I'll Be The One

Chapter 44:

=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 4/13/2019-5:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Arc General Hospital]

It was an absolute sob fest after Hunter revealed that he donated one of his kidney's to save Arianna, and his reasons why. Hunter didn't want people he cared about to feel the pain he had when he was unable to save his mother, who had also died from an illness they weren't able to cure or stop, so he, Gregory, and Salvatore watched helplessly as Vanessa Haddock died. Tallon cried that day, and he didn't care who saw it. Rachel was the one in hysterics of what Hunter did; thanking him endlessly. Dustin, and the rest of the Raseri males thanked Hunter as well, telling him that he was a good man. Arianna nor Hunter could leave their beds, so she reached her hand out and Hunter held it as she cried a bit, thanking him for saving her life. The friends also told Hunter he was a good person, and what he did was nothing short of incredible and heartfelt.

Hunter and Arianna spent another few hours in recovery before Miya had them taken to another room and allowed them to share after making sure it was alright with the family and Hunter first. However, it was now four days later since the transplant and Hunter was cleared to leave. He spent his four days visiting with Greg, his father, friends, and doing work from his laptop. Drew got his chance to talk to Miya for a few moments, setting up a time to sit down over dinner or something and actually talk about things between them. Hunter was more than ready to go home; he hated hospitals, but at least the reason he was in one was for a good cause. Hunter was just waiting on his release papers to sign; then he'd be going back to the apartment to get some rest.

Miya knocked and strolled in with a clipboard. "I am so sorry about the wait, Hunter," she apologized.

"It's alright," Hunter smiled, sitting up carefully. Everyone was in the room; it was nice that they could visit Arianna and Hunter at the same time. At least until now when Hunter was leaving.

"Well, here are you discharge papers. Your average things, home care, and restrictions following surgery. No heavy lifting over ten pounds for the next four weeks. You can return to school and work, but do be careful not to hit where your incision is. And I believe it goes without saying, no alcohol right now. After you've healed fully and had your follow up appointment; you can drink moderately," Miya explained.

"I understood all of this before the surgery, Miya. But thank you for telling me again," Hunter stated as he signed the spots he needed to.

"Alright, you're free then," Miya chuckled a bit. "Easy does it with getting out of bed," she warned lightly. Hunter carefully got up and took a minute to stand; finding his balance before moving.

"I really wish you'd consider staying home while you recover, Hunter," Salvatore mumbled.

"Dad, I'll be fine," Hunter rolled his eyes. "I'm just gonna be doing to school and work," he added. "I don't need round-the-clock care," he muttered.

"He's fine, Sal. His secret service is around, two of them happen to be boyfriend and friend; I'm sure Hunter has all the help he needs in his apartment," Gregory reminded Salvatore.

"We're all going with him," Drew assured. "We might not be secret service, but Hunter has access to all of us for help, sir. We live in the same building,"

"I suppose that makes me feel better," Salvatore nodded.

"Hunter, come here. I want to give you a proper hug, now what we're allowed to move," Arianna laughed a little. Hunter moved over to her as they both hugged, being careful of the other one. "Thank you again, for what you did for me,"

"You're welcome. And when you're finally out of here; we can put on that performance for your family," Hunter stated.

"I never finished the assignment," Arianna said.

"I turned it in for you. I had your recording and report on my laptop, so I sent everything to you teacher before I got admitted here for surgery. Not sure what your grade was, but betting you did fantastic," Hunter informed.

"In that case; I can't wait to get out of here and find out. I don't even care about all the makeup work," Arianna beamed.

"See, that's how I felt," Hunter laughed.

"At least you got to do yours here," Arianna pointed out.

"I made arrangements with my teachers before surgery. There were a few who knew what I was doing, for obviously reasons that they had to know to excuse my absence. Online courses for Advanced Logic and Languages. Music is easy; we're just working on our end of year stuff. And the term paper; I have all my research on my laptop, so all I do is type for that. I should have it done by the time I'm considered fully healed," Hunter chuckled.

"Lucky you," Arianna smiled.

"I have your work, sis," Elliot mentioned softly. "We have the same classes, even if we aren't on the same schedule. I'll bring it tomorrow for you; then you can work on some while you're still in here,"

"That was very nice of you to do, Elliot," Dustin stated.

"I know I've probably said it a thousand times since Tuesday…But thank you, Hunter. I never expected to get saved after the years of waiting…I had accepted it wouldn't happen, and that I would die…" Arianna held his hand.

