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Tweak says, "My feet hurt."

Armaan Viraj Khatri (fallontheflame) wrote in nevermore_logs,
@ 2024-11-19 23:15:00

Entry tags:

aderyn ceredig, armaan khatri, avery duffield, henry claus, michael, patience, saint patrick

WHO: Armaan Khatri, Patience, Michael, Saint Patrick, Henry Ceredig, Avery Duffield
WHEN: Early hours of Saturday
WHERE: Hospital tiimmeesss
WHAT: Hospital tiimmeesss
WARNINGS: TBA

As soon as they reached the hospital, Armaan was whisked away for emergency surgery, and Freddie was left to wait in the waiting room for him. Soon enough though, he was joined by Patrick, who informed Freddie of the growing numbers of press outside the place. Michael arrived next, followed by Rhadika who had sped over as soon as she could. She had been so relieved when Detective Angel had called her, because she too had happened upon the live stream, and when she saw her baby on screen, bleeding out, she had spent a frantic fifteen minutes trying to find any way to contact Varaha and ask for his help.

She was just relieved, now that Armaan was in safe hands, that she hadn't managed to get ahold of him.

The moment she was in the waiting room, she made a beeline for Freddie. "Oh my darling Freddie," she said, moving to embrace him tightly. "You saved him, didn't you?"

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patientia_est
2024-11-19 12:00 pm UTC (link)

Avery nodded, looking away because he didn't want to show too much of his discomfort over how he'd parted with Armaan last. "Yeah. I do. Do you want something from the vending machine?" He could get a snack at least. He'd kind of forgotten to eat dinner, and now they just had to wait, he was suddenly feeling hungry.

Patience gave Henry a small smile and shook his hand graciously. "Well. No. But I will be," he said honestly. He wasn't going to try and cover it up because what would be the point of that? Nobody was okay with what had happened. "And you? Watching that livestream was horrific. I'm so sorry you had to endure that."

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fallontheflame
2024-11-20 02:01 am UTC (link)

Rhadika hadn't know anything was a miss until much later than Avery had, so she had eaten dinner. It didn't mean Avery's sweet offer meant any less. "Oh you perfect darling," she gushed over him. "I would love a coffee and maybe something a little sweet. We can eat together."

"My husband didn't want me to watch it," Henry admitted, though he added, "I- I saw the first part. But then I turned away. I could still hear it though. It was one of the worst- Could you hear it?" God, poor Freddie, if he could.

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patientia_est
2024-11-20 02:41 am UTC (link)

Coffee sounded great. Avery would get them both a coffee and a packet of snack cakes, then they could sit and wait. Rhadika was always so comfortable to be around. When he came back with it, he passed the coffee to her and sat down, tucking his feet under the seat, one knee gently jiggling. "I guess," he said after a minute, "that it's good he'll be living with Freddie now. Freddie will be better to look after him."

Patience took a breath and nodded, his face turning grim. "Yes. I saw it. Quite, quite harrowing. But I had to witness it, for his sake."

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fallontheflame
2024-11-20 02:55 am UTC (link)

Rhadika tutted her tongue and she bumped against Avery's shoulder with her own. "You are the best and dearest friend he's ever had, my boy," she assured Avery. "Freddie is such a dear and yes, he can help to look after my Armaan, but Armaan will need both of us too. It's not a matter of one person being better at it. Not at all. We all offer different things. You have known Armaan longer than Freddie has, love. That history means a lot. He will need you too."

Henry didn't know what to say, really. "Iestyn h-had to- Iestyn had to uhm...watch some bad things happen to me," he said, his face equally grim. "I never knew how awful it feels from the other side. Do you want a hug?" he asked, because he didn't know how to make anything better, but he wished he could.

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patientia_est
2024-11-20 03:20 am UTC (link)

Avery smiled slightly for a moment at being complimented, then grew serious again. He sighed, flicking the edge of the lid on the coffee cup with his fingernail. "It was really hard to watch," he admitted. "I don't know how I can help him."

