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MAX COSTELLO

PAST
NOVEMBER 2019

Oliver planned for us to go out tonight. Which was a first but I wasn't complaining or asking any questions on the matter. I just went with it before he changed his mind and wanted a night in instead.

But no, Oliver wanted to go out and have one too many tequila's and enjoy a night off. I was totally here for it, he's a lightweight so I knew I'd be there to look after him before we both ended up as messes. I wanted him to have fun, to get tipsy, to let loose.

He deserved it, especially some time away from uni work. He deserved a distraction, something to occupy his mind that wasn't art.

So we had agreed to go to a local gay bar, Oliver's new favourite since I took him to his first earlier on this year. It made him feel safe and I understood why, he could be who he wanted without people looking at him, at us.

We had a couple drinks at his place before we left, money was a little tight at the moment and Oliver had left over alcohol at his so we used that whilst we could, his eyes already turning partly red.

The cab journey was amusing, Oliver was chatting the drivers ear off which he was responding positively. I sat back and let the conversation unfold, a smile plastering its way across my face. My hand was resting against his thigh as I ran my thumb across the fabric of his trousers.

Soon we arrived outside the bar, Oliver gave the driver a warm goodbye and we step out of the car. I press my hand to the small of his back and guide him towards the door, my eyes looking at the security guard as he takes one glance at us.

"ID's." He says before flicking his eyes to Oliver.

Oliver fumbles between his pockets for his ID, mumble to himself and then stifling a laugh. I hold the plastic card up between my fingers and the guard looks at it and nods, eventually Oliver finds his own and grins up at the man.

He takes the card from Oliver's hands and glazes his eyes over the information, he chews thoroughly on a piece of gum before taking in Oliver's attire. He hums and hands the ID back before we walk into the bar.

It was lively, considering it was a Friday night. It should be.

Oliver's eyes lit up at the bright lights, neon signs, people dancing like they didn't have a care in the world.

He slips his hand into mine and directs me towards the bar where he orders two double vodkas. I knew for sure he'd be drunk, drunk after these but he wanted to let go for the night and I wanted him to have a good time.

Once we have our drinks we direct ourselves to the dance floor. I didn't really take myself for much of a dancer but I guess I could move to the beat of the song. Unlike these other guys who were practically slut dropping all over the place, then jumping into some kind of splits.

I focus my attention back on Oliver as he refuses to nurse his drink and instead downs it. His eyes begin to fall heavy but the smile on his lips never left, he was happy and that made me happy.

At some point in the night he leans forward to wrap his arms around my neck, pressing kisses to the edge of my jaw. "T-Thank you f-for coming out with me tonight," he mumbles before grinning brightly at me.

I place my hands on his lower back and pull his body into mine. "Anything for you baby," I say as I press a kiss to his forehead.

Oliver's eyes shut in content and he folds his body into mine, resting his head on my shoulder. "Mmmm I love you so much," he tells me, making my heart thump hard.

He's told me he loves hundreds of times but I would never get used to the feeling of when he does. It's like I'm a giddy teenager all over again and experiencing love for the first time, not that I could ever forget how it felt.

Oliver's love was like no other and I'd never trade it for anything.

I cup the back of his head with my hand and lower my lips to the crown of his head. "I love you so much Oliver," I grumble into his hair. "You have no idea."

He inhales deeply and releases it, pulling away from my hold and pressing up on his toes to steal a kiss from my lips. "I always have the best t-time with you," he flicks his eyes between mine slowly.

His reactions clearly halved considering his how intoxicated he is but I love it when he's drunk. He's always great fun.

I hum and nod in approval. "I know I'm pretty great," I chuckle.

Oliver rolls his eyes dramatically and shakes his head. "No, you're meant to say that you have the best time with me too." He grumbles and I can't help but smile.

"That too... I guess."

His mouth falls open. "You guess? You better be joking."

I lean forward to kiss his perky lips. "I'm joking," I mumble against him. "You have made my life so much better the second you stepped into it."

Oliver's eyes widen as he takes in my words. "Mine too," he nods enthusiastically. "I can't imagine life without you."

My head nuzzles into his gently. "We gonna get married then?" I say lightheartedly.

He pulls back and analyses my expression. "Do you want to get married?"

"I'd get married to you in a heartbeat."

Even though the bar was dark with fluorescent lights shining on the dance floor every so often, I could see his cheeks begin to heat up. "I wanna get married too," he nods eagerly. "But not when I'm nineteen."

"Understandable," I smile. "But when we're older."

"When we're older." Oliver nods confidently.

PRESENT
OCTOBER 2021

Oliver fell asleep in my arms and I decided to stay awake, if he needed me for whatever reason, then I'd be here, waiting for him. I didn't even have to try and fight sleep, my body was more than awake as I gently stroked Oliver's back with the tips of my fingers.

I didn't know what the time was but it was early in the morning, Oliver fell asleep within a second and stayed in the same position for hours. That's how I knew he was beyond exhausted and now he was getting actual sleep, the rest he has needed for the last couple of days.

A loud, unexpected crash comes from below our hotel room. Oliver's eyes snap open and he gasps, expression stuck and terrified. He attempts to push himself from me, wincing from the force of his hands.

He takes one drowsy look around the room before I place my hand against his cheek, his gaze finding mine. "Hey, it's okay," I whisper, my eyes glancing down at his chest that was falling rapidly. "It's okay, it was just a noise downstairs. You're okay."

