Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2020 20:23:54 +0800 From: Fist Bump Subject: Foster Slut Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Thank you all for your emails. I appreciate every single one of them. I apologize if the chapters are a little far in between, but the lockdown has been hard and finding the motivation to write is even more so. Please bear with me. I only want to give my best and the few times I tried to force a chapter out of me it just came out messy and not at all good. I didn't feel comfortable uploading something like that. So I hope you enjoy this one. Cheers! If you enjoyed my story, don't hesitate to email me - supbrodie101@gmail.com Please donate to Nifty. It's an incredible site and it needs your money and support to keep it going. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The streetlights blurred past as Mark sped through, and a few minutes later, we were already turning into the hospital driveway. Mark parked and no sooner than the engine was shut off we clambered to get out and almost ran towards the front door. We rushed in and was stopped by a nurse in the reception. But when she looked up, she seemed to recognize Mark. Mark let out a relieved sigh. "Oh thank god, Lisa. I need your help." Mark told her, his voice alarmed but firm. The nurse, Lisa, noticing Mark's trepidation, immediately stepped closer. "What happened? Of course. What can I do?" She replied, ready for action. "I need to find a policeman named David, he was shot, and I was told he was brought here." Mark said in a hurry. It was clear that the nurse knew who he was talking about. "Yes, he's been in surgery since this afternoon. Oh god, do you know him? He doesn't look good, Mark. He lost a lot of blood," She said mournfully. The pain in my chest exploded and a sob escaped. "But come with me, I'll take you to his friends. A woman and another policeman came with him." Ryan and Claire. It must be them. She didn't wait for us to follow her, she just darted towards the long corridor and made a series of turns. The hallways and corridors looked identical, like its own version of a maze. She walked briskly, which I was thankful for. She navigated us through the numerous turns until we got to another long corridor where you can see a big double-door situated at the end. She pointed towards the end. "Make a right before that door and you'll see them. They've been here for hours, refusing to leave." Mark turned to her and spoke. "Thank you, Lisa. I can take it from here." She gave us a concerned nod. "Good luck. The doctor should be out in a few," she then looked at Mark. "Do you want me to find Julie?" Mark nodded and said yes before Lisa walked away again. Leaving us to find Ryan and Claire. I was confused, as we started to walk alone towards the long corridor. Turning to Mark, I asked what she was talking about. "Julie works in this hospital. That's why Lisa knew me." I looked away, my face souring. "Oh. Okay." I said non-commitantly. She was the last thing I wanted to see in the hospital, but I told myself to ignore all of what I have learned recently and just focus on Dave. The man who is fighting for his life right now. I put her out of my mind and continued walking. We arrived at the end of the corridor and saw that beside the door, there was a couple of chairs and there was Ryan and Claire sitting, looking sullen and grim. I immediately went to Ryan. Who stood up as soon as he saw me and I wrapped my arms around him and buried my tear stained face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around me as well, and we just stood there. Ryan holding me and carressing my back as I teared on his chest. Just embracing me and staying still as his chest muffled the sound of my sniffles. When I pulled back a minute later, I wiped my face and looked at Ryan's tired face. My eyes fell on the slightly swollen red-rimmed eyes, and the bags underneath them, telling me that he too, had cried not too long ago. And that now he's just too tired cry for more. "Why are you crying, Lucas?" Ryan asked softly. His sad face looking down at me. Mark and Claire were standing several feet away from us, having their own conversation. "I... don't know. I vanished the day I came with Mark. I promised you two that I will keep in touch but I didn't. It's been months and I didn't even think to visit," I shook my head, tears welling up again in my eyes. "I just... feel so guilty." Ryan put a hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes. "It's not your fault. Come on, do you really think Dave and I would take that against you? You've just been adopted by a new family. For the last time, I hope. We're happy for you," he smiled to me. "So stop beating yourself up. Dave wouldn't want you to." I nodded at his words. I was being an emotional wreck. Ever since that thing with Julie came up, my head has been out of sorts. I've been erratic and temperamental. But who wouldn't be? When you thought you've finally found a forever home and then suddenly you realize that it's bound to vanish again, and you can't even tell anyone about it because that will just make it all vanish quicker. Mark and Claire came up to tell us that the doctor is about to come outside. "Hopefully, he has some good news." Claire said. She, too, was visibly shaken. What with her and Dave's past, I guess she would be upset