For Gumnut who wrote: Bette Midler's Wind beneath my Wings. Alan to Scott.

He hated waiting at the best of times, but waiting when a brother was injured was the worst. And when said brother was injured because he was a self-sacrificing idiot who was massively overprotective and completely ignored that he had been the one to insist that Alan's uniform had protective armour plating…

Alan sighed and squeezed the limp hand a little tighter, pretending not to notice when it didn't tighten in return.

This was not their usual hospital. There hadn't been time to fly halfway around the world for that, and Alan was beginning to hate the drab magnolia walls and generic flower print hanging near the door.

What was worse was the hospital radio. It was piped musac made up of god-only knew old songs. Actually, Virgil could probably tell him but he wasn't that interested. Alan knew he could ask John to 'sort it out' but the tiny hospital was trying their best with such a high-profile patient and he didn't really mind.

He even found himself humming along to a couple of tunes he recognised.

Almost without realising he was doing it Ala found himself half-singing along to the current one. It was one of his Grandma's favourites.

'Did you ever know that you're my hero

And everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle

For you are the wind beneath my wings'

Huh. He didn't know he knew the words, but they were strangely appropriate right now.

'Do you hear that, Scotty? Because it's true. You let me fly higher than anyone in the world and I love you so much for that. You're my hero, Scott. Just – hurry up and wake up so I can tell you when you're conscious.'

He hummed a bit more, sang the chorus again, and looked out the tiny window to the clear blue sky outside.

A dry and croaky voice grabbed his attention back to the bed.

'It might have appeared to go unnoticed

But I've got it all here in my heart

I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it

I would be nothing without you

.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?

You're everything I wish I could be

I could fly higher than an eagle

For you are the wind beneath my wings'

'You're my hero too, Allie.'

Alan threw himself into Scott's arms.