A day later Ethan had had his surgery. Cal sat waiting and watching over him. There was a quiet knock at the door. Cal turned around to see Zoe standing there.
"How's he doing?" She asked coming over to them.
"He's stable, but he hasn't woken up yet." Cal told her.
"Well, Connie's just told me the surgery was a success so all we need to do now is wait."
"I just hope he wakes up soon."
"I know." Zoe patted him the shoulder.
Zoe went to check Ethan's vitals and saline drip. Happy that everything was as it should be she returned to her duties.
"Cal?"
Cal turned around and saw Ethan was awake. Cal stroked his hair and smiled.
"Nibbles, you're okay."
"Why does my head hurt?"
"You've just come out of surgery so your head is going to hurt for a few hours."
Cal could see he was scared.
"Budge over." Cal said to him, climbing in.
"What are you doing?" Ethan asked him.
"Getting in the bed." Cal replied.
"I'm 28 not 2. Aren't we just a little too big?"
Ethan scooted over so Cal could fit in.
"We're never too big." Cal answered draping his arm over Ethan's shoulder.
Cal felt Ethan tense up but, he soon felt his brother relax against his chest. Tightening his hold on him, Cal continued to stroke Ethan's hair as Ethan wrapped his arm around Cal's waist. Cal smiled into his brother's blond curls as he remembered. When they were little, he must have been about 6 and Ethan 4, Cal would clambered onto his brother's bed and pull his brother into his lap. Ethan felt safe in Cal's arms and whenever he was scared, Ethan would snuggle up against his big brother. Ethan felt Cal smile against his hair.
"What?" His voice muffled.
"Nothing."
Ethan pulled away from the embrace.
"Really?"
Cal pulled him back towards him.
"I was just thinking about when we were kids and you used to feel safe in my arms."
"I still do." Came a hushed reply.
Cal gently placed a kiss upon his brother's head. The two remained in their embrace in silence. That was until Cal broke it.
"Ethan…. There's something I need to tell you."