The King of Sin {Complete}

{33}

Cedric's apology

Link's POV

I shake my head as Aisly just continues to stare at me, not uttering a word about what it is that is bothering since we brought him back.

"Maybe you should give him some space to figure this out on his own."  Turning, I see Lance stand there, leaning casually against the doorframe. Aisly perks up as soon as he hears Lance's voice. "Hey kid," Lance smiles slightly before looking back at me with a serious expression. " Cedric would like a word with you and Bear in his office. Bear is already there."

With one last look at a stubbornly silent Aisly, I sigh and make my way past Lance. Bringing me to a halt as he grips my bicep he softly whispers "Don't worry too much about him, I will keep an eye on him in the meantime." With a wink, he saunters up to where Aisly is seated at the table and starts an animated conversation. I feel a stab of jealousy as I hear Aisly laugh his carefree laugh, the one where he really has no care in the world. Not the fake one he lets loose for my sake. Now is not the time to feel inadequate or upset.

Climbing the stairs to Cedric's office, I let my mind wonder as to what it might be that he needs to talk to us for. If it involves Bear, it might be about his older brother or the fact we played together without his permission.

Upon entering the room I can tell this is going to be about Reagan. The stress and anxiousness radiating off Bear is a dead give away. Sidling up beside him and wrapping my arm around his shoulder, I can feel him shake and he looks paler than usual. Bear gratefully cuddles into me, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.

"I hate to say this to you Bear but decision time has come. You need to make a decision about what to do with Reagan." Cedric says as he slowly rises from behind his desk, a worried expression clear on his face. A frightened gasp leaves his mouth and his shaking increases. "It's going to be okay Bear," Cedric whispers softly, cupping his cheek lovingly. "If you don't want to make a decision right now, we can leave it for later. Don't worry about the costs, those are being covered."

Bear shakes his head as he takes a deep breath, "No, I want this to be over with. I don't like living like this." He murmurs softer still. "I hate not knowing what he will do or when he will wake up. If he ever wakes up on his own." I press my lips to his temple at the admission and his willingness to face his fear head on. "I will go see what the hospital wants." he slowly disentangled himself from me and slowly makes his way to the door.

"Wait Bear," I hurry after him and take his hand, squeezing it, "we will go together." He squeezes back and I give Cedric a meaningful look and he nods. He snatches his car keys from his desk and let's Oliva know that he will unreachable for an unlimited amount of time and that his schedule should be cleared until he comes back. She sounds startled, but does as he says and I can hear her fingers fly over her keyboard. Walking past her desk, I can hear her on the phone, rattling and rescheduling meetings and the like. She waves briefly as we pass before she concentrates on her computer screen, fingers going so fast they look like a blur.

There is no sound in the hospital room besides the constant beeping of the machine that keeps the body covered by the white sheet alive. I can feel the resentment bubble up the longer I stare at the peaceful looking face of Bear's older brother. He is breathing on his own and there is brain functionality but he has yet to open his eyes.

"Thank you for coming so quickly on short notice Mr. Black." Bear doesn't look away from Reagan's face, his lips set in a grim line. The young doctor, Dr. Michaels looks a little unsure as she smiles gently as she takes up the space on the other side of the bed. "He will be up in no time Mr. Black," she continues cheerfully, totally missing Bear's uncomfortable expression. "His vitals look good, his heart rate is stable and his complexion is slowly returning." Bear twitches and starts pulling back, but she misses it since she is concentrating on the clipboard in front of her.