The Dark Angels: Tied Together (9 page)

Dustin laughed grabbed his hand and pulled him for a half man hug. “It’s okay. I am just glad you punch like a girl.” But his black eye told a different tale.

Darius came over and guided him to a chair. “It’s okay, Josh.

The doctor figured you were just having a rock star fit.” He rubbed Josh’s back like he was a pet cat. Dare had gotten much more touchy since he had hooked up with Angel. “You were just beside yourself. I mean I know how I would if, God forbid, something happened to Angel.”

Everyone stopped when they realized the comparison Darius had made. Josh and Robin had never showed their fucked up relationship to the guys. After all, Josh knew that Robin just considered it a series of mistakes that he tried to forget afterwards.

Josh was saved from answering by the nurse who came in to take him to see Robin.

Robin was still unconscious, but the nurse said he should be waking up at any time. Josh dragged a chair quietly over to the bed and sat down. He found Robin’s hand under the mass of wires. Damn needles had already started to bruise his delicate hands. Resisting the urge to pull them out, he just held Robby’s hand gently.

Finally, movement drew Josh’s gaze up to Robin’s face just in time to see his beautiful eyes open. He stood so he would be the first thing Robin would see.

“Hey, Robby.”

“Hey,” Robin tried to say but nothing came out of his dehydrated throat. Turning his head and trying to move, Robin was trying to figure out where he was.

“Shhhh, it’s okay.” Josh spoke softly. “You’re fine. Just came out of surgery. You were in a car crash. No one was hurt but you. You’re going to take some time to heal, but no permanent damage.”

A nurse came over. “Here’s some ice chips. We will be moving him upstairs very soon. You can wait in the waiting room.”

Instantly, Robin became agitated in protest. His hand tightened around Josh’s indicating that he needed to play his part.

“Ma’am, I need to stay with my
brother
. Otherwise…” Robin started moving as if he would pull out his IVs and the other attachments. “Robby, shhhh. The nice pretty nurse is going to let me stay with you.”

The nurse simpered and then giggled. She whispered, “Well, it is against the rules, but no one else is here. Plus he should be up in his room very soon. Just don’t make any noise.”

“Thank you, nurse.” Josh winked at her. Robin settled down and grinned as soon as the nurse was out of the earshot. Yeah, he would play the brother card when it suited him, which wasn’t very often.

“Oh Robby, everyone thinks you are so innocent.” He chuckled. “No one knows you are the evil master mind.” Josh smirked at him. They’d perfected that act all the way through school to stay in the same classes when any suggestion was made of separating them.

Robin sniffed. He did look innocent. “Ice, please?”

“Your wish.” Josh smiled at him. He ignored the spoon and pulled an ice chip out with his finger. Holding it up to Robin’s mouth Josh painted his dry lips with moisture then popped it in his mouth. As soon as it was melted, Robin opened up like a baby bird wanting more. Josh smiled and fed him ice chips one after the other.

“Thanks, Josh.” Robin’s voice was still soft and hoarse but it was better.

Josh kissed the hand he was still holding. “I am so happy you are okay, Robby. I don’t know what I would have done...” He couldn’t even complete the thought that had been tormenting him for the last six hours. “Please, don’t ever do that again.”

Robin looked like he was going to say something but changed it to a simple, “Sorry.”

Josh kissed his hand and tried not to cry again. He looked back up to his Robin’s beautiful blue-green eyes. “What happened?”

“I was driving and swerved to avoid a dog that ran into the road. I wasn’t going that fast but I skidded on something and hit a tree.”

Closing his eyes, Josh tried to block out the mental images his words had given him. “Next time Robby, hit the fucking dog.”

Robin gasped at the very thought. “I am serious. Please.”

Robin didn’t say anything but looked into Josh’s eyes for a very long time before he simply nodded.

Robin grabbed Josh’s hand. “You know they say people can hear when they are unconscious.” Squeezing his hand, Robin tells Josh. “I heard you before I went into surgery. I knew you were with me.”

Josh looked away from him. “Always.” Just remembering how close he had come to losing Robin tore him up inside. He didn’t like the train of his thoughts and how willingly he would join Robin if he lost him.

“I need you to promise me you would never...” Robin couldn’t even finish the sentence.

Josh shook his head. “Promise me you will never leave me.”

