Shark Teeth (Jean Hobbs)

Chapter 11

Jack's POV

I stared out the window of the bus, the sky was just beginning to turn black. It didn't feel like we'd only been at the hospital for one day, it felt like weeks. I sighed and turned to face Daniel, who was staring at me.

"What?"

"Can I ask you something? Be honest."

"Uh... Sure."

"Are you in love with Dean?"

I laughed for a moment before the realisation hit me.

Shit.

I'm in love with him.

"I- I'm not- why do you-"

"It's pretty obvious. I saw the way you looked at James when he kissed him."

"Daniel I don't-"

"The way you held his hand when he started panicking about the dream, how you two were literally about to kiss when I walked in this morning."

I sighed.

"Okay, fine, I admit it." I rested my head on my hands. Daniel placed his hand on my back.

"To be honest, I'd much rather you were dating my brother than James."

"It'll never happen..."

"Yes it will. I know it will."

"He seems pretty happy with James, I don't want to ruin that."

"Is he happy though? The way he smiled at you earlier and then the look on his face when James walked in, I know he'd be just as happy with you, if not happier."

I looked up.

"I'm not going to destroy what they have just because of how I feel though. I'll get over him."

He sighed.

"Do you want to get over him though?"

"Just leave it Dan..." I said, turning to look out the window once again. He patted my shoulder sympathetically.

"I understand."

Aside from that, the bus journey was uneventful, we eventually arrived at the hospital and made our way up to Dean's room, smiling at the nurses we recognised from earlier. As we approached the door into Dean's room I could hear someone crying from the inside. My blood ran cold. Why would Dean be crying? I knocked on the door and walked in, closely followed by Daniel. There, sat on the sofa, was Elliot. I breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't Dean crying.

Daniel walked over and sat down next to him. He wrapped his arms around Elliot, whispering things into his ear. I looked over to see Dean with his wrists strapped to the bed, James was wrapping his arms in bandages, holding his arm a lot tighter than necessary.

"What's going on?"

"He tried to open the cuts again when I went out to talk to one of the nurses." He said, clearly annoyed.

"Dean..."

He turned his head away from me, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Dean, look at me." I said softly, I walked over and placed my hand on his, I could feel the way Daniel was staring at me. Dean sighed.

"Please?"

I saw James, out the corner of my eye, squeeze Dean's wrist harshly, causing him to flinch and snap his head around to look at me. I glared at James. He saw me looking at him and stared down at the floor instantly, muttering something that sounded like an apology. Something has definitely happened between them. I'm sure of it. I looked back at Dean to see him staring at me, his eyes wide, he glanced at James then back at me and tilted his head. I gave him a reassuring smile and sat down on the edge of the bed. I sighed before speaking.

"Why, Dean?"

"I honestly don't know. I just need to feel something sometimes, just to know that I'm still alive. I promise I won't do it again."

"I know you won't."

He furrowed his brow.

"I want you to come and stay with me for a while, just so I know that you're okay."

Okay, that was half-true. I just want to get him away from James. His eyes lit up but suddenly faded when he looked at James, who was trying to wrap the bandage that had come loose around Dean's arm again.

"James? Would that be okay?" I asked him, he looked up and sighed.

"Do you mind if I talk it over with Dean first?"

"Sure, go ahead."

I stood up to walk away but Dean grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

"Thank you Jack, for caring so much." He smiled weakly. I smiled back.

"No need to thank me. I'd be a pretty shitty best friend if I didn't care."

He released his grip on my wrist, allowing me to walk away, Daniel and Elliot following me closely. We walked out of the room, silently closing the door. I slumped back against the wall. Daniel was staring at me weirdly.

"What?"

"Did you say that to get him away from James?"

"Uhhh... Kinda? I guess. I know it's not my place to interfere with him and James but something isn't right and I'm going to find out what."

I sighed, Daniel smiled at me sympathetically.

"Um... Have I missed something or..?" Elliot asked.

Oops.

I'd forgotten he was stood right there.

"Jack thinks something has happened between Dean and James."

"I can understand why. But maybe it's just because of what's happened with Dean?"

I shook my head.

"Something must've happened between them for Dean to start cutting in the first place. I can't think of anything else that could've made him do it."

Elliot opened his mouth to say something but was cut off when James opened the door and signaled for us to go back into the room. Dean was now sat up on the bed, grinning.

"We've decided that it'd be best for Dean to stay with you for a while." James said with a sigh.
I left the hospital that night with a smile on my face.

Dean will be okay from now on.

I'll make sure he is.