Scars

[Mothtoto.]

They say you always resort to your native tongue in times of anger and agony. And ecstasy. What Tomo was feeling was absolutely not ecstasy, but a mix of anger and agony. He also resorted to his native tongue, Russian, cursing at the top of his lungs. Of course, normally that would be pretty loud, but seeing as he was buried under a jumble of blankets, curtains, a giant pole that held up the curtains, and a few other tangled things, it was quite muffled. He could feel the blood seeping lightly through the newly stitched wound, spreading on the white hospital gown.

Tomo tested moving his arm feebly and found he could move it quite easily, despite everything else. He scratched his head experimentally, and found with surprise that his long hair had been reduced to almost nothing with an inward groan. He wondered why they would do something so terrible, but soon he felt the stitches along the side of his head as his fingertips brushed the edge. When he realized he should get out from under the mess, he slowly shoved the jumble of layers away from his battered body.

He gulped in the fresh air as he was freed from the waist up, and then sighed deeply, closing his eyes. Tomo tried to ignore the shooting pain in his shoulder, tried to imagine it actually felt good. It didn't work. While he was quietly cursing himself, he noticed two fuzzy, dark figures near the bed next to him. Realizing they were people, he smiled blankly at them, but it probably looked more like a grimace to the obscure strangers. He nearly peed himself when he remembered that they weren't strangers at all. What a curious rendezvous, he thought, almost saying it aloud.

[Waddle]

Evan listened to Anty and smiled slightly at his friend, then turned his attention back to his half brother. He started at the sound of the crash, his nerves on edge from the past couple of days. He didn't notice that the IV's were pulled out of his arms from the sudden movement. Why was Tomo smiling? It was the oddest thing he'd seen since... well, since he had first seen Tomo. Things were very odd, indeed. "Got a problem, boy?" His voice was sarcastic and scornful. He didn't know if Tomo was younger than him; he just guessed since no one had ever told him about a brother.

His vision started to go fuzzy, and he blinked several times, trying to clear it. It didn't work. Things went black around the edges, and he leaned to the left, staring down at the floor as he felt like he was going to throw up the contents of his stomach. He gagged for a moment, then his brain felt like pudding. "Ant..." was all he managed to say before he fell off the bed, landing on his side with a choke. Everything went black as his head slammed against the ground with a painful whack!

[Anty]

Anthony jumped to his feet because that seemed like what everyone else in the room would have done, if it was possible. He looked over at Evan, who seemed fine for the moment, then he looked at the jumbled mess which was Tomo, who seemed like he needed more help at the moment. He moved over to Tomo and bent down so he could study him more closely. He sat back on his heels. "Might help if you speak English next time, eh?" he said, his voice ragged. He held his hand out for Tomo to grab onto it and help himself up, but then he realized that he couldn't. And it was all Anthony's fault. A wave of pain hit him. He looked into Tomo's eyes and it shocked him how much his almost gray eyes looked like Evan's. He noted also that, even though he was speaking Russian, his voice could have easily been mistaken with Evan's.

He took both of Tomo's hands in his own and shifted his weight on his toes so that as he lifted himself up he hoisted Tomo into a sitting position. He grunted. "What have you been eating?" With a scream he lifted Tomo up so that he was barely sitting on the bed, ignoring Tomo's agonizing screams. "Ahh!" he ducked away from the loud thud as Evan fell to the floor. Tomo fell back to the ground helplessly. Anthony opened his mouth to scream in rage as he realized all of his efforts had gone to waist, but instead he just let out a long sigh. "Jesus Christ, give me a warning before you do that again," he muttered.

Anthony paced around the room, then stopped in his tracks. To hell with it, everyone else was lying around, so why not him? It seemed like the most logical thing to do. He knelt down on his knees and fell to his side in the fetal position. For a few minutes that was all he did, until a doctor came bursting through the door. 'I heard screaming and-' he stopped and looked down at Evan, then to Tomo and finally Anthony. 'What's going on in here?' he asked in a commanding voice. Anthony looked up with scorn in his eyes, "Shh! Can't you see it's nap time?" He sighed and got slowly to his feet. "He went down first," he pointed to Tomo, "then he fell shortly after," he said pointing Evan. The doctor stared at him stupidly, sizing up the situation. Then he knelt down beside Evan and felt his wrist and sighed in relief. "He's alive," he said, rising to his feet.

Anthony looked at him as if he was actually in pain because of his stupidity, "Well, duh. I could have told you that." He moved over to the doctor and shoved him away. Then, taking up the position, he kicked Evan none too gently to rouse him. "C'mon now, you old bum. The doctor wants to speak to you," he said roughly.