A sharp sob was cut off. “I couldn’t go on without you.” Tears slipped down his face and he hid his head next to Robin’s. “Please don’t make me,” Josh begged.

“Josh...” Robin’s voice broke.

“Shhhh, Robby.” Josh moved his head and kissed his cheek as his tears fell on Robin’s face. He dashed the wetness off his face and fussed with the blankets for something to do with his hands.

Josh smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Like it or not, you are my reason to exist. You are my everything. Without you I don’t want to—”

“Josh, shhhh.” Robin seemed desperate to stop his talk.

“Know this, I don’t want to either. I just couldn’t. You mean everything to me. Without you, well, there isn’t a me without you.”

So many thoughts raced through Josh’s mind. None of which made sense. He chalked it up to still being out of it. He didn’t know what to say.

Robin squeezed Josh’s hand and said, “So let’s make a pact, next time the dog gets it.”

Josh looked at his adorably serious face before cracking up.

The two of them laughed and laughed until it caused Robin pain.

The nurse came over to them shaking her head telling them to be quiet. Within two more minutes, Robin was taken to a private room upstairs.

Over the course of the next few days, Robin healed. Josh rarely left his side. Being a rock star had its advantages. Some of the younger nurses found an extra cot and allowed Josh to sleep there at night.

Once the wires were out, Robin even begged Josh to crawl into bed with him. Not that it took much begging. They were caught twice cuddling but the nurses weren’t too harsh. They thought it was so sweet Josh was petting Robin’s face as he slept.

Josh did go home to bring Robin some comforts. He brought his computer, his smallest keyboard, some movies, and a new cell since his was lost in the accident. They just hung out as if they were home.

Uncle Leo had come and stayed for a few days. They loved seeing him. Even though they used the latest video conferencing, nothing was better than face to face. But they convinced him to go back to his shop. They reminded him of his students and the new kid, Jack, Uncle Leo had pulled off the street to help.

Jack really did need Uncle Leo’s full attention. That kid knew how to find trouble so Uncle Leo went back. Partly for Jack and because he knew his boys, as he still referred to them as, only really needed each other.

“We’ve already canceled two shows. I’m fine,” Robin tried to convince anyone who would listen.

Josh sat on the couch next to him and tucked a blanket up around his neck. Robin snuggled into it until he realized it looked like he was sick. Stopping himself he then tried glaring at Josh to show his displeasure but could only come up with a twisted grin.

Megan paced back and forth in their living room. “What do the rest of you think?”

Dusty walked around tapping things with his sticks. “You really okay, Robin?” After Robin gave a firm nod, Dusty gave a shrug. He twirled his sticks around his fingers before doing a short drum roll on the wall ending by pointing his stick. “Josh?”

“No! Absolutely not! He is
not
okay.” Josh fairly shouted his answer making Dusty pause in his drumming of the woodwork above the front door.

Darius leaned towards Robin from his perch on Angel’s lap. “So Josh is undecided…” He looked closely at Robin as if examining him. “You do look a bit pale.”

“I have fair skin,” Robin instantly justified his complexion..

“He’s pale, because he isn’t healed yet.” Josh was quick to reply.

“I’m a winter.” Stating it like everyone would know what he was talking about. Then when he looked around he realized everyone was in the dark except Megan and Josh. “It’s just my complexion. I am a winter. Fair skinned.” Sighing in frustration, “I am telling you I am fine. I want to do the shows. I’m ready.”

Angel looked over at Robin. “What did the doctor say?”

Shrugging, Robin said, “He released me.”

“And said you needed to rest,” Josh added as he handed Robin a bottle of water.

Sighing, Robin drank as if that would appease Josh. “We already canceled two shows. It isn’t fair to our fans.”

Megan chimed it. “We will make up those shows at the end of the tour. So making up two shows in this area or three really doesn’t matter.”

Everyone knew it mattered. But unlike most managers, she really seemed to put their well being first.

Robin reached out to Josh’s hand. “I really want to do this. I know I am not a hundred percent but I want to do this.” His plea was heard.

Groaning Josh knew he had lost. “Let’s do a run through of the show song list. One time tomorrow, and see how you do.”

A big smile lit up Robin’s face. “Yes!” he shouted in excitement and gave Josh a big wet kiss on his cheek.

