Warmth is rare for a boy like Ander. He smells cinnamon and peppermint. He swims between the fading memory of something soft and pillowy, a world full of sweet tasting things, just before he finally wakes up. His lips are wet when his eyes open and he's staring at the kind face of Polo Benavent. The purple sweater he's wearing is inviting and Ander wants to reach out and touch it but he's in pain. He did just have brain surgery. Movement might be off the table for a while.

"Welcome back." Smiles Polo.

Ander groans in response but he can grin so it's a sweet exchange.

"Guzman went to fetch some coffee for us. I'll press the call button and get Dr. Sheppard in here." Polo offers.

Ander nods slowly and Polo stands to lean over him grabbing the fat chord remote. Ander takes in the smell of his kind friend. He's so grateful for Polo. So grateful for life. There's almost an expression of sadness on his face when Polo pulls away and sits back down. How he'd love to spend the evening with Polo and Guzman in the snow. Walking, listening to music, and talking.

'All in due time.' He tells himself.

It doesn't take long for the woman to come walking in her stride through the door. She's all bright and shiny to Ander as she says, "Hey there, kid. You came back."

He nods. It hurts a little but he's so proud of himself he doesn't care.

"I got to do a quick analysis okay." She begins her tests of flashing a light in his eyes; knocking his knee caps with the mallot; and checking the levels of his pulse in his neck and wrists.

All the while he keeps checking in with Polo as if to say, "Am I doing good?"

When Guzman enters the room there's an even bigger grin that lights up Ander's face. The smell of hot vanilla hits his nose and he sighs. Seeing them both here makes him feel giddy inside.

The heart rate monitor beeps intensely and he blushes a deep rouge. Amelia has finished her check up and she has good news to deliver. He looks up at her expectantly.

"You're motor functions are fully responsive. You're able to communicate, even if it is non-verbally. You're expressing quite well. You did good Munoz. Maybe tomorrow we can get some words out of you. You take it easy today okay?" She tells him.

He nods.

When she leaves he's quick to gesture on either side of him as if to say, "Come lay with me."

They catch on pretty fast and jump on the opportunity. Polo takes the left side and Guzman takes the right. Polo takes Ander's hand and Ander rests his head on Guzman's chest as Guzman picks up the remote and selects a movie for them to watch off the chart list. Jumanji two; The Next Level is a silently agreed pick between the three of them.

Ander turns to look at the strong jaw of Guzman and decides to press his lips to that spot just below the jaw on his neck. It's soft and quick but it's enough for Guzman to notice. He looks down at weak and pale Ander with a toothy smile and runs his fingers through the boys hair.

Uncle Kendall walks into the room. He looks relieved and worried at the same time. Such a parent.

"Good news." Says Guzman, "Ander seems to be making a full recovery."

Polo adds, "He's also super high on pain killers so he's extra affectionate."

Ander nods in agreement.

"That's the best news I've heard all day." He gives a sheepish half grin, "Your uncle Carlos is going in for surgery now. He's got some major injuries in a lot of places. How he made it back; they're not sure. He's here though."

"He loves you." Says Polo, "He'll always come back because he loves you."

Kendall gives a full smile and, with his arms crossed over his chest, he looks down at his feet. His long blonde hair falls on either side of his face and he takes a few moments to breath. Then he straightens his back and crosses the cool tile to sit down beside the hospital bed and watch the movie with them. Together they will wait. Wait for Carlos to get out of surgery. Wait for the sun. Wait for Ander to speak. Wait for more good news. There has to be more. It's not a story worth reading if there's not more.