"I'll leave you with a little advice my Godfather taught me growing up; expect the unexpected," Hunter poked her nose. "Sometimes people come into your life for a specific reason. I came into your life as your brother's boyfriend. Someone who hadn't been tested to save you as the others did prior. Funny that it worked out I was a match for you, isn't it?"

"I don't care how funny, coincidental, or whatever you want to call it is…You saved my life, Hunter. I am both eternally grateful and indebted to you," Arianna said softly.

"No debt; the only thing I ask of you is that you enjoy your life," Hunter smiled.

"I think I can manage that," Arianna nodded.

"Then we're square," Hunter shook her hand. "Get some rest; you're tired," he added.

"I will after dinner," Arianna replied.

"Good. Alright, let's move because I'm tired and hungry too," Hunter stood up again; he exited the room with his friends, father, uncle, and boyfriend.

. . .

[6:15 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

Getting back home, Hunter was happy to be there. Hunter stored his discharge papers in drawer or his desk because it acted like a file cabinet. Hunter set down his computer and other things that were at the hospital with him; he finally grabbed a shower with his own stuff and felt a lot better. Everyone else had cleared out to get home for dinner, assuming Hunter would want to relax. Greg, Tallon, and Salvatore were still over though. Hunter got back out to the main room and found that dinner was already cooked and ready to go, made by Salvatore himself.

"Thanks for dinner, Dad," Hunter said.

"Well, I thought you could use a little home cooking," Salvatore chuckled.

"Doctor said healthy stuff," Gregory reminded.

"Grilled chicken with rice and broccoli? Sounds great after four days of hospital food," Hunter smiled as Gregory brought him the plate after he had sat down. Flynn provided a water bottle for him too. "Thanks," he said, starting to eat instantly.

"How do you feel?" Tallon asked.

"A bit sore, but I'll live," Hunter replied. "How are you?"

"Me? I'm not the one who had surgery," Tallon stated lightly.

"But you are the one who has had a sick sister you thought you'd lose. You are the one who has been very emotional since that day she collapsed and when you found out I donated a kidney for her. So I'm asking if you are okay, babe?" Hunter kissed his cheek.

"Hunter…What you did for my family, my sister…Words aren't enough to describe it. Words aren't enough to thank you for it. I just…Can't believe you did it. You…Had no obligation to, were never asked…But as soon as you learned; you were on it in secrecy…" Tallon looked down.

"I didn't need to be asked or feel obligated, Tallon. It's just in my nature to help wherever I can," Hunter told him as Tallon looked at Hunter. "I would have done it for anyone. I am a listed organ donor if I die,"

"But you're not dead, Hunter…You're alive, and you still did it," Flynn remarked.

"Because I suppose you could say it felt personal to me. You're my boyfriend, she's your sister. I care about you, your family, our friends…Learning your sister was sick, had been for a while, and was dying…I just…Didn't want to sit back and let it happen. I knew it was a super slim chance that I was a match, but what kind of person would I be if I hadn't at least tried. Turns out, I was a match, and for once…I could stop what was happening. I was able to make sure you, and your family didn't have to feel the pain that me and my family did, and still do. I hate it, Tal…I hate being powerless, useless to stop things. I couldn't save Jay, my mom, any of my grandparents who died due to anything other than old age…But this…I could stop," Hunter told him firmly.

"I could give something to make sure someone I care about didn't die. To make sure people I care about didn't have to suffer that ungodly pain of loss and helplessness because they weren't able to do anything. I hated that feeling, Tallon. I despise it. It's the worst feeling in the world, and I had the ridiculously lucky chance to make sure you and your family didn't have to feel it. So I lost a kidney, and can't drink like I used to, which wasn't all that much anyway. It was worth it to be able to save Arianna's life," Hunter informed, cupping Tallon's cheek.

Tallon was on the verge of tears again, but Hunter smiled and leaned in to kiss his boyfriend. Afterward; there was tight hug, but nothing that would hurt Hunter, who was still healing from the transplant surgery. "You are amazing," Tallon sniffled a bit.

"I'm just me," Hunter said. "Hey, come on…No more crying. Everything is fine," Hunter smiled. Tallon nodded, composing himself, or trying to at least. Everyone had some dinner and talked more about whatever. Hunter was so glad to be home; he could ride out the rest of his recovery with ease now. All he had to do was make sure the place of surgery wasn't bumped hard, not lift anything over ten pounds, and worker shorter shifts. Small price to pay for saving Arianna's life, and totally worth the limitations he temporarily had.

. . .

