This is a fictional story that may involve sexual acts between two or more males. If this offends you, why are you here? If you are under the legal age to read sexually explicit material then do not read any further. This story in no way represents any person living or dead. Any resemblance to any real person is purely coincidental.

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Readers Note: This chapter in Brent's Struggle starts off following the events in Chapter 38 of the story and then we move to events that will be taking place immediately after the events in chapter 56 of Devyn's Struggle. I've never written a series like this before so I'll be looking forward to your comments. You can send them to me at keith.96@att.net. I do not believe that you have to read Devyn's Struggle to follow the storyline but it might help.

Brent's Struggle Chapter 39

Alex was almost running through the doors of the hospital. When Matt had called to tell Alex that Brent was in the hospital, the stress and concern had been evident in the older man's voice. Alex ran to the desk as Matt had not given him the room number.

"Over here, Alex."

Alex spun towards Bryan's voice and then darted towards the tall Marine. "How is he? What happened? Is he going to be alright? How did he get hurt?"

"Alex!" Pete's voice cut across Alex. "Take a breath man or they're going to admit you."

Alex took a few deep breaths. He tried to calm down. He reminded himself that Matt had not told him how bad it was.

"Hi, I'm Alex's roommate Pete." Pete introduced himself to Bryan.

"Nice to meet you." Bryan held out his hand to the college student.

"Alex has been a bit crazed. I didn't think it would be safe for him to drive."

"Smart man." Bryan could see there was a strong friendship between these two.

"How is Brent?" Pete asked.

"He lost quite a bit of blood and he's going to need surgery." Bryan's voice was calm.

"What?" Alex's voice was loud and showed his stress.

"What happened?" Pete's voice was calm and he placed an arm around Alex.

"We aren't really sure," Bryan began. "What we do know is he broke a lamp and a glass table. The metal pieces of the lamp stabbed into his stomach. The surgeon has to repair that. It's serious but missed the vital organs."

"So...so he's going to be alright?" Alex's voice was trembling. He was trying to decide if he could relax or panic. He took a deep breath.

"Unless they discover something during surgery, they think so." Bryan then took a deep breath. "It's a bit complicated because it also looks like he drank a bunch of wine and beer and took some prescription medication. We aren't sure how many pills he took."

Alex felt his knees growing weak. He might have fallen except Pete was holding him. "He mixed alcohol and pills. That is so not Brent."

"Have you talked to him...since..."

Alex looked down at the floor. "He hasn't returned my calls since that night we went for the walk and he..." Alex swallowed..." he told me to leave."

Bryan placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "I'm sorry Alex. We kept telling him to call you. We told him you would understand."

Alex looked up, his brown eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "I kept trying. I tried every day."

"I'm sure you did." Bryan squeezed Alex's shoulder. "Right now, all we can do is wait."

"Are they prepping him for surgery now? Could I see him? Is Matt with him?"

Bryan sighed. "Matt's in the ER too. He's having some glass removed from his feet. He didn't stop to put on shoes before going to Brent."

"Oh shit, Bryan." Alex put a hand over Bryan's that was still on Alex's shoulder.

"He's going to be fine. He didn't even know he was hurt until after the ambulance picked up Brent. I thought all of the blood was from Brent. Then I saw Matt's feet."

"Fuck!" Pete said.

"I wasn't sure at first if Matt was bleeding or if the blood was Brent's." Bryan took a deep breath. "He's going to be fine. They just need to remove the pieces of glass." Bryan's voice did not sound as certain as his words.

"He's so protective when it comes to Brent," Alex said.

"You have no idea." Bryan could remember how cold Matt's eyes had burned when talking about that last visitation with Richard and Linda.

"If you need to go be with him, I'll wait here with Alex." Pete looked from Bryan to Alex.

"Thanks," Bryan told the college student and then left the two younger men in the waiting room.

"Thanks for being here with me," Alex told Pete after Bryan had left them.

"That's what friends do, bud."

"I got damn lucky finding you in that bar."

"You damn sure did. You would be a fucking mess without me."

Time seemed to move slowly for Alex. He wanted updates on Brent but they were giving him little information because he was not family. Alex wondered if he could use the Caldwell name to bully anyone in administration. He considered trying to find the CEO of the hospital and waking his ass up. He was sure that more than one generous Caldwell check had found its way to the hospital.

"Relax Alex," Pete said after watching Alex walk the circuit of the waiting room again.

"Should it be taking this long?" Alex wanted to hit someone. He pulled out his phone. He was going to find that CEO and get his ass down here. It was then that Matt in a wheelchair came out with Bryan.

"Matt, Bryan." Alex hurried to the two men. "They won't tell us anything."

"Brent's in surgery," Matt said. His voice was rough. There was more gravel in it than Alex could ever remember hearing. The man looked exhausted.

"It's going well," Bryan said.

"Thank God," Alex said. He was relieved but still deeply concerned.

"How are you doing, Matt?" Pete had moved up next to the other three men.

"Um...I'm going to be fine." Matt was not sure who this new guy was. He looked from Pete to Alex and then back to Pete.

"For someone that comes from high class, he doesn't have much," Pete said. "I'm Pete Kane. I'm Alex's friend and roommate."

"Sorry," Alex said. "Pete's been my rock tonight."

"Nice to Meet you, Pete."

"You too, Matt." Pete took the offered hand. "Those feet look painful." Pete nodded towards the bandages on Matt's feet.