[Mothtoto.]

Tomo was still half-smiling when he hear Evan speak, making him jump slightly at the harshness of his voice. He shrugged one of his shoulders, now frowning. "I've got many problems, but a boy isn't one," Tomo added as an afterthought, "For you, maybe.." Tomo saw Evan blinking rapidly, wondering why in the world he would flutter his eyelashes now, of all times. Evan suddenly fell to the floor with a loud thud, making Tomo wince and giving him a massive headache. He could just make out Anthony coming nearer toward him, and suddenly looming over his face. His headache ebbed away rather quickly, until it was just a dull throbbing to add to his list of pain. "Might help if you weren't such an incompetent bastard, eh?" Tomo fired back sarcastically. Tomo glanced at Anthony's hand, and tried to reach for it, but couldn't muster the challenge. He groaned softly at failing at such an easy task. He looked right back into the other man's eyes, noticing the recognition of his and Evan's. Tomo gave him a half-smile as an apology for their identical eyes. He was distracted when he felt Anthony's hands slip into his own and pull him into a sitting position, but he couldn't help screaming in misery. He shrugged as an answer to the next question thrown at him, because he doesn't remember the last meal he had. Tomo nearly blacked out from the agony of being hauled halfway onto the bed, only to slide painfully back onto the hard, cold floor. He closed his eyes, also closing out the world for a short moment, when he was re-awoken by the door being slammed into the wall. He put his hands over his eyes, and slid them slowly down his face, when out of nowhere feels a pair of strong hand gripping him around the middle, and hauling him back onto the bed, Tomo yelling in a regular interval. He felt his robes and bandages being changed, and was then was tucked safely back into the blankets, but not before they put the IV's and such back in, and removed the curtains. Well, that was.. not fun.

[Waddle]

Evan muttered something and lifted his head from the floor. Groggily, he watched the doctor help Tomo into his bed. Evan pushed himself up, confused as to what had happened for a moment. A nurse hurried into the room and helped him back into the hospital bed, replacing his IV's. "I...hate...needles," he grated, closing his eye to keep from watching them go into his skin. He had a phobia about needles and he didn't know why. He couldn't stand them. He guessed he would have to live with them for a while, especially if he passed out every time he didn't have the IV's in.

He opened his eye as the nurse stood over him, as if waiting for something. "Need anythin'?" he asked slowly, his jaw protesting to the movement. She looked at him with pity in her eyes. "How are you feeling?" she asked. "Crappy," he growled back. He didn't like her pitying him. He knew her, she was a frequent at the music store, and she seemed like a nice girl, but right then, he didn't care. Why couldn't they just all go away? The doctors and nurses, that was. And Tomo, maybe. Thinking about him brought Evan's eye to his half brother, and he almost glared in hate, but decided against it because he didn't want the nurse to ask questions. She spoke again.

"Just rest, you'll be alright after a while, though they say you'll have a bit of disfiguration in your face, and we can't replace two teeth." The last was a laugh. Evan didn't laugh in return, and she stopped. Just go away, girl... "How did you end up on the floor?" she asked. "I jumped when my... half brother fell, and it pulled the IV's out, the room started spinning and I ended up on the floor." He couldn't keep the harshness out of his voice at the mention of his brother. She nodded, realizing it was none of her business, even though she wanted to ask, and backed away.

[Anty]

Anthony stumbled to the small chair and took a seat. "If I'm so incompetent then why are you the one with a bullet hole through his arm? I didn't want to kill you, so I didn't, consider yourself lucky," he told Tomo, his head pounding. He placed his hands on his stomach and his head drooped down onto his chest as he began to fall into an easy doze. His unsteady sleep was dotted with dreams and there was always a hyena following his trail, staring hungrily at him.

His sleep didn't last long. He had sunken down into the chair and his leg were outstretched before him. His hand was wrapped in bandages, he scowled, he didn't like the nurses pity on him. He rose in his seat to bump his head on a black box hanging on the wall that contained those little triangle things doctors flash in you ears, up you nose, hell for all he knew, up your butt. There was also a stethoscope hanging precariously on the wall. His hand reached out to grab it but his eyes flashed around the room, good, no nurses. He took it and put the thingies in his ears, he could hear the blood rushing into his ear and the pounding of his head. "Hey, Ev, look at this," he said, handing the other part of the stethoscope to him.

[Mothtoto.]

