I'm guessing that I somehow passed out on Alan's shoulder because I woke up some time later in the plush hospital waiting room chairs. The smell of Alan's cologne mixed with that sterile hospice smell didn't mesh well together, making my nose scrunch up in displeasure. I cracked my eyes open to find the rest of the band, my parents, and Austin's dad all occupying the seats around me. I immediately became worried since almost everyone was here and as I continued to look around I noticed even more people were there with the same look I had on my face, fear.

I snapped up off of Alan's shoulder, hurriedly asking, "Do we know if he's going to be okay?"

Everyone looked surprised to see me awake and Aaron was the one to answer me, "The doctors are wanting to keep him over night, but he's alright for the most part. In fact the last time I saw him, he was asking for you."

I'm sure my eyes had blown wide at what Aaron had just told me because I heard my mother chuckle before saying, "Don't keep him waiting anymore honey."

I tried to pace myself as I walked past the others when on the inside I wanted to sprint to Austin's room.

"He's in room F15." Alan called as I made my way down the hall and once I was out of sight I began dashing down the hallway, only halfway glancing at door labels until I came to the F's.
I slowed my feet when I came on double digits and I took a deep breath in when I saw Austin's room. I gently tapped on the framing of the door and then heard the rustling of sheets before I heard Austin speak in a hoarse tone.

"Come in." He called softly and I gingerly stepped into view, watching his brown eyes light up as he cheered, "Tristy! You finally came to see me!"

"I'm sorry I would have been here sooner if someone would have woken me up." I apologize in a small voice.

He frowned slightly as he said, "Don't worry about it babe, I'm just glad you're here now."

I finally got up the guts to go to his bed and gently wrapped my arms around his shoulders as
I whispered against his warm neck, "I'm so sorry for all of this Austin."

He carefully wrapped an arm around my waste and let his other hand run through my slightly messy hair. I was surprised when he pressed his forehead to mine, his eyes searched my face as he quietly spoke, "Tristan I would do anything for you. You need to understand that. "

I nodded as I tried to fight back tears, I hate that it's always so easy to cry in front of him.

"Come up here. " He murmured patting his leg.

I carefully climbed onto the hospital bed and threw my left leg over both of his before sitting on his lap.

I saw Austin wince a bit and I began moving off of him saying, "I'm hurting you."

He swiftly grabbed a hold of my thighs, "But I just need to hold you."

I could have sworn I melted at his words and the desperation in his gaze. So I couldn't help myself when I leaned over to him for a kiss and I felt him smile softly under my lips. When we let go he rested his head on my shoulder as he just held me to his chest.

"I was scared that Max was going to hurt you too." He confessed.

I ran my hand through his hair as I breathed, "But I'm fine."

He nodded slowly, "I can't stop worrying that this isn't over."

"Hopefully someone sent the cops after them and it will be."

He smiled to himself as he murmured, "You really are worth all the trouble."

I chuckled shaking my head, "No I'm not Austin."

"For me you are." He whispered right as he pulled me to him crashing his mouth to mine as he held me tightly in his arms.

I was quick to return the favor, tangling my fingers in the hair at the back of his neck. I sighed softly against his lips right before he deepened the kiss. The moment his hands slid up the back of my shirt there was a knock at the door and Austin let out an irritated growl when I got off the bed before someone could walk in.

He gave me a look with burning eyes that held a promise that we were far from done as he quietly asked, "When am I going to not be interrupted so I can actually do what I want with you?"

I felt a shiver roll through my whole body as my mind came up with what he could have meant, let's just say it was nothing innocent.

A blonde nurse came into the room giving Austin and I a knowing grin before checking his vitals as I tried to calm down my raging blush. She left without so much as a word despite saying when she would be back. Austin smirked wickedly as soon as we were alone once more, but right as he reached for me Alan stepped in the room.

"You're looking like you feel a lot better than when I saw you earlier." Alan commented with a soft laugh and a shake of the head.

Austin simply nodded and then the room became quiet. The last time the three of us were in the same room it didn't end so well.

Alan sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Listen guys, after everything that has happened in the past few days I've been doing some thinking and I've decided that I'm okay with you two being together."

"Really?" I questioned, feeling astonished that Alan was actually saying this.

Alan nodded with a soft smile, "Yea, considering the things you both have done for each other, I shouldn't be the asshole stopping it."

Austin and I both laughed lightly, then holding out his fist Austin asked, "Are we good again?"

Alan bumped it with his own replying, "We're good."

After that they were immediately best friends again and some time later the nurse, who I found out was named Julia, came back in the room to inform us that nothing vital had been injured on Austin. So that meant he was going to be released tomorrow morning. Alan then went to tell everyone else the good news and they all came to say goodbye for the night and gave him wishes for a quick recovery. Then when Alan left I was the last to be with Austin, but I had a different plan that didn't involve leaving. I pulled the chair in the corner of the room closer to the white bed Austin was in.

Austin raised an eyebrow at what I was doing as he asked, "What are you up to?"

"I'm staying here with you, do you honestly think I could go home and sleep knowing you're in here?" I question back before making myself comfortable in the chair and folded my arms on the empty space on the mattress next to his legs.

He chuckled at me as he shook his head before saying, "Alright I'll ask the nurse to get you some blankets and pillows."

When Julia came back to check on things Austin explained to her that I would be staying the night here with him, but she embarrassed me when she asked, "This is your girlfriend right? Because that's the only way the doctors will allow her to stay."

I felt a blush consume my whole face as I glanced over at Austin, who just smiled at her and nodded. My jaw dropped, I can't believe he just told her that!

She grinned herself, "I could tell, well I will be back with those pillows and blankets in a minute."

When she left the room and I was sure she was out of earshot I hastily said, "I can't believe you told her that!"

"Why?" He asked with an amused expression.

"Because you lied to her didn't you?"

He shook his head as he leaned over to where I was and murmured, "As far as I'm concerned I've considered myself yours for a while now. How does that sound to you Tristan? Can I be your boyfriend?"

I felt like my heart had crawled up into my throat with how tight it became and the erratic beating in my ears. I swallowed hard before I mustered up the courage to speak, "I've wanted you since high school, how the hell could I say no to you?"

He laughed softly as he pulled me closer, "Really now?"

I nodded grinning as I leaned to him until our lips met. Suddenly there was a sound of someone clearing their throat and we quickly snapped apart as Julia giggled at us. She handed me the things we had asked for before telling us a soft goodnight and shutting the door behind her. Afterwards Austin and I talked quietly, making sure to avoid bringing up today's events of course, until we both fell asleep. Right before I shut my eyes I studied Austin's sleeping face for a moment thinking, Finally I can know what real love is.

Notes