WARNING: TWINCEST!

Chapter Eight: I'll Never Leave You Alone Again

“Bill…? Bill…? Can you hear me…?”

Bill groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. Through his blurred vision he could barely make out a group of doctors that crowded around him.

“Can you hear me son?” the doctor asked again, his voice echoing in Bill’s head.

Bill felt like he was in a fog; everything was so fuzzy. Groggily, he glanced around the white room and noticed all the medical equipment and the tubes that were attached to him. His eyes widened and he panicked at the sight. He quickly shot up and began tearing at all the tubes, and successfully ripped out an IV from his hand before he could be restrained.

“Woah, woah hey! Easy!” one of the doctors said as he struggled to hold Bill down. “Calm down. You’re okay.”

Bill fell back on the pillow and relaxed a bit as he tried to collect his thoughts. It was then that he became aware of his red stained shirt and the bloody taste in his mouth. Spencer… Bill thought. Now he remembered, and he also realized how much pain he was really in. He whimpered pitifully as he drew his knees up and rocked his body back and forth.

“Bill,” a kind voice rang. Bill looked over and saw a nurse standing at his side, starting a new IV. “You’re at St. Viti Hospital. You’re safe now, okay?” She smiled reassuringly and then carefully stuck him with a needle.

Bill only groaned in response as he closed his eyes; he could feel himself becoming very faint….

*****

“He’s going to be okay,” the doctor told Simone. She let out a sigh of relief. “I was really concerned that he may have sustained a few broken ribs but, the x-rays have confirmed that only some slight bruising has occurred. He’s stable, but not quite alert.  I would like him to stay overnight, just to keep an eye on him.”

Simone nodded. “Okay, thank you doctor.”

She turned back to the waiting area where everyone else gathered.

“Well what did he say?” Tom asked impatiently as he jumped out of his chair. “Is he alright? Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” Simone reassured, “but they want to keep him overnight.”

Tom frowned a bit. “Can I at least see him?” he pleaded.

*****

Tom lightly padded into the hospital room, careful to not wake the sleeping boy. When he reached the foot of the bed, he let out a gasp and clasped a hand over his mouth; he was not prepared for the sight.

“Bill….” Tom whispered in shock.

Bill’s fragile body never looked so small and broken. His usually fair skin was now painted purple and black. He had a long gash across his left cheek (from Spencer’s ring no doubt), and his bottom lip was split on one side.

Tom crept closer, keeping his eyes on Bill’s slumbering body, and with each step he took his heart broke a little more. He noticed that even at rest Bill was struggling to breathe, and could see the distressed look in his face each time he inhaled.

Tom sat at Bill’s bedside and gently took hold of his feeble hand. It was just as broken as the rest of his body, and from the bloody chipped nails, it was clear that he had put up some sort of fight. Tom gave Bill’s hand a little squeeze and placed a tender kiss on his knuckles.

“Bill….I’m so sorry,” he spoke softly through his tears. He was now kicking himself for ever leaving Bill alone. He should have known better. “I should have walked with you…. I should have made sure you were safe…. This is all my fault.”

Bill remained quiet as he continued to sleep and did not even flinch when Tom leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“I’ll never leave you alone again.”

He felt Bill’s fingers grip his hand tightly and heard him whimper.

“To…Tom?” his voice cracked; it sounded so very small and weak.

He gazed at Tom with a glossy look in his eyes; he appeared to be heavily sedated.

“I’m sorry Bill… I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Bill shook his head. “You didn’t wake me,” he said sleepily. He closed his eyes again and groaned a bit. “Tom?”

“Hmm?” Tom asked as he softly stroked Bill’s fingers.

“How did I get here…? Who found me?”

“Brianna,” Tom said, wishing he had been there for Bill.

“But how’d she know?” Bill asked confused.

“She said you never got on the bus… and Spencer didn’t either. She got worried and went out to look for you… and found you unconscious in the middle of that wooded path you like to take.” Tom shook his head. “I should have been there for you Bill. I’m so sorry. I should ha-”

“Tom please, don’t beat yourself up for this. It’s not your fault.”

“It is. If I had just walked home with you… if I had just-”

“I said it’s not your fault,” Bill repeated in a more serious tone.

Tom frowned. “But… I…” Suddenly it dawned on him. “You knew, did you? You knew Spencer was going to do this, and you told me nothing! Why?” he demanded. He felt so hurt and somewhat betrayed. Bill never kept stuff like this from him.

“I couldn’t.”

“Why?”
“Because… if I told he said he would hurt you twice as bad.”

“So he threatened you?!” Tom could feel himself getting angrier by the moment. “Fucking asshole,” Tom muttered under his breath, “I’m going kill him.”

*****

“Are you ready to go home sweetie?” Simone asked as she helped Bill put on his shirt.

Tom winced at the sight of Bill’s bruised body. It was no wonder Bill hurt so bad when he tried to breathe.

“Yeah, I think I’m ready,” Bill smiled weakly.

“Umm, mom?” Tom asked. Since she felt Tom a son, Simone had insisted on him calling her mom, and Tom wasn’t going to argue with that; Simone was the only mother he knew.

“Yes honey?”

“Uh I was wondering… can Bill stay with me? I mean since you have to work during the day. I can take care of him, and we have staff that works round the clock. Bill is sure to be taken care of there.” He put on his best pitiful look.

“Tom you can’t go asking Simone something like that,” Gordon said.

