Chapter 4
It's not just that James can't breathe without Quade, because it is that always but only that he doesn't want to. He's sitting in the emergency room getting his nose fixed up because Kurtly had threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't get that damned bleeding fixed and Quade's down in the basement of the hospital getting his head scanned. James hadn't wanted to leave but here he is and all he can think about is how Quade is all he has in the world. Quade is all he's ever had and he's never asked for more. And now his brother has a fractured skull and the doctors don't know, they can't tell what the damage will be. James doesn't want to think about that. His mind shies away from any thoughts of Quade not recognising him, not remembering, not knowing what they are to each other.
So he stays as quiet as he can while they fix his nose and says thanks but no thanks to the painkillers because there's no way he's going to be less than 100% awake while Quade's hurt. Kurtly walks him back to the waiting room and all the boys are there, few of them a bit worse for wear but they're there and James could cry if he had the strength. He sits down instead next to Digby who pats him on the back and Dave brings him coffee, which he accepts but doesn't drink because he's staring at the white, white wall infront of him, keeping vigil for his brother.
---
He almost doesn't register it. The photo. He tries to ignore his hand shaking as he picks it up. It’s of the two of them, not even a year ago, taken at Kurtly's 21st birthday party. He doesn't know who took it but vaguely remembers Kurtly walking around with a camera dangling from his hands so it was probably him.
He's focused on something off camera and he remembers that it was probably Digby and Dave making fools of themselves on the dance floor. They had gotten ridiculously drunk that night.
But it's Quade that holds him. Quade is looking at him and the expression on his face...James hadn't seen because he hadn't been looking. Quade is looking at him like he's the most precious thing in the world, like he can't look away. James feels his heart constrict in his chest.
Quade.
---
"It's a basilar skull fracture," the doctor explains, "a fracture at the base of the skull" she adds helpfully.
"The fracture itself is not a problem, it'll sort itself out in a few weeks but there is a small tear in the membrane around Quade's brain. It is usually not a problem, and should heal up in about two days but we'd like to keep him here for observation in case of any complications, especially given the circumstance of the injury"
"So he's...he'll be alright?"
"If all goes well and there is no infection, I don't see why you can't take him home on Tuesday"
The relief is so strong that his legs almost give way and it's only Kurtly steady arm around him that keeps him upright.
"I gather that you're his partner, we have some paper work to be filled out and if there're any family that needs to be contacted-"
"I'm his brother"
The doctor looks surprised only for a second before gathering herself.
"I apologise. Would you be able to fill out the admission forms for your brother?"
James nods and is glad when Kurtly comes with him for the forms.
---
Quade's head is bandaged in white. They'd shaved off all his hair but that's okay. Hair will grow back and Quade looks fine without hair anyway. And there are other bruises, places where kicks had connected too hard, muscles twisted the wrong way but nothing that would keep Quade back.
There are dark circles under his eyes that the doctor had told him was because of the fluid leaking out of Quade's brain but other than that, Quade looks whole. And James can feel himself tearing up and wipes at his eyes angrily.
He slumps down on the chair next the bed. He'd already made it clear to the nurses and Kurtly, especially Kurtly, that he's going to stay. Kurtly had cursed but when he'd left his eyes had been fond.
"Take care of your brother, we'll come back tomorrow"
It's not just that James can't breathe without Quade, because it is that always but only that he doesn't want to. He's sitting in the emergency room getting his nose fixed up because Kurtly had threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't get that damned bleeding fixed and Quade's down in the basement of the hospital getting his head scanned. James hadn't wanted to leave but here he is and all he can think about is how Quade is all he has in the world. Quade is all he's ever had and he's never asked for more. And now his brother has a fractured skull and the doctors don't know, they can't tell what the damage will be. James doesn't want to think about that. His mind shies away from any thoughts of Quade not recognising him, not remembering, not knowing what they are to each other.
So he stays as quiet as he can while they fix his nose and says thanks but no thanks to the painkillers because there's no way he's going to be less than 100% awake while Quade's hurt. Kurtly walks him back to the waiting room and all the boys are there, few of them a bit worse for wear but they're there and James could cry if he had the strength. He sits down instead next to Digby who pats him on the back and Dave brings him coffee, which he accepts but doesn't drink because he's staring at the white, white wall infront of him, keeping vigil for his brother.
---
He almost doesn't register it. The photo. He tries to ignore his hand shaking as he picks it up. It’s of the two of them, not even a year ago, taken at Kurtly's 21st birthday party. He doesn't know who took it but vaguely remembers Kurtly walking around with a camera dangling from his hands so it was probably him.
He's focused on something off camera and he remembers that it was probably Digby and Dave making fools of themselves on the dance floor. They had gotten ridiculously drunk that night.
But it's Quade that holds him. Quade is looking at him and the expression on his face...James hadn't seen because he hadn't been looking. Quade is looking at him like he's the most precious thing in the world, like he can't look away. James feels his heart constrict in his chest.
Quade.
---
"It's a basilar skull fracture," the doctor explains, "a fracture at the base of the skull" she adds helpfully.
"The fracture itself is not a problem, it'll sort itself out in a few weeks but there is a small tear in the membrane around Quade's brain. It is usually not a problem, and should heal up in about two days but we'd like to keep him here for observation in case of any complications, especially given the circumstance of the injury"
"So he's...he'll be alright?"
"If all goes well and there is no infection, I don't see why you can't take him home on Tuesday"
The relief is so strong that his legs almost give way and it's only Kurtly steady arm around him that keeps him upright.
"I gather that you're his partner, we have some paper work to be filled out and if there're any family that needs to be contacted-"
"I'm his brother"
The doctor looks surprised only for a second before gathering herself.
"I apologise. Would you be able to fill out the admission forms for your brother?"
James nods and is glad when Kurtly comes with him for the forms.
---
Quade's head is bandaged in white. They'd shaved off all his hair but that's okay. Hair will grow back and Quade looks fine without hair anyway. And there are other bruises, places where kicks had connected too hard, muscles twisted the wrong way but nothing that would keep Quade back.
There are dark circles under his eyes that the doctor had told him was because of the fluid leaking out of Quade's brain but other than that, Quade looks whole. And James can feel himself tearing up and wipes at his eyes angrily.
He slumps down on the chair next the bed. He'd already made it clear to the nurses and Kurtly, especially Kurtly, that he's going to stay. Kurtly had cursed but when he'd left his eyes had been fond.
"Take care of your brother, we'll come back tomorrow"
To be continued.
You know I adore this pair and fic :D Please continue! Continue!
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