Pairing(s): Nick/Kevin Rated: R Chapters: 1 Completed: Yes Originally Published: Early 2000's
Sleeping in the hard plastic chairs in the intensive care unit wasn’t exactly how Kevin had planned to spend Mother’s Day. He’d flown in to spend time with his mother, but she’d found herself in the hospital. She’d suffered a premature heart attack and was in critical condition.
Kevin felt like his whole world had been pulled out from underneath him. He’d called the other guys as soon as he’d reached the hospital. He now found himself in the company of his three band members. The fourth one, the one that meant the most couldn’t be reached. Kevin’s whole life had screeched to a halt and the one person that could make it better wasn’t around.
It wasn’t like he knew how much he meant to him anyway. He’d never voiced his love for the younger man aloud. Nick had no idea that he harbored deeper feelings than just friendship. It was something Kevin had never had the courage to say. He wished that he’d told Nick how he felt a long time ago. Maybe then he’d be in the hospital with him now instead of millions of miles away. Kevin closed his eyes as he tried to block out the throbbing of his headache. His mom wasn’t stable as of yet and he didn’t know what he’d do if he lost her too. He’d lost his father before the group started and it had almost killed him. Losing his mom would be almost as bad if not worse.
Brian had left to go make a few phone calls who to Kevin had no idea. Alex was curled into a ball, sleeping on one of the plastic couches. Howie was leaning against the far wall looking like living dead. It was late. They guys had been there since two o’clock the previous morning offering Kevin nothing but love and support, but none of them could fill the void that Nick could. If Nick were there Kevin knew he’d have the strength to deal with anything.
He sighed heavily and looked at the clock on the nearest wall. It’d been awhile since they’d heard anything from a doctor. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. He prayed his mother would be OK. He hoped for his own sake that everything was fine.
Nick’s Point Of View
Nick hurried and packed things into a suitcase as soon as he entered his hotel room. He’d been at the venue when he got Brian’s devastating phone call. Brian always had the numbers to get a hold of Nick in case of an emergency. As soon as he’d heard about Kevin’s mom he knew his place was beside him. He’d told his manger he was leaving and after a hour worth of fighting they let him leave and cancel the concert. Nothing was going to stop him from getting to Kevin. He’d made a frantic phone call to the airport trying to find the first flight out. After fighting with them he finally got a flight, which ended up costing him a lot of money. He didn’t care though the sooner he got to Kevin the sooner he’d feel better. He had to get to Kevin. He couldn’t make anyone understand how important this was.
He knew how much Kevin’s mom meant to him, especially after Kevin lost his father and he knew he’d be teetering on the breaking point. He was surprised though, Brian said Kevin hadn’t cried at all and Nick knew he must have been suffering far greater than they all thought. He hoped that Kevin would let him comfort him. Nick had to hurry if he was going to make it to the airport in time. He had to be with Kevin. End of question, and nothing was going to stop him from getting to the man that meant the most in the world to him.
Nick needed Kevin in his life like he needed air to breathe. He’d secretly loved the older man since he was young. He couldn’t even remember a time when he didn’t love Kevin. He’d always loved and admired the other man from afar for half his life. It was second nature to love Kevin.. It was all he knew and all he knew right now was that Kevin was hurting and he needed to do everything in his power to ease it somehow.
Kevin’s Point Of View
A couple of hours later they were all asleep in the waiting room. Kevin in a chair, Brian and Alex together on one of the couches and Howie on the floor. Kevin felt someone tap his shoulder and he immediately shot his head up to look. A doctor stood a couple feet away from him. He went to speak but the doctor cut him off.
“She’s taken a turn for the worse. That doesn’t mean though that we won’t get her stable. We’ll be monitoring her closely and let you know of any changes in her state,” The doctor said.
This couldn’t be happening. Kevin felt his heart stop beating in his chest. This couldn’t happen to his mother, He couldn’t lose her too. He remembered when his father “took a turn for the worse” He let his mind wonder away from what the doctor was saying. The other guys listened intently to what the doctor was saying but Kevin just couldn’t get himself to concentrate on it. Now more than ever he wished Nick was there to make him feel better.
“Kev” Brian said shaking him softly. “She’ll be ok”
Kevin broke out of his daydream and focused on Brian. He tried to give his cousin a smile but it died on his lips. Howie nodded at Brian. “She’s strong, she’ll pull through this.” Alex got up and wrapped Kevin in a hug. “They say it gets worse before it gets better right? She’ll be ok Kev.” Alex said gently.
Once again Kevin tried to smile but it was something he just couldn’t do at the moment. He was emotionally drained. He knew what he needed, but he also knew he’d never have it. Brian glanced at his watch. At least they’d all gotten a couple hours of sleep, something they all dearly needed.
Kevin let his mind wonder again as he glanced out the window of the waiting room. He didn’t know how long he stood there, but after what seemed like hours he felt two arms encircle his waist. Nick’s familiar scent assaulted his senses. He turned and saw the man he needed most in his arms. He pulled Nick tightly to him and buried his head in his neck. Only then did he allow the tears he’d be holding back to fall. He cried for all he was worth.. Nick just tightened his arms around him and ran his hands up and down his back soothingly. They stayed like that for a while, the rest of the guys amazed that Kevin was breaking down in the arms of their youngest band mate. Brian knew of Nick’s feelings for Kevin, it’s the reason he’d tracked him down, but witnessing the exchange in the middle of the room he could almost swear the Kevin returned Nick’s feelings.
Nick knew that Kevin needed to get away for a while so he pulled out of Kevin’s arms and took his hand in his. He pulled Kevin along gently and told Brian they were going downstairs to the cafeteria. Brian nodded and smiled at Nick.
Kevin had finally managed to get himself under control and he laced his fingers with Nick’s. Nick led the way downstairs and got coffee for Kevin and hot chocolate for himself. Nick and Kevin sat side by side on the bench while they drank their drinks.
“You came,” Kevin said softly. Looking at Nick like a little lost child. It broke Nick’s heart to see Kevin like that.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Nick admitted gently.
Kevin looked at him for a moment. “I couldn’t get a hold of you,” Kevin said confused.
Nick nodded. “Brian called me,”
“Why’d you come all this way over here? I knew you had concerts and things. Kevin questioned softly.
“You mean more to me then concerts and all of that other stuff,” Nick said softly. “I’d go anywhere for you,”
“You mean that?” Kevin asked. His gaze dropped to the floor afraid to meet Nick’s eyes.
“Yes I mean that, I love you Kevin,” Nick confessed.
Kevin sat there for a moment thinking Nick’s confession over. “Like what Nicky?” Kevin asked so softly it was almost inaudible.
“Like the man I’ve looked up too my whole life., Like my best friend. Like the man I fell in love with. I love you more than anything Kevin., and I’ve spent half of my life hiding it from you.”
Kevin didn’t know what to say. That was something he’d never hear come out of Nick’s mouth. It was something though that he’d needed to hear for the longest time.
“I love you too Nicky,” Kevin said his eyes rising to meet Nick’s. Nick searched his eyes for hints of a joke and smiled when he found none.
“I love you so much,” Nick said wrapping his arms around Kevin’s neck. He scooted closer until he was straddling Kevin’s waist. He laid his head down softly on his shoulder and tightened his grip on him.
“She’ll be ok Kev,” Nick assured him softly.
Kevin nodded. “I know, I will be too now. I have you.”