He rubbed his tired eyes as he checked the last drip. Now that the boy's face was clean, he could perfectly see his beauty. He had a long, pale face that looked incredibly calm. He remembered his thick, blood-stuck hair, which he had to shave off, unfortunately, to open his skull in any way. The operation was successful, but the hair cannot be as long as before. He was about to leave his bed when the door swung open and he heard a terrified scream.

"Oh my God, Simon!" He turned to the voice. A woman, strikingly similar to the patient, ran into the room.

"Excuse me? Who.. are you?" He tilted his head. The woman looked at Raphael.

"Oh.. oh, sorry. I'm his mother. Elaine Lewis." Elaine's eyes were bloodshot and she looked about to cry.

"Yes, of course.. first I invite you to my office" he showed to the next room. The brown haired nodded and followed him. He pointed to her place and sat down at the desk himself. He clasped his fingers together. "Well, let's start with your son's current condition.." he took a deep breath. "He came to us in a critical condition, we managed to immediately perform an operation on the skull, which was seriously damaged, the heart stopped, but..." here the woman clogged her mouth with her hand. "...it all ended well. It was just as lucky that the stomach wound was not deep, so there was no need to stitch it deeper."

"Oh God.." Elaine hid her face in her hands. Santiago felt regret and compassion. He bent down to cheer the woman by rubbing his hand over her shoulder.

"Could you please tell me what exactly.. happened?" He returned to the chair.

"So.. I was working then, my daughter was at university, so Simon stayed with his friend.. later I got the news that he had been sitting in the bathroom for too long and she found him like this.." tears rolled down her cheeks involuntarily. "Simon is depressed, he goes to therapy, he takes medication.. but he still cannot forget the future and my heart breaks when I see him like this" Raphael nodded in understanding and sighed.

"We will do our best to help Simon and I can assure you that your son will come out of here in better condition," he opened a drawer and took out a bundle of documents. "I would ask you to complete these documents and take them back to the receptionist."

 ***

 He pressed the handle and stepped inside. He kicked off his shoes, hung his jacket on a hanger, and walked deeper into the living room.

"I'm back," he declared tiredly.

"Finally" he heard the roommate's voice.

"I'm going to shower and go to sleep."

"Won't you eat anything?" Magnus entered the room.

"Do we have something else besides instant soups?"

"No.."

"We can't eat always junk food. I'll do shopping tomorrow."

"Sure, doctor" Raphael rolled his eyes and jumped into the bathroom. He pulled off his shirt, feeling his muscles slack with fatigue every second. He sat in the shower for an hour until Magnus started yelling out of the kitchen at him, to leave because he would have to pay a gigantic water bill.

He left the bathroom and shuffled into his bedroom. He threw himself on the bed and sank into the pleasant sheets. After a while he fell asleep.

The next morning, he managed to find a few eggs so he could make a hearty breakfast. He couldn't watch Magnus eating those instant soups from the paper cups nonstop. Bane was like a father to him. When his mother died, he took him under his roof and took care of him as necessary.

He didn't know how to pay his gratitude debt at all, so he just agreed to pay the bills. And polite cleaning.

"So," the Asian began. "You fell down yesterday, as always, so you didn't answer my basic question. "How was your day?"

"It was tough. I have to run to the operating room every day, and I need stand there for up to five hours until no one changes me. My back began to make itself felt."

 ***

Simon Lewis didn't wake up until after a hard week. He grunted, closing his eyes again, feeling the tubes being pulled from his mouth. He let out a soft groan, feeling a tremendous headache and an unpleasant nausea. Shortly thereafter, he vomited, but luckily the nurse standing next to him quickly gave him a metal bowl. 

She brushed his hair back from his forehead, her touch gentle and soothing.

"It's okay. It's okay," she said in a nice, low voice.

Simon collapsed onto the pillows, which were immediately adjusted. There was a clatter of boots and a muffled woman's voice, but Lewis couldn't hear what she was saying.

"Good morning" he heard after a while. He lifted his eyes to meet the short man's gaze. "How are we feeling?" Lewis swallowed down his throat as he felt the cold chill of the stethoscope against his skin.

"Bad," he grunted. His tongue was tangled, it felt as if there were remnants of cotton balls lying on it.

"And more specifically?" The doctor's tone was inviting to talk, it was just impossible not to listen to him, impossible not to answer.

"My head hurts."

"Yes.. that's obvious. You had a serious head injury. You are lucky because the surgery was successful. You are a strong boy" the stool shuffled.

"Do you remember what happened?"

"Yes," he replied hoarsely.

"Okay.. do you remember your name?"

