Baby Don't Stop

Chapter Nineteen

"Well, we will schedule the surgery for the first thing in the morning, so you need to get a lot of rest." The doctor gave a side eye towards Ten.
Taeyong couldn't help the surge of protectiveness he felt after seeing the doctors look towards Ten. He didn't know what the doctor said but he assumed it was something about their relationship. Taeyong gave their hands a squeeze.
Ten didn't want to let go of Taeyong's hand, but he still tried to write down what the doctors said for Taeyong.
"Once the surgery is done, as long as everything goes well you should be out of the hospital in a couple days." The doctor continued, "You will need to come back for regular checkups every 2 weeks to check on the progress of your injuries. But most of your injuries began healing while you were unconscious and now are not to severe that we have to keep you in the hospital."
Without letting go of Taeyong's hand Ten wrote down what the doctor said.
When Taeyong nodded his understanding the doctor spoke again. "Any questions?"
Ten wrote that down for Taeyong. Taeyong looked up at them unsure of how to start his question. "Uh, well I- It's been a while since I've been able to shower. Is there anything special I need to do or can I just hop in?"
Several of the doctors snickered at his words but the first spoke up again. "Well we wouldn't suggest you hop. We can't have you getting any water in your ears, I'm sure you understand why. We actually have these really cool ear covers for you to wear. As for your arm, we would just have you tape a bag over it and ask that you try not to use it. The break was really bad and we need to keep it immobilized. We don't have it in a hard cast yet because you have other injures that we need to look at that are under the cast."
Ten tried to write all this down but he got stuck a couple places and so the transcribing took longer than he would have liked. He passed the paper to Taeyong as fast as he could.
"Okay, I can do that." Taeyong muttered as he thought.
"Would you mind if our students here came over and looked at your ears and other injuries?"
Taeyong looked over at the paper as Ten wrote again. He didn't even have Ten pass it back to him before he answered. "Yeah, of course." He looked down at his hospital gown. "Do I need to-"
"Yes if you would just take it off your chest area so we can look at the bruising around your torso. We are also going to unbandage your hand where the scratches and abrasions are."
Ten wrote all this down, he put had to sound out some of the words and hoped that Taeyong knew what he was trying to say. Below it he wrote:
'Do you want me to help you?'
Taeyong nodded and turned slightly so Ten could untie the back of the gown.
As Ten reached up to undo the ties he could see his hands start to shake in his nervousness. He quickly wiped his hands on his pants before reaching back up to pull on the strings of Taeyong's gown. The doctors are watching us, Ten thought. I shouldn't be embarrassed.
This wasn't sexual in anyway but Ten's face was still threatening to boil. And although he couldn't see it so was Taeyong's face.
The machine that was monitoring Taeyong's heart rate started to pick up its pace.
Taeyong could only feel the light brush of Ten's fingertips as they brushed across his back and got lower. It felt like Ten took his sweet time untieing each and every knot. When he finally finished Taeyong let the hospital gown slip off his shoulders as he sat crisscross in the bed. He let the blankets of the bed pool around his waist to give him some coverage. Taeyong tried to sit up as tall as he could. He didn't want to look weak, especially in front of Ten.
Ten gasped as he saw the full extent of Taeyong's injuries. His skin was shades of blue, purple, and in some places where the bruises were healing, green and yellow. He couldn't help but fall back into the seat behind him. Taeyong must be in so much pain.
He stared at Taeyong's bare chest and thought about his own minor injuries. He had been so lucky to just have been malnourished and had some bruising and rubbing from the ropes. But that was nothing to Taeyong's.
Ten listened as the doctors came over and used some more big words. They took turns looking into Taeyong's ears and discussing the surgery that Taeyong was going to have tomorrow. The best way to graft the membrane needed for the graft, where to take the graft from, which stitch to use or if to stitch at all. So many things they talked about just Taeyong's ears.
Then they moved on to his torso and the bruising. They had him just breathe for a while as they listened to his lungs and how deep he could breathe with his injured ribs. They had him lay back as they pushed on his stomach asking if there were any points of pain.