“No, it’s okay Gordon.” She smiled at Tom. “I know how much Bill means to you, and I know that he will be more than taken care of. So of course he can stay. If that’s what Bill wants.” She looked to her son.

“Oh yes mom, I do!” Bill eagerly answered, a smile spreading from ear to ear.

“Well what do you say Gordon?” she asked.

“If it’s fine with you, it’s fine with me,” Gordon shrugged.

*****

Tom cradled Bill in his arms as he carried him into the house. He knew it hurt Bill to walk, and he wanted to make him as comfortable as possible.

“Want to stay in my room?” Tom asked with a smirk as he neared the elevator doors.

“Of course!” Bill giggled, and he hit the up button.

After a few moments pass, the elevator doors opened and Tom stepped in. Bill immediately buried his face into Tom’s neck, avoiding the mirror-like walls.

“Bill, what’s wrong?” Tom grunted as he struggled to hit the button for his floor.

“Nothing,” Bill’s voice sounded muffled.

Tom knew that was a lie, and he also knew why Bill was hiding.

“Bill,” Tom cooed in his ear, “you look beautiful.”

“Ugh…” Bill groaned. Tom could feel him making a face.

“Whatever you say Tom.”

“You do, trust me.” He gave Bill a soft kiss on his cheek.

Despite Tom’s efforts, Bill kept his face buried until the elevator doors opened.

“You’re so good to me Tom,” Bill smiled as Tom carried him down the hall.

“Well I love you Bill, and I’m going to treat you the best that I can.”

Tom kicked the loose door open with his foot, and gently laid Bill down on the big fluffy bed.

“Comfy?” Tom asked as Bill wiggled himself underneath the covers.

“Yes, very.” Bill scooted over to the right side of the bed, and breathed in the pillow that he snuggled up to. “I think I want to sleep over here,” he sighed.

“Why’s that?” Tom asked, tilting his head a bit.

Bill grinned happily as he looked at Tom. “Because it smells like you.”

*****

“And you love him?” Gordon asked; his face was very stern.

Tom dropped his head. “Yes dad… I love him… more than anything in the world.”

“Hmm…” was the only response Gordon gave.

“Dad please,” Tom begged, “just try to understand.”

Tom groaned and sunk into the leathery chair as the inevitable silence took over the study. He had been dreading this conversation since day one, and tried to avoid it as long as he could. But after his obvious display of affection toward Bill today, Tom knew he had to fess up.

Gordon got up from his chair and strolled over to the bookshelves. He ran his fingers along the covers as if he were searching for a particular book.

“Tom, this is… I mean… I never expected this of you.” He sighed as he tried to find the right words to say. “I should have known I guess…. You and Bill were always so close.”

“You’re not disappointed in me, are you dad?” Tom cringed at those very words.
He swallowed hard and stared at the hardwood floor as he awaited an answer.

His father’s footsteps squeaked along the freshly polished floor and stopped right in front of Tom’s chair. Tom slowly looked up at his father and was surprised to see sympathy in his eyes.

“No son, I’m not disappointed in you. This is just… going to take some getting use to. That’s all.”

Tom perked up a bit and a little smile drew across his face. “So, you’re okay with me and Bill?”

Gordon nodded. “Yes, I’m okay with it.”

Tom leapt out of his seat and put his dad in a tight hug. “Thanks dad.”

*****

Bill’s eyes got wide and his mouth dropped open. “You told your dad?” he gasped. “What did he say?”

Tom smiled brightly. “He said he’s okay with it.”

“Really?” Bill asked in disbelief. He was shocked over his own mother’s reaction, and she was the open-minded one.

“Really,” Tom said, leaning in for a kiss. As their lips connected, the old grandfather clock in the hallway chimed, telling them that it was getting close to dinner-time.

“Are you hungry Bill?”

“Yeah actually I am.”

Tom smiled; he was glad to hear that. Bill hadn’t eaten much since he’d been in the hospital.

“Do you know what you want?” Tom asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Ugh, I’d kill for a pizza,” Bill groaned as he rubbed his tender stomach.

“Pizza it is,” Tom said, and he grabbed the phone from his nightstand to dial the kitchen.

“Trümper kitchen,” a voice rang on the other end.

“Yeah, this is Tom.”

“Tom! What can I get you?”

“I need two pepperoni pizzas,” Tom started.

“Don’t forget the breadsticks,” Bill added.

“With breadsticks on the side.”

“Oh and I want a root beer float to drink!”

“Two root beer floats.” Tom smiled at Bill. “Aaand….whatever you have on the menu for tonight, go ahead and bring that up.”

“Will that be all?” the chef asked.

“That will be all, thank you.” And with that Tom hung up the phone.

*****

“No, no more,” Bill said, turning down the slice of pizza Tom offered him. He fell back on the bed and yawned. “I’m actually getting really sleepy.”

“Yeah, you look it. I think that medication of yours is kicking in.” Tom turned down the lights for Bill and covered him up. “I’m going to clean up,” he said, picking up the dishes.

Bill grabbed him by the wrist. “Leave it,” he pouted.

“Okay,” Tom smiled, setting down the dishes. “I guess they can wait until tomorrow.”

He slid underneath the burgundy sheets and snuggled up to Bill, and ever so carefully draped an arm around him. Bill hummed softly as Tom stroked his back. His eyelids became heavier and heavier, and his breaths became slower and slower as his whole body relaxed.

“I love you Bill,” Tom whispered, thinking that he was already asleep… but in the darkness, where he couldn’t see, a smile spread across Bill’s lips.