As Michael and Sheila stepped through the doorway from Linc's hospital room Drew took Trin by the hand and stood. He was jerked to a halt and turned to look down on her with a questioning gaze.

"I'll come in a minute," Trin murmured.

Drew didn't answer but bent down and kissed the top of her head. This girl was a gift. She knew, without them having spoken about it that he needed to speak to Linc on his own. He let go of her hand and stroked her face with his finger before turning away.

As he closed the door behind him and looked over at Linc laying in the bed, his face still swollen, the bruising now greenish yellow in places, Drew gasped back a sob and flung his hands up to cover his face. This was all his fault.

"Hey!" Linc shifted on the bed trying to sit up without much success. He knew what Drew was thinking and there was no way he'd let his best friend shoulder the blame. "Oi," he called. "Are you crying because my dicks bigger than yours?"

Drew half choked, half laughed as his breath caught in the back of his throat. He dropped his hands and peered over at Linc who had a smirk on his face. Drew watched him nudge his head in the cocky way he always did just before saying something smartarse.

"I guess I'd be crying too if my dick was as small as yours."

A burst of laughter erupted from Drew's mouth. "That's right you're a modern version of Drukpa Kunley."

"Who?" Linc scrunched up his face in confusion.

Drew sat on one of the chairs at the bedside as he said, "That Buddhist Monk. You know, he fucks enlightenment into everyone with his big dick."

Again Linc pulled a face and shook his head. "Drew. Are you sure you're not the one who hit his head?"

Laughing, Drew said, "He's The Flaming Thunderbolt of Wisdom and you're... you're..."

"I have no fucking idea what you're talking about," Linc said as he shook his head adding, "I'm a bit worried about you, mate. Does Trin know you're taking drugs?"

"Fuck off, Linc." Drew stopped laughing and looked at his friend in thought. "Are you serious? You've never heard of Drukpa Kunley? The monk who was so good at sex that he could fuck the ego out of a person, and then fuck enlightenment into them; The Flaming Thunderbolt of Wisdom."

Linc rolled out his bottom lip and shook his head slowly. "Nah, but I'm really glad you've been learning new shit. With you it's all about Trin and building bloody houses."

"Okay." Drew scratched his head. "Maybe one day we'll have another chat about Drukpa."

"No thanks," Linc said with a laugh. "I know you did some weird shit with Lizzy but that, definitely takes the cake." He smiled and held out his hand. "Drew," he said with sincerity as Drew grasped his palm. "This isn't your fault. I know I fell, I don't remember any of it but I know myself well enough to know that how it happened would have been me not paying attention." He clutched Drew's hand tighter. "And I know you well enough to know you'd have never put me in danger. I love you, man, so please don't blame yourself. None of this was your fault."

Tears spilled from Drew's eyes. Linc tugged on his arm encouraging him to come closer. When he did Linc wrapped his arm around Drew's shoulders pulling him into a hug. They stayed like that, both caught up in emotion, tears flowing freely until Drew whispered, "I love you too, Linc."

"Good," Linc said, and then pushed Drew back so he could see his face. "Now we gotta make a pact. This moment, us crying and saying we love each other, does not leave this room because, I've got an image I have to live up to."

Drew chuckled and sat back on his seat saying, "Is that right?"

"Yeah." Linc smirked as he said, "The sword of Life has to show he's fearless and stalwart especially if I want a statue built of me.

"You... little... shit..." Drew shook his head and laughed. "You do remember the Drukpa Kunley conversation."

"Not really." Linc lifted his shoulders with a smirk on his face, and then said, "I know I was reading about him and I think I thought he was cool and I remember thinking if I was him that I'd call myself The Sword of Life but I don't remember having a conversation with you about him." He paused. "I think I remember we were talking about dicks so I figure, after what you just said, we must have been talking about Drukpa. Were we?"

"Yep." Drew nodded. "At least you were babbling shit about him."

"Well..." Linc said. "It's nice to know you were listening to me. Usually your head is full of Trin." He screwed up his face and added, "Where is Trin by the way?"

"Outside." Drew nudged his head toward the door. "I swear that girl can read my mind. I wanted to come in and see you alone but I didn't want to offend her by saying so. When it was our turn she said she'd wait." He blew out his breath and shook his head in thought. "That girl is really something. She's like a golden light that's come into my life."

"She is," Linc said. "So... what are you gonna do about her?"

"What do you mean?" Drew puzzled.

"Come on, Drew, you're not that stupid. You know exactly what I'm asking you."

Before Drew could answer the door opened a crack and the subject of their conversation popped her head through the opening. "Can I come in?"

"Yes. Of course," Linc cried. "We were just talking about you."

"Really?" Trin edged through the door, and then closed it. She pushed her back against it still holding onto the knob. "It had better have been good stuff," she said with a probing grin.

"It was." Linc grinned back at her.

Drew stood and took a step toward her. He smiled and repeated, "It was. Honestly." As he got closer his smile widened. Drew reached behind her, took a hold of one of her hands and pulled her further into the room.

"Drew?"

"That is my name," he said, and then got down on one knee. "Katrina Walsh. Will you marry me?"

OMG! OMG!  So excited right now!!!

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