The Price of Love (Boyxboy)

9

dean p.o.v

I woke sleepily to beeping machines, white lights, and a pair of bright blue eyes staring at me. I jolted, sitting almost straight up before feeling dizzy and lying back down. A cloud of worry passed through the eyes, and they came closer, studying my face.

"Are you alright?" Alex asked, his voice nervous. I smiled and leaned my head back.

"Yeah, I'm doing a lot better. Last night was rough, but they stitched me up pretty well. Minimum scarring I think," I answered. His face changed from concerned to relieved.

"Thank god. I might've had to find a new roommate," he said, grinning. I smiled again. "Are you hungry?"

My eyes snapped open and I stared at him, unblinking. "What kind of a question is that? Are you hungry. Of course I'm hungry," I said, laughing. Alex started laughing too, and stood up.

"I'll be right back. I think there's a cafè on the next block," he said. I grinned.

"Bring me back something fatty and non-nutritious," I called after him. "I'm recovering!"

I saw his smile just before the door closed, and I leaned back into my pillows, satisfied. My eyes closed again, and I had almost drifted back to sleep when I was aware of the door opening for the second time.

I smiled, opening my eyes and expecting to see Alex. My smile faded slightly when I saw that it wasn't Alex bearing food, it was Miles. He came in and sat in the chair next to the bed. I sat up more, trying not to look so helpless.

"Hey," Miles said, his voice low. "I don't have much time, the homophobe will be back soon. I just wanted to say sorry if this is because of me."

"Not quite," I said, reassuring him. "I haven't been doing as much...business on the side, with what you're paying, and one of my regulars didn't like it. It wasn't your fault, it was mine. I should have been more careful and paid more attention."

"I just feel bad."

"Don't," I said quietly. "Anyway, I think this is actually helpful. Last night, he actually undressed me and washed me off. I mean, yeah, I looked like hell and he was trying to help, but still."

Miles brightened. "Really?"

I nodded, confirming it. "It's not the best thing that's ever happened to me, but it sure as hell helps."

He stood up and patted me on the knee. "I hope you feel better. Keep playing the pity card, and text me if anything else of importance happens."

"Of course," I said, "Thanks for stopping by."

"Not a problem. I'll see you soon," Miles said, and walked out the door, closing it gently behind him. I settled back down and waited, hoping the food would be here soon. I was growing more and more aware of the emptiness of my stomach. It grumbled just as the door opened again. I looked up, a hopeful look on my face, but it disappeared when I saw it was the doctor.

"Good morning Mr. Tucker, how are you feeling?" He asked. I smiled.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you," I replied politely.

"Fantastic! Well, seeing as your vitals are all normal and we've stitched you up, we can discharge you by tonight. You won't have to come back in to have your stitches removed, they'll dissolve after a few days," the doctor said.

"Great. Thanks Doc," I replied in relief.

"I'll be back soon to do one last review before we release you. Until then, I would advise you to rest and not exert yourself too much. We don't want the stiches to rip and cause extra damage," he said. I nodded and he smiled as he walked out and shut the door behind him. I relaxed back into the pillows one more time before the door opened again.