"It is really only one foot," Matt said. "The other foot only had one small piece of glass in my little toe."

"Ouch dude," Pete said. "You need anything? Something to drink? Something to eat?"

"No..." Matt began but Bryan cut him off.

"Something to drink would be nice and Matt's going to need something for pain. They are not big at prescribing pain meds anymore."

"Sure, I'll go pick up some over-the-counter stuff," Pete said. "We passed a 24-hour pharmacy on the way."

"Here Pete," Alex said, passing Pete a credit card.

"Awesome Man," Pete said, taking the card. "I can get that new entertainment system too."

Alex snorted. He knew that Pete would probably go buy the store brand of pain pills. "Get whatever you want."

"Thanks, Pete," Bryan said.

"I'll be back. Try and keep him calm." Pete indicated Alex.

#

For Alex, the surgery seemed to go on all night. Pete returned with drinks for everyone and a couple of various kinds of pain medication for Matt. "I also picked you up some bandages and antiseptic ointment. I thought you might need that when you have to change those bandages. I also got these snacks," Pete indicated another bag, "I thought we might need them. Plus you will need to eat something if you take that pain stuff. It isn't good on an empty stomach."

Matt was touched by Pete's thoughtfulness. It seemed Alex had found him one heck of a good friend. "Thanks, Pete. I am not sure I have any cash..."

"Hell, money bags paid for it. He's got it to spare." Pete flashed his dimples and impish smile at Matt."

"Don't worry about it," Alex said. "I'll make Pete work off whatever he spent."

Matt could not tell exactly what the two's relationship was. It seemed to be more than friends but Matt was certain that Alex was still in love with Brent.

The sky was turning from deep purple to a Rosey pink when they moved up to a waiting room on the fifth floor. "I hate being pushed around in this stupid thing," Matt said. "I could walk."

"You can walk later," Bryan said. "Right now, just enjoy the ride." Bryan then leaned down and kissed the top of Matt's head.

The hurry up and wait was grating on Alex's nerves. He wanted to see Brent. He knew the surgeon had said everything went fine. No organs were damaged and Brent was expected to make a full recovery. "His physical injuries will heal," the doctor said. "The emotional ones seem to run much deeper. This might have been an accident but the pills and alcohol we found in his system were not."

"That won't happen again." Matt's voice was adamant. He had already decided to get all of the liquor out of the house.

Finally, they brought Brent to his room and the three were allowed to go in and see him. Pete did not feel right intruding since he had never met Brent.

"He looks so pale," Alex's voice was barely above a whisper as he stood next to Brent's bed.

"He does," Matt agreed. He tried to fight down the tears. He tried to hold back his emotions.

Bryan slid his arm around Matt's shoulders. "He's going to recover. He's going to be fine."

Matt had heard the doctor's words. He knew the physical injuries would heal but the emotional ones were harder to treat. "We will have to call Steven."

"In a couple of hours," Bryan said. "It is still early."

Alex lightly held Brent's hand. "He feels so cold." Part of Alex wanted to get into the bed and hold Brent. What had the guy been thinking? Alex wished he had just gone to see him. He wished he had just pushed his way back into Brent's life.

#

Matt lightly touched Alex's arm to wake Alex up. He had dozed off sitting next to Brent. The fact that Alex could fall asleep in the uncomfortable chair indicated how tired he was.

"Why don't you go get Pete and go home," Matt said softly. "Brent's going to sleep. He's on some major pain medication and he's going to be groggy from the anesthesia."

"I should get Pete back home. He probably needs some sleep. He just started a new job and I think he works tonight." Alex rubbed the sleep from his eyes and then looked at Brent. He wanted Brent to wake up. He wanted the hell that Brent had been living through to end.

"You should both go on home and get some sleep," Matt said. "We can call you if there is any change."

"Please do call me if he wakes up again." Brent had only been awake for a few minutes. He had been groggy and had not made any sense. He had mentioned something about a wedding picture and living with Bryan. The words were slurred and Brent quickly dropped back into sleep.

"Yes, Alex we will call," Bryan reassured the college student. "Go home and get some rest. You can come back later."

Alex did feel dead tired. He and Pete had not gotten much sleep the night before. They had been up late talking. Then they had gone to bed and had not been asleep long before the phone started ringing.

"I'll be back after I get a few hours of sleep." Alex leaned over Brent's sleeping form and kissed him softly on the lips. He wanted to do more. He hoped that maybe like in the stories Brent would wake up but no such luck. Alex tenderly pushed some blonde hair back on Brent's forehead.

Alex slowly left the room. He strode slowly down the hall to the waiting room. "Hey, Pete. Sorry I've kept you waiting. You could have left."

"Alex there was no way I was doing that." Pete stood up from the uncomfortable chair. "How is Brent?"

"He's sleeping. He woke up but they gave him something for the pain and he's back to sleep. Matt told me to go home and get some rest."

"You need it, buddy," Pete said. "I can drive you back later."

"Thanks, Pete. You are...well...my best bud."

"Yeah, don't forget it. Now let's get you home and get some sleep."

#

Albert paused outside the hospital room door. He knocked softly then he waited. It only took a moment for Bryan to open the door. "Albert, wow you got here fast." Bryan stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him.

"How is he?" Albert's concern was genuine.

"He's better. He was awake a bit ago. He was in a lot of pain and they gave him something for that. He's sleeping now."

