Part 87

The hospital room was filled with the Warblers from Wes' first year at Dalton. The Warblers of the First Age. Malcolm Nolan was at the head of the bed, stroking his brother's red hair. Bastian had been talking to Malcolm on the phone one night when Bastian was on his way home from a gay club. On his way to his car he'd been attacked by homophobes and beaten up with pipes, chains, baseball bats and a glass bottle to the head. The doctors still didn't know if he'd ever wake up again… or would survive for long.

Everyone sat in silence or just talked with the ones closest to themselves. Joseph and Austin were asleep though, jetlagged. But Austin was sleeping by the bed. He'd been sitting opposite Malcolm before falling asleep. Jerry had draped a blanket over him. J

oseph was asleep with his head in his older brother's lap. Wes was on Mark's lap and the big young man was holding a secure grip on him. But Justine was looking lost. She wanted to comfort her boyfriend and friends but still… she was still angry with Austin. A few days ago they'd had a fight. Austin told her something that made Justine go ballistic and explained all Bastian's flirting. Explained why it was just his way of acting with Austin. It didn't even get better when Austin countered an accusation with the fact that Bastian had met someone and they had been going strong up till now and Bastian knew how much Austin loved Justine. He'd never try to break them up for real.

Malcolm didn't take his eyes off of Bastian, afraid something bad would happened again if he did it. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at Jerry.

"He's gonna be fine Mal", he said gently. "You know how stubborn your brother can be. Do you really think he'd leave us now?"

"It's not his choice now is it", Malcolm mumbled and wiped his eyes.

"Come here", Jerry said and hugged him close, Malcolm clung to him, sobbing into his chest. Justine bit her lip as she watched the display.

"Excuse me", she whispered and left the room. Nathan watched her.

"What's the matter with her", he asked and Mitch sighed.

"Justine found out something a while ago that made her and Austin have a huge fight", he said and sighed sadly.

"Joe mentioned that", Ethan mumbled and looked at his brother. "He said it was worse than the whole 'proper lady incident'." Everyone shuddered. That had been scary.

"Can you tell us what it was?" Wes asked quietly. Mitch shook his head. It wasn't his place and Ethan did know but didn't want to tell.

"Bastian and I slept together once", came a drowsy reply and they all turned to stare at Austin.

"Say what?!" Matt Jonson said in shock, sitting up so fast he made Lucas and Brad Raymond knock their heads together. They'd been resting their heads on his shoulders. Austin sat up and sighed, rubbing his eyes. Everyone was staring at him. Austin had cheated?! Bastian was a home wrecker?

"It was in freshman year, my freshman and Bastian's junior", Austin explained. "Long before me and Justine even noticed it each other. The Warblers had had a party and we got drunk. We ended up in bed together. Next morning we woke up… and never spoke of it again. There were no feelings behind it and Bastian was really ashamed because he thinks he took advantage of me that night. That's why he keeps flirting with me and being all lovey dovey… he wants to make up for… by his words… 'getting in my pants without any care at all'. He didn't want me to feel like a whore… and I was struggling with my sexuality already. Bastian helped me along the way. That's why we're close… he's special to me because of that. Justine got so angry when I told her that she threatened to break off the…" he trailed off. He didn't continue.

"The what", Lucas asked rubbing his forehead. Austin just shrugged. Wes got off Mark's lap and walked out the door, he sent a smile to Austin to reassure him. But he knew Justine needed him a little more than Austin did.

Justin Gideon sat on a chair in the waiting area. He'd taken off the wig and the makeup, the fake boobs and everything girly. His black hair hung in his eyes, he had to get a haircut soon. He'd put Justine's things in the bag by his feet and had changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He sighed heavily and didn't even look up when someone sat down beside him.

"I wondered when Justin would make an appearance", a voice said gently and Justin sighed when he heard it.

"Darling I'm in no mood for jokes", he said tiredly.

"I know", Wes said and moved closer to him. "You need some cheering up."

"Why?"

"Because Austin told us."

"Told you what?"

"About him… and Bastian."

Justin sighed.

"Great and now you all feel sorry for him and think I'm overreacting", he spat and got up.

"Actually that's not true", Wes said and got up. "I can assure you than when he said that he'd slept with Bastian we all thought he'd cheated on-"

"Austin would never cheat!" Justin yelled and Wes smiled a little. "I love him and he loves me! That was all in the past! I'm the only one for Austin! Don't you go around accusing my hubby for being a cheat Wesley Montgomery or you will have to hide that pretty little face of yours behind a mask because it won't be pretty anymore!"

"Just-"

"You'll be able to count your teeth on one hand because with my hand I'll knock the rest of them out!"

"Justin!"

"I will break your nose so badly you'll have it permanently crooked!"

Wes covered his nose with his hand, as well as his mouth.