as well. Ryan spoke up, "The station called and said the shooters have all been detai-" he was interrupted by a nurse, who was hastily walking in the corridor towards us. "Oh my god," the nurse said. Her voice familiar. When she got closer, I saw that it was Julie and she went straight to me. "I'm so sorry, Lucas. I had no idea you knew him." She put her hands on me, trying to embrace me, but it didn't comfort me. In fact, it might have been the first time I've felt suffocated by her embrace. I stood still, not returning her embrace. When she broke the embrace and looked sadly at me, I moved away to stand beside Ryan. Her expression morphed into confusion. But I didn't care. I didn't have the energy to play nice, and what I want is to get some distance away from her. I knew she was about to ask me what's wrong but thankfully, she didn't have the chance because the doctor finally came out. "Mr. David's company?" He asked, to which Ryan raised his hand. "I'm his partner. How is he? Tell me he's okay." His voice shaking. We all held our breaths, waiting for the axe to drop. The doctor looked exhausted already, since the surgery has gone on for hours. "Officer, I'm sorry but he doesn't look good. He needs a blood transfusion. He's getting weak by the minute, I've removed the bullets from his body but if we don't give him blood he will have no chance of surviving the night." We all looked crestfallen. Except Ryan. Who kept his face stoic. Alert. "So give him what he needs. What are we waiting for?" The doctor regarded Ryan with a pained look. "He has a rare blood type. The hospital doesn't have enough to sustain him. I've already given him what we have in here. I've also called the other hospitals, they don't have his blood type." He looked at each of our faces, all heartbroken and gutted. "I'm really sorry," He said. His voice getting close to a mere murmur. "Unless there's anyone of you with the same blood type as his, I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do." He gave us the clipboard he was holding. Showing us Dave's record, including his blood type. Once the clipboard has been passed around, he looked at us again. "Anyone?" The doctor asked. It was incredibly silent, and we all looked down as it took a great deal of pain for us to shake our heads. No one was compatible. Tears flowed again, as the proverbial decision was made. There's nothing more we can do. Claire walked away crying. Julie welled up as well. I looked at Ryan, and the look on his face broke my heart. His eyes were wide, tears flowing down his face. "So that's it." He whispered, voice breaking. He sounded utterly defeated. I put my arms around him, my own eyes tearing anew. "I'm so sorry, Ryan." I said to him. He was about to walk away too when Mark suddenly gasped. As if realizing something. "I handled the guys files in the station." He announced to the silent room. Not making any sense. Seeing all the confused faces staring back at him, he continued, "There's someone at the fire station with his blood type." he immediately grabbed his phone from his pocket and walked several feet away. "If there really is someone, I better prepare the patient. Have the donor come here as soon as possible." The doctor said before dashing back inside. Suddenly, everyone was moving. Julie called a few more nurses to help prepare Dave while we wait for whoever Mark was calling. "I'm going to help them, call me when the donor is here." Julie told Mark before going inside herself. Now it was just me and Ryan. Grabbing his hand, I turned to him. He was still in shock. He looked at me with hopeful eyes. "Is there really someone?" He asked meekly. "I don't know, but you can trust Mark. He'll do whatever he can to help." I answered. I hope to god that there really is someone. I can't have Ryan hoping for a chance only to crush his heart later. In less than fifteen minutes, Mark announced that the donor was already here. He said he's going to get him outside and bring him here. Ryan just nodded at him. He was incredibly tensed, and he sat completely still. Not letting himself relax until it's a hundred percent sure that Dave would live. "It's gonna be okay, Ryan. Whatever happens, I'm here. And Mark too." I said reassuringly. He didn't say anything. He just looked at me and nodded for a second time. A few moments later I saw Mark turn into the corridor where we were sitting. He was back, and he had someone in tow. A handsome man almost the same height. Even from far away I already knew who it was. "Caleb." I said. Caleb gave me a reassuring smile when was in front of me. "Hey, kid. I`m sorry about what happened. I'm here to help." He said. Mark was already calling Julie, telling her that the donor has arrived. I introduced Caleb to Ryan, who gladly shook his hand. Thanking him for doing this. It was a quick exchange, as several nurses came out and immediately led Caleb inside to prepare him. "Good luck. I hope it works." Mark said and Caleb nodded before he disappeared inside with the nurses. It took a few hours, before the doctor came out again. By then, each of us who's waiting outside have become exhausted. Morning will come in less than two hours and severe lack of sleep was evident on all our faces. "Officer?" The doctor walked towards Ryan, who immediately stood up. "Yes? Tell me you finally have some good news." He said. The doctor gave