Tyler
Pizza still on for tonight?

Brendon stared at his phone, reading the message he got from Tyler at 2am. Josh was pacing around the room, yawning pretty much every 10 seconds.

"Babe, go get coffee, take a walk outside. I'll be here."

Josh sighed, watching the clock on the wall that had annoyed him all night. They had eventually convinced the nurse, Maddy, to let them stay for the night, but with only two uncomfortable chairs it hadn't been a comfy night. It was 6 am now and pretty much every muscle in his body was sore.

"Alright, alright."

Brendon
Sorry, I dont think so.. Josh's brother ended up in hospital so we drove back to our lovely old place and we're waiting now for him to wake up

Tyler
Oh my god! Is he okay? Is Josh okay?

Tyler
What happened? Is there anything I can do?

When Tyler replied immediatly, Brendon frowned. What was he doing up this early? He decided to call him, instead text. He stood up, walking to the back of the room, leaning against the wall as he pushed the green button.

"Hey! Are you guys okay?!"

Brendon smiled. It was nice to hear a voice from a good place. That other life, the good one in Columbus. Not this mess. Even though he knew it was alle the same one, he felt like being here was stepping back in time.

"Hey! Yeah I guess. I'm not sure about Josh, but he's hanging in there. Its been a mess."

"What happened?"

Brendon explained what happened, starting at how his mom called and what the nurse told them.

"Josh even ran into his father down the hallways... that fuck even started yelling at Josh. It sucks man, it breaks my heart seeing that. It still hurts him, y'know."

"Oh man, that is horrible. I'm so sorry. Is Josh there now?"

"He'll be back in a minute. Getting some coffee, we barely slept."

"I can imagine..."

"About not sleeping... What are you doing up at this early hour?"

He heard Tyler sighing.
"I don't know. Couldn't sleep. My brain won't shut up sometimes. Kept on tossing and turning."

Brendon smiled softly. "You could've joined us then. Oh, Mr. Handsome just walks in. Even though he kinda looks like shit right now. Wanna talk to him?"

"Please."

Brendon waited till Josh had put down the cups of coffee. "Its your other favorite boy." And with a grin he held out the phone to Josh.

The younger was glad it was still only getting a bit lighter it the room, it hiding the soft blush on his face. He hoped, at least.

"Hey", Josh couldn't help but smile softly as he leaned against Brendon, who just wrapped his arms around him.

"Hey. Are you hanging in there?"

"Yeah, i'm okay. I just really want him to wake up..."

"I bet... I'm so sorry this happened Josh. Is there anything I can do for you guys?"

Josh smiled against Brendon's chest. "No, I dont think so. Thank you though, thats really sweet of you to ask."

Then the door opened and Jenna walked back in, same soft smile on her lips as yesterday.

"Oh I got to go, I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

"Alright. Stay strong. And let me know what happens, or if you need anything okay?"

"I will. Thank you. Bye Ty."

"Bye Josh. Say bye to Bren for me. Sending good vibes for your brother!"

——

Josh had Jordans hand clasped into his own, observing his brothers face. He was holding strong, but in all honesty he was slowly crumbling inside, terrified that Jordan might not wake up. Or wouldnt recognize him. He didnt know what to expect or think and it freaked him out.

It was already late afternoon when the doctors agreed to dose down the medication and let Jordan wake up to see how things went. So there they were, in the early evening, Josh refusing to leave his brothers side as he wouldnt want to miss anything.

Hours went by, Brendon giving him drinks and food, Grace and Boyd bringing them some clean shirts. They offered for them to take a shower at their home, but Josh refused, still thanking them multiple times.

It was around 9 pm when Josh suddenly jumped up. "Bren! He moved!"
Brendon quickly walked over to the other side of the bed, focussing to notice any movement. It was minutes, slowly creeping by, before suddenly Jordan softly squeezed Josh's hands.

"Jordan? It's okay, it's me." He spoke to his brother, eyes stinging with tears. "He's waking up, Bren. He's waking up", Josh mumbled, carefully stroking some curls form Jordans forehead. "C'mon Jordy..." he whispered, squeezing his brothers hand repeatedly to then wait for any reaction.

A few minutes later, suddenly, Jordan opened his eyes. "Bren!" He squealed, the older immediatly reached for the red button next to Jordans bed.

Jordan blinked a few times, frowning as if he desperately tried to get his eyes to focus. "Jordan?" Josh asked carefully when his brother had locked his eyes on the face hanging above him. It felt like hours but it probably was only a few seconds when Jordan replied with a tiny "Josh?", his voice hoarse and raspy, but it was there.

"Oh thank god", Josh sighed, a huge weight lifting off his shoulders. He was terrified that Jordan wouldnt recognize him, or whatever other horrible possible outcome, but this, so far was okay. "Hey little bro", he whispered, squeezing his brothers hand.

The door opened, Jenna walking in with a quick pace, immediatly checking up the monitors. She smiled softly. "The stats looks good, a doctor will come in any second to check up on him."

Jordan was shuffling, trying to move and even sit up. His free hand moved up to his head, touching the bandages. Jenna gently pulled his hand down. "Try not to move too much, the doctor will come in soon to check. Do you remember where you are?"
Jordan frowned a little, first staring at Josh to come up with an answer. "H-hospital?"
"And do you remember why?"

With that question, his eyes widened, fear clearly visible in them, almost threathening to spill. He searched for Josh's frantically. "Hey- hey, it's okay, it's okay", he tried to comfort his brother, but an eerie feeling flooded through his veins.