I glanced at them and then at my ankle, "I guess I could use new bandages, but you don't have t-"

"It's fine. You guys can get to bed. I'll get to abed after the bandages." He shoed them away and left himself, only to quickly reappear with an ice pack and new bandages.

I shifted slowly towards where he was, letting my ankle dangle off the bed.

Eli kneeled on the ground and took my ankle, slowly unwrapping it.

It was still reddish, but it looked better. I would probably be able to walk on it in a day or two. Thankfully.

I let him wrap my ankle in silence, closing my eyes and relaxing.

He seemed to understand and didn't say a word.

His fingers were delicate against my skin and applied the right amount of pressure to my bandages.

When the ice was placed on and my ankle reset, I was kinda sad to have the gentle touches stop.

"I'm not sure about the other guys, but you seem really sweet Scott. I'm sorry your best friend did this."

"I'm glad I'm at least stuck with you guys. You all seem to be kind."

Eli smiled kindly at me, a hint of pink on his cheeks.

"And about earlier, with the whole, being gay thing, I'm bisexual myself, so I understand how hectic this whole thing must seem to you."

"It's ridiculous. I didn't plan on coming out to my parents until I had my life figured out, things secure. Not when I'm heading into college."

"It's rough. But hey, we'll be fine. We'll find a way out."

His words were comforting, but i still wasn't at ease.

He decided to shift the subject, "so how'd you know you were gay?"

I appreciated the change nonetheless. "I think around fifth grade. I just didn't understand the hype around girls. I didn't truly grasp it until seventh grade though. What about you? How'd you discover you were bi?"

"I appreciated men in a more sexual light. It took me pretty long to catch on. Women, men, non binary folk, they own my whole heart." His lips quirked in a warm smile.

It was sweet. Maybe he had someone in his mind. "You thinking of someone in particular?"

He shrugged, "maybe? I see my first love every once in awhile and it feels like a dream. But it's too late. I'm sure."

"You never know."

Eli chuckled, "you're right, but first loves always suck, don't you think?"

Come to think of it, who was my first love? Their name was lost on me, but I can remember their smile. Just that. And it seemed they were always so far away. "Yeah, they do. But we live and we learn."

There was a pause, and it wasn't a bad one. Eli was just smiling, and his smile stirred up something in my chest. It was so warm and familiar.

Maybe I was imagining things.

"You seem really young for a doctor," I commented casually.

He chuckled at the comment. "I am. I skipped grades when I was younger. A lot of them. Med school and college were about the same. Next thing I knew, I was a doctor while kids my age were still in high school."

"Don't you think you grew up to fast?" I asked curiously.

"Everyday. My parents just wanted me to be successful and kinda forgot I was a kid."

That had to suck. "Parents need to get their priorities straight, huh?"

My heart melted at his little crooked smile, "I guess so. What about you, what are your parents like?"

"Besides homophobic?"

"Besides that."

"Well, my dad is a IT guy, and is pretty handy with technology. He's great until sexuality is brought up. The never thought he'd be so against it growing up. He'd always encourage me to be true to myself and not care about others. So it's a slap in the face," I explained.

Eli nodded, focusing on me as I spoke.

"And my mom, she's a teacher. Teaches kindergarten and was always so sweet to everyone. She'd joke all the time about me dating friends, but then if homosexuality was brought up, she's freak out. And my siblings are how most are."

"That's a rough environment to grow up in," he muttered. "If your psycho friend does tell them, we'll try our best to help you out."

"That's sweet, but you don't have to. You're here because i never noticed daisy plotting all this."

"We're here because she's a psycho, not because of you."

He must've sensed I didn't quite agree, because he moved next to me on the bed.

"We know it's not your fault. All of us. You tried to help before things went sour."

"I know. I just feel bad about the whole thing. I wish I'd known what she was planning."

Eli was sympathetic, bringing a hand up to ruffle my hair. "It's in the past now. We'll get out of here before you know it."

"Hopefully."

"I should let you get to bed, rest up." He went to get up and I instinctively grabbed his wrist.

When I realized I did, I let go, "sorry, reflex I guess."

"I understand. Do you want me to stay until you fall asleep?" He asked gently.

"You don't have to do that, I'll be fine!"

He quirked a brow at me and sighed. "Alright, I'll be next door if you need me. Get some rest."

"Goodnight Eli."

"Goodnight Scott. See you in the morning." He left the room and left me alone.

Something about Eli was calming.

Familiar.

Warm.

God, this wasn't the time to be gaining crushes.

We've been kidnapped, locked up and can't do jack shit for two months...

Maybe a good nights rest would put the thoughts out of my head...

Maybe...

But as I laid down, eyes closed, I could still see Eli's smile.

I could see the way his blue eyes focused on me as if I was the most important person in the world...

This wasn't the time to find him attractive.

This wasn't the time to want to know him more.

Yet...

I could only see his face as I tried to sleep.

What was wrong with me?