every time I close my eyes , its like a dark paradise.
The sick , clinical smell of the hospital room does nothing to soothe the clench of unease in Reed's stomach.
He's been waiting here for almost an hour , stressing the phone in his hand , mulling it over and over again , searching for a distraction.
He'd called Ben's parents , sobbing over the phone , saying he didn't know , wasn't there when it happened , tells them how guilty he feels.
When they meet each other in the hallway , Ben's mother just grabs Reed and hugs him , both of their cries muffled by the others embrace.
"Ma'am , I..." Reed trails off , unable to find the words capable of expressing how he feels. He suspects she can't either , because she just nods her head in agreement , and motions for them to sit down. Ben's father sits , but refrains from saying anything.
Then begins the painful retelling of what actually happened , Reed telling them he was away for barely five minutes.
She tells him it wasn't his fault , that if he'd been there , he would've gotten hurt as well , but Reed doesn't tell her that he'd rather his own demise , than that of Ben.
A balding , middle-aged man with a stony face slowly approaches the trio , an unreadable expression painted on his face.
"Grimm , Ben Grimm ?" He asks and Reed nearly knocks Mrs.Grimm over with the speed he jumps up with.
She stands with her husband , using his tall , stocky frame for support , her bloodshot eyes directed at the doctor when she , hesitantly , asks :
"Is my son going to survive ?"
The doctor looks at her , his eyes undergoing a very quick , slight change , not noticeable if you weren't looking at them.
"Mrs. Grimm , there has been a few ... complications , your son , he lost a lot of blood on the way here. We were able to stabilize him , but he seems to have suffered major interal hemorrhaging . We don't know if he'll survive , but the chances are looking good so far."
Reed let's out an aggravated sigh . The news wasn't bad , but he wished it could've been more positive , more encouraging.
"Is he awake ?" The words leave his throat without a command , he wasn't even planning on talking for the rest of the night.
"He is , but he's not very responsive , so I reccom-" " Can I see him ?" Reed interupts the man , not caring for pleasantries.
The doctor looks at Reed and Ben's parents , likely deciding whether or not he's going to let them in.
"I'll give you five minutes , but that's all I can do. And unfortunately only one visitor at a time is permitted."
Reed looks to the Grimm's , deciding they should be the ones to see Ben , he'll just have to wait.
But Mrs.Grimm just pushes him towards the room , her tiny hands a surprisingly strong force.
"He'll be happy to see you. Please tell him we would've wanted to as well."
She smiles a sombre smile and grabs her husbands arm as she starts to walk towards the exit.
Reed , grateful , turns to face the door , doesn't know what to expect.
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Ben looks almost ethereal , lying on the bed , his pale skin higlighted by the fluorescent bulbs above his bed. Millions of I.V.'s connected to his body , the slow , steady rise and fall of his chest the only thing that stops Reed from bursting into tears.
"Ben."
Ben slowly opens his eyes , looking at the source of the voice.
"R-reed , hey." Ben smiles breathlessly , going to sit up , but Reed rushes to his side immediately , helping him into a more comfortable position.
"I'm sor-" Reed tries to say , but is silenced by Ben's soft lips on his.
The kiss is electric , as always , even in the tense atmosphere.
"You didn't stab me did you ?"
"No , what ?"
"You didn't pay someone to do it , did you ?"
"No , Ben what are you talk-"
"Then what do you have to be sorry for ?"
Ben says with a small smile.
"Ever the poet." Reed says glumly.
Ben let's out a strained , wheezing laugh , which turns into a fit of coughs , his eyes watering in the pain coming from his lower abdomen.
"Hey , keep it easy there , don't want you ripping open the sutures." Reed says as he softly pats Ben's shoulder , showing affection.
"I love you so , so much Reed. Thank you for everything."
Reed offers up a shy , nervous smile.
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