A/N: Heyyy! Looky, all the relationships have progressed! Yay!
SteamPunk Wilson: Aww, after him kissing people and they always run off, it's nice for Madison to stay with him :)
That Mullette was adorable. Laf is actually a very good cross dresser and I assume Herc is aware of this, or just went with it on the spot. Either way, that was a very cute date :)
Reply: Danke! (See, I know Spanish) I'm so glad you enjoyed it. (Btw those are two separate reviews from the same person) And Laf went with it on the spot. He occasionally likes to dress in skirts and more feminine clothing. This was the first time he's worn it out :) Hope I've cleared something's up.
On with the chapter!
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"Mr Madison?"
"Yes?"
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave the room."
"Why?"
"We're doing a final check before he's let out."
"Of course!"
James scuttled from the room, as per nurses orders, leaving his jacket on the plastic chair. Sally entered, smiling at a now sulking Jefferson. "Thomas?'
"Mr Jefferson," Thomas was quick to correct her, they most certainly were not in a position to call each other by first names.
Sally grinned awkwardly, "Sorry, Mr Jefferson, I'm going to help you walk today, okay?" She paced up to the bed. "If you get the hang of it you'll be out by tomorrow."
At this Thomas's face lit up, to be let out was what he wanted the most. "Okay, let's walk."
Sally carefully helped Jefferson turn around in his seated position. "Place your strong leg on the ground first," Thomas followed these instructions, placing his left leg on the floor. "Good, now put the weight on that foot, while I grab what will be your temporary cane." And so Thomas was left sat with one foot on the ground and Sally rushed to the door, picking up a cane Jefferson hadn't noticed before. She quickly scrambled back over, cane in hand. "Right, grab hold of the handle in your right hand and balance your weight on both your good foot and the cane," Sally directed, handing Thomas the cane. He glared at her, pushing weight onto both and attempting to stand up, this failed and he fell back onto the bed, sighing dramatically. "It's okay, most people take at least three attempts to stand up."
Jefferson glared at his smiling nurse, "Oh, hurra! That makes me feel so much better!" He spat sarcastically and spitefully.
Sally just laughed, she'd had her fair share of stubborn patients, but Thomas was probably the worst. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." Sally nodded, "try again!"
Jefferson pressed his weight onto both cane and foot, willing himself to stand up. Willpower. He prayed, and stood. His feet wobbled, legs shaking violently. Sally grabbed under his arms, helping to steady the man. "Place the cane slightly in front of you," Sally said, waiting for Jefferson to balance himself before removing her hands from under his arms. Thomas stood, wavering a little, but keeping his balance.
James was watching through the window that were in the door, pride shining in his eyes, seeing Thomas stand and not fall. He could see the happiness etched on Jefferson's face, his lips curled into a wide smile. Madison smiled too, he wasn't sure what made him so happy and proud, he just was.
Thomas grinned incredibly widely, wobbling slightly but catching himself before he could even fall. Sally stayed close to Thomas, just in case he were to fall. "Can you take a step for me?" Sally questioned.
"I'll try," Thomas took a deep breath, stepping forward with his left leg. (The strong one.)
"Now place the cane in line with your left leg," Jefferson did so, sighing a little, "great! Now, swing your right leg forward, and place it on the floor." Thomas almost yelped, but managed to take his first proper step.
James wanted to applaud, he was giddy.
WELL DONE, TOMMY! James thought to himself, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Inside the room, Sally was smiling. "Try again, Mr Jefferson!"
"Thomas," Jefferson grinned happily, stepping his left foot forward, cane then right foot. He smiled again, chuckling in his happiness.
"Okay, Thomas! Then, allow me to say once more, I'm Sally!" She smiled. "You've definitely surpassed my expectations on how fast your recoveries been," Sally spoke.
"Merci," Jefferson graciously grinned, turning his attention to the door, seeing Madison's smiling face. Not caring what the nurse said, he signalled James in. James came bounding in, one of the happiest Thomas had ever seen him.
"Tommy! I'm so proud of you!" James exclaimed, wanting to throw his arms around Jefferson more than ever, but he had to restrain himself.
"I'm proud of me too," Thomas winked playfully.
Sally stood awkwardly to the side, smiling at her feet. She couldn't help how she felt.
Thomas (incredibly) slowly hobbled over to his bed, sitting down and panting a little. James followed him over, sitting next to him. Sally stood in the corner, pretending to clear his cabinet, putting things away.
James wrapped his arms around Jefferson's back, enveloping him in a hug. "I'm so so proud of you..." He mumbled, sticking his face in Thomas's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you too." James looked up in confusion, "for staying strong, for supporting me, for saying your feelings. I..." Thomas took some deep breaths, " I've never been prouder of you."
James smiled, glancing over Thomas's shoulder, and seeing Sally. He pulled out the hug, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Jefferson looked back, noticing the nurse. He whispered to James, "screw her." He kissed Madison's cheek, grasping the handle of his cane and attempting to stand up. Thomas fell back again, looking at James for help. "Please."
James laughed to himself, pushing Jefferson's back, getting him to stand up. He couldn't help but radiate pride, he couldn't believe his... best friend? Boyfriend? Date? What we're they? Anyway, he couldn't believe Thomas had come this far so quickly. Even know his pride was there, James couldn't shake the thought of what he and Thomas now were, they'd obviously progressed from best friends. But where to? What was their relationship status? James decided it was best not to question Thomas until he was out of hospital and feeling better.
Thomas limped slowly to Sally, placing a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, turning around and looking up at the smiling Thomas. "Thank you," Jefferson spoke happily.
"What for?"
"For helping me. I mean it, I'm stubborn and a dickhead, so thanks."
"N-no problem!" Sally scuttled from the room, desperately hiding her glowing pink cheeks.
Thomas hobbled back over to James, sitting down, panting as small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. James's eyes lit up. "That's what I brought!" He grabbed his coat, pulling a small brush from the pocket. He held it out to Thomas, who smiled widely.
"Thank you," Jefferson smiled, then looking down.
"Do you want me to brush your hair?" James giggled.
"Yes..." Thomas blushed and Madison went around the back of Thomas, pulling the hairbrush through Jefferson's mob of curly, messy hair.
"Your hair is super thick," James spoke softly, and Thomas laughed.
"Yeah," He giggled, "I was born with it."
"Huh?"
"I was born with some strands of curly hair."
"Oh." James continued to brush, getting most of the tangles out.
He finished after about 5 minutes, they sat in comfortable silence, just smiling. Once Madison was done, he sat back next to Thomas.
"I'm so happy you came."
"Why?"
"I think we need to talk."
James turned to Thomas, biting his bottom lip anxiously. "About what?" He was 99.99 percent sure he knew what Jefferson was about to say. But it still made him nervous.
"What are we?" Thomas said solemnly, "We're obviously more than best friends, but I... i don't know..." He sighed, "maybe I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, I'm glad you asked. I was scared too," James said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"So?"
"Well, once you're out of here, would you like to go on a date?" James muttered very quietly.
Jefferson smiled widely, cuddling into James's side. "I would love to."
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Thanks for reading! (If you did) I'd love it if you left a review, I really do love reading them! I love seeing what you think! Have a great day/night! If your days over, hope you had a good one!