Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Inside Out ❯ Hesitation and an Apology ( Chapter 15 )

Elias was fed up with the nurses and he hadn't even been awake that long.

The painkillers had helped him sleep through the night, and when he awoke the next morning, it was because of a stupid Nurse who insisted he take several pills. Not only that, but after he had sleepily complied, she refused to let him go back to bed!

 

So Elias had sat in his bed, positively bored, and waited for his brother to show up. He had picked at the rather questionable meal that the nurse had provided him sometime around noon, and he was still dissecting it when Lucas walked in. His eyes lifted from the grey blob that was supposed to be mashed potatoes, and he couldn't help the small, pleased grin that broke out onto his lips. Lucas returned his smile, although he didn't seem so pleased to see him, and began to unbutton his jacket.

 

Hopes faltering, Elias set down his fork and pushed away his tray of food. The commode slid easily from him, and he leaned forward, ignoring the small stinging in his back at this action. Tilting his head to the side, he watched as Lucas set his jacket down and then sat down on a chair. Furthest from him.

 

“What's wrong?” he asked immediately, almost afraid to hear the answer. Lucas hadn't even said hello to him, and now he wasn't meeting his gaze. “Did something happen?”

 

Lucas lifted his eyes then, and the indifference in them was startling. His expression was blank—emotionless, and he hadn't seen stoicism like this since… since…

 

Tears bubbled up inside of him, and he fought back the sudden stinging sensation in his eyes. Closing them, he squeezed his lids shut and sat back. His small shoulders began to shake, and they did not stop even when a warm, heavy arm fell around his shoulder.

He was pulled against a hard, unyielding chest, and fingers sifted through his hair.

 

“Don't cry, Elias. Nothing happened. It's just… we need to talk.”

 

Giving a soft sniff, Elias nervously tilted his head back. Lucas was watching him, and they locked gazes. One moment of silence stretched into two, and Elias could feel himself growing even more uneasy by the moment. What did he want to talk about? Had he…done something to upset him? And why was he looking at him like that?”

 

 

“Okay,” he said, nodding firmly. He struggled a moment to pull out of Lucas's grasp, and he couldn't hold back the gasp that escaped his lips as a sharp pain ran down his spine. Wincing, his hand moved to press against the bandaged area near his tail bone, and Lucas's hands tightened on his shoulders. “You should lie down.”

 

He helped him get back into a comfortable position, and once more adjusted the blankets and pillows to his liking. He avoided his gaze while he did this, and Elias could feel his heart sinking. He had done something wrong, then. If nothing bad happened, what else could explain it?

 

“Elias, I talked with Sheek last night about the living arrangements that are going to be made when you get out of the Hospital. No one is telling me anything about her condition either and I don't know how long she's going to be in ICU.”

 

“So can I come live with you?” he asked hopefully, his small hands gathering fistfuls of blankets. Lucas watched him a moment and gave a small smile before shaking his head.

“That can't happen now, Elias. I don't have any authority over you.”

“But you're my brother,” Elias blubbered. “You have to have some kind of legal right to me, I mean you're going to be twenty-one soon, and—”

 

Lucas raised his hand to silence the boy, and he complied. He could feel his lower lip trembling, and he found himself wondering; Does he really mean this, or does he just hate me?

 

 

-

 

The weather got steadily worse as the court date drew near, and although it was February, the snow continued to fall heavily. It was around three o'clock on the day before their father's scheduled date, and although it was early in the afternoon, it looked as if it was midnight outside.

 

Elias sat in the chair beside his bed, his eyes looking longingly out the window. He didn't care if it was snowing outside. He just wanted to get out of the Hospital.

 

Lucas had visited him occasionally, but Elias had taken note that he hadn't been doing so as often as he'd done before. Butterflies fluttered nervously in the pit of his stomach, and he drew his legs up on the chair beneath him. Hands fidgeting in his lap, he gave a small sigh before letting his head fall back. Closing his eyes, he tried to imagine a time when everything was alright. A time when they were younger, and their mother and father were sober all of the time, unless it was for a special occasion like Christmas. A time when he didn't have to worry about abuse or the absence of his older brother.

 

A small smile curled his lips upwards, but a knock tore him from his reverie.

