AUTHOR'S POV   

The steady thumping of Laurent's heartbeat as he listens to the erratic sounds coming from Larry's room is getting louder by the second. There are so many things being called out by the medical team and Laurent is dying on the inside because he doesn't know what they mean or what's going on with his love. Suddenly his psyche is being taken over by images of him and their moments together...conversations they've had when sleep hasn't consumed them that last well into the late night hours...the sound of Larry's laughter echoing in his ear at many of Laurent's successful attempts to make him laugh. Larry never having to say a word at any given time of the day for a smile will do. The smile that can bring anyone joy. Many of these moments have happened in the days leading up to his attack and now, on the other side of that door, Larry is fighting for his life. Just hours ago he was awake and Laurent was looking into those eyes that although were tired and groggy still the most beautiful eyes ever. That scratchy voice as he told Laurent he doesn't feel well but still the most beautiful voice ever. Laurent felt completely helpless that he couldn't do more for him...and that's precisely how he feels in this moment. He can't take the bad dream he had away nor can he go back to the day it all happened and make it not happen. The feeling of despair is far deeper and cutting into his soul and his thoughts of failing him are intensified. With a still firm hold of his twists he's whispering, "I so sorry bup" as many times as he can while continuing to weep helplessly. In between those desperate and pain-filled cries he's also whispering and pleading for the doctors to please save his bup for life without him is no life at all. Just the thought of being without him makes his weeping uncontrollable and he's so close to losing complete control and all feeling leaving his body that he has to sit down to take slow deep breaths in to calm himself. A few feet away from him is a nurse who has been watching him closely and tearing up herself at his fragile state. The times she's been inside the room when making her rounds or even the times she's simply walked by she took notice of the way Laurent has been so gentle with him and the look on his face every time she saw the way he was looking at him. No one has to know them personally to see the immense love he has for Larry and she's certain that same love can be felt from him. She takes in a silent breath as she takes a few tissues from the box on her desk and walks over to him. Laurent's leg is shaking nervously as his elbows rest on his thighs...his face resting in his hands and the deep crying has yet to cease. Now he's feeling the gentle touch of a hand on his shoulder so he slowly looks up. He notices the equally gentle look on her face then lowers his eyes and notices the Kleenex she's extending for him. He nods politely then takes the tissues from her hand to dab his face. That's when he hears some much needed words of comfort...

Nurse: "The doctors are doing everything and they're great doctors". *pause* "And with your strength, your love. He'll be just fine".

Laurent looks up at her again and he has no doubt that the hands working on his love are doing everything possible...but the latter part of what she said is what truly warms his heart. She can easily tell how much he loves Larry and he can't explain what hearing this from a complete stranger does to his heart...

Laurent: *sniff* "Thank you for saying that". *pause* "I do love him. Very much".

Nurse: *smile* "It's hard to miss". 

Laurent's sad eyes turn into a look of warmth as he smiles back at her...

Laurent: "I hope so". *pause* "And thank you for the tissue". 

Nurse: "You're welcome. If you need anything I'm only a short distance away". 

Laurent politely nods so she turns around to head back for her station. He does find solace in the words she so sweetly and confidently spoke to him...but of course knowing exactly what's going on and that Larry is in fact ok will settle him completely and the sooner the better. He raises his body then relaxes against the chair as his head goes straight to the ceiling just waiting. In between he internally whispers, "I love you bup" then turns in the direction of Larry's room as he waits for his doctor to come out...

Ten minutes have passed and without question they've been a very difficult ten minutes. Actually, the longest ten minutes of his life but since his conversation with the nurse and the way she eased his fears he's much calmer. Now he's hearing a door open and when he looks to his left he sees the doctors coming out so he quickly stands to his feet and walks over to the primary doctor taking care of bup...

Laurent: "Is he oki doctor"?

Doctor: "We discovered some swelling around his brain and the physiological reaction to the nightmare raised his vitals substantially. His vitals are under control now however due to the swelling he's in a coma which in most cases reduces swelling of the brain".  

Larry listens in horror to everything and the instant he heard "coma" he gulped hard as his eyes widened in fear. The doctor takes notice and doesn't hesitate to alleviate that fear...

Doctor: "Mr. Bourgeois we still feel very good about his prognosis and though it's difficult to hear the coma is necessary. The swelling will go down much faster and it will also expedite healing in the other areas needed".  

Laurent: "I understand but how...." *clears throat* "How long will he be in the c...coma"?