"He's going to be alright though?" Albert's voice was laced with his concern for Brent. He had only met the teenager once at the office when he had been with Matt. It had not taken Albert long to put the pieces together to know that Brent had been one of the boys rescued from the clinic. From what he had read about the trial, he could not imagine how hard that had been for Brent.

"The physical injuries will heal." Bryan took a breath and let it out slowly. "The emotional ones are harder to treat."

Albert reached out and placed a hand on Bryan's arm. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"Just keep doing what you have been doing. Matt doesn't need any work stress right now."

"I'm sure that is true. He can trust me to take care of the office."

"He does trust you but not that fucking boss. If that jackass sent you..."

"No, no I can manage that neanderthal. I've already told him how this is going to work. He started to tell me how things worked and I quickly put that dick 'tard in his place. He won't be calling Matt again without first going through me and he doesn't have the balls for that."

Bryan could not stop a smile from curving up the corners of his mouth. Albert might not be a Marine but the little guy had more balls than some Marines Bryan had known. "Thanks. You are the best AA. If it isn't work, then what was the call for? What is up?"

"I've got someone in the waiting room that Matt has to meet with," Albert said.

"You brought a client here?" Bryan was shocked and in disbelief that Albert would drag a client to the hospital.

"No, no. This has nothing to do with work but Matt..."

The door opened then and Matt stepped out of Brent's room. "I thought I heard your voice," Matt said as he was looking at Albert. "If the boss sent you..."

"No, no. I've dealt with him. Trust me he won't be calling you again. He knows that ALL communication goes through me now."

"Thanks, Albert, you are the best." Matt reached and squeezed Albert's upper arm.

"But you need to come with me for just a few minutes," Albert said. "It's important Matt."

"I really don't want to leave Brent," Matt said.

"Go on," Bryan said as he lightly rubbed Matt's back. "He's sleeping and I'll be here if he wakes up."

Albert grabbed Matt's arm. "Just come on." He tugged Matt down the hall. "You are going to flip when you see who I've brought."

"Albert I really don't think..." Matt wanted to say he did not want to meet with anyone. He wanted to stay by Brent. Plus, his foot was killing him. He was limping as he walked.

Albert was trying to keep his pace slow for Matt but it was hard. He wanted to just propel the larger man down the hall to the reunion. "This is great Matt. The timing, well it could have been better but it is still awesome."

Matt was still confused. He was running on a lack of sleep and sheer nerves. Albert was not making any sense in Matt's foggy state. "Look, Albert. I am not even sure what day of the week it is. It feels like we have been here for days. I really don't have time..."

"It's Friday Matt. I know time in hospitals moves differently than in the rest of the world. It is almost like it stands still. I remember that from when my nephew Owen was born. He was premature and spent a couple of weeks in ICU."

Matt could remember that. Albert had gone to the hospital every afternoon. "Wow, it's only Friday. I was sure it was Monday. I really need some sleep."

"I think this is going to help." Albert stopped outside the waiting room. "Just go in. It's all going to make sense." With that, Albert pushed Matt into the room.

Matt stumbled as he was pushed into the waiting room. He winced as he put too much pressure on his injured foot. He saw the man and the boy sitting in the waiting room. He did not know who this was. He had never seen the guy before. He wanted to throttle Albert for bringing him down here. He started to turn around to find out just what the hell Albert was thinking. It was when Matt turned to confront Albert, that he saw the other person in the waiting room. His first thought was that the teenager looked familiar but his foggy mind was not placing him. It wasn't until the teenager pushed his long deep brown hair back that he realized who it was. "It can't be." Matt could not believe what he was seeing.

"Hey, Matt."

"Devyn. Is that you?" Matt was still not fully believing what he was seeing. It was not until his eyes looked into Devyn's eyes and he saw those golden flecks almost glowing in the florescent lights of the waiting room, that he allowed himself to believe the truth. "Holy fuck!" Despite his injury, Matt moved quickly crossing the small room with just a couple of quick strides. "Holy fuck!" Matt pulled Devyn to him and hugged the teenager hard. "I can't believe this. I am so..." Matt was fighting back tears as he was trying to speak.

"It's good to see you." Devyn was a bit surprised by Matt's intensity but he returned Matt's hug. Matt's response to seeing him seemed to be more than just Matt being glad to see him again.

Matt pulled his emotions under control. "Damn it!" He held Devyn out at arm's length. "You look damn good kiddo. I don't know if I should hug you again or punch you."

"Um, my choice would be another hug."

Matt chuckled and pulled Devyn to him again. "Shit it's so good to see you." Matt was fighting back the tears. He was trying to hold it together but his control was slipping.

Devyn embraced Matt and he could feel the man almost trembling. He ran his hand up and down Matt's back. "Hey, you alright?" Devyn could not believe that Matt was actually crying. He turned towards Joe to look for help.

"I'm sorry," Matt said into Devyn's neck. "Shit. Give me a second it..."

Devyn held Matt for another moment before the man pulled his emotions under control. "Sorry about this."

"It's alright," Devyn said as he was looking into Matt's eyes. Matt's eyes looked like green pools of shimmering water as he fought back the tears.

Matt wiped at his eyes. "I'm sorry. It's just...it's just...well fuck he told me...I thought you were, he said you were dead. He told me..."

Devyn was beginning to understand now. "Frank. You talked to Frank, didn't you?"

"Yes, months ago. He said you had died. Does he know you are alive?"

"He knows," Devyn said. "He, um, well found out I'm gay and it went...well horrible."