Eyes opening in a startled manner, he spun around in his chair to see who was at his door.

Was it Lucas? No, it wasn't Lucas.

 

Curtis stood in the doorway, snow sprinkled along his hair. He wore a thick coat, and he had his scarf in his hands. His dark eyes looked wary, and he gave the boy a sheepish smile. “Can I come in?”

 

Dropping his legs to the floor, Elias let his gaze wander over him warily. He hadn't seen him since the fight that they'd had about the drugs. He hadn't even thought about him much, since he had had so many things running through his mind. He briefly considered saying no, so that he wouldn't have to deal with the stress of having his ex best friend on his mind, but with a resigned look, he nodded.

Curtis stepped into the room, and gave a small glance around before he found the chair adjacent Elias. He sat down and leaned back. Elias stayed where he was, not wanting to make it too terribly obvious that he didn't want to be near the other. The last time, he'd discovered a not-so-nice secret of his friends and he'd gotten his ass kicked.

 

“How are you feeling?” he asked cautiously, his fingers lacing together in his lap. His left leg began to fidget, and Elias watched it intently. Anything to avoid his gaze.

He gave a mild shrug, before crossing his arms and leaning back in his own chair.

 

“I'm okay. The Doctor says I'm healing well, and David says that I can go home soon.”

 

“Who is David?”

 

“My physiotherapist.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Yes, Elias had apparently needed a physiotherapist. He hadn't damaged anything severely when his back had been rammed into the mirror, but the trauma executed on his nerves accompanied by the week of sleeping he had done, as David had explained, had been the reason for his soreness. He needed to stretch and work the muscles in his lower back in progression, and David had to be there to monitor him.

 

“Look, I came here to talk to you.”

 

More talks? Elias thought wearily. What does he want to talk about?

 

“About what?” Elias queried, the grip on his arms tightening as his arms curled tighter around his body in a self-hug.

 

“About what happened between us.”

 

“Us? Nothing happened.”

 

“Elias, we can't just leave it. I want to fix things. It's weird not hanging out with you.”

 

Snorting, Elias turned his head to look out the window.

 

“Yeah, well, you wouldn't be hanging out with me anyway because I'm always in the Hospital lately.”

 

“That isn't the point,” Curtis cut in. “The point is we need to make things better.”

 

“Why?” Elias asked with little emotion, his head turning back to fix onto Curtis's face. They made eye contact for the first time, and he held is gaze evenly. He was tired. He was just really tired of all of this. Thinking back to the older days, he felt selfish for complaining and feeling sorry for himself. He would have rather put up with an abusive brother than have to deal with everything else he had gone through.

 

“I came to apologize,” he stated, his hands slipping from one another. He leaned forward suddenly, and resting his elbows on his knees, he lowered his head. Silence stretched between them, and Elias felt himself growing confused. Did he want him to say something? Because there really wasn't anything to say.

 

Even though it had been a while since he'd taken the beating for him, Elias was unsure of whether or not he was ready to forgive him. He knew he'd sworn never to say anything to him again, let alone try and patch up their relationship, but when faced with the situation, his resolve faltered.

 

Curtis lifted his head at the prolonged silence, and Elias's breath caught. His eyes, which had always been a sort of chocolate brown, were large as usual, but held a tired look to them he had never seen before. Dark shadows ran along the normally fair skin under his lower lids, and his face in general just looked drawn.

 

“I don't know,” Elias found himself saying, running his hands along his upper arms.

“I don't know,” he repeated, shaking his head. Curtis leaned forward, and an arm reached out to run along his own. Goosebumps rose on the boys skin, and he leaned away from the touch. Curtis frowned and gave a small sigh, before his hand dropped away.

 

“You have no idea how sorry I am.”

 

“I think I do.”

 

“Then why won't you forgive me?”

 

“Because even though you're sorry,” Elias began, “that doesn't mean it won't happen again.”

 

Curtis opened his mouth to say something, his brow drawing together in a frown, when a knock landed on the doorframe. Elias looked over his shoulder, and he felt himself go very still at the sight of his brother. Lucas was not paying attention to him—oh no. His eyes were fixed on Curtis. His jaw was firm, and his hand curled slowly around the doorframe. Elias recognized that look and got to his feet quickly.