"Simon. I have no amnesia" the doctor laughed, it was the most beautiful sound Simon had ever heard. "I'm sure."

"Of course. Lily!" He gave the nurse a few names of the medication and went back to the boy. "Lily will give you the right medication right away, and I will leave you to rest. Remember that you are under constant supervision.."

"I shouldn't be here," he interrupted. "I should be dead by now. Goddamn Clary must have been with me then." Raphael shuddered at the words.

"Your friend did it right, she called the ambulance. I doubt she or your mom wanted you dead," he hunched gently and laced his fingers. Simon sighed heavily and closed his eyes. He was tired, and he felt that the doctor did not understand him at all. "I'll come back to you tonight."

 ***

He disconnected the drips one by one. He sprang up from the bed, rushing to the door.

When he opened them, he felt nothing. It was fine until he ran out and heard his name. He ran as fast as he could until he felt weak and the world began to spin.

"Simon? Simon, what are you doing!?" There was a Spanish accent. He fell into Raphael's arms. "Why did you run away?" He took him by the arms and began to lead him into the hall. Lewis began to throw himself.

"I don't want to! Let go of me!" Raphael pressed him tightly against him, breathing hard. The man was gently rubbing Simon's back as he exhausted himself and began to cry. The Mexican was silent. He neither moved nor spoke. Simon was grateful to him.

Raphael slowly led him to the bed and sat him on it. Lewis slowly lay down on it, and the surgeon carefully connected the drips.

"Simon. I understand this is difficult for you, but please don't do that anymore" Santiago looked at him soflty. "If necessary, I can get a hospital psychologist," the boy said. "I had a friend who committed suicide once," his voice cracked. "I failed to help him even though I tried very hard. Please, Simon, don't do this to yourself. You're young, you still have a lot to do," Raphael's eyes filled with tears. "I stand here in front of you and I swear I will do my best to help you."

 ***

  When Santiago finished his shift, he changed into more casual clothes and entered Simon's room. The boy was lying on his side and didn't move.

"Have you met Elliot yet?"

"Yes.. he seems to be nice.." Simon croaked, his voice unemotional.

"That's good."

"Aren't you going home?"

"I have come to check if everything is alright. Do you feel better after the talk?"

"A little bit.." he admitted. "Sorry about earlier.. I caused even more trouble" Raphael put a hand on his shoulder.

"You were under emotions, Simon. You'll see, everything will be fine yet."

"I've been to different hospitals. I've never met such a nice doctor," he admitted. "They did their job and they left."

"I know that a stay in hospital can amount to stress and anxiety. I want everyone to feel at least slightly comfortable."

 ***

 "Thank you," he said, staring into Raphael's eyes. "Thank you for helping me. You can tell Mr. Elliot that I will definitely come see him."

"You're welcome, kid. I was doing my duty." Without a moment's thought, Simon hugged him, and Santiago ran his hand through his short hair.

"Hope to see you again."

"On removing the seams."

Simon woke up in the evening. He felt confidently rested despite his stuffy nose and the pain in his sinuses. He sat up in bed and looked around the room. The purple curtains were drawn apart, making the blue carpet shine with moonlight. He himself was lying on a huge bed among scarlet sheets, and a black canopy hung around him. He kicked himself out from under the duvet and got up from the bed. He left the room barefoot, admiring the paintings hanging on the walls.

He made his way down the stairs, noticing Raphael sitting on the couch with one leg over his leg and in the same robe that he have have in the morning. Mexican was holding a cigarette in two fingers of his right hand and a pen in the other. In front of him, on the table in he had some papers scattered and a glass of red wine stood in the corner. There was a Spanish series on the TV. Simon didn't understand anything, but at least he guessed it must be some kind of romance.

"And what are you going to do all night, huh?" Santiago smiled, inhaling the smoke. Lewis jumped up.

"I don't know.." he whispered, going down.

"Did you sleep well?" he released a puff of gray, then stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Okay.. I think.." The Mexican looked up at him.

"Your eyes are shining," he stood up and pressed his warm, smooth hand to his forehead. "Wait here."

"No! Raphael.. I'll be getting ready, really, I don't want to cause you any trouble.." the dark-eyed man put a finger on Simon's lips.

"You're not going anywhere. Go to the couch."

"Raphael.."

"No" he was already in the kitchen. Simon sighed and took a seat on the sofa, which was obviously to Amor's liking. He immediately jumped onto Simon's lap, hoping his owner would not order him to get down.

When Santiago returned with the silver tray containing the medication, Simon surveyed him again. He had to admit he looked really handsome. On his pale, angelic face, full red lips curled into a smile and black, natural curls fell on his forehead. He definitely preferred them to gelled hair.

