Two days, it took two days before Aiden showed signs of waking up and Ethan was beside himself with worry. He hadn't left his twin's side since they found him. The rest of the pack took turns staying with them and bringing Ethan food.
When Aiden finally woke up, it wasn't a slow return to reality. He came awake with a startled, hoarse cry, and scrabbled backwards, falling off the exam table and onto the floor. Ethan's eyes widened and he rushed to Aiden's side. "Aidie, Aidie, it's okay, you're safe." His twin flinched away from the sudden movement, his arms coming up to shield his head, and scooted back until he was in the corner of the room, curled up and shaking, bracing himself as if for the inevitable blows of a fist. "I-I won't t-tell you anything 'bout the p-pack. I-I won't." It never mattered what they did to him, he wouldn't say anything.
Ethan's heard clenched in his chest. If he'd heard that correctly, Aiden had been tortured for protecting them, protecting the pack he didn't think he was a part of. His eyes filled with tears and he sat down, with his back resting against some cabinets. It was close enough to Aiden to let him know he wasn't alone, but enough distance so his brother wouldn't feel threatened.
He started talking about anything and everything he could think of, anything to calm his twin down. "So...I got a B+ on my last math test, I know I said I didn't want to take math, or even come back to school, but you were right. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, and I really like it after all." He'd talked non-stop for an hour before Aiden finally stopped shaking.
"A-am I-I dead?" The words were barely a whisper, Aiden's vocal chords still hadn't healed fully yet. The words took Ethan by surprise and he looked up to see Aiden looking at him, "No, no, you're not dead Aidie, you're safe, you're at Deaton's, you're safe." He could see his twin trying to process the words, and his heart sank when Aiden started talking again. "P-pack didn't want m-me...must be d-dead...can't be h-here."
Ethan's heart broke at those words, did Aiden really think they wouldn't come find him? Had they broken his trust that much? He looked up at the broken whimper coming from Aiden, and he slowly scooted over and gently wrapped his arms around his brother.
"Shhhh, Aidie, I've got you, you're safe. I won't let them hurt you again. I promise." He slowly started rocking Aiden back and forth. "I'm so sorry I didn't see what was happening. I got so caught up with everything, I should have made sure you were doing okay. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Aidie."
A tear slipped down Aiden's face, and soon he was clinging to Ethan, sobbing brokenly, he was finally safe, in Ethan's arms. His twin held him close, gently rubbing his back, "Shhh...it's okay Aidie, let it go, just let it go." He honestly couldn't tell you how long they sat there, but eventually, Aiden calmed down, and fell asleep on him.
Danny and Scott came over to bring a fresh change of clothes and food, but they paused when they saw the twins in the corner. Danny set down the clothes, "How is he?" Scott followed up, setting the food down, "Did he say anything about who did this to him?" Ethan just shook his head, "He was scared when he woke up, terrified, he kept saying that he wouldn't tell them anything about the pack."
He sighed, continuing to gently rub Aiden's back, "He thought he was dead, because I was actually here. My guess would be that it was hunters of some sort, because the enemies we've made would have used...much different methods of persuasion."
Scott nodded, "I'll talk to the Argent's, see if they've heard or know anything about other hunters in the area." They glanced over at Danny, who was pulled some blankets out and draped them over Ethan, letting him adjust them over Aiden. "Is there anything else I can get for you babe?" Ethan just shook his head, "I think we'll be okay, but maybe, if you can ask Deaton if he thinks it'll be okay to move Aiden back to our house? It'll be more comfortable for him."
Danny smiled and leaned down to kiss his mate, "Alright, love you Eth, and I'll be right back." He headed out to find Deaton and left Scott there with Ethan and Aiden. "So, someone was trying to get information about us?" Ethan nodded to Scott, "That's what it sounded like." Scott just shook his head, "He can't be on his own anymore, this is my fault. If I'd just brought him into the pack, none of this would have happened."
Ethan was about to reply, but his attention was diverted by Aiden starting to move restlessly in his sleep. "Shh, Aidie, you're safe, it's okay, I've got you." He stroked his brother's hair gently, letting him know he wasn't alone, and that he was safe. Once Aiden settled down again, Ethan looked up Scott. "It's not your fault, if anything, it's mine. I didn't notice anything was wrong. He's my brother, my twin, I should have known, I should have seen it."
They each stayed silent, not willing to give up the blame. The silence was only broken when Danny came back in, "I talked to with Deaton and he said Aiden should be okay to more. We can take him home now if you like." Ethan looked down at his sleeping brother, then nodded, "He's exhausted, but he'll sleep better in an actual bed."
Danny and Scott quietly gathered up their things and put them in the car, then gently helped carry Aiden to the car. Ethan got in first, and they laid Aiden in the back, his head pillowed on Ethan's lap. Then they drove off, hoping they could get him home before he woke up.