Wren

Part 24

They left Wren alone for about an hour before going in. Matteo, Dace, Leo, and Vincenzo crept into the room, Dace holding Sophie in his arms. She giggled with her hands over her mouth, not really understanding what was going on. Vincenzo carried a tray with Wren's dinner on it.

Dace took Sophie to the living room area to play, while the other three approached the bed. They gingerly sat on the edges, Matteo closest to Wren's head. He pulled back the covers to reveal Wren's face. Tearstained and pale.

Leo leaned over as well, shaking his head. "You're sure it's just bruises? He didn't cough up blood or anything?"

"No, just looks like he got run over by a train."

"I'll personally kill that motherfucker," Vincenzo swore as he set the tray down on the nightstand. 

Matteo nodded, the same feelings cursing through his own veins. He gently brushed his knuckles down Wren's cheek, effectively starting to wake him without scaring him. Wren stirred and rolled over slightly, wincing in his sleep. 

"You gotta wake up, puppy." Matteo cooed.

Wren opened his eyes and glanced from face to face that hovered above him, confused. "What are you all doing here?" He sat up, his face twisting in pain as he remembered what had happened. 

"Hey, take it easy." Leo warned, his motherly nature unable to keep itself contained.

"I'm fine, just hurts a little. I don't need you guys babying me," Wren complained as he looked over at the tray of food. "I don't think I can eat," He whispered. 

Matteo leaned down and tenderly kissed his forehead. "You need to try." He scooped some soup up onto the spoon and held it to Wren's lips, who accepted the bite without arguing. Who didn't need to be babied?

Wren gave the other two incredulous looks. "Why are you here, exactly?"

Vincenzo chuckled. "To check on you. And Leo and Dace are staying, so no use complaining." 

"Staying? Why?!" Wren sat up straighter, shooting a bewildered look at his husband. 

"To put you at ease. Well, mostly me, I guess. I know your father can't get into the house, but I'd feel better if they were here. Please?" He added when he saw Wren open his mouth to protest.

Wren thought for a moment. He didn't like it, but wasn't going to argue with Matteo's decision. "Fine. But do they really have to sleep in here?" He glanced at the stack of pillows and blankets Leo had brought from their room. 

"Yes. Leo will sleep in here, and Dace will sleep in Sophie's room. I'll be working late from now on for a little while, so I'd feel better that way." 

Wren couldn't argue. He ate the rest of his soup and answered questions about the attack, while watching Sophie play in the living room. He didn't like this arrangement at all, but he would do it for Matteo. Vincenzo and Matteo left, mumbling something about having work to do. 

Leo sighed, standing from his spot on the bed. "Do you need anything? I'm gonna make a trip down to our room and grab some stuff."

"No, I'm good. Wait, pain meds?" He asked sheepishly, and Leo nodded.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

"NO!" Sophie screamed, struggling to pull out of Dace's gentle but firm grasp. 

"SoSo, you have to go to bed now. It's way past your bedtime!" Wren countered from his bed, still in the same spot he'd been since earlier. It hurt to move even though Leo had been dosing him with Tylenol. 

Sophie had fought Dace as he got her into her nightgown, fought him as he brushed her teeth, and was fighting now as he tried to carry her to her adjoined room. In the struggle, she'd kicked him in the jaw, but he was as calm and collected as ever. Wren was amazed by his patience. 

"Please, Sophie. Daddy's tired, Dace is tired, you're tired. . . " Wren pleaded, massaging the bridge of his nose. 

Sophie wasn't having it. "I don't wanna go to bed!" She screamed, flailing in Dace's arms. She usually didn't have any problem going to bed, but occasionally she'd throw tantrums like this. Matteo had always been there to take her and soothe her to sleep, but since he was out working. . . Wren wished she had picked any other night to have a melt down; he was in pain and grumpy, and felt bad that Leo and Dace had to deal with her like this.

"Sophie, if you don't stop right now, you're going to be in trouble. Go to bed. Now." Wren threatened.

Sophie stopped, and stared at him. He never talked to her like that. Dace took the opportunity to carry her away, closing the door to her room behind him. No more crying was heard. 

Leo glanced at Wren noticing how. . . bad he looked. Pale, his eyes red and swollen, and his breathing shallow and uneven. He was shaky, and had a dazed look on his face.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't feel so good. Kind of sick--" With that, Wren's eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped over, Leo catching him in his arms. He fished his phone from his pocket. 

"Is everything okay?" Matteo asked

"I don't know. Wren said he felt  sick, then passed out. He's completely gone."

"Is he okay? Do I need to come?" Matteo's worry seeped through his voice. 

"No, I'm checking his temperature, and it's really high, but I think it's just fever from stress, and the stress itself that made him sick. I'll keep an eye on him. I just wanted to let you know."

He sat with Wren until around two in the morning, when Matteo stole into the room. He squinted his eyes in the soft light of the dim lamp on the nightstand. He sat on the other side of the bed, placing his hand on Wren's forehead. "God, he's burning up."

"I know. I keep putting cool rags on his neck and face, but it doesn't seem to be helping. He's been having nightmares, too. Squirming around and muttering."

"He does that sometimes. . . "

"I think since it's just stress that he'll be okay soon. Probably by morning, but there's really no way to tell."

Wren stirred, and the two men went silent. Leo got up and Matteo slid into his place, wrapping his arms around Wren. Leo settled into his bed on the floor, and Matteo flicked off the light.

                              Part Twenty-Five Coming Soon

(sorry, I didn't really know how to end this one lol :)