Darkness

Safety

Scott had a good, long cry while he finished packing Avi's and some of his own shirts for his boyfriend, his spare pair of pj pants and the toiletries. He didn't dare to sit down on the couch for a moment, afraid that he'd fall asleep, and he made his way back to the hospital in his jeep.

When Scott approached Avi's room he saw Mike sitting in front of it. The baritone frowned. "Mike?"

He looked at Scott. "Shelly is with him. He- he had an accident."

"Avi- oh. Really?"

Avriel's dad nodded and sighed. "The doctor said that it's normal."

"Then why didn't they take care of it before it happened? He can't stay here, Mike. I'm not comfortable with him being here, I don't trust them."

"Me neither but moving him to L.A. is too risky, especially since the swelling hasn't reached its peak yet."

They stood there for another ten minutes until Shelly opened the door and smiled slightly. When they went back inside Scott noticed that Avi was now wearing a shirt, the one Scott had wrapped around his hand before he had left. "Hi" he mumbled and gently touched his boyfriend's hand. "Nice shirt you have there."

Avi couldn't help but smile. He had his eyes closed and his cheeks were still pink, probably out of embarrassment about what had happened before, but when he felt Scott's hand tucking some hair back behind his ear he relaxed.

"Avi, that can happen to anyone. It's one of the symptoms of the brain swelling" he slowly explained so the man had a chance to understand. "I promise that it'll be over soon."

"Okay" the bass mumbled and sighed before his breathing calmed down and he fell asleep a few moments later.

Shelly and Mike stayed until Avi was feeling better. On Tuesday morning he woke up and the throbbing headache had subsided, he was feeling overall way better and after patting the mattress again he found his father's hand. "Dad?"

"Good morning, son. How are you feeling today?"

"Better. Less pain. Scott?"

"Scott had to leave to go back to L.A., he has an appointment today. But he'll be back as soon as possible and until then mama and I will be here."

The bass sat up slowly. "But he's coming back?"

"Of course he's coming back, Avi. Mama is talking to your doctor right now and if she agrees we can take you to the hospital in Los Angeles."

But Avi didn't seem to like that. He pouted. "But I want to go home. Not to a different hospital. My head is okay, I can think."

"We know you can but going home is still risky. Scott can't be with you all day, he has meetings and things to do, work, and we aren't comfortable with you going home today."

"Maybe a compromise? Two days in the hospital in L.A. and then- then home?" He desperately wanted to sleep in his own bed again and be more independent. And he didn't want to be near the people who mistreated him.

Mike sighed softly. "Maybe."

They ended up moving him to the hospital in Los Angeles where he had been after the crash a few months ago. Avi recovered quickly, now that he felt more comfortable with the nurses he already knew and while his bruises fainted his head got better and he was ready to go home on Monday the following week. Shelly and Mike, who had stayed at Avi's apartment, said their goodbyes and headed back home once their son was back at his own place.

Scott took him home and after ordering and putting away groceries he made them something for dinner.

"So good" Avi mumbled while he shoveled more rice, kimchi and chicken into his mouth. The heavy cast was resting on the table and Avi's fingertips tapped the wooden table every now and then while he was enjoying his meal. "Thanks for making food."

"Hey, sure. You're welcome. Uhm, I promised Mitch a writing session tonight. Are you okay with that? Do you want to come home with me and stay overnight? You don't have to join-"

"No, no I'll be okay here. I'm pretty tired anyways and you've been with me the whole day for the past week, you should see Mitch tonight. I'll take a bath and then sleep."

Scott nodded slowly and kept looking at Avi. "Promise to call me in case something happens?"

"Of course. Scott, I- I understand that it's hard for you to leave but I'm feeling good. I've talked to the therapist at the hospital, I'm getting better. And I love spending time with you, I really do, but I think you need to be with Mitch for a little. Your mental health is as important as mine." He reached out for his boyfriend and smiled softly when he felt Scott's fingers touching his hand. "Okay?"

"Okay. I love you, Avi."

"I love you too. I will be just fine."

Scott waited until Avi was sitting in the tub, in the middle of lots and lots of bubbles, with the cast resting on the edge. He knocked on the door and opened it just enough so his boyfriend was able to hear him clearly. 

"Love? I'm leaving now. I might stay overnight, depending on how much wine we'll have. Are you good?"

"Yeah, I'm fine! No worries. Tell Mitch I said hi!"

"Will do. See you either later or tomorrow" the baritone said, then closed the door and put on his shoes. He took his keys from the little hook near the door and left to meet his best friend. On the way there he stopped to pick up a box of donuts, a bottle of wine and chips.