"I do know a little about how bad that went for you." Matt was holding Devyn by the arms now. He was almost afraid to let go of the teenager. He was afraid he might vanish again.

Devyn was surprised. He could not believe Frank would talk to Matt about finding Devyn and Brent together and then throwing Devyn out onto the street. "You do?"

"Shit, we have to talk. Fuck, I just don't know..." Matt's voice trailed off as he once again realized they were not alone. He sheepishly turned towards Joe. "I'm so sorry about my language. It's been rough for a few days."

"It's alright," Joe said.

"Um, sorry about speaking so inappropriately in front of your son." Matt indicated Travis who was sitting next to Joe.

"It's alright," Devyn said and was signing as he spoke. "Travis is deaf and Joe has heard those words before. Matt, this is Joe and my little brother Travis."

Matt was watching Devyn signing and then looking from Joe to Travis and then back at Devyn. "Your...ah...brother? I'm sorry I'm a bit confused."

"It is a long story. I'm not even sure where to begin."

"I'd like to hear it all. But maybe when I'm a little less tired." Matt rubbed a hand across his face. He felt even more drained than before but there also seemed to be a hole inside him that had been filled.

Devyn was beginning to see the circles under Matt's eyes. He could see that the emerald color he remembered was not as bright in Matt's eyes. "I'm sorry Matt. I got so caught up in everything." He took Matt's arm and guided him to a chair. "Sit down and tell us what's going on with you. Albert said you had a family emergency. Is Bryan alright?"

Matt was glad to get off his feet. Now that his emotions were under control, the pain from his foot was starting to register again. He had probably been on it too much today. "Bryan is fine. He's going to flip. He's going to want to see you."

"I'd like to see him too. I'm glad you both are well. So, what did Frank tell you about what happened?"

"Oh, Frank did not tell me anything. Well, other than you had died." Matt then began to relay the details of his business meeting and how Frank had been there representing the construction company.

"I guess he got that promotion," Devyn said. "So, all he told you was I had died."

"Yes, that was it. I did some searching but could not find an obituary or anything. It was crazy that there was no record of you. I mean no death announcement. All Bryan and I could think was that you had come out to him and then something horrible had happened. We thought if Frank did know you were...um..." Matt glanced over at Joe.

"It's alright, he knows I'm gay." Devyn placed a reassuring hand on Matt's knee.

Matt was a little relieved that he had not let something slip. "Well, we thought it would be like Frank to keep it all quiet. He would not want anyone to know his gay son had died."

"But he didn't tell you how I died?" Devyn could not believe this. He wanted even less to see his father now.

"No. All he said was it was my fault. I was sure that meant he had learned you were gay."

"Well, since I did not die, that might explain it."

"I tried to find the public record of your death but could not find one. We couldn't find a record of you anywhere. It made no sense."

Devyn looked down at the floor and then back at Matt. "I, um, got into some trouble. Because of the, um, trouble, my records were sealed."

"I'm sorry about the trouble. I'm sure that Frank wanted everything kept quiet. Is that why he started the rumor?"

"Better a dead son than a son who's a faggot."

"Devyn!" Matt's voice had a tone of rebuke in it.

"It's true. He'd rather have a dead son than a gay one." Devyn tried to keep the pain from his voice but he had to swallow down a lump.

Joe picked up on the pain in Devyn's voice and eyes. He had been watching Devyn closely when he and Matt had started to talk about Devyn's father. "Knock that off," Joe's baritone was firm. "It is his loss and my gain. He'll never know that wonderful man you are."

Matt looked from Devyn to Joe. He was not positive he knew what the relationship between the man and Devyn was but the guy seemed to be solidly behind Devyn.

"He's like my biggest fan," Devyn said, shrugging.

"He's right. It is Frank's loss. He gave up the most important thing in his life. Hell, he didn't just give it up but threw it out. I'm so sorry about that. I knew on one level that Frank was never going to be able to accept you. I just thought that maybe, just maybe, he would grow enough to get past his hatred."

"I just wasn't..."

"Don't you dare start down that road," Joe's voice was even more firm. "You are more than just good enough. Any man, any real man, would be overjoyed to have you as their son."

"I have to agree with him," Matt said. He was beginning to like Joe more.

"It is just...hard."

"I'm sure it is," Matt said. He placed his larger hand over Devyn's and gave it a squeeze. "You don't know how good it is to see you."

"It's good to see you too." Devyn covered Matt's hand with his own. "If Bryan is alright, what has you here?" Devyn wanted to move the topic off of him. He did not want to talk anymore about his parents or what had happened to him after Frank had kicked him out.

Matt placed his other hand on Devyn's shoulder. "This is probably going to be a bit of a shock but we're here because of Brent."

B...Br... Brent?" Devyn felt like a pile of bricks had just landed on him. The memories of him and Brent flashed through his mind. He remembered that camping trip and them wrestling in their underwear. That had started their sexual relationship. He also remembered Brent telling him to leave. He could remember all too clearly how Brent had turned his back on him when Devyn had needed his friend the most.

"He's had it rough for a while. He's hurt pretty bad right now."

Devyn felt like he had been kicked in the stomach. "He's hurt?" Devyn looked from Matt over at Joe. He needed to know Joe was still there. He needed his rock and that was what Joe was.