"I'll take one if you wish to give it," Patience replied. He liked Henry, and he knew this was difficult for everyone involved. "You didn't need to be reminded of past trauma, I'm sure. It is very difficult feeling so helpless. I am lucky I had Patrick to help me or I wouldn't have got there in time."

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fallontheflame
2024-11-20 03:28 am UTC (link)

Rhadika listened to Avery and then she nodded, taking a sip from her cup. "Armaan knows who you are, Avery. And he knows who you aren't. He loves you for being you. That's all you have to do to help him. Be there. Make him laugh. Tell him your stories, he loves those. He tells me where all the haunted buildings are in the city and then tells me he knows them because of you." That was the simple part. The rest was more difficult, because Armaan talked to Rhadika about how Avery was not an openly emotional person. Armaan didn't mind, but this part wasn't about Armaan.

"The livestream was terrible. I saw it too. And if you find you need someone to talk to about it, you can call me. You are my family Jaanu. I know you don't like to open up about things, but I am here for you too."

Henry loved hugs, so he was definitely willing to give it. He opened his arms wide and he hugged Freddie close. When he let go, he gave the man a sad smile. "Well I'm sorry you had to watch someone you love go through that. I'm just glad you did get there in time. Patrick is pretty great like that," he said, turning to smile at his uncle in law, who was now turning bright red, but looking pleased.

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phantomtruth
2024-11-20 10:26 am UTC (link)

Avery sipped the coffee slowly, taking in what she was saying. He knew sometimes he could be very self-centred, but with Rhadika it was easier to listen without getting defensive. "I'll try," he said. "I want to help. I want to make up for behaving like a child before." He was sure Armaan would have told her about it, and he went a little red, embarrassed at himself. Should he tell her that he'd called his father? It was too hard to speak it, and nobody had called him back, so maybe it would amount to nothing anyway.

Patience accepted the hug, and when Henry spoke he looked over at Patrick with a half smile. "Yes he is. Couldn't have done it without him. We've all seen our share of troubles, haven't we."

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fallontheflame
2024-11-20 10:32 am UTC (link)

"You didn't behave like a child, Jaanu," she reassured him. "And Armaan isn't mad at you. He cares for you so much. You'll see, lovey. I know you can help him. I believe in both of you."

Henry sighed and nodded, glad that Addy was there with him to keep him grounded. He was so glad his friend was okay, or at least headed that way.

The doctor came out about an hour later and Rhadika immediately stood up. "How is my son?"

"He woke up about a half an hour ago and he's been in recovery. The surgery went very well. The cut was deep, but it was clean, so it made it easier to fix up. He's had a blood transfusion and we've put him on antibiotics to ensure there's no infection, but he's doing rather well and asking for you. He's being moved out of recovery and into his own room now."

"I'm not going without Freddie," Rhadika said, going to take Freddie's hand. He's Armaan's partner, and he's coming too."

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patientia_est
2024-11-20 11:09 am UTC (link)

Patience tucked Rhadika's hand over his arm, covering her hand with his. "We'll go together," he promised. Nobody seemed inclined to argue the point, so Patience and Rhadika supported each other to walk in to see Armaan in his room.

Armaan was looking less pale than before, and Patience felt a rush of relief to see him tucked into his hospital bed, safe and alive. "There he is," he said, patting Rhadika's hand. "See? All in one piece." He beamed at Armaan, feeling like he could breathe properly once more.

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fallontheflame
2024-11-20 11:15 am UTC (link)

Armaan was feeling tired, but much less loopy than before. He was nursing a Sprite, because that was what had been given to him in the recovery room to deal with his thirst. He immediately smiled warmly when he caught sight of his mother and partner though. The expression was tired, but no less bright for that. "Hi!" he said happily, and then his mother was planting kisses all over his face, deftly avoiding the bruises that had bloomed there. He let out a squawk and tried to hand the Sprite over to Freddie. "Amma! I'm alright!"

"Oh, my night sky, I was so scared," she admitted, moving back so Freddie could greet him too, but gently holding his hand. His broken pinky was splinted and she held his hand so carefully.

