Once More With Feeling ZAINTSEE AU

Discharge Time

Zee was awake before his alarm in the morning. The place was spotless and he'd prepared his bed for Saint and the sofa would be made up for him that night. He was so eager to see Saint and make sure he was ok he left super early. He told himself Saint needed a proper breakfast to get ready for the rest of the day, but in reality he needed to see him to reassure himself Saint was ok. That nothing had happened to him in the hours they'd been apart.

He got ready and headed out. He picked up lots of Saint's favourite pastries and a fresh coffee then drove straight to the hospital. It was only when he stopped the car he realised it was only 8.30AM and that Saint might not be awake. "Oh well," he thought "I won't know til I try..." He strolled through the hospital and got to Saint's room and saw his friend still asleep. He decided to just sit next to him until he woke up. Once he got close he could see the bruises that were blooming on Saint's face and neck. He wanted to find the bastard that had hurt him and break every bone in his body. No one hurt his Saint and got away with it.

He tried to calm himself down, being angry would solve nothing. Saint needed him to be calm and supportive right now so that's exactly what he intended to be. He placed the coffee and pastries on Saint's table and sat down next to his bed. He was itching to reach out and hold Saint's hand, just so he would know Zee was there, but he couldn't disturb Saint while he was sleeping. He got himself comfortable in the chair and a few minutes later Saint seemed to be waking up. "Zee..." he said in a whimper. "No! Please!" He began tossing and turning which was when Zee realised he was having a nightmare. "Help me!" Saint cried. Zee sprung up from his chair and held Saint's hand. "Saint, its OK, I'm right here. No one will ever hurt you again." He swore. Saint was still thrashing around slightly so Zee cupped his cheek and continued "Come on Saint, wake up now. Please." Seeing Saint so distressed was breaking his heart.

Saint grabbed hold of Zee and hugged him tightly. He became aware of his surroundings and felt a little embarrassed that he was crying in Zee's arms again. He wiped his face on his blanket then pulled away. "I'm sorry Zee." He said looking away. "Hey!" Zee said moving so he was looking in Saint's eyes. "I'm your best friend. I love you and I am ALWAYS here for you ok?" Saint sighed but nodded slightly. "Come on," Zee continued "how many times did I cry on your shoulder after Kara?" He said, needing his friend to understand. "Let me be there for you for once, please?" Saint realised Zee was right. He didn't have to be the strong one this time. He turned and let his friend hold him til the memories plaguing him went away.

When Saint pulled away he noticed the pastries and coffee and his stomach growled. "Are those for me?" He asked hopefully. Zee smiled "Who else would they be for?" He said pushing the table over. Saint was beaming as he took his first sip of coffee. "I could get used to this..." he joked. Zee decided he'd do anything to see Saint happy like this. "Only the best when you're with me." He teased. "Eat up, Saint. We've got a busy day ahead." He passed the pastries to Saint after helping himself to one.

Just as they finished eating the nurse arrived. She explained that they weer ready for Saint's discharge and that he would be going home on some pretty strong pain killers for his face. They could make him sleepy so he needed looking after once he'd taken them. Then she explained that the bandages on his feet had antibiotic ointment on them and would need to stay on for a week. They couldn't get wet so he would also need help bathing to keep them dry. After the week was up a nurse would come around to remove the bandage and make sure it was healed enough. She gave him crutches to help him with walking but advised that he rest as much as possible. She left to get a wheelchair for Saint to get him to the car then he would be free to go.

Zee couldn't wait to get Saint home and make sure he was comfortable and happy and safe. He was so busy getting everything ready he forgot Saint was in a hospital gown and would need to get changed to come home. Thankfully he'd remembered to pack some of the clothes he'd collected for Saint. So he helped his friend walk to the bathroom while carrying them for him. Once they got inside and shut the door Zee helped Saint remove the gown. When he saw the bruises all over Saint's body, Zee's heart dropped, he wanted to cry or scream or kill someone. Saint looked down at the floor feeling ashamed that Zee had to see him this way.

Zee snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Saint's expression. "I'm sorry Saint, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I just hate the thought of you being in pain." He said softly. "Zee," Saint began, taking a steadying breath. "I'm not embarrassed I just don't want you treating me like I'm some fragile flower because of this. I couldn't stand it if our relationship changed." Zee had to laugh at this. "You? A fragile flower? Saint you're the strongest person I know. You having a few bruises isn't going to change that." He ruffled Saint's hair gently. "Now hurry up and get ready so we can go home. I wanna beat you at Left 4 Dead again." Saint laughed and pushed him gently. "In your dreams..." he said with a smile. He wondered how he could have doubted Zee, the one constant in his life beside his mother. He shook his head and continued getting ready. He couldn't wait to get home.