"I'll cut off your ear and tell everyone you are a Van Gogh wannabe!"

"Yikes", was all Wes could say, he knew the best thing to do was let him keep going at it.

"And I'll crush your package like Pope Pius did and give you a fig leaf to cover your lack of balls! I'll even sew it stuck there myself!"

"Hold on a second", Wes tried to defend himself.

"No! I will dig a tini-tiny grave for you that not even your children will find!"

"Well that's quite obvious since I don't have kids", Wes cut in and cut Justin off before he could continue his rant. They looked at each other and Justin noticed everyone in the room staring at him. Kids, nurses, doctors, grownups… oh shit he said that in front of kids.

"Uh pardon my French", he said and everyone stopped looking at him. Wes bit his lip and made a strange sound. Justin turned to him.

"What's wrong with you?" he spat and Wes did something unexpected. He started laughing. Justin stared at him as if he was crazy but Wes just kept laughing.

"Will you stop that?" Justin asked after a bit, but he felt his own lips twitch and was soon laughing as well.

They laughed for quite a bit but then Justin's laughs turned to sobs and he broke down crying. Wes stopped laughing and hugged him close. Justin cried for Bastian's sake. For Austin's. For Ethan's. For the Warblers'. For himself. One of his friends was close to dying and here he was, not having been able to feel horrible about it until now first. Now it hit him like a ton of bricks. Someone had tried to harm Bastian just because he was gay. They'd hurt him because of who he chose to love! That wasn't fair. Life wasn't fair! This never happened back in high school. They'd been so safe and all gay guys in the Warblers had been safe from these sort of things. But the world wasn't like Dalton. In many countries it was still against the law to be gay. Justin sobbed at the injustice of it all. Why shouldn't he be allowed to love who he wanted? What right had those guys had to try to kill Bastian because he was in love with another guy? What right did they have to ruin Bastian's life? He sniffled and looked up at Wes. Wes had it easy in this area at least. He could marry and love whoever he wanted without these things happening. Hopefully. There would always be racists around to rain on his parade too. Justin sniffled. The bubble he'd lived in at Dalton and the somewhat gay-friendly New York had burst now. Justin sighed and leaned back. He had to get a grip. His friend was injured and there was no telling of when he'll wake up again. He had to focus. Had to stay strong when his hubby was in a weak state for once. Austin had been there for him when all hope seemed to be out for Mitch. No one had asked him to, he did it because he loved and cared for Justin. Justin loved Austin as well. More than words could say. He looked at his hands. There was proof of their ultimate love for each other. With a nod Justin got up.

"Just?" Wes asked and got up as well. But Justin didn't answer he just headed back towards the room with his bag in hand. "Justin wait for me!"

Bastian's state was till unchanged. The doctor had been by to tell them that if Bastian didn't wake up in the next hour he would be in a coma. Then no one knew for how long he'd stay in one. Malcolm had tears going down his cheeks as did Austin. The former Warblers were all looking close to tears or were crying already. They all jumped when the door burst open and Justin Gideon stormed over to the bed. Wes ran in behind him.

"Justin!" he called. But the young man ignored him and marched up to the bed and sat on Austin's lap. Austin looked a little confused but it was Justin's words that shocked everyone else.

"Bastian Nolan you wake up right now because Austin needs you as his groomsman at our wedding!" he said and the Warblers stared. Austin blushed but couldn't keep his smile back.

"You heard me Nolan", Justin continued. "I won't let any Warbler miss my wedding and that includes you. I haven't been on a crazy diet since Christmas to fit into my dress just to have you sleep through it! You wake up right this instance your asshole or I swear I'll mess your face up so bad you will have to hide it behind a mask! You'll be able to count your teeth on one hand because with my hand I'll knock the rest of them out! I will break your nose so badly you'll have it permanently crooked so you'll look like a vulture! I'll cut off your ear and tell everyone you are a Van Gogh wannabe! And I'll crush your package like Pope Pius did and give you a fig leaf to cover your lack of balls! I'll even sew it stuck there myself!"

"Does he always use those threats", Wes whispered to Joseph and Mitch. Both of them nodded. When Justin stopped threatening Bastian the whole room became deadly quiet.

"You planned a wedding without me", a drowsy voice said and Bastian Nolan opened one eye. "Just I'm offended."

"Oh shut your face", Justin said and smiled brightly.

"I would… if I could feel it", Bastian replied and looked around. "Everyone is here?"

"Bastian!" Malcolm cheered and hugged him tightly. The rest of the Warblers grinned as well. Ethan hurried to go fetch the doctor, but they had at least one worry less… right?

TBC *innocent whistles* Small shout out to hallescomet97 who helped me get unstuck.

Answer to non-members' (or not signed in members') reviews:

Zozo - There there, see he's alive. No need for tears.