Sighing, in frustration, Josh knew he lost. He really would do anything to make Robin happy. He just couldn’t help himself.

The practice went well. Robin was a bit tired after but seemed to be lit up on the inside with the music. The boy might have had stage fright, but he loved the music and playing with the guys.

There was no justification Josh could find to make them cancel another show.

The crowd had started chanting as they stood ready to take the stage. Angel moved over towards Josh. He put a hand on his shoulder causing both Robin and Josh to look up at him.

“I know he,” Angel indicated with his head that he was talking about Robin, “won’t tell me if I should slow it down. So I’ll be watching for a signal from you if you think wonder boy needs a break.”

Josh was grateful. “Yeah, thanks.”

Robin shook his head. “Wonder boy?” Sighing, “I am an adult you know.” Even in the dim lights everyone could see Robin’s pretty blush come through his stage makeup.

Dusty tapped everyone on the shoulder wishing them luck before taking the stage.

Josh leaned into Robin. “You’re adorable when you blush!”

And planted a hot wet kiss right on his mouth.

Robin’s inhale could almost be heard above the crowd’s excitement. His eyes went wide but then closed as Josh pulled him closer. Robin’s mouth parted inviting Josh in for deeper lip smack. Their tongues did a familiar dance before Josh pulled off.

“I love you Robby. Make sure you take care of you.”

He stalked off onto the darkened stage before Robin could say anything else. Quicker than usual Robin took his place on stage next to him and kept staring at him as if he had grown a dick out of his forehead.

Once Dare took his place they played music as Angel walked on stage. The lead singer opened with a high note that sounded like he was castrated, and it went from there. The songs and music mixed into a slower than usual rhythm. Angel allowed more time between songs so Robin wouldn’t tire as quickly.

Josh watched Robin glow. He seemed to have a renewed energy with the music. He always played his heart out but tonight he seemed to allow the music to swallow him whole. He was on fire with the notes coming off his keyboard.

Finally, Angel slowed everything down to introduce the band. “Okay, my lovelies. Let’s meet the sexy boys of The Dark Angels!” The roar of the crowd was deafening.

Angel stalked over to Darius and stood there looking at him for a moment. Looking over his shoulder at the crowd he smirked before turning back to Dare. He reached out to wrap his fingers through the longish part of Dare’s asymmetric cut and pulled his head back. Through the monitor screens, everyone watched his long tongue lick out to moisten his lover’s lips. Once they were wet Angel claimed them in a breath-stealing kiss that seemed to leave Dare a bit wobbly.

“This is all
mine
. He’s an AMAZE-ing guitar player but you know what he is even better at?” His words were filled with lust but Josh could hear the love tinting them a pretty color. The crowd hooted and hollered out various sex acts. “Oh, you dirty, dirty boys and girls.
Singing
. My man has a great voice…” He walked to the front of the stage and leaned over as if he were sharing a secret with the crowd of thousands. “I think it’s his talented throat muscles! Talk about
talented
!” His groan was full of hot wet sex making the crowd go crazy.

Dare laughed at Angel. His fingers took off playing a little demonstration of his skill on the six strings. Angel meandered to take a drink of water while Darius went off on a musical trip that the crowd loved. When Angel strutted back over to him Dare reached out to pull Angel down into a hot passionate kiss. They seemed to melt into each other as if no one else was around.

When Angel finally pulled him away, “He likes my voice too.

I think it’s my
mouth
!” Dare gave a little musical riff that notes spoke agreement causing the crowd to laugh.

Angel crossed the stage reaching down to touch hands with the first row. “Hey, handsome.” He moved on to the next person.

It drove the roadies/security guys nuts because someone could easily pull him down. But it didn’t stop him from trying to shake hands or touch the first row. “Beautiful, good of you to come.”

Angel stood up. “We all like to
come
don’t we?”

The crowd went wild in agreement. “Oh, lovelies! Lovelies, your minds are simply in the gutter this fine evening. I meant
attend
a concert…” He smirked down at rowdy fans.

Josh was really grateful at how Angel was allowing for a longer mid-show break. He took a moment to check on Robin who was giggling at Angel’s antics. He walked around the keyboards to yell over the noise, “Drink.” He handed Robin a bottle of water with two packages of vitamin C in it.