RP LOG with tartanqueer | Brotherly Backup

[scotcopper]

Stuart knew the text that had come from Iain while he had been visiting with Gee was probably a generic message sent to all the Evans brothers. It was straight, to the point. Hayden was hurt, had been taken to hospital in an ambulance, and the name of the hospital... paeds ward. Stuart didn't care if he had the flu, or if his head was aching. He had just reacted, Gee more than understanding the panic, and ending up offering Stuart a ride to the hospital. It was impossible to tell from the small text what condition Hayden was in. It didn't say what had happened, how it had happened, what was wrong with him. Stuart's stomach and heart felt like they were up in his throat the whole trip to the large city hospital. A few more texts shared with his other brothers told him that both Braden and Angus would get there ASAP too, but Stuart was the closest. Callum was in a panic, it hard for him to do much of anything miles and miles away in Edinburgh. He wanted to be kept informed and Stuart promised to call him when he knew anything more.


Now he stepped off the elevator on the eighth floor of the hospital. It didn't take a genius to see it was a kids' ward, with cartoon characters painted on the walls and little chairs made for children in the waiting room. It must look strange for a bloke in a hoodie and a slinged arm to rock up alone in a kids' ward, because he was immediately intercepted by a nurse in Disney scrubs, politely asking who he was. Stuart started to explain, only to spot Iain up the corridor, talking to a woman who looked like a doctor. With a hurried explanation that he was Iain's brother, the guard dog nurse let him past, and Stuart hung back to wait for Iain, but he managed to catch the important pieces of the conversation, more than trained in the art of overhearing a conversation he wasn't supposed to. He was a detective, afterall. Hayden was here because of some sort of fall, he was unconscious, and if Stuart deduced correctly, this part of the ward was the paediactric ICU. Shit, it was serious. He swallowed nervously, but still kept his ears trained on what the doctor was saying. It would save Iain the pain of relaying all the information. Iain looked horrible. He was pale and he had deep-set lines of worry on his forehead as he hugged what looked to be a kid's dressing gown to his chest, which could only be Hayden's. Ryan wasn't anywhere in immediate sight. From the sounds of it, Hayden had a broken leg and a cracked rib, but also a head injury that resulted in a concussion and a small amount of swelling on the brain, but they were treating him for that, and he was apparently a 'very lucky little boy'. Stuart had no idea what the hell kind of fall the kid had managed to sustain those injuries. Maybe down the stairs? It didn't make sense, though. Ryan wouldn't be the sort to let his kid at risk of something like falling down stairs.

Iain soon nodded, and was left alone when the doctor squeezed his arm and headed in the opposite direction up the corridor. Stuart breached the gap between him and his brother, bounding up to him. He didn't mean to startle Iain, but his brother jumped and Stuart wrapped his good arm around Iain's shoulders, watching him in concern. Before he even had a chance to say anything, though, he caught sight of the bed beyond the windows of the room Iain was standing outside of. Hayden looked tiny in the hospital bed, and he had an oxygen mask over his face with a bright blue cast on his little leg. Stuart could see the bruises to the side of the little boy's head, and Ryan was sitting by the bed holding Hayden's hand, with an older couple standing nearby. They must've been Hayden's grandparents. As impossible as it seemed, Ryan looked even worse than Iain, and Stuart turned back to his brother. "He's going to be okay, aye?" he asked quietly. "W-What happened?"

"He wanted to make his da' soup," Iain replied as he waved a hand at the air next to them. His heart pounded in his chest, and it was a miracle he even heard Stuart over the noise. He might have been the calm one at Ryan's place, but right now he was feeling very not calm. He looked at Stuart, searching his younger brother's eyes for strength that he could draw on. "You look like shit," he murmured quietly before cracking the smallest of smiles. "Sure you shouldnae be in here, too? I dinnae really know what happened. Hayden called me at work and told me Ryan was sick... that he was going to make soup for him and I didnae really think anything of it. He's getting to the stage where he doesnae just want to be the kid, he wants to help. I couldnae stop thinking aboot them being on their own while Ryan was sick though, and I just wanted to get hame. I left the restaurant, and then... then..." Iain choked on the next part of the story, the words not getting out as he swallowed down the rising lump in his throat. "He was just lying on the kitchen floor, blood pouring from his head. All these shelves were on top of him. He must have tried to climb up them to get to the soup. Ryan had been passed out cold and didnae hear a thing. He blames himself. I know he does."

