The fact that Eli wanted to throw his friends out a window mere minutes after they'd shown up wasn't even surprising.

He still wished he could do more than glare at them. A kick in the shins, for example, would have been great. Instead, he just shot them the most disapproving look he could manage as he tried not to look at the monstrosity they were holding. Eli also took a moment to bask in the knowledge that at the very least, Matthew wasn't around to witness the moment.

"It's our latest merchandise," Tucker said, sounding almost proud of the shirt he was holding.

"Michael said you'd appreciate it," Collin added. The smirk on his face told Eli he knew damn well the redhead wouldn't want a shirt with a shitty photo of Vigilante printed on it.

"Did he also say I think he's an asshole?" Eli thought that was a very important thing that should have been mentioned.

"Don't be rude, we came here all concerned and stuff and you get all snarky."

"Concerned and stuff?" Eli asked, not at all impressed by Tucker's wording.

"Anyway, Michael sent you this." Tucker held out an envelope, which Eli cautiously took.

He eyed it warily, not sure he wanted to open it. Unfortunately, both Tucker and Collin were eyeing him expectantly, and even Vanessa—who so far had just been enjoying the show after initial greetings—looked like she was curious about whatever was in the envelope. Reluctantly, Eli opened the envelope and pulled out a sickeningly cute card with a cartoon kitten on a bed, a thermometer sticking out of its mouth. Eli didn't know what his expression looked like, but judging by the snickering coming from his friends, it probably wasn't good.

It only got worse when he opened the card and read the message inside.

"Don't die, hiring's a pain in the ass."

Eli almost wished Michael was around just so he could throw something at him. He wondered if he could get his friends kicked out by claiming they were stressing him out and disturbing his recovery time.

"Well, that was nice and thoughtful of him," Vanessa said, not even trying to sound like she wasn't enjoying annoying Eli.

"Oh, it was something," Eli muttered. "When you see him again, tell him I hate him. I don't think I say it enough."

"Don't worry though, we'll let him know when we go talk business later." Tucker made it sound like they weren't just selling crappy Vigilante merchandise with Michael.

"Wouldn't want him to miss you too much," Collin said through a wide grin. Eli was suddenly very concerned about how well his friends were getting along with Michael.

"Oh yeah, how's the business going? Got any lawsuits from Vigilante yet?" Eli asked, knowing full well Matthew was absolutely delighted about the whole thing.

The idiot had actually bought a couple of things, as if it weren't his stupid, blurry self on those damn shirts. Eli just swore if Matthew gifted him anything he'd bought from his stupid friends Eli would leave him immediately.

"Nope, no lawsuits yet, but we are expanding our product line," Tucker said with a grin.

"We got some mugs. Figured they would sell at a coffee shop." Collin shrugged, looking a lot less obsessed with the whole thing when compared to Tucker. Then again, Eli suspected he was just going along with Tucker because they were friends and roommates. And also because any money they managed to make was a plus.

"I mean, there's a crapton of Vigilante obsessed idiots that stop by the shop to gossip with Michael, so yeah. Probably." They'd honestly picked the perfect spot. Anything even vaguely associated with Vigilante would sell so long as Michael continued to be obsessed with Matthew's alter ego.

"You know, I'm kinda surprised there's not more people selling overpriced Vigilante merch," Vanessa chimed in.

"His fanclub sells some stuff on their page," Tucker pointed out. Eli didn't want to know how he knew that. In general, Eli just avoided thinking about Vigilante's fanclubs.

"Which one?" Collin asked.

"I don't know, there's like ten."

"I hate this town," Eli muttered, sinking further into his bed.

"You say that like he only has fans here. There's an international fan club." Eli groaned at that bit of information from Tucker.

"Aw, it's not so bad," Vanessa said, though Eli didn't fail to notice she was smirking. "By the way, I brought you something."

