Book 3: Saving Scars {BoyxBoy}

Chapter 27

The hospital room was completely silent when Anthony woke up, curled up on his bed with a pillow at his head and a thin sheet covering him, which didn't make all that much sense. He didn't take back any of the blankets he'd thrown, only the pillow, although he was thankful for it. Without his shirt, he did feel pretty cold.

He rubbed his eyes furiously and sat up, wincing and pushing his hair back as he looked to the left where the other bed was, a small smile pulling at his lips when he saw Collin and Emmet cuddled together, still fast asleep by the looks of it. It was really nice to see. Emmet looked so peaceful the way he was positioned, curled up with both of his arms wrapped around Collin's waist, his head pillowed against his chest.

Collin, too, looked satisfied and at ease, his cheek buried in Emmet's hair, his arms wrapped securely around the bigger man's shoulders, the fingers of his left hand tangled through the back of Emmet's rusty red hair. Both men looked so happy lying there asleep in each others arms, and seeing it made Anthony smile.

After having such a hard life, seeing what he'd seen, Anthony was so happy that Emmet could finally smile genuinely, be happy, talk openly to someone he loved with all of his heart. Anthony loved his brother more than anything, and all he wanted was for him to be happy. Finally he could be, and that went double for Collin. He had changed so much since that first day they met. He wasn't as harsh or cold, he didn't glare at people or make cruel comments. He seemed calmer, more open, like he was finally coming to terms with what had happened to him. The scar on his face looked smoother, more like it belonged.

Anthony smiled more from the thought, laughing softly as he pulled his knees up and settled his elbows on them, watching the two men sleep. Belonged; it fit so well. The two of them belonged together. Anthony didn't know what he might do if they split up. The thought was just too ridiculous to even consider.

He shook his head with a roll of his eyes and sat back, frowning when his eyes fell on the chair where Ezra had been the previous night. It was empty, and upon inspection, it seemed he wasn't anywhere in the room, so Anthony pushed back the sheets and stood up from the bed, flexing his injured hand a few times before padding across the floor towards the door, pushing it open slowly and stepping out into the hallway before shutting the door quietly behind him.

His intention was to find Ezra before trying to sleep more. After all, despite all the good things that seemed to be happening, all the miracles, awful things had also taken place. Ezra had lost his entire family in one day. Anthony could understand the emotions he must be feeling.

As he turned to walk down the hall, Anthony stopped, both startled and relieved to see Ezra was sitting there on the floor with his back to the wall, just beside the door. Anthony relaxed as he stepped around him and sat down, crossing his legs and leaning back. Both were silent for a moment as they sat there. Ezra didn't bother to acknowledge Anthony's appearance, and Anthony didn't chastise him for it. It made sense that he would want silence.

However, after a few moments, Anthony did speak, "Well look on the bright side. You don't have to hide from psycho gang killers anymore."

Ezra's voice was quiet as he replied, "After ten years of doing nothing but... how am I supposed to relax? I... have no where to go."

Anthony chewed on his bottom lip, "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"You knew who Xavier was, what he was... why did you never tell your uncle?"

The answer was silence, and Anthony turned to look at Ezra, who was staring down at where his arms were folded on top of his raised knees, "Because he was my brother," he finally answered, "Would you turn in your brother, even if he was a murderer?"