Stuart nodded a little, watching the little boy on the bed. He even still remembered himself going through that period. He wanted to be a big boy like all his brothers. Kept getting in the shit when tried to do things on his own he had no bloody clue with. He remembered a burnt hand on the fire most clearly, and he remembered Iain nearly pissing himself in panic at the time. "I... I maybe made him sick," he admitted in a small, choked voice. "Braden called him yesterday, he came over to check me over for pneumonia or something, in his lunch break. He came, like. Didnae even question it... I'm nay going anywhere. I'll walk aroond with a bag on my head or something. Gee already told me I would scare wee kiddies." A deep, worried frown appeared on his face as he looked back at his brother, sticking close to his side. "Ryan must've thought he'd be okay, aye? Or he would've called you. I know he would have. Or maybe he just realised? He couldnae have known the laddie was going to try to climb the cupboard. But he... he'll be okay? Are you okay? You're nay okay."

Iain looked at Stuart again, and looped his arm around his shoulders as he pulled his brother in close to kiss the top of his head. His germs didn't scare him. Iain had developed a pretty good immunity for most things. He'd never left any of brothers to suffer alone, always diving in to help take care of them. It would have been no different with Ryan, and it was probably why their first meeting hadn't phased him when Hayden had been ill. Still didn't. He was maybe a little more cautious with Ryan's boy, but it was no different to looking after his brothers. "You didnae make him sick, laddie. And if you did, I know it's nay your fault. You didnae plan it, aye? You didnae spread your germs so that this happened. He just thought he'd be quiet and rest. Hayden wasnae going to just let him suffer. Aye, he'll be okay. And I've been better... I just cannae get the image of Hayden laying there out of my head."

Stuart walked backwards in the hug, pulling Iain with him towards some chairs lying the wall opposite the room. It was the ICU, so even if they sat, Iain would still have a view of Ryan and Hayden in the room. He pushed Iain down into one of the chairs and then got him a small plastic cup of water from the cooler a few paces away. When he was back, sitting beside his big brother, Stuart watched him in concern. He knew Iain often put up a strong exterior, to be the big brother and protect everyone else. He didn't easily let it show when he was vulnerable, but Stuart could see it in his eyes, hear the shaky edge in his voice. "The wee lad is probably so used to being taken care of by his Da', that he maybe saw this as a way to... make it up? Help him in return..." He rubbed his good hand over the top of his head and then wrapped his arm around Iain again, clinging to him a little. "I kinda get that. Only more in a brotherly sense. Kids, like... dinnae have the rationality to assess danger, though. Someone told him soup makes sick people better, so it was a logical next step. You did the right thing going hame... you wouldnae nay done it, I know you. Ryan being ill to start with, but you wouldnae wanted the lad to be on his own. Who could've anticipated he would climb a cupboard, though?"

Iain accepted the water and took a small sip of it as he shifted in the chair and got himself comfortable. Truth was he wanted to be on the other side of the glass and in their with Ryan and Hayden, but he wasn't sure if he was allowed to be. Instead he'd just sit out here with Stuart for as long as needed. He gave a small nod as he wet his lips. "Aye, I dinnae really doubt that. He sounded pretty sure on the phone that he was going to help him. He also sounded a wee bit scared. I just... I dinnae... Nay, no one could've predicted him climbing in the cupboard. I didnae even think of the soup when he called. Just that it seemed like a nice idea. If only I'd gotten away earlier, but maybe there was nay stopping this. Ryan blames himself for falling asleep, but he's sick. He needs rest. He cannae always be watching him, that's the sad thing."

Stuart's forehead creased as he glanced over at the father and son. "Wow, it's... when I met him, it was like 'Hey, it's amazing he just stepped up to the plate when the bairn's mother died'. He's such an awesome father, like. It doesnae take a genius to see that. But... hell, look. This is what being a single father is. What would have happened if this was a few months earlier, and he hadnae even met you? He would have still passed oot in bed, Hayden still would have wanted to help him. But he wouldnae have called you, and you wouldnae have come. He... he might nay have survived that fall if he didnae get the medical intervention he did. I mean, I-I've seen bairns badly injured... often at the hands of their parents, and their wee bodies arenae so resilient. They dinnae survive it. I just dinnae doubt that what Ryan is thinking right now is, what could've happened if you hadnae been there. What if he had just been alone... like he's gotten so used to being? Probably his worst nightmare right here in that hospital bed."

