#tidbit

Doctor Victor Gideon wants to show you his reptile collection.

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His eyes open slowly and his head hurts when they do. He tries not to move, far too aware of the pain radiating down the left side of his body. He tries to take inventory, but when he goes to lift his head, he’s suddenly aware of the tube in his mouth. He tries to make noise, manages a squeak, and suddenly there’s movement inside his hand, and then a fluff of hair lifting from bed. 

Tommy. 

His eyes go wide at the sight of him. There’s bruising beneath both of his eyes and around the cut on his nose. Stitches in his bottom lip. When Tommy lifts Evan’s hand to his lips, he sees the scabs on the back of Tommy’s knuckles, and the bruises on his forearms. 

“Thank fucking god,” he chokes out, tears coming down his face already. Evan looks up at him with sad eyes, scared. Tommy shakes his head, lifting his other hand to Evan’s cheek. 

“No, honey, it’s okay,” he tells him. “You’re okay. You’re going to be fine.” 

Evan squeezes his hand as tightly as he can manage. As he looks down, he can see the rope burns on his wrist. He turns his head—or at least tries to—and lifts his other arm, only to see it wrapped tightly. He looks back over at Tommy and pulls his hand lightly. Tommy releases it, and Evan gestures towards the vent. 

“Your lungs collapsed,” Tommy explains, his voice shaking. “We almost didn’t get you here in time.”

Evan points to the clock and then reaches for Tommy’s hand and draws a question mark. 

“It’s been about four days,” he answers. “They’re working on getting you off of it, but the knife did some extensive damage. Didn’t have the easiest time bringing you out of sedation either.” 

Evan reaches for Tommy’s hand again and squeezes it before sliding it up his forearm and holding on, searching Tommy’s eyes. Tommy strokes his cheek again and gives him a sad smile. 

“No, baby, I’m not going anywhere.” He sniffles, blinks away a stray tear. “I’m not leaving you again.” 

Evan tugs on Tommy’s arm again, and Tommy moves closer to the bed, leaning closer to him. 

“What do you need, honey?” He asks.

Evan lifts his hand to Tommy’s chest and taps over his heart twice before pressing his palm flat against it. Tommy lets out a small, singular laugh, nods again. 

“Yeah,” he responds. “I said I love you.” 

Evan fists the fabric of Tommy’s shirt for a moment, still staring at him before he finds his hand again and grabs it, dragging it up to his own chest and holding it there. Tommy gulps, his expression going emotional as Evan squeezes his wrist. 

“I know,” he replies with a nod, more tears coming down his face. “You said it back.” 

He calms somewhat then, and Tommy keeps stroking his hand against Evan’s cheek, which only serves to start pulling him back under. He still holds on to Tommy’s wrist, his eyes heavy each time he blinks. 

‘…they’re making a film…about bread’

Idiot 🤣