 

“You should go,” he said quietly, looking down at the floor.

 

Curtis realized what was going on, and he stood up.

 

“I'll come back again,” he said, turning the collar of his jacket up. “And we can talk later?”

 

Elias didn't know what else to do, other than nod. If Curtis didn't get out fast, his brother would lose his cool and end up doing something that they would both probably regret. He turned to watch as Curtis made his way out the door, and Lucas stepped aside for him. His eyes followed him as he wandered down the hall, and when Elias slumped back down onto his bed, Lucas turned, stepped into the room, and closed the door behind him.

 

He locked it.

 

“What the hell are you doing?” he hissed, pointing back to the door. “That kid got you sent to the Hospital, and now you're friends with him again?”

 

Lifting his head, Elias picked nervously at the material of his blankets. Lucas wasn't finished, and he didn't allow Elias to speak, cutting him off instead.

 

“If I ever see that kid back here, he'll be lucky he's in the Hospital already. Do you hear me?”

 

“Why?” Elias yelled, pulling himself back to the head board. “Why would you care? You don't come here anymore anyway! I'll be friends with whoever the hell I want!”

 

“Watch your mouth,” Lucas snapped, and in two strides, he had moved to the side of the bed, and his fingers curled around Elias's slender upper arms. He gave him a rather angry shake, before pulling him up some. Elias's head fell back, and he stared with wide, fearful eyes at his brother.

 

“I don't want him here anymore. If he comes again, call a nurse. Or I'll make sure that good for nothing bastard doesn't come back myself. Do you hear me, Elias?”

 

His lower lip trembled. Even as he tried to hide the tears, even as he forced a mask of stoicism on his face, his lower lip began to shake. Why, oh why couldn't he hold back his tears? Why was it so easy for him to cry? Was he just a wimp?

 

A loud bang on the door had Lucas's hands slip from the boy's arms, and he stepped back. A soft `click' resounded through the suddenly silent room, and a doctor, followed by several nurses came in.

 

“What's going on in here?” he thundered, looking positively irritated. “And why is the door locked? Doors are not supposed to be locked unless instructed so by as physician.”

 

One of the nurses noticed Elias's frightened, tearful expression, and she came over to the bed. But not before shooting Lucas a questioning look. The look was not lost on him, and he glanced to Elias. After many previous experiences, Elias was no fool. He recognized that look, and stifled any sobs that were making their way up his throat.

 

 

 

“What's wrong, honey?” The nurse asked, bending down and laying a hand over his shoulder. Elias shook his head and dropped his eyes to the sheets, his nails biting into the skin of his palms. When he failed to answer, the nurse looked back up to Lucas, who was quick to reply. “What?” he snapped. The nurse's arm tightened around Elias's shoulder, before she stood up and patted his shoulder.

 

“It's okay, sweet heart. Do you want something for your nerves?”

 

“No drugs.” Lucas said firmly. “I want to talk to him.”

 

This nurse, obviously not intimidated by Lucas's abnormally tall figure, tilted her head back and placed her hands on her slender hips. “Excuse me?” she asked, cocking her head to the side. “And who are you to deny medication to one of our patients?”

 

“I'm his brother,” Lucas quipped, crossing his arms. He assumed a rather intimidating pose—or so Elias thought it was—with his feet splayed, and his head back, green eyes narrowed dangerously. His dark hair fell along his forehead, and the effect against his fair skin made him look like some kind of Angel. A fallen Angel, Elias thought.

 

They stared at one another for a moment, before the Doctor interrupted their heated exchange. “No time for useless arguing,” he grumbled. Heading over to the charts situated beside Elias's bed, the man scanned them briefly before dropping them back against the wall. Sticking his hands inside his coat pocket, he looked to Elias and then to Lucas.

 

“I told you Mr. Taylor, things would need to be finalized before we can release him.”

“I was told,” Lucas replied, stepping forward. His arms dropped to his sides, and everyone, including the nurse who had glared at him so daringly before, took a step back.