Iain sucked in a breath as he reached up to rub his fingers against his lips. "I dinnae want to think about what would've happened if I wasnae here. I dinnae want to be withoot him. Both of them," Iain revealed in a hushed tone. "I think... I think I told him I loved him. I dinnae quite remember. I just have this feeling I did. The words just came oot. I'd protect Hayden with my life. I'd give anything to be the one in that bed, and for it nay to be that wee lad. He doesnae deserve this. Ryan doesnae deserve to watch it."

Stuart nodded, still frowning helplessly. "I know... you wanna just... pretend like none of it happened, and hope if you close your eyes long enough, when you open them, it'll just be some horrible joke, and everything's okay." He leaned in against Iain, despite being the one to try and offer some help and comfort, it was just easy for him to still be the wee brother. "Did you mean it? Do you? Or did you just panic? I mean, it's okay if you did. It happens. He wouldnae be wanting to push you into anything. And I know what you're thinking, trust me, I know. You arenae sure if you belong in there, but you do. He's brought you into his life as his partner, therefore as a parental figure to Hayden. It's an ICU, only so many people allowed in there at once. When the grandparents know he's going to be okay, you need to be in there too. Ryan's going to need you just as much as Hayden does."

"And he was worried aboot meeting our parents..." Iain sighed as he took another sip of water and then rest his head on top of his little brother's. "He forgets I didnae meet his until now. He's always been the one to drop Hayden off, or pick him up from their place. And aye, I meant it. I do mean it. I love him, Stu. I dinnae even really know when it happened, but it did. Maybe it's because we were in it deep from the start. Hard to have some fun with a single parent, aye? We just... clicked. All of us. I think Hayden even knew from the beginning. He's always trusted me. Keeps asking his Da' if we're in love."

Stuart scrunched his face up a little with a small laugh. "And they're not even his real parents, just honourary ones. Probably just as protective, though. I shat myself when I met Tom's, and they still scare me a little. Probably never thought he would ever bring anyone hame to meet the parents. In saying that, hasnae been a lot of time for me to get to know them too well. I want to, though. He has a sick nana, too. I think he worries a lot aboot her. She doesnae always remember him. I think you guys have managed to rock the parent thing. Sure, Hayden needs to be thought aboot in the fun stakes, but he's a great wee lad. Chats away to you, and smart. Man. I wish I had been that smart at his age. I probably would have just sat there and cried if I was alone when one of my family was sick, nay try to fix them!"

Iain pointed at his brother. "You got me there. Makes me worried that his real folks are going to come crashing in one day from the States. I assume they're over there. Doesnae really sound like they see their son, or grandson much. Does he visit his nana? You should talk to his parents. Maybe they're the key... Have like a huge family do. A surprise engagement party. Nay like you havenae had one at all. Ach, laddie, you werenae that bad. You had your own smarts going on. Dinnae sell yourself short." Iain nudged his brother as he gave him a tired smile. "You look after me better than you know."

"Does he talk about them much? Maybe he isnae very close to his parents? He was in the army before, aye? You know, you could have a bit of a wait on your hands here. The hospital bed vigil things is... well, it might be a good time to talk, about anything. Family, the past... I think that's where Tom and me went wrong. We didnae stop and take the time to talk about that stuff so much. We should have. It would have helped. It was really nay one's fault at the end of the day, and that's why it hurts so much, I think. I think he does visit her, but it's hard when he does. He hasnae taken me along, but I should offer. He might want to see her now everything has settled. I wouldnae even know where to start with a party. Maybe we can just sort of set the wheels in motion? Have his family, my family... even Ethan's and Sophie's. Just breach all those gaps all over the place." He smiled and then laughed softly, shaking his head. "Aye... sort of. You just always seem invincible to me. You're my big brother! You're my hero. Nothing touches you... at least, that's how it feels. You're all Superman in my head."

Iain stuck his tongue out a little. "Just withoot wearing my jocks on the outside. Or jocks at all some days. Maybe I'm a businessman in a suit, but I'm still a true Scot at heart," he replied with a smirk. "And nay, he hasnae mentioned them much at all. Look, you and Tom will still be able to talk aboot all that stuff. There isnae right or wrong way to go aboot a relationship, like. It changes to suit the couple. Even ones that do take the time to talk aboot the 'important' stuff dinnae always last. Try nay to beat yourself up, aye? We dinnae think any less of Tom. The important thing is that he makes you happy."

Stuart fell silent for a moment, a troubled look crossing his face. "He thinks you do. I think he's worried no one is going to trust him after this. We need to talk some more, like. I'm hoping you and Gus might be able to talk to him some, too? Nay now. Of course nay now. Just... eventually. I mean, I dinnae even know what you could say to him... It's stupid, I feel like I've broken him."