Oliver's mouth opens to release a breath, his face melting into my hand as I caress his cheek with my thumb. "It was just a loud noise," I tell him again before pulling his body into mine. "Go back to sleep."

He looks at me and frowns. "Have you not slept?"

"Doesn't matter," I stroke the back of his head. "Go back to sleep baby, I'll be here."

For a moment he pauses before nodding once, he lowers his head back down into my body and I wrap my arms around him protectively.

"You're safe here with me," I whisper into the top of his head, pressing a kiss to the edge of his forehead.

Oliver snuggles impossibly closer to me and I smile, brushing my vacant hand down his back soothingly. He exhales a small breath and I watch as his eyes flutter shut, feeling content that he's even here with me right now.

A few more hours pass and I watch the TV on mute, my eyes started to burn but that didn't phase me. I didn't want to miss a second of being away from Oliver's side, even this cuddle was giving me life and I never wanted him to let go.

The sun starts to rise and peek through the shitty curtains, Oliver stirs and raises his bandaged hands to rub his eyes but then remembers he can't. He snaps his eyes open like he didn't know where he was but as soon as he sees me, the look of shock drops from his face.

"Hey," I whisper to him.

"Hey," he croaks back. "My throat is dry."

I reach over to the bedside table and grab a bottle of water, one that I had tactically put a straw in so Oliver could easily use it. Quickly, I unscrew the lid and raise it to his lips. He takes long, powerful sips until nearly half the water is gone.

He pulls away and closes his eyes for a moment. "Thank you," he mumbles as he menouvrers himself from my lap and pushes himself up.

Oliver's eyes look down to his bandages, he frowns, then he sighs. His lips begin to purse and he wipes his nose with his wrist.

"What's the matter?" I question as I dip my head lower to get a better look at his face.

Tears had coated his cheeks and I shuffle closer instantly, pressing a finger underneath his chin and tilting it to my eyesight. His lash line was flooded with tears and I furrow my eyebrows. "Hey," I whisper. "What are you thinking about?"

Oliver raises his bandaged hands to my eyes and huffs out a strained sigh. "I can't even fucking do anything with these," he says angrily, tears falling fast. "I'm meant to be starting uni and I can't even fucking hold a paintbrush, I can't hold a pencil. I can't fucking do anything!"

My eyes widen at his sudden distress and I cup the back of his head. "It's okay," I shake my head. "We'll figure something out."

"This year was meant to be my year," he sobs into my shoulder. "I knew this would be the one I'd graduate, I had such good hopes, I wanted to aim to get a first. And now I feel like the world is punishing me, I can't even finish my fucking degree!"

I rest my head against his and close my eyes, my heart shattering in my chest. "You're still going to graduate, Oliver, this year. We just need to get a letter from the hospital, go to the student services office and file extenuating circumstances. Your hands will be better soon, okay? They have to give you this time to recover."

He pulls his head back, his red eyes damp with tears stare back at me. "You think they'd do that?" He asks.

I nod instantly. "They have to," I brush my hand down the back of his hair. "You've been in the hospital, in a coma. They might even give you this term off to recover."

"I don't want the term off," he cuts over me.

"I know you don't, but you still need to rest. To recover."

"No, what I need is to be distracted," he mumbles. "I can't hack any more sitting around and drowning in my thoughts.

I frown slowly but then nod. "I get that."

Oliver's eyes flick between mine. "I really want to shower and wash myself properly, I'm pretty sure I stink." He grumbles, his nose sounding blocked

"I've got an idea," I say as I hop off the bed and grab the plastic bags that was holding our takeaway food last night. Oliver's curious eyes find mine as I bring them back over to him. I place his bandaged hand into one of the white bags and tie them up at his wrists. Then I do the other. "See?"

Oliver blinks and nods. "But I can't wash myself."

"Don't be silly," I shake my head. "I'll help you."

"Okay," he offers me a smile.

I leap off the bed and attend Oliver in taking off his clothes before guiding us to the bathroom, admiring the world's smallest shower but we'd make it work.

My hand turns on the shower head and direct it to a warm setting, I strip my own clothes before sliding into the small space and pulling Oliver in after me. I bend down to grab the hotel provided shower gels, better than nothing.

I begin to lather the soap in my hands and rub them down Oliver's body, he watches me carefully and I can't help but fight back a smile.

"Bet you're enjoying this," I say as I lower my hands to his abdomen.

"I'm not hating it," he smiles back.

"I bet, turn."

Oliver follows my head and turns his body, my eyes falling to his back. I lean forward to press a kiss to the top of his spine. His skin stretching into goosebumps instantly, he glances over his shoulder and our eyes catch for a moment.

I lower my forehead to the side of his. "I'm so glad that you're alright," I say just above the noise of the water. "I never wanted you to get hurt."

He shuts his eyes at my words and he nods. "I know."

My eyes stay glued to the back of his head as I work my hands down his back, making sure to lather the soap. Making sure that Oliver felt clean as possible because I couldn't even imagine how frustrating it must be to not use your hands.

I just wanted to do everything for him.

. . .

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I will never get over the sweetness of these two. What did you guys think?

Oliver's situation breaks my heart, all he wants to do is paint and finish University and now his hands are damaged.

They've really been through it all. But are they strong enough to come through the other end?

See you all on the next one, love Sav x

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