Tomo burrowed deep down in the soft blankets of his newly made bed. Well, as far as the tight band around his waist would let him. He tried to wriggle his hips free with no success. The restraints were so tight they were almost cutting off his circulation, but just loose enough not to. Damn these American doctors, Tomo thought spitefully. He sighed in defeat and bit his lip. He tried to at least kick his feet free from the blankets, but found they were tucked into the mattress. He started to feel trapped, and a bit claustrophobic, despite the fact that the room was fairly open and there was even a window. He gazed out the window, the overcast sky making him feel down and lousy.

Tomo turned back to Anthony, a scowl spreading on his face. "Ooh, that's a hard one..." he paused for a moment as if thinking over the question. "Maybe because you shot me? But that's just a smile contributing factor," he finished sarcastically. Feeling even more miserable than before, he struggled again against the restraints, managing to sit up a little this time, only to be brought back down groaning from the effort and the harsh stabbing pain on his left side.

[Waddle]

Evan grinned as Anthony hit his head on the box. He took the stethoscope. He fiddled with it for a moment, ignoring Tomo. He was sleepy, but he was too thankful to be alive to go to sleep. Setting the stethoscope on the small table beside the bed, he sat up. He didn't know if it was just to spite Tomo's efforts or because he wanted to. He liked the first idea better.

Owen knocked softly on the door into the room with the Ikron brothers. Opening it, he poked his head in. They were awake so he came all the way in and shut the door behind him. He saw his stethoscope on the table beside one of the three. "Oi! I've been looking for that bloody thing for days!" He picked it up and put it around his neck. He'd been having to use a cheap old one. He turned to the brothers. He noticed that the one Tomislav had one of those stupid leather restraints around his waist. With an angry sigh, he went over to the man and unbuckled the restraint, saying, "Sorry 'bout that mate, Doc. Page's a little not the full quid, he's been acting plonked all day. Back when I was a cockie we used these things on the cattle." He pulled the restraint off and smiled apologetically at the man.

Evan lips were quivering with laughter. A small noise escaped his throat and he burst out laughing, unable to stop himself. Whoever this foreign doctor was, he obviously wasn't too good with the local slang.

[Anty]

Anthony sat back in the chair. He had suddenly begun feeling sour; the headache was getting the best of him. He tried not to look at Evan and definitely not Tomo, but just stared straight ahead out the window, finding small amusement as the little kids played on a swing set. Out of the corner of his head he saw the doctor enter the room. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. Anthony hated that. He couldn't understand over half of what he was saying, which only made him more irritated. He wanted to know if there was something the matter. He had somehow found light amusement at the doctor's last comment and let out a loud laugh. He rose from his seat and held out a hand. It was the one that was wrapped in bandages. He scowled and took his seat again, trying to work the bandages off his broken hand but failing. "God I hate hospitals. and doctors. Especially Australian ones. I hate Aussies," he muttered just loud enough for Evan to hear.

[Mothtoto.]

Tomo turned his gaze back to the window, watching the cars follow each other out of view only to be replaced in seconds. He cursed under his breath, really hoping for a doctor to come in and give him some pain pills or something of the sort. When he was still staring out the window, he heard the door creak open, and silently hoped his wish was fulfilled. He turned his head slowly, sure that it was going to be someone who would refuse him meds, when all thoughts of medication were wiped from his mind.

His eyes widened when he saw the doctor walk in. Not because he was sure to get his pills, but because the doctor was so beautiful. He heard Hallelujah playing softly from somewhere, probably his head, and the clouds actually parted. The sun shone in brightly, reflecting off the doctor's blond head, and making Tomo squint stupidly. He watched intently as the doctor came to his bed, and, fortunately took off the damn restraint. He didn't understand most of what the doctor said, just stared at him awkwardly. Being mesmerized by the other man didn't help his tongue become untangled either. Tomo shot back up quickly as soon as the band was removed, but soon regretted it because of the sharp pain where the bullet ricocheted through his body earlier that day. He tried to let out a thank you, but found out he was incapable of speaking. Swell... at least I won' say anything stupid.. he thought bitterly. Wait, I'm not even gay, why do I want him? He didn't know why, honestly, so the question was left unanswered.

[Waddle]

Owen glanced at the other Ikron brother as he burst out laughing. He didn't understand why, so he just shrugged. He almost took a step to take the offered hand but stopped when the guy sat back down, then he was distracted by Tomislav sitting up. Owen quickly put one hand on his chest and one under his back, pushing him back down gently. "Easy there," he said, noticing the strange look in Tomislav's eyes. "Just rest, mate." He smiled brightly, then looked between the three of them. "Owen Robins, my name." he said. He picked up the two clipboards on the table beside Tomislav's bed and examined the first one. His eyes caught on the man Evan's address. "We're neighbors," he told Evan, nodding. "You're the one who plays loud music all night, ain't you?"

