Chapter 4

„Hey, lil man!" Bro greets you. You manage to smile, even though you feel like crying on the inside. Besides him there are Rose, John and Jade. Suddenly you feel really exposed and you´re glad, that your arms are covered.

"How do you feel?" Rose asks you. You feel uncomfortable at the looks of the others, eyes full of pity and worrying. "Okay, I guess. I don´t feel anything, because of the medicaments." You inform them.

You end up talking for almost two hours. Well, actually you don't talk that much and instead listen to the others.

"I and John need to go now. Get well soon, Dave." Jade says as she stands up. John also says his wishes(?) and then they leave. So now you´re left alone with Bro and Rose. You can tell that Rose has something important on her mind and you are certain, that you won't be happy about it.

"Dave... I know it is hard to talk about it, but I´ve seen your arms. We do need to talk about that stuff. Even if you don´t want to to." Your older sister carefully starts the conversation. Your eyes widen. You look from Rose to Bro, who seems to find the floor particularly interesting, and back to Rose again. You´re starting to feel sick, really not wanting to have this kind of conversation.

Of course you knew that you wouldn´t be able to hide it forever and eventually somebody would find out, but it´s still a shock that they found out about it. Nonetheless because you fell down a staircase. Well. you got pushed, but you better do not tell anyone about that.

"You´re right, I really do not want to talk about it." You tried to change Rose´s mind, but she just shook her head.

"I´ll leave you two alone for a while..." Bro said and after he saw your nod, he slowly leaves the room. Finally removing his guilty look out of your presence. Somehow you don´t know what's wrong with him. He never was that upset about you getting hurt...

Anyway, now you´re alone with Rose in the room. You play with your blanket, your gaze pinned to the clean, white hospital covers.

"Dave, please. Tell me what happened yesterday. I need to know whether Bro hurted you, someone else or maybe even both." She sound really serious, but you don´t know, whether you should talk to someone about the things that happened, or better not.

After some time you look in Rose´s pleading face, sad eyes, dark circles underneath. So she didn´t sleep the whole time, you assume. Your eyes water a bit at the thought of somebody truly caring about you.

Finally you sigh and take a deep breath. You gonna tell her everything and even though you´re scared, you know that this is the right thing to do.

"Okay, but please don´t tell anyone...

I had a friend over yesterday. A good friend. You know... a b-boyfriend. Anyway, we were kissing and stuff like that", you feel your face getting hotter with every second, but still continue, after seeing the patient and understanding look in Roses eyes. "and Bro came home early from work, or whatever he was doing, and saw us... and he... freaked. He started to b-beat us. Then he told me to go upstairs and stay there. I heard the poor boy scream and cry for hours-"

You start to cry, your voice just breaking. What you didn´t tell her, what you couldn´t tell her is that Bro, possessive as he is, showed you exactly who you belong to. Showed you exactly that he is the only person that you´re allowed to love.

Rose hugs you tight, tying to comfort you, while you cry silently.

Bro P.o.V

After I left the hospital room I quickly went to the ground floor and to the garden, where I could smoke a cigarette.

I´m truly sorry for losing it yesterday. I didn´t want to do this to Dave. Or his boyfriend. I shouldn´t have been drinking with Roxy, but it´s so easy to forget about my problems, when I'm drunk.

Only think about what I did to Dave last night fills me with anger and self-hatred. I am a monster.

Rose P.o.V

As soon as Dave stops crying I return to my position on the chair, hoping that I didn't hurt him even more and hand him a tissue.

"Dave, listen. I already talked to Mr. Egbert about this, because I feared that Bro might´ve been... abusing... you.

You´re going to live with Jade and John for approximately 2 months. Until we can get you into therapy and then you´re going to stay with Kanaya and me for a few months as well, until Bro gets out of therapy. I don´t want you to get hurt and I also don´t want to force into something, but I´m not gonna let you stay with Bro any longer. Do you have any question? Just ask." I finished my monologue.

I can clearly see his discomfort and shock in his eyes. Ok, maybe I should´ve been more careful. Too late now.

Dave

You feel shocked. You should stay with John and Jade? Away from Bro? Away from home? Alone? Therapy? And also with Rose and her weird girlfriend?

No, you certainly do not like this. But you have no choice. Damn it, you hate being controlled and vulnerable.

"Can I say goodbye?" You ask shyly and see Rose´s expression soften. "Yes, of course. And you both will still have a few days, since you have to stay in the hospital for a few more days anyway."

Pleased with the answer you nod and suddenly realize, how tired and exhausted you really are. Weakly you open your mouth again. "I-...so tired..." You manage to say before you fall asleep.

Rose´s "I love you, take care" doesn't reach your eyes anymore, as well as you don´t notice her soft kiss on your cheek. But still you feel warm and for the first time in months you sleep longer than 4 hours.

Sorry that I'm late, but I was too tired yesterday, but the chapter is over 1.000 words long, so I think that´s okay. Thanks for the nice reviews again and I hope that you like the new chapter. Every kind of feedback is still highly appreciated