"He's hurt pretty bad. He lost a large amount of blood and had to have emergency surgery. He's going to have a couple of scars." Matt did not want to tell Devyn about the alcohol and pills. It was still unclear how many of the pills Brent had taken or how much the teenager had drunk.

"Is...is he going to be alright?" Devyn could not believe this. He had so many emotions where Brent was concerned. He was disappointed in his friend. He was mad as hell at him for not being there when Devyn had needed him. He had silently wished for Brent to hurt but not to be hurt.

"He's got some problems. The physical ones will heal. We are having a harder time with..." Matt paused before continuing. "Let me just say he's had it damn rough.

Devyn closed his eyes. He was not sure which direction was up. He felt like his heart was being squeezed. He was finding it a little hard to breathe. He did not know how he should be feeling. He was mad, sad, concerned and so many other emotions were twisting in the hurricane of his stomach. "Can I see him?" Devyn had asked the question before fully understanding what that would mean emotionally for him.

"Devyn, he's been through hell. I'm not sure you can understand..."

"You know I went through hell too. I got thrown out onto the street..."

"Brent told us." Matt's voice was calm even though Devyn's had risen. "Brent told us about how the two of you were caught. He told us about hurting you. He's filled with regrets about that. I'm sure you are mad at him for what happened."

"I was, I guess I still am a little."

"I think that is understandable," Matt said.

"But Devyn has a big heart," Joe said. "Big enough to forgive or at least give someone a second chance."

"Not fair Batman." Devyn's lips were curved up into a rueful smile. Devyn turned back to Matt. "He's probably right though. He always is."

"Brent really has been through hell," Matt said. "I won't go into it. Brent will need to share that with you. It's his story."

"Can I see him?" Devyn knew Joe was right that he needed to see Brent and see how he truly felt. Was he really still angry with Brent or was he feeling something else?

"Sure, I think he needs to see you. He's on some powerful pain medication and is in and out."

"I understand."

Matt got up from the chair. "Come on."

"I won't be too long," Devyn said, looking at Joe.

"Take your time. Travis and I will be here waiting."

It was as they were leaving the waiting room that Devyn noticed Matt limping. He looked down and saw the funny boot on Matt's foot. "Matt, you're hurt!"

"It's nothing," Matt said. "I just had to have some glass dug out of my foot."

Devyn shook his head. It reminded him of Joe. Just work through whatever the physical pain was. "Should you be walking this much?"

Matt was walking slowly and wincing with the new throbbing in his foot. He was going to need to take something sooner rather than later for the pain. "It isn't too far to Brent's room."

Devyn followed Matt down the hall. He could feel a fist holding his heart growing tighter and tighter. He wasn't sure why he was feeling so strange. He had to remind himself it was Brent. This wasn't an evil person. It wasn't like it was Tom or Tanner. It was just Brent. It was an old boyfriend.

They paused outside the room. Matt placed his hand on the door handle. "Like I said he is on some pain medication. He might not be awake or he might be really groggy."

"I understand." Devyn took a breath as Matt pushed the door. Open. He followed the man into the room. Devyn saw Bryan first. He was sitting in a chair near the foot of the bed. The curtain partially hid the occupant of the bed.

"Bryan, I've got a surprise," Matt said as he entered the room.

Bryan moved his eyes from Brent's sleeping form to Matt's. He then saw the young man behind Matt's right shoulder. At first glance, he thought it was Alex back already. "Didn't you..." Bryan's words trailed off as he realized that the young man wasn't Alex. "Fuck!" Bryan's voice was filled with his shock.

"I'm as surprised as you are. It is hard to believe." Matt stepped further into the room. "Has he woken up?" Matt moved to the bed and stepped around behind the curtain.

Bryan pulled his eyes from Devyn to look at Matt and then at Brent. He pulled his thoughts together before he spoke. "He woke up briefly while you were gone. The nurse was in and gave him a little more pain medication. They are trying to stay ahead of the pain." Bryan got up and moved towards Devyn.

"Hey," Devyn said as Bryan approached.

"Fuck but I don't believe this." Bryan was looking Devyn up and down. He was trying to wrap his mind around Devyn being there and looking well. Hell, he was looking better than well. The kid looked healthy and shit if he had not gotten more attractive.

"Hi, Bryan." Devyn felt a little weird at how both Matt and Bryan were looking at him. He guessed it was not every day that someone returned from the grave.

"Damn kid, I think you've grown a couple of inches." Bryan moved closer and pulled Devyn into a hug. "Fuck you don't know how good it is to see you well."

"Thanks," Devyn returned Bryan's hug. The tall blonde was holding Devyn tight. His hand caressed Devyn's back. "It's good to see both of you too."

Bryan released Devyn from the hug but kept a hand on both of the teenager's shoulders. He looked into Devyn's eyes. His blue eyes locked onto Devyn. He closed his eyes. "Shit."

Devyn could not believe it. He thought he saw tears escaping Bryan's eyes. Was this macho Marine actually crying? "Um, you alright?"

Bryan released Devyn and quickly wiped at his eyes. "Fuck!"

Devyn placed a hand on Bryan's arm. "It's alright, real men cry. Even tough Marines like you." Devyn gave Bryan's large bicep a reassuring squeeze.

"You don't know how rough it's been the last couple of days." Bryan chuckled. "Seeing you...well...it is like...um...the sky finally cleared a little." Bryan wiped a couple more tears from his eyes. He was sure if he wasn't exhausted, he would not be so emotional. "Thanks for the reminder though, that real men..."