"So" Raphael's voice sounded distant. "Have you made up your mind?" He put a thermometer in the younger boy's mouth.

"Not yet" oxygenated by the device.

"Relax. We have time," he said, taking the thermometer from his mouth. "You have a fever. Take your medication and under the blanket" Lewis knew it was no longer worth protesting.

After a while he was lying under the layers of thick blankets, with a cup of tea in his hands and a towel over his forehead, the Mexican laid it on the table, then turned off the TV and sat down next to him.

"What time do you usually go to bed?" He asked. The dark-eyed man laughed.   "It depends. Usually at eleven o'clock, unless the papers are too big," he pulled out another cigarette from the packet. Simon found Santiago's laugh to be one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard.

 ***

 Simon recovered after a week. He had good days with Raphael. Sometimes he also had nightmares or unpleasant dreams that made him mumble loudly and Raphael had to wake him up. Lewis made up his mind. He opted for both options He was supposed to work from Monday to Friday noon as a barista, on Friday evening he was supposed to keep the customers entertained with the guitar and he had the weekend off. The Mexican assured him that he would change him again as soon as he got into college.

Right. Collage.

Simon found the perfect university, close to the Santiago coffee shop. He was only half an hour away by bus, so he thought it was the right choice. The new recruitment season didn't start until January, so they had to wait.

They still lived together. Raphael managed to persuade his friend to return to his home to collect his belongings. He managed to take the guitar, which was the most important subject for him.

But Simon noticed there was something wrong with Santiago. Dark circles under his eyes and slow movements revealed that he was sleepy and tired. He was smoking more cigarettes than ever. Many times Lewis has seen him hiding his face in his hands and shaking his head, generally looking down on pressure and stress.

"Raphael are you okay?" he asked as Santiago sat tired at the table one afternoon. The man grunted and threw the papers on the table, inhaling the smoke.

"Yes, of course," he replied. He put his hand on the back of his neck and tilted his head slightly, squeezing his eyes shut. Then he moved his arms for a moment and resumed his activity.

"It hurts you?"

"Uh.. a little.." he rubbed his eyes. The brown-eyed stood behind the back of the couch, grabbed his shoulders and pressed him against the backrest. "Simon?"

"Relax," he muttered and began massaging. Santiago let out a soft sigh. "What's going on? Are you having a hard days at work? I didn't think you could have such a mess of time as a cafe owner," Raphael sighed.

"It's a family business. The premises are scattered all over America. There are plenty of papers," he relaxed. Lewis looked at his angelic face. The Mexican opened his eyes and they stared at each other for a moment, the brown-eyed came closer and after a while their lips met.

The kiss was slow and uncertain. The lips moved in a consistent, even pace. Lewis let out a satisfied sigh. But later he jumped back as if scalded.

"God, Raphael, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! No.. I don't know what got into me .."

"Simon!" The boy looked at him. "Calm down. Come here" he grabbed his hand and he walked over from behind the couch and sat down next to him. Raphael took his face by both hands. "Now listen to me. We didn't talk about such things. Remember when you came out of the closet?"

"Yes.."

"I was so damn proud of you and still am. We never talked about my orientation because I was still not sure at the time. I didn't want to burden you, so I talked to Magnus a lot. I'm bisexual, Simon.

"Re.. really?"

"Yeah.. well, there are more things I wanted to tell you but I was too scared," he took a deep breath. "I like you, Simon. As long as I can remember" Simon smiled.

"I like you too" Raphael leaned in and pressed their lips together in a deep kiss.

 ***

Simon applied to college. Now he has to wait. He collected every money in a bank account and tried very hard not to spend it.

They got together with Raphael and he was very happy about it. After all, after this unpleasant month, he could experience true, sincere happiness.

They spent the holidays together, celebrating them with both traditions - Christian and Jewish. There was still a menorah on the windowsill in the living room.

He was at work and finished his shift. He went into the back room, trading with his newly met friend Jace. He undid his apron, put on his jacket and backpack, then pulled out his phone and typed a short message to Raphael.

To: Rapha [16.36] I will be soon ;)

He said goodbye to the blonde and left. He headed for the bus stop. He waited for him for half an hour in snow up to his ankles and in frost, and by the way it got dark.

But at least he was home just in time for a warm dinner.

He sat down at the table when he felt a vibration in his pocket. He checked the display and almost choked on his food. He began coughing and Santiago slapped his back in terror.

"I.. it's okay! Don't hit!" He choked out and stood up quickly. "Got in! Got in!"

"Congratulations! I knew you would get in!" Raphael held out his arms and the brown-eyed man ran into his arms.