Connor tried to distract himself from the thoughts of Kevin in pain that were swirling around his mind, but it was impossible. All he could see was his angel moaning and screaming as pain attacked his body. It was killing Connor, sitting alone in the small waiting room.
"Connor! Connor, you in here?" Arnold cried as he and Nabalungi came racing around a corner. He stood up and strained to smile at them.
"Oh Connor! How are you doing? Any news on Kevin?" Nabalungi asked as she enveloped him in a tight hug.
"Nothing yet, but they said they might be a while, since they had to do a bunch of scans and tests." Connor looked at his friends, so concerned and worried. Then he completely broke down.
"Oh, God, I'm so scared he's gonna die," he sobbed. Arnold grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a comforting hug.
"Kevin is a strong guy, okay Connor? And he loves you. He's going to make it through this," the curly haired man whispered. Connor nodded, tears wetting his face. Nabalungi looked sympathetically at the two and squeezed his shoulder. Once they had all composed themselves, they sat together, talking quietly about what would happen. Connor let his mind wander back to his boyfriend.
Heavenly Father... I know it's been a while. I'm sorry about that. But can you please make Kevin better? I... I don't think I can live without him. Thank you, amen.
"Connor McKinley?" A doctor in a white lab coat holding a clipboard was standing in front of the trio. He stood to greet him.
"Yes, that's me. How's Kevin?"
"Well, I'm afraid he's going to have to stay overnight so we can track his vitals. He seems to be fine, but we just need to check his tests and you should be able to take him home in the morning," the man said with an unchanging tone.
"Can we see him? Please?" Arnold asked.
"I guess it couldn't do any harm. I recommend you don't wake him if he's sleeping. He's had a rough few hours – he needs rest." The three nodded and followed him to Kevin's room. As they walked through the halls, Connor tried to think positively. We can go home tomorrow and have that dinner for our anniversary! We can cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie. Maybe I'll finally get to propose... He smiled at the last thought. Ever since he'd met Kevin, he had wanted to marry him. Start a family with him. Grow old with him. Just be with him.
He hoped he wasn't too late.
When they stopped at Kevin's room, the doctor nodded politely and left them to go in alone. Arnold put a hand on Connor's shoulder.
"Do you need to be alone with him for a minute, buddy?" Connor smiled over his shoulder at his friends.
"No. If anything, I need you guys more than ever." They walked in together. The second Connor laid eyes on his boyfriend, the tears sprang back into his eyes. As if they'd ever left.
Kevin was asleep, hooked up to multiple machines that monitored his breathing, heart rate and such. He looked tiny in the large hospital bed.
Connor walked over to him and touched his face. The brunette shifted in his sleep and pressed against the hand, smiling and whispering, "I love you, Connor."
The redhead smiled with teary eyes.
There was still hope.