"They do cry. Especially big macho Marines like you." Devyn playfully punched Bryan's arm. Devyn then moved to the bed. He walked around the foot of it. His eyes started there at the foot and began working their way up the form lying in the bed. Slowly he reached the head of the bed. His eyes reached Brent's face. Devyn felt that fist around his heart give a squeeze. He thought his heart might have skipped several beats as his eyes landed on Brent's sleeping face.

Brent looked so pale lying there on the bed. His face was almost as white as the sheets. His lips were paler than Devyn remembered. He wondered if that was due to some blood loss. Matt had said that Brent had undergone surgery. He looked more fragile than Devyn would have thought possible.

Devyn's eyes traveled down to the hand sticking out from the sheet. The line of an intravenous tube ran from there to the bag on the pole. Devyn ran his tongue nervously over his lips.

"You know he's wanted to find you," Matt said.

Devyn almost jumped. For a moment while looking at Brent, he had forgotten there was anyone else in the room. Devyn looked up to meet Matt's green eyes looking back at him. "He has?"

"Yes, ever since we...ah...picked him up. He's wanted to find you. He's wanted to talk to you."

Devyn looked back down at the bed. He looked at Brent's sleeping form. "I've thought about him a lot since that Sunday afternoon."

"Was that the last time you two saw each other?"

"Yes, it...um...did not go well. He...ah...well that doesn't matter." The hand squeezing Devyn's heart relaxed. That meeting did not really matter. It hurt but it was just one moment in their relationship. Should that one moment erase all of the good? Should that one action destroy the friendship and first love they had both felt? Devyn did not doubt that at one point they had loved each other. What might have grown from those first feelings had the universe not conspired to separate them? Would that love they had felt for each other have grown? Or would it have faded into a friendship? Devyn did not know. He just knew that Brent's one action should not destroy their friendship. Everyone deserved a chance to make things right.

"Brent told us about that. He felt..."

Matt," Devyn said, cutting off Matt's words. "It isn't important now. That was then, this is now. Now is important. Him getting well is important."

Matt's green eyes shimmered with unshed emotion. "You are a hell of a man."

Devyn looked back down at Brent. Tentatively he reached out and softly brushed a few blonde hairs back. His fingers lightly touched the cool skin of Brent's forehead. Devyn felt a surge of emotion at the contact. Brent felt both familiar and like a stranger.

Matt was watching Devyn. The tenderness at which Devyn had brushed back those blonde hairs was almost identical to how Alex had brushed them back. The two looked similar but also different. Matt could not help but wonder if it were those similarities that had attracted Brent to Alex.

"Matt's right," Bryan said. "You are a hell of a guy." Bryan had moved up on Devyn's side of the bed. He put his arm around Devyn's shoulders. "He mumbled something earlier. I could not make out much but the name Cody. Was he someone the two of you went to school with?"

Devyn thought for a moment but could not remember any boys named Cody. "No, it doesn't ring a bell."

"It was a long shot," Bryan said. "He never mentioned the name before."

"It could be someone from his new school," Matt said.

"I don't think he's made that many friends," Bryan said. "He...um...keeps to himself a lot."

"That is true," Matt sighed. "We can ask Alex and Steven. Maybe one of them will recognize the name."

Devyn felt a surge of emotion at the guy's names that he did not know. Was he jealous? Was Brent in a relationship with this Alex or Steven? Maybe this Cody was another boyfriend? Devyn was not sure what he was feeling. He could not be mad or jealous that Brent had moved on. He, Devyn, had moved on, hadn't he? Wasn't he now in a new relationship with Charlie? "Um...who are Alex and Steven?" Devyn could not stop himself from asking the question.

"Friends of Brent's," Bryan said.

"I'm sure he will tell you all about them. That is if you can stick around?" Matt was looking over Brent's sleeping form at Devyn.

Devyn took in a deep breath and then let it out. "I don't really know. I wasn't expecting this and neither was Joe." Devyn looked up from Brent to Matt and then to Bryan. "I had just planned on seeing you." Devyn looked back at Matt. "I wanted to thank you for being so good to me. You had warned me about how Frank might react and, well you two guys were right."

"I'm sorry we were," Bryan said as he gave Devyn a squeeze with the arm that was still around the teenager's shoulders.

"We were going to see you and then, well then go see my parents."

"Have you seen them since you...urn...um..."

"Were thrown out," Devyn supplied as Bryan stumbled for a word.

"Yeah, have you?"

"Twice since they caught me and Brent together. Neither time went well."

"I'm sorry," Matt said. He reached across Brent's sleeping body and gave Devyn's hand a squeeze.

Again, Bryan tightened the pressure of his arm around Devyn's shoulders. "I know that is rough."

"It is. I always think I'm past the hurt but well..."

"You don't get passed that," Bryan said.

"Bryan's Dad was a bit like yours," Matt said.

"Hell, he was a lot like yours. He couldn't handle having a little fag for a son."

Devyn could not help but laugh at the `little fag' comment. Bryan was anything but little. The guy was over six feet, broad-shouldered, well-muscled, and a former Marine. "It sounds like you, me, and Joe all ended up with the same kind of Dad."

"Joe?" Bryan asked.

"I guess he's... well now he's my adopted Dad. That became final this morning."

"Congratulations," Matt said.

"Yeah, I'd like to meet him," Bryan said.

