Forty- Three: Waiting

[ D A R R I C K ]

Darrick sat in the private waiting room of the hospital, which was considerably much nicer then the human waiting rooms. It had a smell of lavender that brought a sense of ease and posters of puppies and rainbows littered the walls in an attempt to create a happier environment. Unlike last time he was at the hospital, which had been void of any life, there was one other person in the room alongside him. A frail looking man, who's pale eyes seemed to wander in Darricks direction all too often for comfort. The old man was mostly bald, with partial white frays of hair poking out behind his ears. Eyes were heavily lidded looking as if he were sleeping upright with how low they drooped, along with a permanent scowl etched across his face. Darrick wondered whether he'd look like that when he was old, loose skin and no hair.

Kknee bouncing anxiously, he found himself looking about at the walls, wondering when he'd be able to go in and see Austin. At the moment, Tess, Margaret and Brian were inside, Austin only allowed close family for the time being while the doctors were discussing whether or not he would be released now or should stay over night to keep a watchful eye on his head. Darrick had rushed over with Tess as soon as she got the call from her mother, saying Austin had been in an accident at Backnott training and was in fact really hurt.

Darrick couldn't believe it at first, Austin getting hurt? He'd had his fair share of hard beatings Austin did but never ended up in hospital, giants healed too quickly to even care visit the hospital or need to for that matter. Darrick had dislocated his shoulder once in a game, which had probably been the most pain he'd ever felt in his entire life, having been hit by a defender in just the right spot to knock his shoulder out of place. But it was simply popped back in by the medic on field, given a five minute break then continued the rest of the game to even still, win the game, having even scored two touchdowns himself.

Finding his eyes travelling to his phone out of boredom, he saw a group chat had been created and was making his phone vibrate madly against his leg to be opened. Rolling his eyes, he slid down into his chair til his head rested against the top back rest and long legs stretched out before him so that he was comfortable.

Opening a notification from Austin, guessing he had his phone with him, Darrick joined mid conversation

_Darrickk_ joined the chat

-Cole: I'm in! I know a guy that can get us what we need.

-Austin: Good. Meet me at that park near his house, Civic Park I think it's called. Around 2am. He won't know what's hit him.

-Darrick: What's this about? Austin are you okay ?

-Austin: oh me? Pfft I'm great! Really I've never been better! Been the best day of my life! 👍 :))

Austin... sent 2 photos:





Austin: I've literally got brain damage or some shit because of that fuck. Scroll up I've explained everything.

-Darrick: ...

-Jace: I don't know guys~ that's pretty messed up..

-Darrick: I'm in.

-Austin: Good. See I told you Darrick would do it Cole!

-Austin:...

-Austin: JACE!

-Austin: You have to! Think about all the shit he's done in the past! You of all people would know he deserves this. He's ruined my life! Im in a hospital bed as we speak and can't play Backnott anymore!

-Jace:...

-Jace: I guess.. but isn't that like really illegal? And dangerous ://

-Darrick: Jace, think about Tess. Do it for her if anything .

-Austin: Yeah. For Tess.

-Cole: TESSSSSS

-Jace: ... are you high?

-Cole: I could be..

-Austin: JACE! YES OR NO!?

- Jace: Okay fine! Only for Tess! I ain't hurting him or touching him, OR that thing! I'm too young to go to jail! I ain't leaving any finger prints as evidence.

-Austin: Yes Jace! I knew you'd pull through.

-Jace:....