Iain drew his eyebrows together, turning his gaze back on his brother as he searched Stuart's face. "You havenae broken him. We'll take him oot for a pint. He willnae have to worry if we're in a public place, aye? I know he probably thinks we think he's pissed all over everything, but we dinnae. We're just protective of you. It's natural for us to close ranks. We didnae want you hurting."

"He just used to be so confident. Nothing bothered him or phased him. But I understand why he feels like he does. The accident really screwed with him, emotionally and physically. He needs to take more time off, he still has pain. I'm so fecking worried aboot him, but I dinnae want to be like a nagging wife. He told me he needed more time off, though, so I know it's a big thing for him. He still wants to do Gus' case, though. He's just worried Gus willnae trust him with it. Just doesnae see that Gus needs him... we all do." Stuart hunched his shoulders a little, looking over to make sure Ryan and Hayden still seemed okay. In fact, it looked like Ryan was throwing up all over again, and Stuart winced in sympathy. "Bad enough hanging aroond a hospital waiting for news as it is, to be doing it nay well must suck... I, um... I'm think aboot asking Tom about the wedding. Setting a date, maybe."

Iain shifted to get his arm around Stuart again as he hugged him to his side and rubbed his arm. "You're allowed to be worried aboot him. It doesnae make you a nagging wife. At least he'll know you care. Aye, Gus does need him... I cannae stand thinking aboot what might happen with the case. I dinnae trust his ex anymore. She's really showed her true colours lately." Iain raised his eyebrows. "You dinnae sound happy aboot it. Aye, if I could be sick for him, I would be. He's stronger than he thinks."

"No, no, I am! I'm just scared I'll bring it up, I'll be pushing him. I was talking to Gee aboot it, she's having her own worries aboot Fitzpatrick, so we just got to talking a wee bit. She said it might be a way to prove to ourselves this is really what we want, that we're getting through the bollocks. But before me, he wasnae the marrying type and I always promised myself I wouldnae try to force him into anything he wasnae ready for. I'd wait as long as he wanted. I dinnae want him thinking I'm just bringing it up as a band-aid fix for what happened. I'm nay. I... want to marry him," Stuart admitted quietly. "I want everyone happy. I want that happy feeling... I cannae mind how it feels so much. I want you happy, and I want Gus happy with Jules, and I want Brades happy with being a daddy. Dinnae want too much, do I?" he added with a faint smirk.

"Nay, you dinnae want much at all. There's nay harm in talking to him aboot, is there? It's nay pushing, it's you bringing up something that's on your mind. You dinnae want to get in the same mess as what broke you up in the first place. Talk to him," Iain stressed as he gave Stuart a pointed look. "It's nay like you're going hame with a priest and witnesses in toe, aye? He willnae mind broaching the topic, and I'm sure he'll let you know if he isnae ready to think aboot it. Gussy will get there, as well Brades. We all will. Just in our own time."

Stuart scratched the back of his head. "I dinnae know. Maybe I should take a priest? Exorcise some of those crap demons that have been following me aroond for the last couple of years. Following a few of us aroond it seems. You just hope that you got through it all, only to have something like this happen," he murmured, and gestured in at Ryan and Hayden.

Iain scratched at the corner of his mouth as he grunted in agreement. "Couldnae do any harm. Only other option we have is incense and that shit makes me sneeze. Maybe Nana should come down and Nanaproof everything."

Stuart sighed and shook his head. "If only muffins would fix it," he mumbled and then gestured into the room. "He doesnae look so hot, Ino. You should go in there, be with him. I willnae go anywhere. I'll wait in case you need anything."

"I thought you said there was a people limit," Iain murmured, his gaze fixed on Ryan as he sat on the edge of the seat, ready to get up and run into the room.

"Nay sure anyone could argue that stands when your other half looks like hell. Seriously, like, he looks like he should be in a hospital bed himself. Maybe the nana and grandpa willnae mind sitting oot here for a wee while?" Stuart suggested and then gave Iain a small nudge. "Go. He needs you."

Iain turned back to give his little brother a grateful smile and ruffled his hair affectionately. "You'll make a great husband, Stu. Nay a nagging wife. Talk to him, aye? And tell him me and Gus will take him for beers when Hayden's alright. Love you, kiddo." He stood up and entered the room, giving the grandparents a small smile before he sat next to Ryan and wrapped his arms around him. He just hoped he really did have the strength to stay together through all this, but at least he knew his brothers would be there if he didn't.

Word Count | 4,002