Darkness

Doctor

Much to Scott's surprise Avi allowed him to carry him once they arrived at the facility. Due to the lack of oxygen and other changes in Avi's body his limbs were cramping painfully and he was experiencing more pain than before which threatened to push him back into his head and the memories of his last hospital visit. He tensed when Mitch shut the door of the car once he was securely against Scott's chest in his arms and put his head down on his shoulder.

"I know" the baritone mumbled. "But I'll stay with you until I can take you home again." Scott had one arm under Avi's thighs and his other hand on his back to keep him from falling backwards and even though it wasn't easy he managed to carry him inside.

Avi tensed again when he heard the voices from other people in the waiting area and whimpered. Everything was too much. His by now slightly slowed down breathing picked up again and, mixed with the smell, triggered another episode. He couldn't hold back a pain filled grunt as the trembling got worse.

Scott was helpless. Seeing Avi like this hurt, so bad, and silently begged for help when he looked at Mitch.

The smaller man frowned and thought for a minute, then carefully guided Avi's head forward until the basses nose was buried in the crook of Scott's neck. He hoped that the familiar and comforting scent would help him relax again, at least until he would receive treatment. Then he turned back to talk to the receptionist.

The baritone had zoned out at some point, he was focusing on Avi who, by now, finally accepted soft back rubs. Scott seemed surprised when one of the nurses brought them to one of the rooms down the hallway. He sat down on the examination table with Avi on his lap and pressed a soft kiss on his hair while Mitch stood next to them.

"Mr. Avriel Kaplan?" A young, male doctor entered and looked up from his clipboard he was holding.

Avi flinched and presses his nose tighter against the crook of his boyfriend's neck while Scott nodded and rubbed his lower back. "Yes, that's him."

"Alright. I'm Dr. Abbott, hi." He sat down on stool and scooted closer to Scott and Avi, shook Scott's and Mitch's hands. "The nurse told me that he has trouble breathing?"

"He's having a panic attack. It's never been that bad" Scott said. "Avi usually calms down pretty fast, especially when someone is there and guides him through it but he's...he's just stuck in his head and he's been hyperventilating for too long now." The baritone explained his boyfriend's medical history, the symptoms he was experiencing right now and the mistreatment back in Big Bear.

The doctor thought for a moment, then he nodded. "Since he's been sedated against his will in the ER I would prefer to stay away from everything that could potentially knock him out" he said and scooted closer to Avi. "However, I have to rule out that he is not having a heart attack or something else, especially after what you have told me. Hey Avi? I'm James. I'm here to help you" the man said and introduced himself again. "Can I have a look at you real quick?"

Avi lightly shook his head.

"Avi..." Scott mumbled, but the bass just shook his head again. Then the tall blonde looked at the doctor again. "I'm sorry, he-"

"No, it's alright. He's responding. That's good. Avi, I just want to help you calm down. You can stay right there with Scott, right in his arms. There's this little funny thing I want to put on your finger to measure your oxygen level." He took the clip and reached out, but once he came in contact with his hand the bearded man quickly pulled it away. "Can Scott do it then?"

Scott was allowed to put the clip on his finger. He even managed to pull the damp shirt over his boyfriend's head and ended up quickly shaving a few spots of his chest hair to keep the sticky pads used for the EKG from falling off again. Both Scott and Mitch anxiously looked at the doctor.

"The numbers are totally fine. His oxygen levels are good, his heart rate is a little elevated, which is definitely normal right now. And you're doing amazing with your breathing, Avi. Good job" he said and smiled lightly.

The mess of thoughts and memories in Avi's brain cleared up slowly. He had figured out how to match his breathing with Scott's and it had gotten easier and less stressful to get more air into his body. The constant praise from his boyfriend made it easier and, being so close to him, had made the encounter with the doctor bearable. Avi still didn't like being there but it seemed as if at least a tiny fraction of one of his braincells had noticed that getting help was good. His headache got less and his heart slowed down, the pressure of his chest slowly disappeared. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

"He's getting calmer, Mitchy" Scott mumbled and pressed a soft kiss on the side of Avi's head while he looked at his best friend. "Thank God." He noticed that the weight on his shoulder got heavier.

Mitch hummed. He was tired and half asleep already, but when he saw the doctor reaching for a syringe he blinked. It either meant that they'd go home soon, if Avi was okay with what would happen, or that they had to stay a little longer if he pushed himself into yet another panic attack.

"Two?" the baritone asked and frowned.

"For his cramping limbs due to the hyperventilation and the other one to help him sleep and clear his thoughts a little. It's not strong but it should help. It'll be quick. Avi?"

This time he slowly turned his head. "Mh?"

"Can you squeeze Scott's hand really, really hard? As hard as possible?"

He grunted softly and weakly patted Scott's thigh on the search for his hand. Once he had found it he squeezed as tight as possible, but to Scott it felt like a regular handshake. Avi was drained.

"I guess we have to find a new shirt for you to wear, hm?" Scott mumbled to distract his boyfriend. "You're all nakey, I can't let the ladies outside see you like this. You're all mine" he mumbled and pressed another kiss right on the tip of Avi's ear. "My precious."

For the first time in what felt like forever the corners of Avi's mouth twitched and he smiled lightly. He barely noticed the pinch from the syringes shortly after each other and then Scott let go of his hand and allowed him to go back to hiding against his chest. He heard Scott, Mitch and the doctor talk, about therapy or a follow up appointment in the next upcoming days but all what mattered to him right now was the warmth coming from Scott's skin.

"Alright, that's it. I don't want to stress him too much now. The marks on his hands don't look too deep. When you're home you can put some ointment on them and either lightly bandage them to protect the bedding or just let it dry a little. It should heal and disappear in just a few days" Dr. Abbott said and got up. "Take care, yeah?"

"We will. Thank you so much" Mitch replied with a soft smile and shook the man's hand.