Trigger warnings: mentions of homophobia (v brief)

"When will Andy be here?" Remington asks. It's something he asks frequently, whenever there's a nurse or a doctor in the room. It seems that at the moment, Andy is the only person he remembers without needing a reminder.

The nurse in the room says, "I'm sure he'll be here soon," as he's going about the usual tasks.

Remington watches him. "How soon?"

"I don't know, Remington. Use your brain."

That stings. Remington looks down and decides to stay quiet and still until he's gone, because clearly, the nurse is way too clever to converse with him.

He waits until the door is closed and he is alone again before lifting his eyes and rubbing them, and then wonders why he can forget someone's whole existence, but what was just said to him stays firmly with him.

The next time someone comes in is half an hour later, and it's Andy with his usual smile and black clothing. Remington watches him sit down but doesn't speak, not like he normally does when the man visits.

"Uh oh," Andy says, noticing the uncharacteristic silence. "What's wrong?" He takes his jacket off.

Remington shrugs.

"Mm, I know that face. Someone's been mean, who was it? What did they say? Do you want me to bitch slap them?"

He just shrugs again.

Andy frowns. "C'mon, you're not fooling anyone. What's up?"

"Nothing, I'm just a stupid idiot."

"Someone said that?"

"No."

"Ah, I see. Someone implied that."

"I was just asking," Remington explains, "when you'd come. 'cause it's lonely on my own and I miss you. And they said to use my brain."

"Who said that?"

"The doctor guy."

Andy furrows his brows. "Doctor Sanchez?"

"No. Not Doctor Sanchez. I like her. The other one."

"Oh, you mean the nurse? Ugh, what a cunt."

"I don't want to be stupid."

"Honey, you're not."

Remington looks down again.

Andy moves closer to the bed. "You're literally so unwell that you have to be in hospital. You're not stupid, Remington, you're sick."

"Sick and stupid," he insists.

"Sick and still smart," Andy argues.

"Why can't I just be fixed?"

"Because you're not broken?"

"I am."

"No, you're unwell. There's a difference. Now, are we going to wallow all day, or do you want to colour with me?"

Remington looks at Andy. "Colour? Like...like one of those, uh, books?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"Okay."

The nurse returns later on, while Andy is still with Remington, so Andy says, "hey, my boy can use his brain just fine, lay off."

"Excuse me?"

"What? You thought he wouldn't remember what you said earlier?"

Remington smiles to himself.

"Sir, I don't know what he thought he heard, but-"

"Oh, don't play that card with me. Remington has literal brain damage that's out of his control and you should know that. Just do your job without upsetting patients in the process."

"How was I supposed to know any better than anyone else when you'd then up? Maybe if you came at the same time everyday then he wouldn't keep asking."

"He's lonely. He was trying to create conversation because he sits in here on his own for hours at a time. The least you could have done was talk to him and be kind. Stop being rude, alright? My boy is the most intelligent and sweet person you'll ever meet, but if you're too rigid to appreciate him, then bloody well shut up and do your job without upsetting him in the process."

"You're very protective," Remington says after the nurse has gone.

Andy hums. "Indeed, I am."

"I like it."

"I know."

"When else have you been protective?"

Andy chuckles. "Well, there was that time on tour when your bus forgot you were in the service station buying a phone charger and drove off without you, and we were so tight for time that turning around would have fucked up the schedule, so I called you a taxi and met you at the venue."

"Why couldn't I, uh, call myself a, uh, a taxi?"

"You left your phone on the bus." He shrugs. "And you have phone anxiety."

"I do?"

"Mhm. Oh, and there was that time when fans of your opening band were shouting gay slurs at you so I went on stage and took your microphone to yell at them until they left out of embarrassment. They were foul."

"You're well sexy."

Andy snorts. "Glad you think so."

"Not just your, uh... Your looks. But, like, your... Your, uh, fuck. Personality. Your personality is sexy."

"I'll take that over irritating any day."

"Who says you're irritating?"

"You, everyday since we met."

Remington giggles. "Oh, sorry."

"It's fine, you're irritating too." Andy checks the time. "I'll have to go soon. Your brothers are coming with me tomorrow, okay? Do you remember your brothers?"

"My brothers? Emerson and... And Sebastian?"

"That's right, love."

"Okay."