Hey guys. So a couple days ago, the most wonderful Clarry gave me two most wonderful reviews, meaning 15 new reviews since I updated. Which is most wonderful. So I'm here to produce a hopefully most wonderful chapter. I lied; this isn't POV, cause I wimped out, but it follows one character more specifically. I've been toying with the idea of a Jagan version of Beauty and the Beast, so obviously I'm just obsessed with Disney Channel. Any thoughts? Or any thoughts on this? I also give out sneak peeks of the story to those who give reviews that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. So review!
A bit about my personal life…this is the part you can skip if you like. I just got back to Hawaii, and I missed my home so much, it's not even funny. The bummer is that my brother, an older friend of mine, and myself were driving home and got in a bit of an accident. Nothing too serious at all, but still, scary. I now have a burning passion for seatbelts. Also, about two weeks ago, I saw Big Time Rush, which was super amazing. You can check out the videos on my YouTube page: RAImlay731. Now I write.
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Big Time Rush or anything else you recognize.
The month seemed to drag on a slower than any other month in Dak's life. He visited Carlos every day, bringing him small things like chocolates that he couldn't eat or cards that he couldn't read. Dak once brought a stereo and a demo track of a new song that he acquired from Kendall. The actor occasionally even brought his scripts, reading out the carefully decided lines to his hospitalized companion. Of course, Dak didn't take any of the roles. How could he possibly attempt to portray a love stricken teenage boy without welling up in tears? In the three weeks that had passed, bringing them into August, Dak had gotten to know Kendall, James, Logan, and even Jett better. He now understood why Logan needed logic and reasoning on his side; it made him feel safer, protected almost to know which things could be real and which were figments of imagination. Dak had always gotten on with James since they both had such high levels of self confidence. But now Dak saw how insecure he was, and how he needed flattery and beauty now to make up for the days of his childhood spent in ridicule. The Diamond parents were never especially kind to someone that didn't have God given looks from day one.
Dak saw Logan and James's relationship from an entirely different angle now. They sort of depended on each other, James needing logic, Logan needing something to diffuse the constant tension that surrounded the boys these days. Dak could almost say they were a couple, if they had ever cuddled or kissed before. But no, the real sexual tension was from the other set of teens. Jett and Kendall never got along before, and that somehow lead them to have this perfectly balanced friendship that teetered on the edge of romance. Dak had seen the way Kendall's eyes flooded in anger and jealosy as the cocky actor had pressed lips with his best friend, and he had also seen the too-comforting way that Jett held Kendall in the waiting room of the hospital. Dak saw how they worked. He saw that Kendall was forced into leadership by his friends and forced into leadership by his family. This also gave Kendall an amazing kind of humbleness and self awareness that Dak admired. He saw that Jett didn't know better than to be arrogant, since it was the only way he was taught to act. They would educate each other.
But the best thing was how intimate he felt he was with Carlos now. Dak noticed how his eyebrows were perfectly shaped, and how his nose was round and cute in a sense, and hell if Dak didn't spend half his time gazing down at Carlos's lips. They were still plump and pink, somehow. The actor couldn't bring himself to kiss the unconscious teen though; what Logan said was right. It was highly illogical and just setting yourself up for failure. Dak would probably feel ashamed of himself for violating Carlos like that. But that didn't stop him from getting a thrill each time he looked at that mouth, thinking, "What if I woke him up?"
It had become normal for Dak to be with Carlos during visiting hours. He didn't want Carlos to be alone if he woke, so the only time he left during visiting hours was when one of the other guys had come. On this particular day, Kendall found Dak sitting cross legged between Carlos' legs at the foot of his bed, a book on his lap. The actor smiled up at Kendall, and pushed himself over Carlos' right leg to greet his friend.
"I'm going to head down to the drug store. I'll let you talk to him privately," Dak said in a hushed tone, as if to not stir Carlos from a nap. The blonde nodded, giving a small smile back and watching Dak exit the room. He had probably seen Jett by now; the other actor accompanied him all the way to the door of the Latino's room. Kendall adjusted Carlos' legs so that they were pressed together instead of spread apart, and he sat on the edge of the bed, glancing up at Carlos.
Kendall truly believed that other than Dak, he had been the most affected by Carlos' coma. The blonde always had an air around him of constant worry and fear. He was using all his energy on being concerned about Carlos' general health, and any other moment he spent being scared that his best friend wouldn't wake. Logan had answered his question in a trembling voice; Kendall could, in fact, be tried for involuntary man slaughter if Carlos died. He barely had enough emotional capacity to squeeze in confusion about the tingly, warm sensation that resonated in his body when he thought about Jett.
"Hey Carlos," he whispered shakily, reaching up and patting his knee. Kendall sighed, looking back down at his own legs. His whole body was shaking slightly. "You really got us worrying, buddy. Jett actually seems like he cares about something now. And James and Logan pretty much don't know what to do with themselves. James hasn't even tried talking to any girls in a few weeks and Logan…he can't even think about doing any sort of homework. His grades are slipping, Carlos. You've got me freaking out too. I mean, I'm so vulnerable. This whole thing is my fault."
