Backdoor Boy

18

Mikey stirred in his chair. Falling asleep in awkward positions was becoming a norm with how much time he spent at the hospital. He had been sitting sideways with his back against one wooden arm and his knees against the other, with his head resting on the back. He groaned as he sat up. He looked over at Ray. Unsurprisingly, nothing had changed.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Mikey said, yawning. "How did you sleep? I made breakfast. Pancakes, your favorite." He leaned onto Ray's bed rail. He wanted more than anything for Ray to smile at the stupid shit falling out of his mouth. Hell, even an eye roll would do. But there was nothing.

"Oh, Ray," he said softly. "I miss you so much. I keep asking the nurses when they can take you out of this, and they never have a real answer. They said they're waiting for you wake up on your own, but that's it. And I don't know how long that's gonna be. No one does. Not even the nurses, they told me." Mikey sighed and took Ray's hand. "I would do anything to have you back, Ray."

Mikey squeezed Ray's hand gently. Then, something so subtle that Mikey almost didn't notice it happened. Ray's finger twitched in Mikey's grip. Mikey's breath caught. "Oh, my God," he breathed. "You... Can you hear me?" Nothing. "Was that real? I... Am I losing my mind here? I felt that. I felt you."

Another twitch.

"Jesus Christ, are you fucking with me? Baby, can you hear me? Can-Can you move?"

A third twitch, stronger than both of the first.

"Oh, honey!" Mikey cried. "You can hear me! I'm right here baby, and I'm gonna stay right here, okay? I'm gonna stay right here until you come back." He leaned forward and kissed Ray's face again and again. "I... I love you, Ray."

-

Mikey woke up for what felt like the hundredth time that month, with a shooting pain in his neck. This time, he had fallen asleep with his head on his arms, crossed over the railing of Ray's bed. His fingers were lazily intertwined with Ray's. It had been a few days since Ray had last moved, but Mikey just kept hoping he would do it again.

He sat up and rubbed his neck. Man, I'm gonna be feeling this for a while, he thought.

"You okay?"

Mikey gasped, nearly falling out of his chair. He whipped his head to Ray, sending another paralyzing wave of pain through him. His hand flew to his neck. "Ow-Ray?! W-When did you wake up?"

Ray shrugged. His body language was tired, his voice hoarse. "I dunno," he said. "Fifteen minutes ago? Twenty? Not that long."

Mikey clasped Ray's hand in both of his, holding it close to him. "How-How are you feeling?"

Ray thought about it. "A little thirsty," he said.

"There's a water cooler in the hallway," Mikey said quickly. "I'll be right back." He reached out and touched Ray's shoulder before leaving. He quickly filled a small, styrofoam cup with water and returned to the room. He sat down and handed the cup to Ray. Ray took it and tried to sip it, but ended up spilling it onto his chest.

Mikey swore, looking around for anything in the room to dry him off. "I-I can go get you some toilet paper," he said.

Ray sighed and shook his head. "It's fine," he said. "I... really just wanna drink this."

Mikey nodded. He took the cup back from Ray and quickly ran to fill it again. When he returned and held the cup out to Ray, Ray seemed hesitant. "What's wrong?" Mikey asked.

Ray sighed again. "Can you... help me?"

Mikey nodded again. He moved closer to the bed and placed his hand behind Ray's head, helping him hold up his head at an angle. He held the cup up to Ray's lips, gently tipping it to allow a small amount of water to flow into Ray's mouth. Ray sipped it, grateful. He raised his hand and touched Mikey's wrist to indicate that he was finished drinking. "Thank you," Ray said quietly.