Finally they moved on to his arms. They unwrapped the soft cast as well as took of the bandages from his wrists and scratches. Several doctors looked at his wrists on both hands. He looked like he was wearing dark bracelets on both wrists just below the base of his hand. When Ten looked closer he saw they weren't bands but open flesh where Taeyong had broken the skin around his wrists so that there was nothing left. The doctors talked about the healing process and how the skin was already healing nicely but would leave scars.
Ten could feel his heart breaking at the pain that Taeyong had to endure. All he wanted to do was to take away Taeyong's pain. He watched Taeyong's face and everytime they poked or prodded his wrists or waist his face scrunched up in pain. Ten knew he would never admit how much pain he was really in but Ten also knew that for Taeyong to even be showing this much the pain must be huge.
They looked at the long scratches on Taeyong's forearms. Although these were little compared to everything else.
Lastly they had Taeyong, through some gestures, duck his head so they could look at the back of his head where he had what used to be a big goose egg but now was just deeply bruised.
There were just so many injuries.
Soon it was all over. The doctors wrapped Taeyong's arms back up and put his cast back on. They all said good bye and shuffled out the door.
Ten expected to look over and see Taeyong slipping his Hospital gown on but instead he was looking at the ear covers and bag curiously.
"Can you help me put these on? I don't think I can go another second without showering. I feel gross." He fidgeted in the bed.
Ten nodded and reached out to take the bag with the tape inside, from Taeyong. He stood up, forcefully aware that Taeyong was still bare chested and way to close for comfort. Ten concentrated on putting on the bandages as best he could. Pull yourself together Ten, he thought to himself, Taeyong is covered in injuries and probably in terrible pain and all you can do is think with the wrong head. As he worked, Taeyong unhooked himself from all of the machines he was connected to.
Finally Taeyong grabbed the hospital gown around his waist and, without looking at Ten, shuffled off to the bathroom.
Taeyong turned the water in the shower on high and quickly stepped in. But it didn't take him long to realize that showering with one hand, that was still injured and only semi-working, was going to be difficult. And trying to wash his hair with that one hand was going to be impossible.
What should he do? Call out to Ten? And have him come in while Taeyong was less than clothed? No way. But what other option did he have?
He cursed himself before he called out, hopefully it was loud enough for Ten to hear. "Ten?"
Ten was cleaning up when he heard his name being called from the bathroom. He almost called back before he remembered that Taeyong wouldn't be able to hear him. Maybe he could stick his hand in? what if Taeyong didn't see it? He better see it.
Hesitantly Ten walked over to the door. And without thinking further he thrust his hand through the crack.
"Oh good, you heard me." Ten heard Taeyong call in relief. Ten could feel himself also breathe out a sigh of relief. Taeyong continued, "I, well I- I need help."
Ten could hear Taeyong's voice get softer and smaller as he spoke. What should Ten do? Taeyong wasn't dressed.
Dear goodness, he was going to have to go in. Ten's heart was racing once again. He clenched his eyes shut and covered them with his hands for good measure. He couldn't believe that he was actually going to do this.
He slid into the room and then leaned back against the door. There was a silence for a moment before Taeyong spoke.
"Do you want to hand me a towel?"
Ten took one hand off his face and grasped around till he felt the soft fabric of the towel in his hand. He grasped it roughly and thrust it forward towards Taeyong.
"Ten, you have to come closer." Taeyong chuckled. Ten took a step forward. The towel still stretched out in his hand. "Closer." Ten took another shuffle forward. "Closer Ten."
Ten took two steps this time for good measure. He felt the towel being taken and placed the hand back over his eyes.
"I uh- shoot um- I can't wash my hair myself," Taeyong paused and then said the rest quickly, he was so close to saying nevermind and not finishing his shower. But the feeling of the grime and dirt on his body was enough to compel him to continue. "Please help me."
Ten wanted to help but the thought of being so close to Taeyong, while Taeyong was less than decent, had Ten's head spinning. But he couldn't just leave Taeyong there. He took his hands off his eyes, which were still scrunched shut, and motioned around his waist. He was trying to ask if Taeyong had the towel on.