Kendall took a shuttering breath, one hand coming up to rub at his eyes.
"Want to know something surprising? Jett helps a lot. I think I may be starting to…like him," Kendall let out a shaky laugh, before continuing. "I'm so scared Carlos. You always looked up to me, and you wouldn't want me to be scared, but this whole thing is too much. I'm trying so hard for everyone else…" The blonde's voice broke, and he choked down a sob. He straightened himself up, trying to regain some composure.
"Dak is here all the time. If you could hear me you would probably know this, but he really likes you. He cares about you, and he's probably more scared and concerned and hurt than any of us. I'm not trying to make you feel bad, Carlos. You just need to get better." Kendall stood, his shoulders hunched carelessly now. He shuffled himself closer to Carlos' head, and his watery eyes gazed down at the serene face. His long fingers reached out and stroked down his face, before coming back up and searching for the familiar soft black hair. It was shorter now than it had ever been before. Kendall's hands brushed over it, and gave a small smile, remembering the time Carlos grew out his hair for two years, only to shave it all off for charity.
What Kendall did next had nothing to do with trying to rehabilitate Carlos. It had nothing to do with being in love with the Latino, or anything to do with hidden affections. The only thing it had to do with was missing his best friend. Kendall leaned over slowly, tears rolling down his face, and placed a gentle kiss on Carlos' lips. He only held the press for a second or two before pulling away, sobbing. A tear fell onto Carlos' face, but Kendall didn't notice; he left the room quickly before anymore of the strong willed wall he built broke down. He passed Jett on his way out, and the actor pushed himself off the wall and followed the blonde to the restroom, waiting outside.
….
The drug store was boring. Dak figured that Kendall would take thirty or forty minutes to just speak to Carlos, seeing as that was the normal time his friends took. And of course, Dak only took about ten minutes himself to pick up a new tooth brush, tooth paste, and other toiletries. He milled around the store, wondering if there was any other shops around that could be of interest to him. The brunette finally strolled down a kids' section. Actually, it was not so much a toy or children's section, but one of those aisles with small things to amuse kids at birthday parties. Dak gazed up at the colorful piñata's, and he paused to flip open some cards. He found one with a monkey on it, and smiled, placing it in his basket. Carlos would enjoy this one.
Dak had unconsciously shuffled down the aisle, and his eyes were now fixated on a shelf of rubber ducks. His smile grew wider, remembering when his older brother would bring him home the small bath toys, each one having a different theme. The actor's gaze stopped roaming, and he quickly grabbed the toy that was making his grin grow even bigger. The duck reminded Dak of Carlos so much, and he knew he would like it.
Dak found his way to the check out, pulling some candy bars off the shelf and watching them get pulled down the small treadmill. The multi-colored haired teen sent a wink his way, but Dak pointedly ignored it, making sure the duck made its way into one of 'Thank You' bags. As he left the store and began walking back to the hospital, he pulled out his phone, dialing the familiar number of Logan.
"Hey Dak, what's up?" the other brunette's voice asked, and he heard James calling something out in the background.
"Can you bring Carlos' helmet to the hospital? And come quick." Dak only waited for the answer of assurance before hanging up and quickening his pace. He was itching to deliver the toy to Carlos now.
….
When Kendall finally exited the bathroom, his face was tinged pink; Jett was waiting with a soft smile, arms ready to embrace his taller friend. The blonde gladly hugged him, burying his face in the crook between Jett's neck and shoulder. The arms wrapped around him tightly were more comforting than Kendall could've imagined. The cocky actor was great at delivering care, surprisingly, and Kendall accepted it all.
Jett finally pulled away, concern and assurance in his green eyes. "He'll be alright," he had whispered in the softest tone the blonde ever heard, and Kendall felt a piece of him fall in love with Jett.
The next kiss Kendall delivered had everything to do with love and hidden affection. This was real.
….
Dak was seated Indian style between Carlos' legs again when Logan entered, James in tow, Kendall and Jett with clasped hands close behind. Dak smirked at the sight, but turned his attention back to Carlos. He pulled out the monkey card and a pen, handing it to James, and accepting it back when everyone had signed it. Dak placed it on the bedside table, and turned to Logan.
"You got the helmet?" he asked, and Logan smiled, handing him the sleek black hockey helmet. Dak put this near Carlos' left arm, and rested the hand on it. Dak may have been imagining it, but he swore he saw Carlos's fingers twitch over the familiar object. He reached back into the grocery bag, pulling out the bath toy and smiling down at it. The rubber duck wore a matching hockey helmet. When everything was set up the way Dak wanted, he turned to the four other boys. Logan and Kendall were smiling knowingly, and Jett quirked a brow as James slowly worked it out in his head.
"Why the helmet…?" the cocky actor asked slowly, and Kendall looked as if he were about to explain before Dak held up a hand to stop him and tell himself.
"Because," a somewhat shaky smile grew on Dak's face, "Carlos needs our protection."