"I wasn't," Armaan explained, though he followed up, "not until the end when they got impatient. Before that I just- I knew Freddie was coming. So I wasn't afraid." He looked over at Freddie and beamed at him. "Oh, love, you must have been terrified yourself."

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patientia_est
2024-11-20 11:42 am UTC (link)

Patience set the cup down on the side table while Rhadika greeted Armaan, and once she stepped back, he moved in to kiss Armaan and gently hold him. He caressed Armaan's face with his hand. "I had faith too," he said. "But I'll admit I was afraid for you. I wasn't expecting such brutality. But you have been patched up now, you are looking happier, my love." He pressed another kiss to Armaan's forehead and pulled back to look him over more critically.

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fallontheflame
2024-11-20 11:47 am UTC (link)

"They split my lip and cracked a rib," he explained, "and broke my finger. And I hardly felt it. I was just...away. It was like I was meditating." He had missed dinner - hadn't eaten since lunch which was ever so many hours ago now, but no hunger had reached him while he sat and believed in Freddie. No pain or thirst, not until the end. "I heard them though, the fact that I wasn't begging or asking them questions really freaked them out," Armaan chuckled. "I was...just patient. It was all you," he said, gazing at his partner so lovingly.

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	patientia_est 2024-11-20 12:05 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm proud of you," Patience replied. And he really, really was. "You held up like a champ. I have to tell you, right at the end, I gave you a little something extra. I'm sorry, I know I promised you, but I just didn't want you to suffer. But you did do so well on your own. I saw what they did to you, and you were so brave." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fallontheflame
2024-11-21 03:20 am UTC (link)

It meant a lot, hearing his centuries-old boyfriend was proud of him. And he certainly didn't mind at all being given a little extra help, not in a situation like this. "Oh, honey, it's alright. At the end there, I needed it."

His expression darkened a little as he said, "that's when I got scared. Because I knew you were coming. Knew it in my bones, you would be on your way already. But I just didn't know if you'd get there in time. And I'm- I'm so happy. So happy in my life, and I wasn't ready for it to end." Armaan felt his mother grasp his arm, and he was so grateful for the reassurance from her.

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patientia_est
2024-11-21 10:02 am UTC (link)

"Thank Patrick," Patience said with a sigh, resting his hand on Armaan's shoulder. It had been a close call. "I'm not ready for it to end either. And all your friends are here too. Everyone has been so worried about you. They wanted you to be safe too. You are so loved." He put an arm around Rhadika's back too to reassure her as well. After all, that was her boy there, and she would have been so scared too.

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fallontheflame
2024-11-21 10:07 am UTC (link)

Armaan smiled again at that, and he was glad to hear his friends were here. Then his brow furrowed, "sorry, the drugs are making me slow- Did you say you saw what they did? Did you- Did you watch it while it was happening?" He knew it had been livestreamed, but he thought it was for the people at the station and not his boyfriend.

"I was watching the news, and they interrupted the broadcast to show it," Rhadika said, shaking her head. "I got the shock of my life. It was- It was awful."

"You both saw it?!"

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patientia_est
2024-11-21 10:24 am UTC (link)

Patience glanced at Rhadika, and gently said, "I'm so sorry, but everyone saw it. It was freely available online, and I have an alert on your name so I can watch your pieces. Was it not censored on the broadcast Rhadika? Overwise I am going to be writing another letter about broadcasting standards, that is unacceptable." Right after the one to the station about not being contacted immediately on them receiving the ransom note.

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fallontheflame
2024-11-21 10:27 am UTC (link)

"It was censored," Rhadika admitted, "but I could still see my baby dying-"

"Everyone saw it?!" Armaan said, sounding a little distressed. "And- And no one contacted you, Freddie?"

"No one contacted me either," Rhadika stated with a frown.

"W- uh-" Armaan looked troubled by that, but he was on too many drugs to know what to do with it. "I'm going to be really mad about this when I can feel things," he said gruffly.