Doctor: "That depends on how rapidly the swelling goes down but once we see it has reduced significantly we'll bring him out of it. Until then he will be under very strict monitoring and I'll keep you updated regularly". 

Laurent: "That will be great. Thank you". 

Doctor: "You're welcome. You can go back inside now". 

Laurent nods as he takes a deep breath in then walks towards the room. From the opening of the door he sees Larry with a tube in his mouth and he hears the machines beeping at a moderate pace. The pull this has on his heart is indescribable and not knowing how long he'll be in this state is heart wrenching but he's immediately back at his side. He'll be very careful with touching any area of his fragile body so he takes his hand to stroke that lustrous head of hair...

Laurent: "I'm so sorry you had a nightmare my love. I'm so sorry you have to be here. I'll be right by your side and I know I will see your beautiful eyes looking at me very soon. Those eyes that I always get lost in". *pause* "I'll call the detective tomorrow and make sure they're looking for who did this to my love. You don't deserve this. How anybody can hurt someone so sweet and so amazing as you is something I don't understand". *pause* "But I know you will be oki because you're a fighter. So you be my big, strong bup and fight oki"? *pause* "I love you more than my words can ever say". 

And with those words Laurent continues that light, loving stroke of Larry's hair as he looks at him. Every feature of that face Laurent is being reminded of just one of the many reasons he fell in love with him. If there is anything that's close to perfection on this earth is this face. From every sparkle of his eye down to his lips that Laurent never wastes an opportunity to place a delicate kiss on and when he does it's as if he's kissing him for the first time all over again with...that same euphoric feeling coming over his body as he connects with him. Their lovemaking didn't come until much later as they really just wanted to spend most of their time simply enjoying each other but no matter what they do as long as it's with each other it's magical. Laurent's jaws fall and he releases a soft yawn and although he would love nothing more for his love than to not be in this condition he knows that in time he will be fine so he'll get some rest for now. Instead of going across the room he decides he will stay right next to him so that stroke comes to a stop and he turns his head to rest his cheek on the edge of the mattress. He closes his eyes and yawns once more...allowing the thought of when he's all better rather than the state he's in right now to take over his mind before eventually falling asleep...

~next day~

The reflection of the sun coming through the window and cascading across Laurent's face wakes him up...but it's the movement he hears in the room that opens his eyes. He remembers exactly where he laid his head to rest the night before so his eyes go straight to Larry and a small smile forms on his face. Then he sees the reason for the movement and it's the nurse who gave him such kind words. She's checking what she needs to for her patient and when she sees Laurent she greets him in a whisper...

Nurse: *smile* "Good morning". 

Laurent: *smile* "Good morning", he whispers back. 

Nurse: "I'll be finished up here in a minute".

Laurent: "It's oki. Take your time". 

Laurent stands up to stretch as he watches everything in between he's thinking about the phone call he has to make to the detective. He's hoping he will be informed that they're very close to capturing the person responsible of which he knows the fingerprints play a huge part in so he's praying there was a match when they were run through the system. He walks over to the table where he's keeping his personal items to take the detective's card out of his wallet then grabs his phone but before he steps out of the room he hears Larry's nurse again...

Nurse: "His vitals are even better Mr. Bourgeois". 

Laurent: "That's great news. That means he should come out of this soon". 

Nurse: "I have no doubt he will". *pause* "You can go back over whenever you like. Can I bring you anything"?

Laurent: "No I'm oki. You taking care of my Larry is enough and means so much". 

Nurse: *smile* "It's my pleasure". *pause* "The cafeteria is open so if you want breakfast the menu with the phone number on it is by the phone. Order whatever you like and it will be delivered to you". 

Laurent: "I'll keep that in mind, thank you". 

Nurse: "You're so welcome". 

The nurse leaves the room and after a quick look at his beautiful Larry Laurent follows behind her so he can make that call. As he waits for the detective to answer he's thinking to himself that he will make a call to the cafeteria. It's difficult to eat during a time like this but he also needs his strength. He also knows that bup would be upset with him if he goes too long without eating and the thought of that causes a light smile because that's just like Larry. Always wanting the best for Laurent. Always caring and loving. Now Laurent's smile is beginning to fade because the detective hasn't answered the phone yet. In fact, he hears the voicemail greeting and although leaving a message isn't what he desires he doesn't have a choice...

"Detective, this is Laurent Bourgeois. I called to ask where you are with the case. I'm still at the hospital so you can come by or call but please let me know something soon. Bye". 

