(original characters/story)
@mediwhumpmay
“Family of Michelle Tate?”
Troy jumped to his feet before he’d even really registered what the nurse had said. Beside him, Daniel stood up too.
“It’s Michael. He’s Michael.” Daniel sighed.
The nurse looked over the clipboard in their hands again and nodded. “You’re family?”
Troy felt Daniel’s hand on his shoulder. “We are.” Daniel said.
That was kind of Daniel.
He wasn’t Michael’s family. He was the one that had gotten Michael into this mess. He was the one who had pushed Michael too hard. Guilt sat in the pit of Troy’s stomach like a stone.
“Follow me.”
Daniel followed the nurse, with Troy bringing up the rear. They led them into a room. The doctor explained Michael’s condition. Troy wrapped an arm around Daniel’s shoulders when the kid started to cry. They were told the visiting hours. They were told that talking to Michael would be good for him. And then, they were left alone.
Daniel sat beside Michael’s bed and Troy didn’t, he couldn’t, he paced around the room. He was sore and exhausted and every step ached. But he couldn’t sit. He could barely look at Michael, lying pale in the bed, covered in tubes and wires.
But Daniel sat as close as he could to his brother without actually getting into the bed. He held Michael’s remaining hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb. And he talked.
“Mom and dad know. Mom’s coming tomorrow. I’ll be with her.” Daniel said. “I don’t know when dad will come, but he will. I’ll make him.” Daniel then looked back at Troy. His eyes were red and wet.
“I’ll come tomorrow too.” Troy reassured. “Sharon knows what happened. I called her earlier.”
Daniel nodded then turned back to Michael.
“It should have been me.” Troy felt the words leave him before he realized what he had said. The ringing thought he’d had in his mind ever since he found Tate. The only thought. It should have been me.
“This isn’t about you.” Daniel kept his eyes on his brother.
Troy’s face burned with shame. “I know, I’m sorry, I-”
“It’s okay.” Daniel interrupted and aimed a smile back at Troy. “You’re hurt, you’re grieving, we say weird stuff. But this is about Tate, not you. He saved a lot of people today.”
“He’s a hero.” Troy murmured and wiped his eyes.
Daniel laughed softly. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”
“Yeah.” Troy smiled too. “I’m sorry… I’m just so sorry this happened.”
“I know. Me too. But he knew what he was getting into.” Daniel said. “Troy, you didn’t do this to him. This isn’t your fault.”
And that was it. Troy crumbled. Tears filled his eyes. Snot ran. And he sobbed. Daniel got up from the chair and embraced him. Troy wept into his shoulder and hugged him back.