Evan grinned at Anthony, amused. "That would be me," he said to the doctor, snickering. He had noticed someone had moved in beside him recently, but hadn't cared to check it out.

Owen shook his head, still smiling, and continued reading the clipboards for a second. "Got all three of yourselves in a pickle, eh?" he asked the room, not really expecting an answer. Strange, he though. One gets beaten up, another gets shot, the last only has broken knuckles. But it wasn't any of his business to ask what had happened. He was just there to make sure they got out alright. He set the clipboards back down. "Anythin' you lot need?" he asked, this time expecting an answer. He had only come in to look for his stethoscope, thinking all of them asleep so he could slip in and out unnoticed.

[Anty]

Anthony looked at the doctor, blinking stupidly. His mouth was a thin, agitated line. "Neighbors, huh? Well I was sure that our neighbor was an old lady, But I guess from far away your figure does resemble that of an old lady, now that you mention it... " he said, nodding slowly. He now looked curiously over to Evan curiously, a thin smile curled on his lips. "Well, I hope you don't mind the music too much. we were planning on throwing a party this weekend. And you know how wild and out of hand they can get... the cops will probably show up to, and we didn't invite them, " he said, though he had no intentions of such a thing. Though now that he thought of it, it wasn't that bad of an idea. Oh well. He glared at Owen now. He despised nosy people. He didn't trust Aussies. And he hated this guy. "Wouldn't you like to know?!" he asked him.

[Waddle]

Owen blinked at the harshness in the man's voice, but didn't react otherwise. Ah well, the guy was probably just tense, and took it out on whoever he really wanted to. When no other complaints or requests were voiced, Owen nodded. "Well, g'day, all of you. Call a nurse if ya need anythin'." With a wave, he turned and left the room.
A week later...
Owen opened the door and stepped in. He looked around. The place seemed unusually empty, now that Evan and Anthony had left. It was only Tomislav left. Owen smiled and stepped up beside the man's bed. "Heya, mate. Well, you can be discharged, but you need someone to take care of you, and you need to stay in bed for a couple weeks, and not do much." With all the patients that had been in the clinic recently, Owen had completely forgotten that Tomislav didn't have a home. It didn't even pass his mind. But when he looked down at Tomo's chart, he saw the empty spot where the address should have been. "Er, oh, yeah, we can contact your brother Evan and maybe have him pick you up, or Anthony. All three of ya can take care of each other, I reckon." He looked back up and smiled at Tomo.

[Mothtoto.]

Tomo was getting tired of this conversation. Very tired. He pulled the blankets over his head, and closed his eyes. He really was very tired all the sudden. The doctor must have given him something to sleep, since he would have a bit of trouble with the pain of his brother. Not to mention the pain in his chest. That was it! He wasn't gay at all! It was probably just the medication. And with this reassurance, he nodded away into the peaceful realm of a dreamless sleep.

One week later...

Tomo rubbed the sleep from his eyes as the door opened to reveal the doctor. Dr... He realized he couldn't remember his name. Ah, well. Probably just the medication, or something of the sort. For that had become his explanation, or rather excuse, when anything was wrong. He nodded back to Dr... Robins, that was it! He furrowed his brow at the news. There was no one to take care of him at home. Plus, he didn't have a home. That could be potentially problematic. Tomo didn't return the smile, but just frowned deeply at the mention of his brother picking him up. All he could manage was a small, "Err...". Finally, after a moment of silence he said, "Isn't there another way? I mean, I was doing perfectly well on my own at the hotel..." He gave a small smile.

[Waddle]

Owen noticed the look on Tomislav's face and lost his smile quickly. He contemplated the words before replying. "Well, you don't need to be doing things on your own for a while. We'll have to keep you here for that while, I reckon." Tucking the clipboard under one arm, he shifted his weight onto one foot. He really hated to keep the man here, but Owen couldn't just let Tomo waltz out. He would probably end up back at the clinic for having his wound re-opened or internal bleeding. That wouldn't be good. If the wound did such a thing, Tomo would most likely bleed out before any medical assistance could reach him. No, Owen couldn't let that happen. Then a second thought crossed his mind.

"Say, I have an apartment. I could help take care of ya when I'm off work." His smile returned as he straightened. Doctors in Australia often did that kind of thing for patients. Well, at least in the hospital Owen had been at. He wasn't sure if all places did that, but Owen liked to help people out if he could. And Tomo was someone that surely needed help. The only reason they had released Evan after all had been because he had Anthony to look after him. Owen stopped himself from pondering once again again on the seemingly tense atmosphere that had been between the three men. It's none of your business.