Anything Vanessa might have ever said to annoy him was instantly forgotten as she reached into her purse and—like some dark haired fast food goddess—pulled out a paper bag that smelled deliciously unhealthy. Eli wasn't ashamed to say he made grabby hands until she handed him the bag and he very nearly tore it as he looked inside.

"You're only getting fries and you'd better not tell your boyfriend I'm helping you replenish your supply of cholesterol," she said, as if Eli would ever rat her out to Matthew.

"I would never!" Eli said through a mouthful of fries. Vanessa just rolled her eyes, lips forming a little fond smile.

"You know, I thought Matthew would be around," Collin pointed out.

"He's busy," Eli said with a shrug. It wasn't really a lie. After all, Matthew was busy trying to figure out who was behind the attack on Eli. But mostly, he was probably just busy dealing with Eli's mother. "He has a job, you know."

Eli's friend's clearly didn't buy that. Probably because they'd met Matthew and knew he only worked when it was absolutely necessary. For once—and probably because Eli was literally lying on a hospital bed—they didn't call him out on his bullshit. The rest of the visit was not nearly as annoying as Eli would expect from his friends. Though Tucker did ask if the doctors figured out why Eli had never grown. Even Eli's best threats didn't keep his friends from snickering.

By the time they left, Eli wasn't sure whether he should be glad or not.

As Eli tossed the shirt his friends had given him onto the chair at his bedside, he couldn't help but feel a bit better knowing his friends were still thinking about him. Even if they were assholes. He was particularly certain of that last bit as he caught sight of Michael's card on his bedside table.

Yep, definitely assholes.

With that in mind, Eli settled down for a nap. If nothing else, at least he'd finally be able to catch up on all the sleep he'd been missing as of late.

At least, that was the plan until his mother showed up.

Eli couldn't say he was pleased to see her. Not after the last conversation they'd had. Still, it was his mother, and it wasn't like she wasn't there out of genuine concern.

"Hey," Eli greeted, wishing he didn't sound so tired.

"How are you feeling?" his mother asked with a small smile as she walked in. She paused in front of the chair by Eli's bed and then carefully picked up and spread out the shirt Eli had tossed there earlier. With a raised brow, she turned to look at her son.

"Don't ask," Eli said, hoping she wouldn't. He didn't particularly feel like explaining to his mother that his friends were terrible people. Luckily, she just shook her head, folding up the shirt and setting it aside before taking a seat.

"So? How are you doing?" She settled into her chair, and Eli noted just how tired she looked.

"I'm alright, just bored," he said. "There's only so much daytime TV I can take."

"I thought you liked game shows."

"Not all day. At least I'm getting out of here soon," Eli said with a sigh. At least at home he had his cat to entertain him. And Matthew, but it was more likely that Matthew would just end up purposely annoying the hell out of Eli.

"Well, I just hope you can stay out of the hospital this time," his mother said, looking supremely unimpressed.

"I'll try, but apparently muggers love picking on me." He seriously doubted things would get better. At that point in his life, Eli was starting to resign himself to being a perpetual target for the city's petty criminals. "So, when are you heading home?"

"Tomorrow, actually. I would stay to see you get back home, but I've been away for long enough. But before I leave, I think we should really talk."

Eli was very proud of himself for not groaning or attempting to run away. Especially with the way his mother was looking at him. Clearly, she'd not gotten over the whole Matthew being Vigilante thing.

"Now, I've already talked to Matthew." Eli wished she hadn't and honestly felt bad for Matthew. "And I still think you have just about the worst judgment when it comes to dating."

"True," Eli said, because yeah, fair enough.

"But, I know he's a good person. For the most part. And I also know you're about as stubborn as a mule and the only way to make you leave him would be to drag you home."

"Also true." His mother just sighed and shook her head.

"Just be careful," she said, and Eli could tell just how concerned she was. He almost felt bad for making her worry like that, but he wasn't about to leave Matthew because his mother wanted him to. If anything, he'd leave the idiot because he was an idiot. "I know he'll do what he can to keep you safe, but I also know that he'll be putting you in danger too. So just, be careful. I just want you to be safe."