a tired smile. "I do. The patient is now stable," we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Ryan, Mark, me and Claire, who came back immediately when Ryan called her to say we've found a donor. "But keep in mind, he still has a long, long way towards recovery. We've just about managed to solve the worst problem at the moment but the patient still has a lot of things to fight through to survive. I hope he's strong enough." He said. It was Claire who spoke to answer. "He is. He's a tough guy. If there's anyone I know who can get through this, it's Dave." She said confidently, earning nods from me and Ryan. Ryan stepped closer to the doctor and shook his hand. "Thank you, he has a fighting chance now. Dave will get through this. I know he will." The doctor gave a grateful smile before patting Ryan on the shoulder. "Right now, I recommend that you all go home and rest. There's no sense in you staying as the patient will not wake up anytime soon. Once there are any changes, I shall notify Julie immediately and she can relay any news to you. Other than that, it's all up to the patient. It's his battle right now, all we can do is hope and pray he comes out at the other end." After his instructions, the doctor left. Leaving the four of us alone to finally relax and calm ourselves after the much-needed good news. After several minutes, Claire announced that she will go home. The sun was on its way to rising, and we were all yawning almost every minute. We said quick goodbyes to Claire and then she left. "What about you, Lucas? You should go home, too." Ryan told me. I was still sitting beside him, not moving away from him at all. "But what about you?" I asked Ryan. He chuckled, but the sound so soft and weak. Exhaustion was clear on his voice. "I'll be okay. I'm a grown man." He said. But that did not convince me at all. He needs someone. Especially at this time. And I don't see anyone around here who can come with him. But I had an idea. Turning to Mark, I asked him if it's okay to stay over at Dave and Ryan's place. Ryan interjected, "Lucas, no. I don't need someone to babysit me. Honestly, I can take care of myself." "I know, but I'm doing this for myself. I wanna stay over. Please?" I pleaded to Ryan. "Lucas, I honestly can tak-" He seemed like he was going to argue about it more but he was interrupted by Mark. "It's fine with me," He said. "You can go with him. I'll stay here and wait for Julie and Caleb. Then we'll go home too." Ryan stared at Mark for a long while, looking to see if he was serious. When he deemed him so, Ryan gave a deep sigh. Then he chuckled, mostly to himself. "Alright. Seems like I have no say in it, huh?" He said to me. Ryan gave me a smile before he stood up and stepped towards Mark. "Thank you for what you did, Mark. Dave would have been dead by now if it weren't for you," he held out his hand, which Mark gladly shook. "If there's anything you need at all, look for me. You earned a friend today. And Caleb as well. I owe you both a lot." Mark nodded and gave Ryan a sincere smile. After that, Ryan and I were finally off. We arrived at his place, to the same messy bachelor pad they took me many months ago. I chuckled, "I see you both still haven't cleaned up." I said, looking around the clutter in the living room. Ryan answered with a snort. "Pretty busy, Dave and I. We don't get a lot of free time to `tidy up'." He said, putting air quotes on the last word. He plopped down on the couch and started unlacing his work boots. Then he took his uniform off until what was left was a white wifebeater molding to his muscular body. The color of it in huge contrast to his dark olive Latino skin, making it pop out. When we was down to that and boxers, he leaned against the sofa and heaved a deep, deep sigh. "Ohhhhhh god, I'm wiped." He vigorously rubbed his eyes then he yawned loudly. He looked so exhausted he could literally fall asleep sitting on the couch. I grabbed his hand and I led him towards his room. As soon as I laid him down on his bed, he shut his eyes. He looked like a young boy, albeit a very tired one. He looked so serene and peaceful as he laid on his side, using his hands as a pillow. His cheek pressed against them. He heaved another sigh as he got comfortable and when his breath evened out I moved to get out of his room. I thought he had already fallen asleep but when I was almost at the door the silence was suddenly broken by his rough voice. "Where are you going?" He asked. "Uhhh... to the living room." I replied. I didn't want to think I still have a place in his bed. It's been months since I've last been here. I assumed I was going to sleep in the sofa since I kind of forced myself to come with him even though he made it clear that he can manage on his own. "You don't want to sleep with me?" He asked, confused. I don't think he was even aware of what he just said. Any other circumstance and I would have laughed and made a joke. A joke about sleeping with him in another sense. But I could tell it wasn't what he meant at all. "I didn't want to presume, that's all. Right now you could use plenty of rest and I thought you'd be more comfortable with the bed to yourself. Really, I'm fine on the couch. It's big enough and I don't mind." He looked at me as if I wasn't making any sense, then he rolled his eyes. "Oh my god, just shut up and come here," he lifted his