-Darrick: Just no one tell Tess.

~~~

[T E S S]

Tess looked to Austin as she sat alone, her mother off with Brian. She pursed her lips feeling awkward where she sat in a oversized blue visitors chair, looking similar to the size of a doll compared to the massive seat. If she were to lay down, she wouldn't even be able to stretch her entire body across the expanse of the cushion, even if she stretched her arms above her head. It didn't help that she was already a short human, being a human in a giants chair made her feel very small and intimidated, hoping if someone wanted to sit down that they'd look before deciding to take a seat. Not wanting to be crushed under a giant ass or sat on in that moment, the thought made her shiver.

Rubbing at her arms, she briefly looked toward Austin, who was madly texting on his phone and ignoring her completely. In the background, Brian could be heard yelling on the phone at the school principal trying to get Lenny expelled for good and taken off the Backnott team for what he'd done to his son. Tess knew sometimes Brian was tough on Austin, in the way he would speak to him so sternly, how he'd try and coax him to do better at school and to get a 'good' job, which Austin appeared to brush off as if it were an annoyance in his life but she knew it was all out of love and a father trying to see his son to succeed.

Looking down at her fingers, she frowned a little to herself as she was beginning to miss Darrick. Wondering what he was upto in the waiting room, if he was bored as much as she was and also wondering if he was missing her as much as she did him. She wanted to be back at his house, where she'd probably at this point curled into the crook of his neck, so warm and comfy til she felt like dozing off to sleep in the middle of a movie. She imagined the moment, letting her eyes close to try picture herself Cuddling into Darricks neck where she should be, instead of being seated in an oversized chair with Austin, who was ignoring her. Maybe she could go back to Darricks after?

"Your suppose to be keeping watch over me, you know. What if I have a seizure and die, and your just sleeping"

Letting her eyes open, she saw Austin leaning over to look down at her from his bed to where she sat on the giant chair. Pressing her lips into a thin line, it felt weird to hear Austin's voice after so long. To hear him speak directly to her was even weirder, making her heart thrum heavily in her chest feeling strange to have the attention suddenly on her

"I wasn't sleeping, I just had my eyes closed" Tess spoke softly, moving her legs so that they crossed before her then looking down to play with the corner of her hoodie between her fingers to avoid eye contact with Austin

"Weirdo" Austin muttered with a chuckle, shifting in his bed and making the bed frame groan loudly. Her eyebrows drew together at that, glaring up at the large brunette as he settled his head into the hospital pillow trying to get comfortable

"Even with brain damage, you still manage to be rude" she huffed, rembering why she didn't speak to Austin she turned till her back was facing him, trying to leave the conversation and hoped Brian would hurry back. Turning her head in Brian's direction, she arched her neck hoping he'd come save her from this horrible position. She didn't want to speak to Austin anymore, she had only just began to think maybe she'd give him a second chance but of course he'd completely ruined that.

"Sorry..."

Turning her head, her eyebrows arched up toward Austin who's mouth had turned down into a frown. Sorry? Biting her lip she shifted uneasily, looking down back at her hoodie to play with the sleeve. She felt her stomach knot, her breath quickened and heart matching the same pace. So they were going to have this conversation now were they?

"What for?" Tess found confidence then, turning her attention up to greet Austin's green eyes. His mouth fell open into a O shape before quickly closing .

"You know what for~" he murmured, rolling onto his back again to stare toward the ceiling. Bringing his hands over his face, he groaned rubbing at his eyes with his long fingers, Tess noticing he was avoiding touching the bandage around his head and answering the question.

"I do-but I want you to tell me" Tess sat up more then, wondering whether or not Austin would apologise for what he did, what he said. Sitting up onto her knees, she tilted her head curiously up at the giant boy.

"Uh~Everything. For being a jerk. For being.. a shit step brother and person in general~" he scoffed at that, running his hand over the nape of his neck, "I'm trying to change, i really am. I just want to Atleast be on good terms. Ive given you space and gifts. I don't know what else to do for you to forgive me~ " Austin spoke softly, "a-and I can understand if you want to keep that space between us too. I'll respect that and leave you alone"

Tess brought a hand over mouth trying to hide her smile, nodding slowly she couldn't help the happiness that swelled in her chest "~Austin" she looked up toward him, bringing her hands down to clasp within her lap "I forgive you~ I want us to be good again, of course. Considering we are family now~~ I've been thinking about some stuff recently.. mostly I've just been waiting for you to say it yourself though" she couldn't help a small hum to leave her lips as she saw a large smile expand across his face, brightening his features and lighting his eyes up into a bright emerald green and shone like gems.

"I truly am sorry though, I've been feeling so guilty ever since you got back. I know it's all my fault. None of that should've ever happened to you and I take full responsibility for my actions. I just want to make it up to you" Austin's smile faded a little, wincing at his head injury, "I stuck up for you today, you know, I punched Lenny when he was talking about what happened.. it's why I ended up here" Austin scoffed, leaning into the pillow and letting his eyes close

"You didn't have to stick up for me.. but thank you" her heart warmed, seeing him nod sluggishly, becoming sleepy all of a sudden it appeared as he let out a belting yawn.

"I~" Austin yawned again, "I wanted to, I hated hearing Lenny talk shit about you" he sighed lowly through his nose, trying to force an eye open to look at her but it ended up ceiling shut again, too tired and exhausted to even keep his eyes open.

"Probably not the best idea to go to sleep, you might have a concussion, Austin" Tess gave him a worried glance, seeing him shrug and continue to allow himself to lay comfortably into the thin mattress

"I'll be fine.." Austin grumbled, "don't you worry.. giants are tough" Austin smirked a little with his eyes closed, rubbing his knuckles against his eyes

"Okay" Tess rolled her eyes, settling back onto the chair she eyed austin for a long moment as he drifted to sleep. Probably not the best idea but he seemed exhausted, large dark bags under his eyes giving way to his exhaustion as if he hadn't slept In days. She couldn't believe the words that had left Austin's mouth and she rolled over until she lay in her stomach, pulling out her phone from her pocket in the process to call Darrick with a light smile playing at her lips

An update! Sorry if it's not as detailed as other chapters but it's just to get the story moving along! Hope you enjoyed

Let me know what you liked in the comments !!! And what you wanna see next ?