Shoving his arms through the sleeves, Nick sat back on the edge of the bed, dizzy again. A nurse passed in the hallway, rolling a cart with supplies, plastic wheels bumping over the divider. Voices echoed from another room, muted and distant.
Logan knelt down and helped Nick slide his shoes on. His fingertips brushed Nick’s ankle. Electricity zipped up Nick’s leg. Warm, not shocking. He curled his toes inside the shoe, his breath catching.
“Thanks,” he managed, voice hoarse. “You really don’t have to do all this.”
Logan rose to his full height, gaze steady. “I want to.”
Something in Nick melted and crumpled all at once.
“Ready?”
A wild laugh built in Nick’s chest. “You even have to ask?”
But he didn’t want to go home alone. He didn’t want Logan to leave, though saying that out loud felt like too much. Too fast. Too needy. Instead, he mumbled, “Will you stay with me tonight?”
Logan’s hand tightened just slightly then relaxed. “Yeah. I’ll stay.”
They set out into the hallway, Nick using Logan as a crutch. Past the nurses’ station, where a nurse handed over a folder of paperwork. “Sign here,” she said. The pen was cold in Nick’s hand, his signature barely legible.
Logan navigated the maze of hallways, Nick tucked close under his arm. Out the doors into the night. Summer heat wrapped around them, thick and welcome. The smell of trees, cut grass, and car exhaust replaced the sterile hospital stink.
Nick’s knees went slack again. He sagged, but Logan caught him. He didn’t even look bothered. He just gripped Nick tight and steered them through the lot.
A truck sat at the far end, gleaming blue under the parking lights. Logan helped him into the passenger seat of his truck, fingers lingering on Nick’s thigh as he made sure the belt clicked right. Nick’s pulse hammered. It was almost too much, that tenderness. Nobody stayed. Nobody waited out the bad parts.
The closing of the door made the truck feel like a cocoon. Logan circled to the driver’s side and climbed in, his hands steady on the wheel. Nick gave his address as the engine came to life. In the quiet between them, Nick watched the streetlights spin away, the truck bouncing over potholes as they left the lot.
Wind slipped through the cracked window, sticky with night air. Logan didn’t say much. He just drove, one hand loose on the wheel, the other reaching over to steady Nick’s knee whenever he swayed in his seat.
The world slowed down. Logan’s scent filled the cab, familiar now. Nick relaxed for the first time since waking. His head thudded back against the rest. The last of the pain ebbed, replaced by exhaustion so heavy he might have slept right there.
“So,” Logan said, words barely above a murmur, “you ever gonna let someone take care of you?”
It threw Nick off. In a good way.
He shrugged, eyelids drifting shut. “Not used to it.” He kept his voice soft. “Usually, people get tired of the drama before the second round.”
Logan’s grip tightened, thumb stroking the inside of Nick’s knee. “Almost home.”
“Think you can help me up the stairs?” Nick’s voice sounded thin, even to him.
“Count on it. I won’t let you fall.”
The words buzzed through Nick like warm honey. He almost laughed. Man, he was getting mushy. But it felt good, being wanted, being looked after, even if only for a night.
Logan pulled into the lot, parking in the closest spot. He killed the engine and slid out, moving around to Nick’s side before he could even reach for the door handle.
“Let’s get you upstairs,” Logan said, offering an arm.
Nick nodded and took it, his hands shaky again. Streetlights hummed overhead, bugs spinning frantically under each one. The walk to the front door felt like moving through molasses. Logan didn’t rush. He just moved at Nick’s pace, matching every one of his faltering steps. By the time they reached the second floor, Nick’s legs shook so badly he had to lean in, both hands braced on Logan’s thick forearm.
“Last flight,” Logan murmured. “Almost there.”
Once inside the apartment, Nick collapsed onto the couch. Sweat prickled everywhere, but this was his space, his things. Boots by the door. Plant still alive on the sill.
He breathed easier knowing he was finally home.
* * * *
