I'm fine, until I'm not.

To Fall Back Together

Jerome's POV

I felt a flash of relief flood my being as I saw, not only that Mitch was there, but that he was sitting up and was awake. He looked a little unfocused, but still cognizant, especially since he was actively talking to a doctor.

I exhaled quietly, a huge weight falling off my chest as I saw him awake and alive, hope filling me. "Thank god." I muttered to myself, letting my head rest against the door quietly. I didn't want to interrupt what they were talking about, I figured if the Doc was talking to him, it was important. After a few moments of letting relief fill me, I stepped to the side and plucked my phone out, briefly clicking Ryan's phone number to call him.

"Hey Ryan, Mitch is awake. He's talking with the Doctor at the moment, but he's alive." I said softly, but smiling and my voice wavering.

"Thank God." He said, sounding as relieved as me. "Listen, I promise to drop by soon, but I'll make the few videos first. Just be there for him... Even be tough love if you have to." Ryan said, pausing briefly. "I don't know what he was thinking, but we have to be there for him wherever and however we can J. You know him better than anybody, so it's your call, and I'll stand behind you no matter what." He cussed softly after saying this. "I need to hang up and drive, I'm beyond glad hes okay, I'll swing by soon G, take care of him and you. Bye."

I had to stand there to reflect for a moment, simply staring at my phone as yet another obstacle presented itself before me, one I had to make a quick decision on and couldn't back down from. Why would I do 'tough love'? I internally wondered, but was quickly surprised at the violent emotion that ripped through me at the question, as if answering.

I'm... Angry at him. I blinked languidly, glancing at the still closed door before back to my shoes, the morning light starting to pour into the hospital wing. "Why?" I asked aloud quietly to the empty space, not expecting an answer.

Because I could have lost him. I love him, so many people do. He could be gone and nobody would know why, or understand. He didn't know how much everybody cared for him, and he felt alone. We let him feel alone. Everybody let him down. We can't let him down again, that's why I'm angry.

I hissed softly to myself after my mental tirade, my muscles tense from thinking about it, recognizing the anger and realizing if being... harsh would get through to him, I would. I had to be there to save him from himself, who else would?

I glanced up as I heard the door open, remaining silent until the door clicked close. "Doc, can I go in to see him?" I questioned, wondering if there would be a reason as to why I couldn't.

He spun around to see me, nodding. "You are welcome to, but he's not entirely there from the anesthesia. I would wait a few minutes before going in, but you can go in now." He responded before setting on down the hall, to see another patient presumably.

I sighed quietly, noticing I was doing that rather frequently now. "How do I want to go at this..." I wondered, taking the time to think over what I would say once I walked into the room, knowing whatever stance I took would have to be ridden to the end to be effective. I hate this, but I'll do it for Mitch.

I exhaled slowly, calmly, keeping my face neutral as I finally opened the door to the room, my stomach doing flips as I stepped through the doorway and shut the door behind me, making a point to not look at Mitch yet.

I took a few silent steps into the room, my eyes staring out the window. "Hey Mitch." I greeted levelly, trying to not let anything negative affect my tone yet, I didn't want him closing off to me before I started.

I finally then glanced over at him, my heart skipping a beat as I saw his pale form clutch his sheets while staring into his lap, the definition of living guilt personified. Stay Strong.