When You Crashed In The Clouds/III

When you crashed in the clouds/ Part III

Billy hears it from Cooper. He asks him to repeat it just to make sure and hangs up on Cooper's pleas to not do anything rash. Then he runs. The hospital is close to his house and asking the car to be prepared would raise too many questions.

He makes it to the right room with minimum hassle. Everyone knows who he is and this time he doesn't hesitate to use it.

He stops at the door, looking in. Except for the lone figure asleep on the bed, the room is empty. He steps in.

Johnathan's chest is wrapped in white bandages. And his wrist is in a cast. He knows there are probably many other cuts and bruises in places he can't see.

"Oh Jay" he whispers, pausing at the edge of the bed.

He reaches out and brushes his fingers gently over Johnathan's. The doctors had told him that Johnathan would be fine. That he'd heal and able play footy like before. But the fact that he is here at all, hurt and broken is not something Billy can accept. Even if they aren't together anymore. Even if Johnathan had hurt him, Billy still loves him. He doesn't think he can stop.

Billy touches his lips to Johnathan's forehead.

"I miss you" he whispers and tried very hard not to run out of the room, eyes burning.

---

They run. Johnathan holds on to Billy's hand and they run and run and run. Until they can't anymore and they collapse against the fence, gulping air by the lungful.

"Think we lost them?" Billy asks, finally straightening up as his breathing comes back to normal.

Johnathan listens, a slight tilt to his head.

After a moment, he nods.

"I think so"

"Good" Billy says, trapping Johnathan against the fence and kissing him thoroughly.

---

"I think he might be coming around"

Johnathan looks up from the ground where he is stretching, getting ready for training.

"Who?"

"My father" Billy says, leaning against the wall and watching Johnathan going through his ritual with an appreciative eye.

"That's good" Johnathan says in a level voice.

"Yeah…" Billy looks slightly confused, "yeah it's good. I didn't think he'd give over so easily"

Johnathan stands up.

He smiles.

"I'll see you after training" he catches Billy's lips lightly before running off to join the rest of his team.

---

The first time Billy had seen Johnathan, he'd been playing rugby at the local park. Billy had gone for a walk after he'd had enough of his father for the day.

He'd seen the local boys playing and stopped to watch. It had been a hot summer's day and no one was wearing any shirts and his eyes had immediately been drawn to the boy with the wings on his back.

It hadn't taken him long to be drawn closer, mesmerised by the beautiful boy who moved like magic on the field.

There had been a moment when Johnathan had scored a try and had been celebrating with his friends, laughing and cheering and he'd turned, smiling brilliantly and met Billy's eyes.

Billy had watched the smile fade as recognition dawned. Everyone knew who he was. The son of Richard Slater. Billy's heart had sunk, wishing desperately that he was someone else.

But Johnathan's smile had brightened again and he'd lifted a tentative hand in greeting.

Billy had smiled back.

He'd been late home that night.

And many nights after that.