Gordon + Comforting Hug

Post-Hydrofoil Accident

He was looking out the window, wishing he could be out there. He was constantly told that it would be soon, but he wanted to leave now. Soon wasn't quick enough for him.

A noise from the door drew Gordon's attention away from the window and the outside world, but he found that it was only Virgil entering the room. His family had been at his side constantly these past weeks, so it wasn't a surprise that his brother was here today. Gordon's gaze drifted back to the window, expecting Virgil to sit down in the chair next to his bed like he usually did.

"I have a surprise for you," Virgil said instead.

"Is it the key to break me out of here?" Gordon said back with a hint of annoyance in his voice that he made sure Virgil could hear. He continued to stare out the window, not bothering to give his brother his attention. Whatever Virgil's surprise was, it wasn't going to be what Gordon wanted.

"No, but you know it's not long until you'll be released, Gordon."

Gordon heard his brother let out a slight sigh. He knew that constantly asking about when he was going to go home was getting a little exasperating for his family, but he didn't care. It was the least he deserved after everything he went through, and he wanted to see something other than the four walls of his hospital room. His family, and so could his doctors, could put up with it for as long as was necessary until they finally let him go.

"Yeah, but then it's off to rehab. I just want to go home." Gordon finally turned to face Virgil, and it was just in time to catch the brief look of sadness that brushed over his face, before a smile reappeared.

"I know, and that's why I organised a little surprise for you. I had to wait until you were a little better, but we think you're now up for this."

Gordon raised an eyebrow at his brother's words, now feeling a little curious as to what Virgil had for him. He wasn't holding anything, so Gordon couldn't imagine what Virgil's surprise would be. He couldn't go anywhere, and Gordon didn't think Virgil was going to give him something he couldn't enjoy right now, he wasn't that cruel. So it had to be something physical.

"Okay, fine. You win. What do you have for me?" Gordon tried to feign disinterest so his brother didn't know he was actually quite intrigued now. He still wanted Virgil to know he was annoyed about being stuck at the hospital.

Instead of answering him, Virgil turned to the door. Gordon's curiosity grew when the door opened and he couldn't see anything on the other side.

But then a small, furry beast came trotting into the room.

Gordon's eyes lit up at the sight, and he sat up a little higher. A golden retriever plopped down to sit next to his bed, a tongue hanging out of his mouth, and Gordon's heart melted. He didn't even know whose dog this was or where he had come from, but Gordon already loved him.

A woman moved into the room behind the dog. Gordon looked up at her and then his brother, waiting for an explanation. They were both grinning at him.

"He's a therapy dog. He comes to the hospital to visit patients," Virgil explained, and then indicated to the woman next to him, "Margaret here is his handler."

"You can pet him, if you like," Margaret said, apparently reading Gordon's mind.

"Really?" Gordon looked up at her for confirmation, and Margaret nodded.

Gordon turned to the dog and, careful of his still healing body, he leant down to him and wrapped his arms around the furry beast to give him a big hug. The dog's fur was soft and smooth, and it was so nice to feel something other than hospital sheets against his fingers.

"What's his name?" Gordon asked without looking up from the dog. He rubbed the dog's fur, and could hear him pant close to his ear.

"Gus."

"Hello, Gus. You're a handsome boy." Gordon eventually sat up, but his hands didn't leave Gus' fur. Gus continued to pant as he looked up at Gordon, and Gordon gave his head a rub, which made Gus' tail wag a little.

Virgil started to ask Margaret questions about Gus and where else the two of them went together to visit others. Gordon half listened to what they were saying, but most of his attention was on Gus. He gave the dog head scritches and cuddles, and just enjoyed the comfort the dog brought. It felt way too soon when Virgil tried to get his attention.

"Gordon, it's time to say goodbye to Gus."

"What?" Gordon sadly looked up to the two people standing next to his bed. It felt like the dog had only just arrived, it was too soon for him to go!

"He and Margaret need to go and visit the other patients," Virgil smiled affectionately at where Gordon still had his arms wrapped around Gus' neck.

Gordon continued to gaze up at him, and then Margaret, before he sighed. He knew Gus couldn't stay here forever, as much as he wanted him to.

"Okay," he eventually muttered in a small voice. He gave Gus one last hug, before he pulled away.

"I can bring him back next week, if you want?" Margaret offered, and Gordon accepted faster than Virgil could answer. He knew he was still going to be here in a week, even though everyone said he would be leaving soon. It would be nice to have something to look forward to.

"Alright," Margaret laughed at his enthusiasm. "I'll speak to your brother about a good time to come back."

She grabbed onto Gus' lead, and started to leave the room.

"Bye, Gus! I'll see you soon!" Gordon called after the golden retriever as he obediently followed his owner out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind them, and then Virgil came over to stand close to the edge of Gordon's bed.

"So?" He crossed his arms as he grinned down at Gordon.

"Thank you!" Gordon latched onto his brother's shirt and pulled him down so he could hug him too.

"Woah, careful! Don't hurt yourself," Virgil chuckled as he loosened Gordon's grip, but gave him a gentle hug in return. "I thought you'd like it."

"I loved it."

His brother knew exactly what he needed, and now he felt the best he had in weeks, just because he got to cuddle a dog for a few minutes. He already couldn't wait for Gus to come back, and he could experience this feeling all over again. Maybe being stuck here wasn't too bad.

I remembered that hospital dogs were a thing and then I just had to write this!