Repercussions. (Ianthony)

Resolve.

Anthony didn't go to visit Ian until the next day.

He would have gone sooner if he could have, but having to fly to Los Angeles and back wasn't exactly easy. 

And now, he stood outside Ian's hospital room, trying to work up the nerve to step inside and face him. It was terrifying to even think about; Anthony had a whole day to figure out what to say, and he still had no clue where to even begin.

He sensed a nurse down the hall watching him, and realized he must've looked pretty dumb just standing there. So, he finally turned around, taking a deep breath, and walked into Ian's room.

Ian sat up against a mound of pillows on an uncomfortable-looking hospital bed, turned to look out the window. He looked okay, with the exception of a massive bruise on his left temple and a couple of small cuts on his legs and arms.

Anthony approached him slowly, and at the sound of his footsteps, Ian jolted slightly and turned to him, his face instantly draining of any sort of color. His eyes flashed a sort of fear, and that broke Anthony's heart instantly.

"Hi," Anthony croaked, not knowing what else to say.

"Hi," Ian responded, his voice even weaker.

Anthony examined his body, from his disheveled hair to his bruised face to his cut legs. It already killed Anthony to see Ian in this state; knowing that he was the reason his best friend sat in a hospital room just made it a million times worse.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, grabbing a chair off the back wall and setting it next to Ian's bed, sitting down slowly.

"Fine," he said, even though he was obviosusly not fine. Physically and mentally.

Anthony took a deep breath in an attempt to keep his voice steady. "Ian, I am... I am so sorry. And I know that doesn't even begin to cut it, but... I don't know what happened. It was like... I just blacked out, and lost control, and when things made sense again, you were unconcious..."

Anthony looked down, his lip quivering and a lump dominating his throat. "I'm never gonna forgive myself for this, especially for leaving when I did. I don't know what's wrong with me." 

He sobbed softly, finally looking back up at Ian. "I get it if you never wanna see me again. I really do."

Ian shook his head, slowly, looking down at the bedsheets. "Don't say that. I was being stupid. If you would've been saying the things I was, I would've hit you a hell of a lot harder."

Anthony laughed, just a little, reaching up to rub his face clean of tears and look back up at him. "But seriously, I promise you nothing like that will ever happen again. I just... I don't even know how to apologize."

"Hey, really." Ian smiled a little, shrugging. "I don't blame you. I'm not even mad. I deserved it."

"No you-"

"Yes I did." Ian sighed. "I can't even believe what I was saying. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry for just showing up at your house." Anthony bit his lip. "I was just so worried."

"I'm sorry I didn't answer. And I'm really, really sorry I didn't even tell you happy birthday. That was a dick move on my part."

Anthony shrugged. "Let's both just agree that we're stupid as hell and have a shit ton to be sorry for."

A small smile formed on Ian's face. "Deal."

Anthony stood up and carefully hugged Ian, being extra cautious of his bruise and watching for any more cuts. Ian sat up and returned the embrace, although it hurt knowing he'd never hug Anthony in a non-friendly way.

After they broke apart, Anthony sat back down, the smile on his face quickly fading.

"By the way... she found out."

Ian's eyes widened; his face flashed pale. "Dude, I swear I didn't tell her. I wouldn't. I even called Melanie earlier and made sure-"

"I told her."

Ian furrowed his eyebrows, all words suddenly leaving his brain.

"You were right. It was wrong to keep it from her. That's why I had to go home last night."

Ian swallowed hard. "W-what'd she say?"

Anthony sighed. "Well, she was mad, obviously, but... she said we could work through it."

Ian tried to hide his disappointment. "How much did you tell her?"

Anthony shrugged. "All of it."

Ian had a hard time believing that; if Anthony had really told her everything, he didn't think she'd be fine with just 'working through it.'

"Oh. Well, that's good," he lied, biting his lip.

"By the way..." Anthony smiled sadly. "I'm really sorry about Melanie, man. Really."

Ian shrugged, his lies piling higher by the second. "It just wasn't meant to be, I guess."

"I guess not." Anthony smiled. "But all that means is you'll find someone better soon."

Ian almost laughed out loud at the irony; he had broken up with her for Anthony, and now here was Anthony, telling him he would 'find someone better soon.' When Anthony already knew the real reason for letting her go.

"Yeah." Ian fake-yawned. "Well, I think I can get out of this shit hole tonight, but for now, I should really sleep."

Anthony nodded, standing up. "Yeah, of course. I'll pick you up later."

Ian nodded, laying down on his side.

Anthony headed for the door, stopping right before he left. "Hey, Ian?"

"Yeah?"

Anthony smiled a bit. "I really missed you, man."

Ian closed his eyes tightly, his back to Anthony, gritting his teeth. "You too."

Anthony left then, and Ian couldn't hold back a breakdown any longer. His life truly was a mess; he now had no girlfriend and all he wanted was his best friend who was completely oblivious to what he was doing to Ian. Not to mention, he had landed him in a hospital the day before.

He didn't know what else to do but wait it out and pray that Anthony had a sudden epiphany of common sense.