"Yes, Ten I am covered."
Ten peaked open one eye then the other. He saw Taeyong standing there with the towel around his waist. His bruised torso gleaming with water. Ten couldn't help but giggle as his eyes rose to Taeyong's face. The ear covers looked like mini shower caps on his ears. He looked so silly that ten forgot his nervousness and began to laugh.
Taeyong stared at him quizzically. Wondering what could be so funny. "What is it?"
Ten reached forward and tickled Taeyong's ear covers. He was about to pull his hands back when Taeyong caught his arms and pressed Ten's hands to either side of his face.
"I can't help you with my hands pressed to your face," Ten mumbles. He sees Taeyong cock his head to the side questionly. But he must have guessed what Ten said because he released Ten's hands.
Ten grabbed Taeyong by his shoulders and turned him around to face the wall. He pushed down lightly and Taeyong sat down at the edge of the tub. Ten reached over and grabbed the shampoo from the shelf.
He started to hum softly to himself as he massaged the shampoo into Taeyong's red hair. He could feel the dirt and built up oils getting scrubbed away as he worked.
Taeyong started to relax as he sat there getting his hair shampooed. Taeyong's brain started wander. He could get used to this. But all to soon it felt like Ten finished and was reaching for a cup beside Taeyong. He maneuvered Taeyong so that he turned around and his head was tilted back into the tub.Ten stepped in then turned on the water. Slowly he filled the cup and poured it back over Taeyong's head. He was careful not to get any into his face or around his ears.
Ten took extra care to get all of the shampoo out of Taeyong's hair. He then reached up and grabbed some conditioner. Thank heavens the members had brought some when they came by earlier. Ten hadn't gotten to shower either.
Working slowly Ten worked to rinse Taeyong's hair again. Ten could feel a warmth take over his body as he took care of Taeyong and helped him. He liked this feeling more than he should.
When he finished, Ten stepped out of the tub and walked over to where the towels were folded. When he turned back around Taeyong was standing up. Ten moved over to push him back down to sit on the tub.
"I can do the rest myself." But before Taeyong had finished speaking Ten was already shaking his head.
Taeyong didn't argue more but just stared up at Ten who was only a couple inches away. Taeyong's face was even with his bellybutton. As he stared at Ten he got this pulling feeling deep in his stomach. This feeling wasn't like the ones he normally felt for Ten, it was different, almost like a type of hunger. The hunger wasn't for food but for Ten. Taeyong didn't know what was happening. He had never experienced this feeling before. He was also confused as what it meant. Ten was working diligently to dry Taeyong's hair. Taeyong couldn't take this hunger another second and Ten was both the reason and the alievement.
He reached his hand up and stopped Ten's drying. Taeyong could feel himself standing again and this time he wouldn't let himself be pushed back down. Ten's eyes searched his own. Taeyong wondered if the hunger he felt in his stomach was visable in his eyes. Did Ten know what Taeyong wanted? He wanted Ten. And he didn't care that he was hurting or he was partially naked. All he cared about was that Ten's lips were so close and that they were alone.
When Taeyong stepped forward his balance faltered and he almost fell into Ten. He reached out to steady himself and placed his hand on Ten's hip.
He had that same impulsiveness that had consumed him the night they went to the club.
But wait. The club. All of Taeyong's memories of that night came rushing back. Especially Ten's denial. Ten hadn't wanted to do this before why would he want it now? Just like that the hunger which felt like it was going to consume Taeyong was pushed aside by another feeling. One Taeyong was more familiar with, embarrassment.
"Sorry." He muttered as he lifted his hand off Ten's hip and took a step back. His hair was dry enough now that he figured he would be good taking off the ridiculous ear covers.
He also worked to take off the tape and bag around his arm. Ten just stood there in front of Taeyong, staring at him.
"I need to get dressed." Taeyong finally said.
"Oh," Ten finally shocked out of his frozen state. He didn't say anything more but just slipped out of the room.