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patientia_est
2024-11-21 10:49 am UTC (link)

"No. Not even a voicemail." Patience rubbed Rhadika's back. Everything was so rough right now, and Armaan was allowed to feel all the feelings about it, as soon as he was able.

"Armaan, if you want to know, your friends are in the waiting room. Would you like to see them tonight? If you're not up to it, perhaps we can release them to get some rest and come back tomorrow? Absolutely up to you, my love."

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fallontheflame
2024-11-21 10:59 am UTC (link)

"N-no, I want- I want to see them, just- Just give me a minute." He turned to his mother and he reached out for her, taking her face into his hands. "Maji. I'm so sorry you had to see that. You know I'm going to be alright, right?"

Rhadika smiled at him, her eyes a bit shiny, and she planted a kiss on his hair. "I do. My precious boy, I do." She leaned in for a hug and then when she straightened up, she gave him a look of deep guilt. "I was so scared when I saw that stream that I- Armaan I have to admit something to you, and you're allowed to be angry with me if you want to. I tried to contact Varaha for help. He has money."

Armaan blinked in surprise and he opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally saying, "uhhhhh, how? How did you uhm...contact him?"

Rhadika looked guilty again. "I have a few numbers he used to use, so I tried them all. He contacted me a few years ago asking about you and I- I told him to leave you alone. I'm sorry. I should have told you."

Well telling him now while he was on opiates that were making everything seem like it was going to be great, was probably good timing. That and being in Freddie's presence. He took a second to answer, looking like he was trying to arrive at a decision, and then he shook his head. "I'm not mad, Maji. Yes, you should probably have told me, but I was in school and it only would have distracted me. I'm not mad at all. Which...might be the drugs, might be the Freddie, I don't know. Did...did you get through to him?"

"No reply," Rhadika sighed.

"No surprises there," Armaan said, reaching out for Freddie's hand.

"

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patientia_est
2024-11-21 11:39 am UTC (link)

Patience listened to Rhadika with concern. It seemed she had her secrets. It was a time of high stress, and it appeared that a lot of things were bubbling to the surface. He felt sure they were going to talk about this all again when Armaan was more up to it. He held Armaan's hand and brought it up to his lips to kiss the back of it.

"The things we do for the people we love," he said with a soft sigh.

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fallontheflame
2024-11-21 11:44 am UTC (link)

"I can't believe you tried to call him, you hate him," Armaan said seriously.

"I love you more than I hate him," Rhadika said, and she kissed his hair again. "I would do anything I could to keep you safe. I'm just glad it wasn't necessary because you have darling Freddie," she beamed at Freddie and she went to kiss his hair too. "I should go get Avery, he's been wanting to see you."

Armaan nodded, and he watched his mother go, before turning to Freddie. "Will you stay? Stay the night? They said I can go home tomorrow, but I don't want to be alone tonight. I know it's not comfortable, and you're probably hungry-" they had both missed dinner, after all, "but I just- I want you with me. Is that alright?"

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patientia_est
2024-11-21 12:06 pm UTC (link)

"Of course. I'm here for you." Patience found the nearest chair and pulled it up next to the bed, careful of Armaan's pinky finger as he settled into his new position while holding his hand. "Isn't modern medicine a wonder? Surgery and out again within 24 hours. Don't fret too much about your mother for now. We will discuss it again once you've had a chance to recover. You've been through too much."

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fallontheflame
2024-11-22 02:18 am UTC (link)

Armaan nodded, acquiescing to discussing things when he wasn't fresh out of surgery and he wasn't hopped up on opiates. He was getting tired, but he was going to stay awake to see his friends, and the nurses had promised there was food coming.

"They're bringing me some soup and Jello soon," Armaan said, smiling over at his boyfriend. "And you're going to have some." He knew Freddie would go without and never say a word, but that was why Freddie had Armaan to be pushy.

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	patientia_est 2024-11-22 11:29 am UTC (link)
	"Mm, soup and Jello, my favourite," Patience said with a touch of deadpan sarcasm that he didn't use often, but he knew Armaan would laugh at. He was not going to eat Armaan's share of food of course, but he would humour him just to keep him happy. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)