Her eyes looked dangerously watery. Eli seriously wished she'd never found out. He was still immensely happy to hear his mother was at least accepting the fact that he wasn't leaving Matthew.

"I'll be alright," he said, doing his best to sound reassuring. "You know, he's actually saved me a bunch of times, so if anything, I'm safer when he's around."

His mother laughed at that, probably because she thought that was all a bunch of bullshit. Eli figured that was better than her breaking into tears.

"I just wish you'd found someone more. . ." she trailed off.

"Normal?" Eli suggested.

"I was trying to think of a nicer way to put it, but yes."

"Oh, that's about the nicest way to describe the moron." His mother gave a small smile, and Eli felt like the tightness in his chest had eased—a weight lifting at his mother's acceptance.

"You know, I caught him leaving from the balcony last night," she said, not the least bit impressed.

"Oh yeah, he does that." Eli honestly didn't know what to say. Or how to explain Matthew's general weirdness.

"He nearly gave me a heart attack."

"He also does that." Eli didn't want to think of all the times—back when they'd just started living together—when Matthew had scared the crap out of him by skulking around at some ungodly hour.

"You really know how to pick them," Eli's mother sighed. "But, I guess he's still better than your father."

Eli snorted at that, thinking back to the man he hardly remembered. Last he heard, he was in jail, and Eli couldn't help but be glad his mother had ended things early. He'd always thought having a single mother was much better than having parents who couldn't stand each other.

"To be fair, the bar's pretty low," he pointed out. His mother's lips curled into a little smile, though she still didn't look very certain on how to feel about, well, everything. There was enough concern in her gaze that Eli wished—once again—that she'd never found out the truth about Matthew.

"He promised me he'll look after you. That he won't let anything happen to you." Eli could almost imagine Matthew doing so. "But if anything happens, you can always come home with me. You don't have to tell me anything. Just come home whenever you need to." She held his hand in her own warm one, and Eli found that small act more comforting than he thought was possible.

After hearing his mother's somewhat reluctant acceptance of Matthew, Eli found that her visit went a lot better. Maybe it was just because he didn't have to worry about having to distance himself from his mother once again—because she was definitely still somewhat fond of Matthew, particularly as she told him about the delicious cheese bread he'd baked for her—but Eli felt like he could finally relax. Now, if only he could be sure Matthew wasn't out there trying to get himself killed while he was stuck in the hospital.

Before Eli knew it, his mother was getting ready to leave. She looked about as reluctant to go as Eli was to see her off.

"Take care on your way back, Ma," Eli said, as he hugged his mother back. His mother pulled away and gave him a pitying look.

"Oh honey, you're the one who needs to stop getting hit in the head." Eli snorted at that, mostly because of how true that was. "And the next time I come visit it better be for a better reason. A wedding would be nice."

Eli was very glad he was already in the hospital, because clearly, his mother was trying to give him a heart attack. She actually cackled as she left the room. Eli could definitely see why she got along so well with Matthew.

Well, that's one less thing to worry about, Eli thought as he felt the heat that had surged to his face at his mother's words ebbing away.

With that, he settled back into his bed meaning to finally take that nap he'd been meaning to, hoping it would help him forget about his mother's teasing. 

###

Hey everyone! Hope you liked this chapter, even though there was no Matthew in it. Which, to be honest, I forgot he wasn't in this chapter, lol. But hey, at least I didn't cause you any further suffering. 

Which I promise I don't do on purpose even though I do enjoy it. It just kinda happens because I am terrible at judging what is and isn't sad for some reason? Like, I legitimately didn't think Clover or Vigilante were that sad, lol. But then again, I enjoy shows, games and movies that emotionally destroy me. ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)

With that said, next chapter is gonna be fun! Anyway, next chapter will be up on Friday the 23rd so I'll leave you all to speculate on what fun is supposed to mean. :D

As always, thanks so much for reading and stay safe!