“that Elias would be discharged today if he felt he was ready. Mr. Karol says (the physio therapist) that the healing is going good, and that if he thinks he can continue to progress outside of the hospital, all he needs is a signature.”

 

“Yes, well, we have to discuss this option with the boy before we can decide on any concrete arrangement—after all, he will require constant attention the first few days. We need to know if his living environment is safe.”

 

“Of course it's safe!” Lucas yelled. He lifted his hands for emphasis, and his long legs carried him to stand in front of the doctor. “Do you think I would let my kid brother go home to something dangerous after what just happened?”

 

The Doctor's eyes narrowed and he pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose before giving a small sniff. “I will not tolerate your attitude sir. I kindly ask you to leave.”

 

“No.”

 

“Do I have to call security, Mr. Taylor?”

 

“I want to go home.”

 

All eyes turned to Elias, who was still staring at his bed sheets. His palm had begun to sting, and so he was nervously flexing his fingers. Curl in, stretch, curl in, stretch.

Hesitantly, he lifted his head to look at everyone who was looking at him. One of the nurses was already by the door, ready to go get someone on the security staff at the doctor's command. The other however, was standing protectively between Lucas and the bed.

 

“I want to go home,” he repeated. “I feel okay, and I just want to leave.”

 

Lucas gave the doctor a peculiar look, and the man rubbed his temples and nodded some. The nurse by the door relaxed, but looked nervously down the hall. Almost as if she was going to run if Lucas made any sudden movements.

 

The silence was thick in the air, and Elias felt as if he could almost taste the tension. Swallowing nervously, he cast a glance to Lucas, who in turn, was looking at him. It seemed as if some silent exchange was made, before Elias spoke up again. He really did want to get out of the Hospital. If he did, he wouldn't have to see Curtis again.

 

But that also meant he'd still be away from Lucas. He hadn't been informed on where he was staying until their mother recovered, but he had a slight inkling that it wouldn't be too close to his brother. And this made his stomach curl into a knot. Forcing his lip to strop it's trembling; he twisted his blankets between unsteady hands.

 

“If he signs whatever needs to be signed…can't I just go home?”

 

“It's not that simple,” the Doctor began kindly. “We'd need to make several appointments for you with the physiotherapist at your home—just to see how you're doing, of course—and we would also need to check and see if the home you are returning to is suitable.”

 

“I already told you,” Lucas seethed. “That his godparents offered to look after him. I gave you all of the required contact information, and all you have to do is call them!”

 

“Mr. Taylor, we require your co-operation for this to work,” one of the Nurses said firmly.

 

“It's his birthday tomorrow,” Lucas quipped. “Don't you think you could cut me some slack and let him out? Jesus, you're acting like this is a goddamned prison.”

 

Elias grew irritated by the fact that no one seemed to be paying any attention to him. Swinging his legs off of the bed, he pushed himself from the mattress. Despite his worry earlier about having angered Lucas, he hesitantly made his way to stand behind him. When his hand curled around Lucas's, the man automatically gave it a firm squeeze, but he did not take his eyes away from the doctor. The Nurse had a startled expression written along her face, and the Doctor seemed perturbed by his actions.

 

“Please?” Elias whispered. Despite his anger, his voice came out small, and sounded more like a plea then anything. He used his brother's tall form to hide behind, and averted his gaze when the Nurse who had tried to protect him earlier, gave an exasperated sigh. The Doctor was silent a moment, before he cleared his throat. Lucas's grip on Elias's hand grew tight, almost painfully so, and Elias waited nervously for a reply.

 

“I will only release him to you on one condition and one condition only.”

 

Elias's heart thudded dully in his chest, and Lucas's hand relaxed its grip on his.

 

“What?”

 

“He must stay with you for his first two weeks out of the Hospital. This way he will have somewhere to go while we get into contact with his Godparents.”

 

The hesitation was there. Elias could feel it, he could practically see it. Why would he hesitate in answering a question like that? All he had to say was `yes' and then they could both get out of there.

 

 

And if that was the case, why didn't he just say something?

 

 

A/N: I updated again. See, see? This shows that I wasn't lying. I am going to try my best and get at least one chapter up every three to five days. Once again I apologize for not getting anything up sooner. I hope you like this chapter. Read and review please. > <;