Laurent blows out a deep sigh as he releases the call and he can only hope that he receives a callback as soon as possible. Preferably within the next hour or less. It's enough that he has to see Larry in this coma but to also be reminded of going home yesterday and seeing his loves blood on the floor and the emotions that came over him as he struggled to clean it up is too much so he's praying that the detective has good news for him that's as good as the nurse telling him that bup's vitals are doing better. He goes back inside the room and takes the menu placed next to the phone to sit down and scan it. He settles on ordering a pancake breakfast and coffee. He isn't sure how much he'll be able to eat considering the circumstances but he is sure that he has to try and after placing the order he takes his seat next to Larry again. His order arrives within twenty minutes and he does end up eating more than he thought he would be able to but he still doesn't finish all of it so he sets the remaining food to the side. He then notices Larry's favorite blanket isn't fully covering him so he adjusts that before walking over to the window to look out into the world as his mind is running rampant with thoughts. One of those thoughts being how they can possibly live in that house after what happened. It's too early to think of putting the house on the market because he needs to discuss it with Larry first. They had never considered moving and from the moment they saw it they knew it was the house they would grow old together in. Laurent can even recall the way Larry's eyes lit up when they saw it and that was just online. He was like a kid in a candy store when they stepped foot inside to view it...but now it will only be a constant reminder of what will forever be the worst and darkest day of their lives. To go from thinking they were safe and since moving in always feeling safe to being watched then Larry ultimately being attacked...the question still on Laurent's mind being did the attacker want to get both of them and what other plans did he have for them? What was his motive? And what could they have possibly done to become targets and warrant such a brutal attack? They don't have an enemy in this world. Especially Larry. Anyone who's had the pleasure of coming into his presence immediately thought the world of him because of his love for life as well as his beautiful spirit. Laurent can fill a sting in his eyes at these thoughts but he's interrupted by a familiar voice softly calling out his name causing him to whip his body around...

Laurent: "Detective". 

Detective: "Hi Mr. Bourgeois".

Before the detective can request that they talk outside Laurent begins walking forward with a quick look at Larry as he's on the way. They step outside and now a few inches away from the room...

Laurent: "I thought you would call me but it's great that you're here". 

Detective: "I didn't want to tell you this over the phone". 

Naturally Laurent is worried at what he's about to hear and the look on the detective's face pretty much signals that it isn't news Laurent will be thrilled about but he braces himself for it...

Laurent: 'What is it"?

Detective: "The fingerprints were put in our system but unfortunately there wasn't a match". 

Laurent slowly closes his eyes and blows out a soft and extremely sad sigh. This is the main thing he wanted to know because he knew it would be much easier to catch this person so to hear this is a beyond devastating blow...

Laurent: "So this will make it harder to find him". 

Detective: "Truthfully, yes because as I told you no match means the assailant hasn't committed any crimes and there's a great likelihood that whoever did this is considered an upstanding citizen that no one would ever suspect of any crime especially one of this magnitude. My partner and I went back to your neighborhood to speak to all of your neighbors again to make sure they're all certain they didn't see anything that night". *pause* "Mr. Bourgeois I understand that this isn't news you wanted to hear and I'm sorry I had to bring this to you but we will find him. It will just take more time than we anticipated or hoped it would take".

Laurent hears those words and although he has no doubt the detectives are doing their job he can't help but think about the condition his love is in and why it's crucial that they find him. As Laurent speaks a rumbling can literally be heard in his chest as tears build and fall...

Laurent: "My Larry is in a coma detective". *sniff* "He had a bad dream for what happened and it put him in a coma. You have to find this person". 

The detective sees his emotional state and he silently inhales and exhales. It even takes him a few seconds to respond because of what he sees before him...but he does eventually... 

Detective: "I'm very sorry to hear that Mr. Bourgeois and I promise we will work day and night on this case until we find him. He won't get away with this and when he's caught I will do everything I can to make sure he receives the maximum punishment". 

Laurent spoke with zeal and passion about his love which he will always do but as he listened to detective Marteau he can tell everything he said came from a genuine place so he won't question him being and staying on top of it. In fact, he seems just as anxious as Laurent...

Laurent: *soft sigh* "I know you will do everything you can. It's just...Larry is my life and this hurts so much". 

Detective: *nods* "I understand Mr. Bourgeois and again I'm very sorry". 

