Seth tries to do his job the best he can. Yes, he’s the head of the company; yes, his meetings include playing poker; and yes, it works out fine. This time is no different, even though the news is more worrying than usual. But he’s going to take it one step at the time and be just fine. It’s more of the same in the end -- talk to these people, arrange that meeting, and don’t panic anybody. The stakes are higher, but it’s nothing he hasn’t done before. And he gets to spend time at the fire station with Connor. Seth should be good.<br><br>And there’s nothing out of the ordinary on Connor’s end. It’s a normal day, spent doing normal things, with the normal people. He happens to love his life and, though some things could be better, they could also be way worse. Connor is satisfied, and nothing is going to change that.<br><br>Everything is going according to plan. There’s no reason to believe that anything has to change. Right?

Out of Nowhere

Speaking of, Seth tugs Connor to sit on his bed.


“No,” Connor says as he resists. “The bed is too small; your surgery doesn’t need that shit.” He smirks while tracing his thumb over Seth’s lips. “There’ll be time for that later, won’t it?” Connor sounds strangely vulnerable.


“There will, but that doesn’t make me want it less.” Seth pecks Connor’s lips. “How long before they let me go?”


“It depends,” Connor says as he sits back down. “They have to see how well your surgery is healing, you have to do the test again, and then we’ll see.”


“The test,” Seth repeats, not thankful at the reminder.


“But generally, no one wants to keep you in the hospital when you don’t need to be here. They want to avoid you catching something or the hospital affecting your mindset or a thousand other things that aren’t recommended. So, you know, they’ll let you go as soon as they can,” Connor reassures Seth. “I might be a factor, too, as a trained person who can keep an eye on you.”


Chapter 16