He was still trying to figure out what had just happened. At first it had almost felt as though Taeyong was going to come closer to him but then he pulled away. The way Taeyong had looked at him, maybe Ten was imagining it. Of course that was it. Taeyong was just having a moment because he was in pain and Ten mistook it for something else.
There was the sound of the bathroom door opening.
Ten looked back, Taeyong had just come out of the bathroom and he was struggling to put his hospital gown back on. Ten quickly stood up to help him. When he reached out his hands Taeyong pushed them away.
As much as Taeyong would have appreciated the help he didn't think he could take more of Ten's touch. Once he had his gown over his shoulders he plopped down in the bed. He didn't care that it wasn't tied.
He lay back in the bed and turned his face to look at the worried Ten who was still standing and subconsciously rubbing his necklace again. His face full of concern.
"I should rest. You should rest too." Taeyong mumbled. His mind was already filling with the fogginess of sleep.
"Don't worry about me." Ten wanted to take Taeyong's hand but after getting pushed away earlier he didn't think that Taeyong cared to be touched any more than the doctors already had. Ten almost reached for the pen and paper to write down what he said but he could see Taeyong's eyes flutter with sleep after the long day he had had.
Taeyong's eyes closed this time as he finally let himself rest.
Ten sat there for a moment as he fiddled with his necklace. When he was sure that Taeyong was asleep he stood up and turned off the lights in the room until the only brightness was coming from under the door. He opened a closet and took out the blanket he normally slept with.
Every night Ten had slept in the chair next to Taeyong. He wasn't going to let tonight be an exception just because Taeyong was awake.
Nighmares plagued Ten's sleep the first couple nights after they came to the hospital while Ten was admitted in another room. In the middle of the night he had woken up screaming from his dream. It was a recurring dream that Ten couldn't shake. Several nurses had come into his room to see what was wrong but nothing could console Ten. He just kept shouting for Taeyong and fighting the nurses. His sleepy brain thinking that they were the hands of Eunjin come to take him again.
The nurses finally had to knock him out with a sedative. The same thing happened the next night. On the third night Ten had fallen asleep while visiting Taeyong. His nightmare still happened and he still woke up startled and confused but for some reason seeing Taeyong's sleeping form got through to Ten and he would calm down. Maybe the singular thought that Taeyong was safe in front of him helped. Ever since then Ten had started sleeping in Taeyong's room.
The nurses didn't protest and Ten didn't complain. He slept slumped over in the chair or resting his head at the end of Taeyong's bed.
Every night he would still wake up from his nightmare but every night the sight of Taeyong sleeping in front of him helped calm him down.
For some reason the nightmare on the day Taeyong woke was especially bad.
Ten was standing alone in the middle of the field. He was dressed simply this time and the wind was soft. In the distance the clouds swirled and spun. Several birds flew in the sky big eagles and crows, then two small canaries flew around Ten's head. They chirped and sung. Ten held out his hand cautiously for the birds to land on. One of the birds landed on Ten's hand and the other pirched itself on Ten's shoulder.
Ten couldn't help the grin that spread across his face as the little canary sung its soft song to him. But suddenly his song was cut off as the bird froze and fell over in Ten's hand. Ten stared panicked at the small lifeless canary in his hand. No! no! no! Ten could feel himself fall to his knees. His hands clutching at the bird in his hands.
Ten could vaguely hear the crying of the small canary on his shoulder. The clouds in the distance had rolled to above Ten and the rain started to fall. Slowly, then all at once.
Ten let out a scream and woke from his dream still screaming. In the bed next to him Taeyong slept peacefully. Ten stared at his pale face. It felt almost as if the previous day hadn't happened and Taeyong still hadn't woken. Ten reached out and grasped Taeyong's hand in his own. He leaned over and put his elbows on the bed. He brought Taeyong's hand to his face and kissed the back of his hand softly.
It was only a stupid dream, it was only a stupid dream, Ten told himself as he pressed Taeyongs's hand to his cheek. And there Ten fell asleep again, slumped over Taeyong's bed, clutching his hand.