[9:30 pm]

Gregory and Salvatore went home around 7:45 pm and Flynn had Harper come over to spend time with her. However, Hunter and Tallon ended up deciding to go to Hunter's room to relax and watch a movie together. The two of them were watching The Avengers because why not? It was a good, and funny movie. Hunter and Tallon were cuddled up on the bed, enjoying each other's company. Tallon was happy to be back in Hunter's arms; he'd missed it while Hunter was in the hospital.

"Do you want to spend the night?" Hunter asked out of the blue.

"Huh?" Tallon looked at him.

"I asked if you wanted to spend the night here with me, babe?" Hunter smiled.

"I'd love to," Tallon replied. "I've missed nights like this when you were in the hospital, and we haven't really done it in weeks,"

"You had other things going on with your sister being sick," Hunter said. "It's alright," he added. "Do you want to run down to your apartment and grab some night stuff, or no?"

"Probably should. Want to come?" Tallon inquired.

"Sure," Hunter said as they paused the movie and got out of Hunter's bed. The two of them left the apartment went down to Tallon's so that he could grab some sleep clothes, and a few personal items. The two returned by 10 pm and Tallon got comfortable in a t-shirt and sleep pants before joining Hunter on the bed once more. "Feel better?"

"Much," Tallon responded as Hunter grabbed the remote.

"Ready to pick up the movie again?" Hunter questioned.

"Ready," Tallon nodded. Hunter pressed play and the movie continued. Towards the end, their attention was on each other, making out, instead of watch the film. It happened pretty frequently for them, and next Saturday would mark two months that they'd been dating. Hunter felt like things were going pretty well between them, and Tallon felt the same. Was it enough to say they loved one another; it hadn't been discussed much. As agreed in the beginning; they were taking it slow and in Hunter's eyes, a pace that was comfortable for Tallon since this was new to him. Hunter knew Tallon was curious about all the sexually-related things too, but also knew he wasn't ready to get into all that yet. Which was fine for Hunter because in truth; he needed a little time to be ready as well.

His last male/male experience had been with Jay, two years and three months ago; the night before Jay died. Hunter needed some time to prepare for that again; he wasn't scared of doing it, and he knew what he liked, but it would be the first time doing it with someone else. Tallon understood that because Hunter was upfront about it. And for Tallon; it would be hist first time period, and Hunter explained to Tallon that he needed to actually be ready to go through with it. Tallon got that too, and wouldn't be jumping into anything until he was ready, but knew that Hunter would stop if Tallon suddenly had a change of heart and decided he wasn't as ready as he believed. Hunter assured Tallon of this, and it set Tallon at ease. But still, none of that mattered because neither of them were ready to do anything other than make out.

Thankfully, neither of them got turned on during making out. It happened sometimes, but would usually be unnoticeable and fade shortly if ignored. And then there was the morning wood problem, which could usually be fixed with a cold shower, or using the bathroom after waking up. Hunter and Tallon had both masturbating once or twice in their own showers; it typically happened when they'd be in their own apartments after hanging out. And Hunter might have done it once when Tallon was still over, but fast asleep in Hunter's bed while Hunter took a shower. It wasn't a crime, and no shame in it. Did either reveal that they'd done it? No, but there was no harm in not saying anything. Tallon considered telling Hunter he wanted to try things foreplay wise, but that was before Hunter donated a kidney and was recovering for the next month.

However, Tallon just wanted to give Hunter another week or so before saying anything; he knew Hunter was tired and sore right now. Plus, Tallon needed to make sure he was mentally prepared for all that, and debate if it was too soon or not. Hunter admitted he started doing things like that with Jay at four months together, but that was also because they were sixteen and it was new to both of them. Would Hunter feel comfortable doing it at two months together? Hunter did say on their one-month anniversary that he wasn't picky on pace, and would move forward when Tallon was ready to. Also, Hunter told Tallon to come to him when he was ready to try something outside of the box, or just drop hints. Still, Tallon decided previously when the making out started tonight that he wasn't going to shoot for anything right now; not until Hunter had more time to recover.

The movie ended, and they had stop to catch the last fifteen or so minutes. Tallon considered bringing up the foreplay thing to Hunter now, and plan for it to maybe happen in a week, but saw Hunter yawn and knew it wasn't a good time. Hunter was sore, and tired from surgery, so Tallon wouldn't keep him awake.

"Let's get some sleep," Tallon suggested to his boyfriend.

"Sounds good," Hunter replied as he got up. "Just gonna use the bathroom first," he said and moved over to where his restroom was. A few moments later; he returned and Tallon went next. The two got under the covers and snuggled up together comfortably. "Night, babe," Hunter smiled.

"Night, baby. Sleep well," Tallon responded gently. The two shared another few kisses before closing their eyes and drifting off to sleep.