Sister to Jonas

Hospital

Brexley's POV

When I wake up, I immediately notice the pungent smell of antibacterial soap and take in the fluorescent lights above. Oh yeah, I'm in the hospital because of the accident. I almost forgot. At first I think I'm alone in the room, but after a quick glance to my right I discover Joe is here with me. He sits there, head in his hands, and I can't tell if he's fallen asleep like that or he's overthinking again.

"Joe?" I ask tentatively, trying my best not to startle him.

"Hey, Brex," he says quietly, raising his head to look at me. His eyes are red and glassy, like he's been crying a lot, and it makes me nervous. I never see him like this.

"What's wrong?" I ask him, concerned.

"Nothing. I was just worried about you, that's all," he says, giving me a watery smile.

"But you knew I was alive. I called you, remember?" I tell him, and he nods.

"Doesn't matter. It's still scary to see you in a hospital, and because of me especially," he responds, wiping his eyes hastily as a tear drips out.

"Because of you? It's not your fault," I say, confused.

"But it is! It is. I argued with you over something stupid, I caused you to leave the apartment, and because of that, you got hurt," he says. I can tell he's thought a lot about this, and he's incredibly angry at himself. He's blaming himself again, as he always tends to do when something happens to every one of his family members.

"Joey, this isn't on you. Yeah, we had an argument, and yeah, it didn't end well for me, but don't blame yourself for this. You didn't hit me with that bus," I say, reaching my hand out for his. He takes it, a slight smile on his face.

"I'm just thankful it wasn't worse. You have a few bruised ribs and your left wrist is fractured, but otherwise it's just scrapes and bruises and stuff," Joe says.

"See? The only thing badly harmed is the car, but we barely use our cars anyway. No harm, no foul," I tell him.

"I know. I just didn't want today to be the day I had to say goodbye to you," he says, tearing up again.

"Joseph, it's going to have to be a lot worse than that for you to get rid of me. We're going to be pissing each other off for years and years to come," I say with a grin, and for the first time since the accident, he laughs.

"Good, I hope we are."

I can tell Joe is still shaken up from the scare, and as am I, but for the next forty-five minutes or so we talk and joke around as always. Any trace of the fight we had earlier is long gone, and we're very much back to our normal best friend selves. Then Nick shows up; Joe must've called him before and told him what happened, because I didn't.

"Brexley, are you okay?" he says, worry etched on his face.

"Yeah, I'm alright, Nicky. Sorry to scare you," I tell him.

"It's fine. Just don't do it again, alright?" he says, and I chuckle as I bring him in for a hug the best I can, since I'm still in the hospital bed.

"That's the plan," I say.

"Good. Because I almost had a heart attack," he says crossly, and Joe laughs.

"How do you think I felt? She's my twin!" Joe says.

"Aww, guys, I'm touched that you both care about me so much," I joke, and they both pout.

"Not funny. I was freaked out enough that you didn't show up, and then I got the call from Joe," Nick says.

"Yeah. And double not funny, because I had to come to the accident scene and find out what was going on," Joe says.

"I love you guys," I say sweetly, beaming at both of them as we group hug.

"Love you too," Nick says.

"Love you both," Joe says, and we sit like that for a while, feeling the comfort that comes with having each other around. When we come together, we are stronger. We are each other's support system, and right now, we need that support more than ever.