"Morning son, how come you're up and here so early?" Sally greeted her son who was sitting alone at one of the diner booths.

It was already 8:30 in the morning and Adrian had no calls, texts or anything from Brody. "I was planning on meeting Brody for breakfast, he was going to help me with my revision but he's kind of late."

Sally took notice of the books Adrian had unloaded onto the booth. "Well I'm at least glad you're taking a bigger priority in your education Adrian."

Adrian nodded along absentmindedly, he was thinking that Brody would come along any minute now.

"Can I get you anything to eat sweetheart?"

Adrian politely declined, deciding he would wait for Brody before ordering.

~~~~~~~~~~

20 minutes later and Adrian was still alone in the booth. Adrian pulled out his phone to text Brody.

From Adrian (8:51am): Brody I'm still waiting at the diner, where are you?

Adrian looked at the text message and thought it may come of as too snide. He deleted it and typed another one.

From Adrian (8:52am): Hey, can you not make it to breakfast?

Adrian thought the text was more reasonable, a little bit of whimsical with a touch of softness.

Adrian sent the text message and ordered a full English breakfast to go with his studying.

~~~~~~~~~~

Leaving the exam room, Adrian felt a huge sense of relief wash over him. He knew he tried his best and he did genuinely attempt every question he could do. Adrian did believe he could at least get a passing grade despite fumbling on the questions about the nervous system.

Adrian made his way to the gym to join the rest of his team. Adam asked him how he went and Adrian only replied with, "Passable."

After an intense workout they were on their way out of the room when they bumped into Ashley.

"Hey Ashley, what you doing here?" Adrian wondered on why she was outside their practice.

Ashley didn't look all too happy. "I came to talk to Coach Sheen about Brody." She looked very sad and nervous when explaining it. "Brody was attacked at work last night, he got jumped and they smashed the shop up too."

Adrian's heart felt like it was smashed into pieces, tossed onto the ground and stepped on after hearing all of this.

Adrian began to panic internally as he asked Ashley a series of back to back questions, "Wait, what do you mean he was attacked? Who would attack Brody? Is he alright? Where is he now Ashley?"

Adam felt all the tension and anxiety rise from Adrian. He tried to comfort him by placing his hands on Adrian's shoulders.

"The doctor said he's got a concussion and they placed his arm in a cast. He's also got several bruises too but you know Brody, he's feeling optimistic." Ashley weakly laughed at that, knowing that the injuries could have been so much worse if the random stranger didn't call for an ambulance when he walked past the bakery.

'Maybe that's why he didn't show up this morning, he was hurt and you didn't even know.' Adrian told himself, instantly feeling guilty.

Adam walked up to Ashley and held her close to him, settling the negative emotions that were bubbling up after listing how injured Brody is.

"Right now Brody's at home resting at the moment, he wanted me to let coach know since he won't be able to come to practice for a while. I'm only just popping in since I have to get back to him. I need to ask my tutor if I can reschedule our lesson since I have to go back home, the guy isn't the easiest person to convince but I have to try at least."

"I'll go!" Adrian rushed out without even having to think about it, he wanted to check on Brody with his own eyes. "I can go check on him and keep him company while you go to your tutor."

"You sure that's alright?" After Adrian nodded instantly when she asked, Ashley gave him her keys so he could let himself in. "Right now he should be asleep in his room so just make sure he gets lots of rest."

Ashley saw Coach Sheen and was going to talk to him. "There he is, I'll catch you guys in a bit. Thanks again Adrian."

As she left, Adam turned to look Adrian who looked completely lost, as if all of his energy seemed to be drained from his face. "You heard Ashley, Brody is already out of the hospital and back home. With someone as strong as Brody, he will be right as rain in a matter of time."

Adrian nodded along as he listened to Adam, hoping his words would help settle his worrying mind.

But they didn't, not really.