"He's down the hall," Devyn said. He looked back down at Brent. Even with all of their talking, Brent had not stirred. Devyn moved a hand and lightly caressed Brent's cheek with the back of a finger. It was still as smooth as a baby's. "Has he, I mean has he been awake at all?"

"He was a little earlier today but he was groggy," Matt said.

"Just before you two came back in," Bryan said. "It was only for a few minutes."

Devyn stood there watching Brent. He could not stop himself from remembering all of their good times. He could remember the trips to the mall, and the walks in the park. The late-night study sessions that often ended with them stroking each other. He tried not to think about when his parents had caught them. But even that memory had good points. The memory of them orally satisfying the other was still as vivid for Devyn as if it had happened just yesterday. He could remember the pleasure of both sucking Brent and Brent sucking him to completion. He could also remember how good it had felt to sleep curled up naked together. It had been especially good waking up next to Brent's naked body. Devyn could still remember the special way he had awoken Brent that morning. Of course, he could not do that now. Not with Matt and Bryan in the room and not when he had a boyfriend at home. He was going to have to talk to Charlie when he got back home.

They stood there softly talking while watching Brent. Devyn told them a little about the farm, school, and a few of his friends. He did not want to talk about Charlie. He talked more about Sam and Julie. "My friend Stacy roped me into being in this play. I think she just wanted a gay guy to do the kissing scene with her."

"Or maybe she wanted the hottest guy to do the kissing scenes with," Bryan teased.

"No, there are guys that are way hotter than me."

Bryan snickered. "Hell, I doubt that."

Devyn looked down at Brent. He wondered how much the guy could hear or if he could hear any of the conversation. Brent's breathing was steady. He seemed to just be sleeping. If it weren't for being in the hospital and how pale Brent was, you might not know he was hurt.

Devyn realized that it was getting late. He knew Joe would be wanting to get to the hotel and he was sure Travis was bored out of his mind. "Um, I guess I should probably be going. I mean Joe and Travis are waiting on me."

"Is Travis your boyfriend?" Bryan asked. "I know a stud like you has to have one or two."

"Travis is my little brother." Devyn started to say he had a boyfriend at home but he did not. It felt strange to him saying it in front of Brent. He was not sure exactly how much Brent might hear or understand.

"That's cool," Bryan said. "I bet you make an awesome big brother."

"I think I do, but really Travis is the awesome one."

Devyn began moving around the bed. He paused when he heard Brent mutter. "Did he say something?" Devyn moved back to the head of the bed and leaned over so he could hear.

"I'm sorry." Brent's lips barely moved and the words were barely audible.

"What did he say?" Bryan had not been able to make out the words.

"He...um...said he was sorry." Devyn looked from Brent to Matt. "Is he talking to me? Do you think he knows I'm here?"

"Well, he's been wanting to say that to you for a while," Matt said. "I think maybe he knows on some level."

Devyn looked from Matt back down to Brent. He lightly ran his fingers across Brent's forehead. "Rest Brent," Devyn said. "I'll be back tomorrow." He then leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against Brent's cheek.

Devyn then moved around the bed and bolted towards the door. He was trying to hold back all of the emotions surging through his nerves. He paused in the hall and took several deep breaths. He wiped his eyes with his thumb and fingers. If Matt was right, then maybe Brent did regret what he had said that Sunday afternoon. Maybe Brent considered it a mistake that he had turned his back on Devyn.

"You alright?" Matt's voice showed his concern for the teenager. He placed a comforting hand on Devyn's back.

"Yeah, that...at the last there was..."

"Hard, huh?" Matt slid his arm around Devyn's shoulders.

"I was so hurt by him and so mad at him. I've played out in my head how seeing Brent again might go. I...well...it was nothing like this."

"None of us were prepared for this."

"Matt, what happened? I mean to put him here?"

"We aren't exactly sure," Matt said. "Brent has been through hell."

Devyn wanted to say so had he. He had been through three kinds of hell with Tom and the sadistic customers Tom had found. "So, what happened to him?"

"I think you and Brent have a great deal to talk about. I think he should tell you what he's been through."

Devyn took a long breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah, I guess we have both been through a lot."

"I'm guessing it has not been exactly easy for you since being kicked out by your parents." Matt was watching Devyn closely. He could see there was a maturity in those warm eyes that had not been there the last time he had looked into their chocolate depths.

Devyn sighed before answering Matt. "It was rough. I made some bad choices and well like I told you earlier I ended up in some trouble."

"I think when Brent is better, you should share the details with him. It might help him."

"It sounds like we both have a lot to tell the other." Devyn just was not sure how much he wanted to tell Brent. Did he want Brent to know what he had done for Tom?

"It might even help you." Matt gave Devyn's shoulders a squeeze. "Talking with a friend could be good for you both."

Were they still friends? Devyn was not sure. They had parted under such bad circumstances. Devyn had been so mad at Brent. He thought he still had a right to those feelings. Brent had abandoned him when Devyn had needed him the most. "Um, yeah, maybe."

"I know you have school and friends and this whole new life, but do you think you can come back?" Matt thought both of these boys needed each other. He wondered if either of them could move on without a long talk with the other.

"I'll have to talk to Joe about that. In fact, I should be getting back to him and Travis." Devyn started down the hall towards the waiting room.

Matt followed Devyn toward the waiting room. "It would mean a lot to Brent and to me."

Devyn paused outside the door to the room. "Matt, it means a lot to me that you are helping Brent. You did not know him that well. Hell, you didn't really know me."