Laurent: "I appreciate that detective". *pause* "I'm going back inside to be with him now. Please call me or come by anytime. I'm not going anywhere". 

Detective: "Will do". 

Laurent shakes his hand then leaves him to go back inside. What he isn't aware of is that the detective watched him because he couldn't help but notice such a solemn walk and after this conversation he's all the more determined. He's hopeful that the next time he contacts Laurent it will be with better news. Until then he leaves the hospital to continue working diligently on the case...

Laurent is already next to Larry and no question the news given was a disappointment but he doesn't want every minute consumed thinking about it when Larry needs him. Every second he's next to him he wants Larry to sense his presence and with it being mostly silence that's surrounding them he will take the next several minutes to reminisce with him about their most memorable moments together. He takes his phone and starts going through the many pics of him in his phone and as he holds it up essentially in Larry's view a smile comes across his face as he speaks...

Laurent: "You remember this picture bup? I took it in Italy. It was right in front of the restaurant we went to so many times because you loved the food there". 

Laurent glances at the pic too because in it is Larry's wide smile as he sticks two thumbs up. Larry has never hidden his love for food and as excellent as that food was he could only be happy. Laurent wouldn't dare miss the chance to capture that smile and since Italy was one of the best trips they've ever taken Larry was smiling a lot there so Laurent's phone is full of memory...in every sense of the word. He goes through several photos from their getaway and even some random pics Laurent took of him at home ranging from Larry cooking or being caught off guard by the camera but still looking as beautiful as ever. He takes a moment to go through old photos too and comes across one that he can't imagine not showing him...

Laurent: "You remember us first picnic? It was at the top of the mountains in the Pyrenees. We found a cave far away from everything and everyone. We sat on top of the blankets then watched the sunset. It was so beautiful and I'll never forget the way the glow from the sun shined on your face. *pause* "That was the first time we made love. You looked up into my eyes and we whispered I love you to each other so many times".  

Mere seconds go by when suddenly he feels Larry's pointer finger raise in the palm of his hand. He looks down at it then back up with his eyes widened then whispers, "That's it my love. Come back to me". 

The movement of Larry's finger could have been somewhat of a reflex...but Laurent is sure that Larry heard him and this was his way of letting Laurent know that although he can't speak right now nor can he see the pics he's showing him he remembers every moment they've shared and he cherishes them just as much as he does. This is only confirmation to Laurent that Larry will come back to him...it's only a matter of when. He leans forward to give him a light kiss on the forehead then goes back to calling out more of their sweet, romantic times together and he can't wait for Larry to be well again so they can create more...

~four days later~

Larry's condition has remained stable over the past several days with no concern from the doctors of any further complications. He's responding well to the medication and his doctor is confident that it's only a matter of time before he's brought out of his coma. The detective has been keeping his word with contacting Laurent regularly about the progress of the case and although they don't have any solid leads he constantly reassures him that they're working around the clock. While Laurent wishes they were further along he's most thankful that Larry is doing even better than before and since he felt his loves finger touching him he hasn't left his side if he could possibly help it. Every night he's rested his head on the side of the bed and this morning is no exception. What he doesn't know is that there will be one difference about this particular morning that will make him so happy...

There's a soft fluttering of Larry's eyes and when he comes to he doesn't immediately recognize where he is. He feels a searing pain in his body and it's very difficult to recall exactly why he feels this pain...but the environment that's so unfamiliar is what he's more focused on and though he can't move too much he does notice that he's surrounded by white walls. He also hears the sound of steady beeping nearby. With all the strength he has he looks around the room and it's coming to him that he's in a hospital. He's confused of course...but then he lowers his eyes and sees a head full of long twists. He may not recall exactly how he got here but he knows his love will always be by his side and with all the strength he has he raises his hand to place it on Laurent's head. Not even five seconds later Laurent flutters his eyes open and when he feels that hand he raises his head to look at him. He stands up and now looking down at Larry his eyes have never looked more beautiful. Laurent is near tears as he whispers, "Hey bup. You came back to me". Larry looks sweetly up at him and blinks once. Laurent knows he's trying to speak and he also knows exactly what that blink means so he whispers, "I love you too". 

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A/N: There was no way I was going to make the absolute worst happen to bup. What's happening to him is more than enough and I know it hurt many hearts as well as my own but he's awake now although he doesn't remember anything at the moment. Will everything come to him or will Laurent have the painful task of telling him what happened? Sound off in the comments! Love you guys. :)