"I'm going to go quickly shower so I can see him, I'll see you later Adam." Adrian quickly fled the room after that.

~~~~~~~~~~

Adrian quickly grabbed some chicken noodle soup after he left the school premises. He didn't know if Brody had eaten yet and it was safer to come prepared if he was hungry.

Outside his apartment Adrian let himself into Brody's home with Ashley's key, and he saw that Brody was resting on the couch. Before, Ashley mentioned he was asleep in his room so he must have been able enough to move himself onto the couch since she left.

Adrian dropped the soup container onto the kitchen counter and quietly approached the sleeping Brody as he knelt down to get a closer look at him.

He had a clear look at the extent of his injuries. Brody had a small head bandage on the side of his head. There was no visible blood so Adrian took it as a good sign, since blood should be retained inside the body rather than on the outside.

There was less colour to Brody's usually golden skin. The side of his face was a bit purple and slightly bruised, his lips were dry from dehydration and slightly cut on the edge of his lips. There was also a light sheen on his skin at the same time as well.

The blanket that only covered the bottom half of his body was untucked from him, Adrian could see the short arm cast on his dominant arm.

Adrian attempted to lift the blanket to cover Brody up more when Brody stirred awake, seemingly startled as he slightly jumped back.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you up." Adrian whispered to Brody.

Brody shook his head. "I needed to go to the toilet."

Adrian nodded as he let Brody walk past to relieve himself. When he came back he sat down next to Adrian on the couch.

Adrian was still obliviously observing the extent of Brody's injuries when he coughed uncomfortable, gaining his attention. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

"It looks worse than it is." Brody tried to reassure Adrian but it sounded like Brody was saying that just for the sake of it.

"What happened?"

Brody was staring at the turned off TV absentmindedly as he recalled last night's events. "I was closing up the shop for the night and when I wasn't looking, someone came in and hit me on the head." Brody paused before he continued, taking a deep breath. "They umm, kept hitting me as they robbed the register, and they smashed the place up too."

Adrian felt it in his heart that he wanted to hold Brody and never let him go. "Do they know who did it?"

Brody shook his head as he told him how Tammy submitted the surveillance video to the police. "They're looking into it but apparently you can't see a clear face."

"And how are you feeling, like really feeling?" Adrian asked his boyfriend sincerely.

"I'll be fine soon enough. It really isn't as bad as it looks."

Even when the situation was bad, Brody was still trying to give peace to Adrian's worrying mind. Adrian was astonished at how Brody was trying to take care of him in this situation when it should be the other way around.

Adrian rested his head on Brody's shoulder as he hugged him. "I was so worried about you, I didn't think of it too much when I didn't see you this morning. I didn't know you were hurt, and I'm just glad I can see you, here with me now, safe."

Brody went to move and hug him back when he felt a sharp pain near his ribs as he stretched his body. Instantly pulling back from Adrian, Brody's injury seemed to flare up as his pain level spiked. "Sorry, I think it's my ribs, when I landed on the ladder. Hurts like a bitch right now." Brody hissed in pain and discomfort as he held his side with his capable hand. "Can you, pass me my pain meds, on the table?"

Adrian complied as he grabbed a glass of water for Brody to wash it down with. "I should have been more careful with you, I'm sorry Brody." Adrian spoke quietly as he felt regret because of his lack of consideration.

As Brody swallowed his medicine he saw that Adrian had distanced himself from Brody, looking like he was worried he may injure Brody again.

"Are you hungry? I brought you your favourite soup, I don't know if you've eaten yet or anything."

Brody was still in pain as he told Adrian he wasn't hungry. He also told him that the medicine actually made him feel sleepy so he didn't really have the energy to eat much anyway. Waking up half way through his nap didn't help either.

Adrian offered to leave him in peace as he felt he wasn't helping Brody and was in fact making it worse, also causing more stress and pain at the same time.

"No!" Brody seemed to forget he was in pain as he was focussed on how he didn't want Adrian to leave. Brody didn't mean to burst out loud as he wasn't angry, he just really wanted Adrian to be with him. "Can you just, stay with me?"

Adrian agreed to stay as he told Brody he should sleep in his own bed, given that it was more comfortable than the couch. Brody was already falling asleep when Brody asked Adrian to lie down in the bed with him.

Brody had conked out shortly afterwards as Adrian longingly looked at the sleeping figure next to him, with sadness and sorrow in his eyes.

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