arm and moved aside a bit to make space for me. "I'm tired and I want to cuddle the shit out of you." I snorted at his remark, finding it funny how he seemed to be so commanding on his request and yet he sounded like a petulant child at the same time. Shrugging, I walked back towards the bed and laid beside him. With my back on him. Almost immediately, his arms pulled me in a tight embrace and he pressed his chest against my back, spooning me. "Now, shut up and sleep." He said before burrowing closer. I felt his face press against the back of my head and he inhaled deeply. Not a minute later, he was finally asleep. I woke up well into the afternoon, with my head resting on Ryan's chest and his face buried in my hair. He was still dead to the world, happily snoring in his sleep. But in an hour or so I knew he would wake up. I got up slowly, making sure I did not wake him and went to the bathroom to pee and freshen up. When I was done, I went to the living room and started cleaning the place up. Arranging some of the clutter and putting them back to where they should be. Like the pillows that were haphazardly strewn on the floor, I put them back on the sofa. I cleared out the coffee table, which was full of garbage. Pizza boxes, empty plastic containers of ready-to-go lunches, empty cans of sodas and protein bar wrappers. Again I wondered how these two men could eat like the two unhealthiest people in the world and still have those movie star bodies. I found some tshirts on the floor and put them in a basket together with the rest of the dirty laundry I found in the bathroom. Lastly, I took care of the pile of unwashed dishes in the kitchen and wiped all the surfaces clean of any dust and stains until both the living room and kitchen were spotless once more. I glanced quickly at the clock and saw that it was almost an hour since I got up so I looked in the fridge to see if I can whip something up for Ryan. He had eggs and bacon, thankfully. And five minutes later, I was happily cooking breakfast. In the afternoon. Which made me laugh by myself. "What's so funny, kid?" Ryan's voice made me jump and I turned around to see him watching me with a smirk on his face. He looked around the place and saw everything. The surprise on his face was hard to miss. "Wow, the place looks awesome. But you didn't have to do that you know, I didn't agree to let you stay with me so you can clean up." He said. "I know, I just... feel bad. I'm just trying to make up for..." I didn't know how to finish that thought. I was trying to make up for the fact that I literally forgot about Dave and Ryan as soon as I found Mark. There. That's it. Luckily, Ryan understood me well enough. "Lucas, I told you, stop beating yourself up. You don't owe us anything, okay? Don't tear yourself down because no one here is mad at you." I nodded at him before turning back to the stove and continue cooking. Hopefully, I can drop it this time. But damn it, it's hard because I just feel so guilty. But if Ryan says so, I'm going to believe him. "Anyway, I'm going to come back to the hospital after. See if there's anything new about Dave," He said, before preparing the table with plates. "But food first, because I'm starving and I could eat an entire you." He continued, chuckling to himself. We finished eating in no time, both of us clearly famished. "I could use you in this house, kid." He quipped, while clearing the table. "Cleans, cooks, and great in cuddling? You'd make a great wife." He joked. And my mind went to a certain wife whose name I was avoiding at all cost since last night. Mark's in particular. My mood soured. Way to ruin a perfect afternoon. "Better than that fucking cheater." I murmured to myself. Not realizing Ryan could hear me. "Huh? What did you say?" Ryan asked. I turned to him and faked a smile. "Nothing. Nevermind." I said. But he kept on staring at me. "You okay, Lucas?" He forced. I looked away and stood up. "I'm fine. Really." He grabbed my hand before I could walk away and sat me down. Then he sat on the chair in front of me right after. "You seem to forget that I'm a cop. That means I know when someone's lying. And that means I also know when someone's troubled just by looking at them. What's wrong, Lucas? Is everything okay at home?" His eyes stared directly at mine. Oh god. I couldn't possibly tell him this. It doesn't even concern him. It's between Mark and Julie. But fuck, this has been eating away at me for too long. If there's someone else I can tell besides Mark, it would be Dave or Ryan. They would make it better, right? "Lucas?" Ryan asked again. I shut my eyes as my heart began to beat loudly. My ears started ringing. Panic setting in. And I blurted out, "Julie's cheating on Mark." I breathed out, and waited until the thundering in my chest calmed down. When my ears stopped ringing and the room was silent once more, I opened my eyes to look at Ryan. A frown on his face. "With who?" He asked, voice angry but calm. "With a guy from Mark's station." His eyes widened. "Oh, fuck. Caleb?" He demanded, voice getting higher. "No! No, it's not him. It's this other guy. I have a strong suspicion he and Julie have been having an affair even before I was adopted." He sighed. "Well, thank god it's not him because I owe a lot to the guy. I'd hate to punch his guts right now." He looked away for a few moments, his mind turning