Truly Ours ✔️

Chapter Thirteen

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷 / 13 / 𝓑𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓝𝓸𝔀

They had to leave the room when Luke slipped in, having been notified of Taz waking up. Cadence was hesitant to leave, but Luke assured him that it would only be a few minutes. The group waited anxiously outside of the room, Pyro rubbing Mikael's back, and Trinity huddling close to her husband and son. When Luke emerged, everyone lifted their gazes to stare at him expectantly.

"Don't swarm him. He wanted to see Cadence, Micah and Trinity first." Luke said, glancing around the small group. "He doesn't seem to have a very clear memory on what happened, so be careful of what you say so nothing is triggered." They nodded, and Luke let Cadence and his family slip in.

"Hey," Cadence breathed, voice breaking. He rubbed at his teary eyes and Taz gave him a weak smile, lifting his arms. Cadence hurried forward, wrapping his brother in a gentle, but firm hug. "I'm so glad that you're awake."

Me too. Taz signed. How long...?

"Nearly four weeks." Micah said softly. Cadence felt his heart break when a curtain of sadness fell over Taz's expression, and he sat down next to Taz, keeping an arm around him.

"It's not your fault Taz. Everyone's so happy, and so relieved that you're awake again." Trinity clasped both of Taz's hands in hers, and that shy smile was back on his face. Cadence was sure that if Taz's tail was free, it would be flicking happily.

Cadence, Micah and Trinity all took turns to sit next to Taz, speaking softly and gently. They only paused when Luke popped back in to check on Taz's status, and ended up unhooking Taz from several of the machines.

"His conditions are stable, but I'm still keeping the electrolytes pumping to ensure that his heart is working." Luke explained. Taz blinked, watching as the angel doctor took out the needles, and bandaged his arms and hands. Taz then turned back to look at Cadence, and his heart grew when Taz smiled that beaming smile.

"How do you feel?" Micah asked. Taz mimed a sleeping motion, and Micah chuckled. "That's expected." Taz reached up, and paused when he saw the scars lining his arms, and frowned. Cadence could literally feel himself holding his breath.

"Do... you remember what happened?" Cadence asked quietly. Taz seemed to hesitate, before he nodded.

"Did you hear what Nikkita was saying?" Trinity's voice was soft, trembling as if she still couldn't believe Taz was awake. When Taz tilted his head, Trinity elaborated. "The other boy who was in here when you woke up. The one who said 'nice to meet you'." Luke shot her a warning look, and Trinity immediately quieted. Taz flexed his fingers, and mimed out writing.

"I'd lay off on that for a few days." Luke said quietly. "Don't strain yourself anymore than you have." Taz pouted, and Luke chuckled. The angel glanced at his clipboard, tapping the pen against it a few times. "He should stay here for at least two more nights so we can monitor him closely." They nodded, and Luke departed the room.

I missed you. Taz signed, and Trinity's eyes filled with tears, and Cadence moved aside so his mother could hug Taz to her. Taz patted her back, looking rather flustered, and Micah came over, ruffling his hair gently. They stayed like that for a few minutes, and spent almost an hour just talking to Taz as he listened.

"I..." Cadence paused, and hesitated. Taz's green eyes met Cadence's heterochromatic ones, and he tilted his head. "Mikael?" Taz nodded, and blushed when Cadence smirked. "He's outside. He's waiting for us to finish up." Taz made grabby hands, and Cadence rolled his eyes, before he tapped his cheek. Taz scowled, but leaned up and kissed Cadence's cheek.