SEEKING 7 | boys of tommen

b u l l

We walked up to the reception desk, nerves making my stomach twist into knots. The woman behind the counter barely glanced up as she spoke.

"Name of the patient?"

"Johnny Kavanagh," I answered quickly, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Relationship to the patient?" she asked, her eyes finally lifting to study us.

"We're his... aunt and uncle, and this is, uh... his cousin," Aurora chimed in, her voice shaky as she forced a smile, clearly uncomfortable. The words stumbled out like she didn't quite believe the lie herself.

The receptionist raised a brow, her expression screaming 'Really?' She sighed, clicked a few keys on her keyboard, then nodded toward the hallway. "Room 203."

As we walked away, Shannon grinned, giving Aurora a playful nudge. "That actually worked."

Aurora laughed softly, the tension easing from her face. "I know, right? Sorry about the cousin thing."

"It's fine," I chuckled. "At least it wasn't anything weirder."

When we reached the door, I paused, turning to them. "I'll go in first, if you want."

Shannon nodded, looking relieved. "Yeah, thanks."

I knocked lightly before pushing the door open. "Knock, knock. How's the patient?"

Inside, the room was bright, filled with the typical beeping of hospital machines and the sterile smell of antiseptic. Johnny lay in the bed, pale but grinning like a fool. Edel, his mam, sat beside him, exhaling in relief when she saw us.

"Johnny," she said, her voice full of warmth, "you've got visitors."

"Gibs!" Johnny called out, his voice loud and slurred. "Gibs, man. What kind of drugs did you slip me?"

"He's... very high right now," John Sr., his father, explained with a tired smile. "Don't pay too much attention to what he's saying."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Is that so? How are you doing, bud?"

"They fixed my dick, Gibs." Johnny gave me a thumbs-up, waving his other hand around like he was trying to catch something invisible. "Happy days, man. Happy days."

I laughed, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze. "Best news I've heard all year. You know what that means, right?"

"Shifting jackets," he slurred, his grin widening.

"Exactly," I said with a grin of my own. "Soon as you're back on your feet, we're hitting the town."

Edel groaned, shaking her head. "Don't encourage him, Gerard."

But Johnny wasn't listening. His eyes were half-closed, his grin goofy. "You get it, Gibs. You really get me."

"I get you, buddy." I gave his hand another squeeze. Turning to John Sr., I raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't he still be knocked out?"

John snorted. "He should be, but the lad's built like an ox."

"I'm a bull," Johnny corrected, trying to sit up before flopping back down. "With big balls."

"Jesus Christ," I muttered, unable to stop laughing. "Big working balls?"

"Yeah," he said proudly. "Big working balls." His face suddenly became serious as he looked around the room. "Gibs, I'm gonna use that lube you got me. You know the one?"

I slapped a hand over my face, trying to hold back my laughter. "Yeah, yeah, I know the one. Don't worry, I'll get you a whole basket of it when you're out of here."

"You're my best friend," he said, his voice dropping to an emotional whisper. "I love your big rugby-ball head, man."

I couldn't stop the laugh that burst out of me. "Well, I'm glad you're high because you're a dead man when you get out of here."

"Oh, Johnny," Edel sighed, rubbing her forehead. She looked absolutely exasperated.

"Hey, listen." I leaned closer, my tone growing a bit more serious. "I brought a friend to see you."

"You're my friend," He said dreamily, his eyes half-closing. "My favorite, fucked-up friend."

"I know I am, bud," I said softly, patting his arm. "But I mean, I brought Shannon."

His eyes snapped open at the mention of her name, the haze clearing momentarily. "You found her, Gibs! Thank fuck, I thought I lost her."

"Yep," I chuckled. "I brought Shannon back to you."

"Shannon like the river," he mumbled, his eyes fluttering shut again.

Edel straightened in her chair, eyes widening. "Wait, Shannon Lynch? That's who he's been rambling about?"

I smirked. "Oh yeah."

Edel shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Johnny, I thought you were just friends?"

Johnny snickered, eyes still closed. "I lied. I've been lying all along."

Edel let out a long sigh. "You never had to lie, baby. I like that girl."

"She's mine," he muttered, his voice suddenly possessive. "You can't have her."

I burst out laughing. "Everyone knows that, Cap."

Johnny's head twisted toward his dad, eyes blinking slowly. "Da?"

"I'm still right here, son," John replied, his voice filled with patience.

"She's the one," he whispered, as if revealing a grand secret. "With the perfect tits."

I raised an eyebrow. "You saw her tits?"

He nodded happily. "Yep."

"When?"

"When she was playing with my calculator," he mumbled. "I love her, Gibs. So much. Balls much."

I shook my head, laughing. "I know, buddy. Bulldozer."

"And I'm not even sorry," Johnny mumbled defiantly.

"Just don't let Aurora hear you, Cap," I warned, still laughing. "She'll go all protective-sister-monster and rip you in half."

Edel rubbed her temples, clearly exhausted. "Maybe Shannon shouldn't come in right now. He's liable to say anything."

"No, no, no," he grumbled, suddenly more alert. "I wanna see her."

"Johnny, love, she can visit when you're more... yourself," Edel said cautiously.

"Shannon!" Johnny roared suddenly, loud enough to make the windows shake. "Shannon!"

John Sr. chuckled. "Let the girl in, Edel. Otherwise, he'll scream the place down like a toddler."

Edel threw her hands up. "Fine, fine! Just behave, Johnathon."

A moment later, the soft sound of high heels clicking on the hospital tiles echoed into the room. Shannon stepped through the door, looking hesitant but smiling softly.

"Hi, Johnny."

Johnny's hand slapped against his chest with a dramatic groan. "Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da. I'm done for."