24. Nightmare |

Tyler's body is still trembling, though not as violently as it was a few minutes ago.

"What the hell was that?!" Doctor Henry exclaims, his breaths still heavy.

The nurses are startled too, their fear evident in their wide eyes and hesitant movements.

"Maybe… I'm just saying… maybe it's because he was leaving," one nurse suggests, pointing toward Tyler. "I mean, Tanner said you shouldn't leave him here, and I think he can feel your presence. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"So that's the reason, huh? Then don't move a muscle." Doctor Henry says patting Tyler's shoulder before heading out of the room.

The nurses finish cleaning Tanner, who now looks peaceful, his pale face and dry lips contrasting with the earlier chaos.

He seems innocent, as though he hasn't just terrified everyone with his sudden heart rate spike.

The nurses occasionally glance at Tyler, their curiosity apparent. Their looks silently ask what the relationship between him and Tanner is.

'You wouldn't understand,' Tyler thinks to himself, answering their unspoken question.

He sits in the chair next to Tanner's bed, staring at his face. Even pale and weak, Tanner's handsome features shine through. Tyler's thoughts drift, 'Can I lick his lips to soften them?'

He leans closer and whispers, "Wake up soon..."

"Is it true that you can feel my presence, love? You have no idea how that makes me feel. But I'm sorry I was leaving. I just wanted what's best for you, so I did what the doctor told me. Forgive me once again."

○●

Hours pass with Tyler sitting there, watching Tanner.

Tanner hasn't moved a muscle yet.

Doctor Henry and the nurses check on him periodically, and a nurse stays in the room at all times, taking shifts when needed.

Tyler feels grateful Tanner's insistence kept him in the room. He can't imagine how agonizing it would have been to wait outside all this time. At least here, he can watch over him.

Later on ,

Joe enters the room quietly, whispering, "How is he?"

"Fine," Tyler answers softly.

"I'm really glad it went well," Joe says, smiling.

"Me too."

"So you can't leave the room?"

"Mhm, and I'm absolutely fine with that."

"Your mom has food and clothes for you to change into. What about the restroom? Can you go?"

"I'll use the one in here."

"You can go that far?"

"Yeah, as long as I don't leave the room. And tell Mom not to bring food—I'm not hungry."

"You haven't eaten anything since morning." his father argues.

"And I just said I'm fine. I don't feel like eating." Tyler says honestly.

"Then do it for him. Or do you want to collapse again?" Joe asks, nodding toward Tanner.

"Ugh! Don't bring that up!"

"Okay, okay. We'll head out after the others come in. But I'll be here first thing in the morning. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks, Dad." Tyler smiles faintly as Joe walks over to Tanner.

Joe whispers to the unconscious Tanner, "Hey… wake up soon, or I won't give you my son if you keep torturing him by making him wait like this."

"Dad! You can't talk to him like that!" Tyler protests, but Joe just smiles as he leaves.

Tyler feels genuinely happy because of what his father has just said. To him , it sounds like his father is accepting the relationship between him and Tanner.

Rachael comes in next, carrying food and clothes. She asks a few questions, stays for a moment, and then leaves.

Tyler can tell something is still weighing on her mind.

Tay follows, her visit brief, before Nanny arrives last. She reassures Tyler, "Everything will be fine. I've seen the love you two shared from the moment he came in the house with your parents , and it's the same love I see now."

"You what?!" Tyler asks, shocked. "You knew from the first day? Even before we knew?"

"Yes, that's true. I knew sooner or later, even if he was with your sister, he'd end up with you."

"How did you know that?!"

"I saw it. You two are inseparable. I was so proud of you when you didn't let him walk away," she says, patting his head before whispering to Tanner, "Get well soon, dear one."

Tyler hugs her tightly before she leaves.

"I'll see you both tomorrow," she says.

"Thanks, Nanny," Tyler replies.

°°°☆°°°

"Good morning! Oh G_d, your eyes are sore. Didn't you sleep at all?" Doctor Henry asks as he walks in, startled by Tyler's appearance.

"Good morning. I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. How long until he wakes up?" Tyler asks.

"Not really sure . An hour, maybe a few. I'll check now."

The doctor examines Tanner carefully and nods. "Everything is normal. He should be waking up soon."

"That's great," Tyler says, his voice filled with relief.

"You should rest. You look terrible. It's going to affect you if you don't sleep."

"Trust me, I want to, but I just can't."

"Should I give you something to help you catch some sleep?"

"No, not now. Thanks."

Doctor Henry nods, glancing at his watch. "I have another surgery in 30 minutes. I just wanted to check on you both, so I'll get going."

"Thanks again. Good luck," Tyler says, turning to the fridge to grab something.

°

"You should rest—"

"Doc, I told you, I can't. I've tried—wait, why do you sound like that?" Tyler pauses, looking toward the door. It's closed. The nurse who has been staying in the room hasn't returned.

He thinks he is imagining things in his head because the doctor had already left.

He turns back to the fridge.

"...You need sleep…"

Tyler freezes. The voice sounds real. Slowly, he turns toward Tanner.

"Tanner? Are you awake?"

He takes a cautious step closer, whispering, "Hey… are you awake?"