They're Back

5

No one POV 

After taking James to the med bay, they discovered that he had some broken ribs, along with lots and lots of bruises. Adam delivered the news to the others. "Well, he has some broken ribs and bruising, but the doctors say he'll be okay. And, that he can have visitors. But they've got him on pain meds, so he might be unconscious." They all stood to go, but Adamstopped them. "Two at a time. Ladies and me first." He said. Keith glared at him, but sat down. "Did you know about it Ryan?" Keith asked. He shook his head. "No, I didn't. And please, just ca me Kinkade. Almost everyone does." Keith nodded. "Why do you think he didn't tell you?" He asked. "Keith, think about it. He has only his dad, who had super high expectations for him, and he's supposed to be the leader. Someone who doesn't show fear or vulnerability. He's not an open person." Kinkade said. Keith nodded, and they sat in silence.

The girls and Adam came back, smiles on their faces. "He's awake right now. You boys should hurry if you want to see him." Veronica said. Keith and Kinkade jumped up and ran to James room, bursting in the door.

When James saw them he smiled. "Hey K's. What's up?" He said. Then his eyes rolled up in his head and he passed out again.

James POV

My eyes opened slowly, and I squinted in the harsh lights of the hospital room. I sat up and looked around, and saw Kinkade and KEITH? WHY WAS KEITH IN MY HOSPITAL ROOM? They were both asleep, in uncomfortable looking positions. Kinkade was curled up in a chair, and Keith was laying his head on my bed, slumped over in another chair. He looked so pretty as he slept. I know that sounds weird, but he did. He looked so calm, and his bangs were in his face, fluttering up and down as he breathed. I smiled softly and ruffled his hair. One of his eyes opened groggily, and he was smiling. Then his eye widened and he shot up. "James! You're okay!" He exclaimed. I smiled. "Of course I am, why wouldn't I-" He cut me off by pulling me into a kiss, cupping my face. I was surprised at first, but soon melted into it. I wrapped one of my arms around his waist, pulling him closer, and ran my other hand through his hair, cradling the back of his head.  He pulled back, face pink and smiling. I knew I had a huge grin on my face, and that I was blushing.  Me, being the smooth guy I was, said "Wow." Keith smiled. "Shut up." He said blushing. Then everything started going black, and I felt my head hit the pillow.

I woke up again, eyes blinking in the flourecent lighting. I looked around, and sure enough, Keith and Kinkade were still there. But Keith was awake this time, not sleeping.  I gaped at him "I- uh, did we?" He raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "Did we what? Are you okay? They have you on some pretty strong pain meds. Are you sure you're feeling alright? You're not hallucinating are you? How many of me are there?" He said, stepping forward and sitting on the bed next to me. "One. And yes, I'm fine." I said. So it was just a dream? Keith hadn't kissed me? That dissapointed me way more than it should've. "Are you sure?" He asked. I rolled my eyes. "Yes. Why do you care anyway?" He opened his mouth to respond, but someone said something before he did. "James! You're alright!" Kinkade said, pulling me into a hug. "Yeah I am. Now can I leave?" I said, patting him on the back. 

He pulled back, looking concerned. "Are you sure you're okay? I mean, your dad broke a few of your ribs, and you've been in and out of conciouness all day." I felt my eyes widen. "Wait, what?" Kinkade's face fell. "You don't remember." I looked at him oddly. "Remember what?" "James, your dad beat the crap out of you."  Keith said. I started panicing internally. "What? No he didn't." That's impossible. He's not even here. How do they know he used to hit me. "Yes he did. I'll prove it. May I?" Keith said, motioning to my shirt. I shrugged, since I had no idea what he was going to do. He took the edges and pulled them up, and all of our breathes hitched. 

My midsection was a colorful array of bruises in several shapes and sizes. Where my abs were there was a huge black and purple one, several inches wide. He'd never given me one THAT bad before. I quickly pulled my shirt down and stared at them "Explain." Kinkade sighed. "Well, uh, me and Crutis came back from a rescue mission with some new people. One of them was your dad. You hugged him, then he decked you. He started yelling at you, punching you in the ribs a few times. You fell, and he started kicking you over and over, while yelling a bunch of stuff." Kinkade said voice wavering. "Kinkade had to pull him away from you, then he started getting mad at him. Then I decked him, and we started fighting. Shiro and Lance broke it up and took him to a cell. You were crying and shaking on the floor. Then you passed out and Adam brought you here." Keith finished. I shook my head. "No. I don't cry. And my dad doesn't hit me." I said. Keith looked at me concerned. "But you did. And he does. Everyone saw it James. Us, the MFES, the paladins, a few of the families."

"What?" I asked in shock. Yeah. My dad hits me. He's done it before. But never in front of other people. And never bad enough to leave noticeable markings. "I don't remember any of that. It must've been something else. Training or something." I remembered. I remembered every word, every hit. But I couldn't let them know that. If I did, they'd start treating me differently, like I was fragile. Broken. On the brink of collapse. "James, it did happen. You were shaking and crying, then passed out in my arms. You seriously don't remember? I shook my head. "Nope. Don't remember, didn't happen." I said, making a move to stand up. Keith rolled his eyes "They always say that." "What?" Kinkade said, and he shook his head. "Nothing."

I was on my feet now, and started to step towards the door. "James you really shouldn't-" Kinkade started, but I silenced him with a glare. "I'm fine. Can we go now?" I tried to step forward, but my knees shook, and I nearly fell, but a pair of arms caught me. "James, please, listen to Kinkade. The doctors still need to run some tests and make sure you're okay before you leave." I wrenched my arm from his grasp, and sat back on the bed. "Fine. But I swear, I am. Let's just get this over with." Keith gave me an odd look, a mixture of concern and something else. Then he left to go find a nurse. "James, you really don't remember?" Kinkade asked, leaning on the bed. "No. I don't. Now can we drop it?" Kinkade nodded silently, and Keith came in with a nurse. "Ah, so he is awake. Boys, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. We need to run some more tests on Mr.Griffin here, but he'll probably be discharged later today." Keith nodded and left the room wordlessly. Kinkade smiled at me and followed him out. 

Then the nurse smiled at me. "So, where to begin?"