All The Ways We Touch [MxM]

eighteen - black eyes and loose lips

As soon as the doors were closed, Vera hit the gas, jerking them forward in their seats as she zoomed out of the parking lot, not wanting to be there for another second. The fact that Elliot had held back amazed her and demonstrated how immeasurably deeply he cared for Jamison. He'd fought a lot of other people over significantly less.

"I'm proud of you, Elliot," she said, finally buckling her seatbelt as she drove toward the old highway onramp.

"Jamison is my priority," he said through his teeth, his fists balled into fists so tight that his short nails still managed to threaten to cut into his palms. "I'll deal with them when I know he's okay." Revenge could wait.

While Elliot had experienced homophobia, he'd never thought that an actual attack was something that needed to be worried about. What he hadn't realized was that feeling of safety was born out of naive privilege from being tall and fit, and because he effortlessly passed as straight. Jamison wasn't as lucky.

"Start calling around to figure out which hospital he's in," Vera said, looking at Jack through the rearview mirror.

"I just know it'll be Astoria." Trying not to despair over what they may've done to Jamison, Elliot tried to remain calm despite guilt and rage surging through him and making him feel hot beneath his jacket and hoodie. 'Please universe, please let him be okay.'

On Elliot's instinct, Jack called there first and nodded after he hung up. "Room 407." While he wanted to comfort Elliot, he really didn't know how and figured it was best to just remain quiet. It wasn't like he didn't know he was annoying, even when he tried not to be, and that was the last thing Elliot needed. Vera either with how white her knuckles were as she gripped the steering wheel.

The rest of the drive passed by in a new kind of tense silence as Vera brought them to the Astoria Hospital in the city, a place Elliot was eager to avoid but had to face once again. After parking, they rushed inside and beelined for the concierge desk, passing by a fancy gift shop full of fresh, fragrant flowers, teddy bears, and balloons with "get well soon" messages.

"Hi, we're here to visit our friend," Vera said, putting on her girlish charm. The less Elliot had to interact with anyone prior to seeing Jamison, the better it'd be for everyone. "His name is Jamison Parker. He's in 407."

The concierge looked him up and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'll just need to see an ID for your badges. Visiting hours are over soon but you can still sign in for the next half-hour. "

Sighing, Elliot handed the man his driver's license and closed his eyes, waiting for it.

"Astor?" The man looked up at him, tilting his head to the side. "As in Astoria? This is your family's hospital? Or are y—"

"Yes," he said, his voice tight and on the verge of snapping. "I don't mean to be rude, but I really need to see my friend," he insisted, trying to give an apologetic smile but it came across as stiff. "I'm sure you can understand."

"Of course, my apologies," the man said, handing them each their guest badge and ID. "Take the elevators to the left, swipe your badges for access, and there'll be a nurse's station where you'll swipe in again."

Elliot's father had focused on making Astoria state-of-the-art, which included fancy badges that guests would use to swipe in during their visits. It was only slightly concerning that it kept a record of your movements throughout the hospital. "A safety measure," he'd claimed, but with the amount of security in the hospital, it seemed unnecessary.

"Thank you," they said before hurrying over to the elevators.

Elliot repeatedly pushed the up button as if it would make it go any faster, ignoring the look of an employee waiting near them. "I'm just gonna take the stairs."