medic: "Hmm, and you say this bruising happened from getting punched?"

I nod, not liking his tone.

Medic: "I don't want to insinuate or offend you, but... your injury looks way too bad to have been punched. I... am worried something wrong is here that we may not know about yet."

Justin: "What? What are you suggesting?"

Medic: "I need to run some tests first. Can you hold your finger out for me?"

I grow angry as he takes my blood and runs several tests on a mini portable computer. I wait sadly, seeing his face frown after a few minutes.

Medic: "From what I'm seeing on my computer... I... believe you may have Bru Syndrome."

Justin: "Bru Syndrome? What's that?"

Medic: "Your body will sustain and is prone to injury if initiated. So, your bruising and pain are exasperated by your syndrome."

Justin: "So... that punch hurt me more than it would others because... I have Bru Syndrome?"

The medic nods, making me feel sick.

Justin: "So what can I do? Can I cure it?"

Medic: "It's a chronic condition. There... isn't anything you can do but let things heal and take it easy. Your... job as a security guard may not be the best fit for you and your health if you're prone to getting attacked or having to be physical."

Justin: "I... I don't understand. I work out every day, I eat right, I sleep, and I drink water."

Medic: "Sometimes... your body is just how it is, and you can't change it. I'm sorry. Here's what I can do for your rib, though."

As he tends to my rib, I resist the urge to cry for a second time tonight. Once the medic is done, I stay in our security room and wait out the show. I hear the crowds scream and cheer, signaling it's a break.

*RING*

I pick up my phone, seeing it's Roman.

Roman: "Justin?"

Justin: "Hi."

Roman: "Where are you, mon ange?"

Justin: "Security room."

Roman hangs up, not giving me a chance to tell him not to come down here. In less than a minute, Roman runs into the security room. He closes the door and kneels next to me, panting.

Justin: "You should be getting water! Please, I don't want to bother you."

Roman: "You are my boyfriend. How can I leave you alone without at least checking on you."