and calculating. "How do you know she really has been having an affair?" With that I told Ryan everything. From the little weird things Julie did since the beginning that I considered as nothing but were clues all along. The fact that she always worked late and would often go on trips only to realize that Owen was conveniently out of work at the same time as well. And the stupid watch. I told Ryan about that. I still haven't forgotten how it looked like. That, to me, was the last piece of the puzzle. "I just fucking hate her so much now. Mark's the most loving, most perfect guy in the world and how can she throw all that away? It's so unfair," I lamented. "She doesn't know Mark would do anything for her and she had the gall to go and sleep with somebody else. I don't understand it. And now if Mark knows about this then they'll get a fucking divorce and then social services will come take me away again. All because of her, I`d be alone and I won't be able to fucking see Mark again." I was gasping for breath. The tirade winded me. I didn't even realize I was screaming by the end of it. Once I've calmed down I looked back at Ryan. Who regarded me with a weird look. "Lucas, tell me something." He said. The tone of his voice suspicious. I already knew I wasn't going to like what he was about to ask. "Has there been something between you and Mark?" I swallowed. Suddenly not finding my voice. I looked down at the table, then I nodded. "Lucas, a nod is not what I need. Answer me." Ryan demanded. I drew strength from wherever I could and did my best to hold Ryan's gaze. "Yes." I answered. "Wow. This is... I don't even know what to say. This is... fucked up." I was prepared for his own tirade about how stupid I was and how I could have done something like sleep with Mark. What I didn't expect was for him to laugh. "Oh god, Lucas." He said before bursting into giggles. Leaving me confused as I stared at him. "Ryan, this is not funny. I'm serious, I don't want to be transferred again. I've been passed around by so many families already. I can't live like that again." With my earlier outburst, combined with Ryan's crazy response, I was getting so emotional that I started to tear up. Which made Ryan immediately shut up, thankfully. "I'm sorry, Lucas. I didn't mean to laugh in your face," he said. He took my hand and led me towards the sofa. When we've sat down he wrapped his arms around me. "We'll take care of this. It must have been hard keeping this all to yourself. I'm glad you told me. But there's one thing I don't understand here, Lucas," he broke the embrace and looked at me. "If you and Mark had something going on yourselves, then why are you so mad about Julie? Mark was, by all means, cheating too." I took a deep breath before answering. "I know that. But it just seems so unfair to me. Ever since Mark got me home I've spent a minimum amount of time with her. She was always gone or busy. And now we already know the ultimate reason why. And I was still fine with that. Honestly, even before I knew all about it, I was already okay with not having the best mother/son relationship with her because I know at least I have that with Mark. And I wouldn't trade that for the world. I was willing to let it be like that just as long as I get to keep what I have with Mark. And now, because of this, I just know that it would end badly. I would lose the home I thought I finally found, and what hurts the most, is that I would lose Mark too." Ryan didn't say anything for several minutes. Letting the silence linger as the sun began to set and the room started to dim. "You love him, don't you? More than a son should. That's why you're so mad at Julie. That's why you felt cheated yourself. But you can't take that against Julie. It seems to me that their marriage was bound to bust even before you came along. Yes, Julie did something terribly wrong. But Mark eventually did too. I know what it's like to be an impressionable young man like you. You're blinded because you love him." I stared at the window, at the orange skies outside. "You should've seen him, Ryan. He was miserable, he was lonely before I came along. And Julie wasn't doing anything about that. I did that. I made him happy. Happier than he'd ever been." I said. Ryan embraced me once more. "If that's true, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. When all of this blows over, Mark will do everything he can to keep you. We can't do anything but tell him, Lucas. He needs to know. Delaying the inevitable won't change it. You need to be strong. If he feels as strongly as you feel about him, you'll still have a home. In him. Seems to me that all along what you've considered as `home' is not that big beautiful house you live in now, but that man." I nodded at Ryan. He was right after all. "It all just seems so scary, you know." I said. He turned my face to look at him. His face only inches away from mine now and said, "Don't worry. I'm here. If anything happens, you have a place here. Got that?" He smiled lovingly before he leaned closer and pressed his lips against mine. We kissed like we've never kissed before, pouring all our emotions into it. His tongue darted inside my mouth, massaging my own. I sucked on it, licked it, memorized the feel of it. I breathed him all in, safe in the knowledge that whatever happens in the near future, I would still have this.