"Devyn, to be honest, I felt some sort of connection to you that first time I saw you carrying those boxes into Frank's office. I don't know why. It isn't like I can explain it but it was there."

"You know I felt the same," Devyn said. "I, um, well was attracted to you but it was more than that."

Devyn moved into the waiting room where Joe and Travis had been waiting on him. "Sorry, that took a little longer than I thought it would."

"Hey now, you can't drop that and walk away," Matt said as he followed Devyn into the waiting room.

Devyn turned to Matt. "It's true. I was attracted to you. When I found out you were gay, well that just got my mind racing." Devyn could remember all too clearly how he had been attracted to Matt. The man was handsome and well-built.

"You shouldn't be attracted to an old guy like me."

"Oh, knock that off," Devyn said. "That is the same shit he tries to pull." Devyn gestured at Joe with his thumb. "Neither of you is old and you're both...well...hot."

"Damn, kid." Matt was a bit surprised by how blunt Devyn was.

"He's grown out of his shy phase," Joe commented. "He needs to watch the language though."

"I guess he has." Matt looked into Devyn's eyes. He could still see the gold in those chocolate pools but the innocence was gone. The boy Matt had remembered had grown.

Devyn turned to Joe. "I thought if we could work it out, I would come back tomorrow. Brent wasn't really awake so...um..."

"We can do that," Joe said.

"It isn't going to be much fun for you and Travis." Devyn hated making both of them wait on him.

"There's a children's museum and some other events that you two might want to check out," Matt said. "I'll have Albert set up tickets and stuff. He can probably even show you around."

"Wouldn't tomorrow be his day off?" Joe did not want to put Matt's assistant out.

"Albert won't mind. He likes being a tour guide to hot men." There was a glint in Matt's eye. He thought Albert would be excited to spend time with Joe.

"Don't get any ideas on fixing him up," Devyn said. "He's got a hot boyfriend at home."

"Albert might be a little disappointed but he will still enjoy being your guide. He loves children. He's got several nephews and nieces that he's always talking about."

"As long as he doesn't mind, we would appreciate it," Joe said.

"Matt, I know you want Brent to fill me in on what he has been through but how did he end up here? How did he get hurt?"

"It is a little unclear," Matt said. "I hope it was all just a stupid accident. He just fell and knocked over a glass table and lamp. It broke and he landed on it. It wouldn't have been too bad but the lamp had a metal rod that impaled Brent."

"Ouch!" Devyn winced in sympathy for his friend.

"A couple of the cuts were deep enough to require stitches. It was the metal rod that caused the most severe injury." Matt was not going to add that Brent had also been drinking and taking prescription medication. "He's probably going to end up with a couple of scars from the experience.

"Scars can be sexy," Devyn said.

"I hope Brent thinks so." Matt was worried that the scars might give Brent one more reason to push Alex or any other guy away.

"What about Brent's parents?" Devyn was curious why Richard and Linda were not there.

"Bryan and I have guardianship and we are hoping to have permanent custody soon." Matt could not hide his tone of anger when he thought about Brent's parents.

"Linda and Richard must be thrilled with that." Devyn had liked Brent's parents in the beginning. They had seemed loving and nice. He had thought of them much like his own parents. That had turned out to be true. They had been just as unaccepting of Brent as his folks had been with him.

"They do not deserve a son." Matt's voice was hard. It was obvious the man did not care for Brent's parents. "We have not even told them he's in the hospital. We decided to wait until Brent was a little stronger." In fact, he and Bryan had decided to wait until Brent was out. Then they might let Linda and Richard know about the accident. They definitely did not want them showing up at the hospital and causing more stress for Brent.

Devyn was a little surprised by Matt's tone. "I guess they tossed Brent out, just like my folks."

"Brent would have been better off if they had thrown him out." Matt closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Sorry, I might have some of my own issues with Richard. We, Richard and I, did not get along at all. I'll let Brent tell you what he wants of all that."

"Maybe we should talk about this later." Devyn put a hand on Matt's upper arm. "I know you are exhausted and this can wait."

"Is it that obvious?" Matt tried to force a smile.

"Hospitals can be exhausting." Devyn could remember the time he had spent there when Travis had been recovering from the car accident. He and Joe would not leave Travis alone when they could not be certain that there would be someone there, whom he could communicate with.

"They are." Matt let out a breath. "Thanks for taking the time to see him. I know he hurt you..."

"That isn't important now. Right now, all that is important is Brent getting better. If you need a break, you, and Bryan, I am willing to do what I can."

"Thanks. Come back tomorrow and maybe when Brent gets out of here."

Devyn looked over at Joe and got a slight nod. "I think we can work that out."

"Thanks, Devyn." Matt then moved and pulled Devyn into a hug. "It is so damn good to see you looking so healthy."

Devyn returned Matt's hug. He could feel the heat of the man's body through the polo shirt Matt was wearing. "Call me if he or you need anything."

"I'll have Albert call you in the morning with the details of whatever activities he comes up with," Matt said after he and Devyn had exchanged numbers.

"Thanks," Devyn said.

"Please give us a call if you need anything," Joe said, as he was shaking hands with Matt.

#

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Copyright 2023 by Keith yates (keith.96@att.net) all rights reserved.

No copying, reposting, or distributing is permitted without the author's written consent.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. Thomas Paine

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Thomas Paine

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture. Thomas Paine

Character is much easier kept than recovered. Thomas Paine