章 41: What Makes Him Stay

[Johan's POV]

Aaron regained consciousness with increased heart rate, inducing panic in and out of the ICU. Adrian and his mother quickly jumped to conclusions when doctors and nursed rushed to the patient's side. Their reaction was understandable, though. If it wasn't for Rafael and other police officers with them, Johan would be a train wreck trying to calm them by himself.

It turned out a nightmare woke Aaron. Receiving a barrage of bullets must have been a traumatic experience for the young officer. He may have been trained, but he's still human, capable of feeling fear in the face of death.

Johan didn't know what kind of police officer Aaron was. But in that split moment their eyes met through the glass panel, Johan knew he's a good man who's passionate in his profession. He's still fighting for his life. His battle's not over yet. And he's got a family still waiting for him.

After the doctors stabilized him, they were assured Aaron's out of danger. And the distressed family can finally take some rest.

———

His arm muscles moved as he squeezed the stress ball, his blood flowing across the tube to the blood bag. It was almost lunchtime when he finished going through the procedure at the Red Cross facility.

With his back rested at the red-cushioned recliner, Johan mulled over the unsolicited advice they received at the bus.

'Unless you're both okay with this setup, then keep at it. Otherwise, make up your mind because pseudo-relationships normally don't end well.'

He was awake the entire time Adrian chatted with the two strangers, but he's too self-conscious to join or exchange ideas with them, so he pretended to sleep as he listened to their conversation.

Johan sighed. He couldn't disagree with their logical advice. Still, they didn't know the entire situation. And he'd rather if Adrian didn't make any rash decision while he's still distraught about his brother's condition.

The beeping sound from a calculator-like apparatus alerted him and a medical practitioner that the blood extracting was done. A young male nurse approached him to remove the rubber tourniquet and adhesive tape on his arm.

"Take a deep breath, Sir," he instructed as he carefully drew the needle off of his vein and taped a cotton to stop the bleeding. "All done. Does it hurt?"

"No." Johan smiled and folded his arm. "You've done a good job piercing me... uh... my vein, I mean."

Despite the reasonable blood loss, Johan still flushed when the nurse smiled at him through the medical face mask. He's cute, okay? Johan wouldn't mind another form of piercing if it came down to it. Although that's likely an unattainable fantasy.

'Please. Mind out of the gutter, Self.'

Looking to the side, he met Adrian's questionable gaze. He also just finished the blood extraction procedure, and Johan wanted to roll his eyes at his expression when the nurse walked back to him, handing free snacks.

"Thanks." Johan sat straight, but a hand on his chest stopped him from leaving the chair.

"Have some rest first," the nurse said, urging him to lie back again. "You'll get dizzy if you stand too soon, Sir."

Johan clasped his forehead. "Yeah, sorry. I think I'm already feeling light-headed."

"Let me help you lie down."

Head pressed against firm biceps, the sweet scent mixed with isopropyl alcohol excited Johan a little, tinting his cheeks with pale crimson. "Thanks, nurse... ahh... I don't know your name."

"Tom."

Once settled, he stabbed the doypack juice pouch with the hard straw and Johan hummed as the orange flavor swirled on his tongue. Amazing. "Thanks, nurse Tom."

"No problem."

Johan suppressed the bubbling snort threatening to escape him and ignored Adrian's dark look. It's not like he's making an actual pass at the attractive nurse with his subtle flirting. Nurse Tom seemed like a straight guy, anyway.

After getting enough rest, both he and Adrian walked back to the hospital's main building.

"What's up with you and that nurse?" Adrian slung an arm across his shoulder, an accusing tone in his voice. "Acting all buddy-buddy and stuff."

Johan looked up to the scowl that made him want to snuggle closer. "You're so cute when you're jealous."

"Don't call me cute, Han."

"But you are," he teased. Johan put an arm to Adrian's waist, guiding him to the hospital's shadow. It's noontime. And the heat prickled his skin like a cactus's thorn in the desert.

Adrian grumbled under his breath that made him smile wider. What's with this overly jealous man?

Johan pinched the little love handle on Adrian's waist. "Stop being insecure with other guys. I still find you better-looking than anyone I've met so far."

"Why do I feel like I'm competing in a male pageant?" Adrian groaned when he pinched him again. "Do you only like me because of my looks?"

"Maybe." Johan sniggered at Adrian's disgruntled expression. The arm around his shoulders tightened. "What? Is it bad to be physically attracted to someone? It's not like you're any different."

"Well, yeah." Adrian sighed. "But I didn't fall in love with you simply because of your appearance, Han. It's more than that."

"R-right."

Love. Discomfort at the word had Johan removed his hold at Adrian's waist. How can people fall in love to someone they don't know that well?

As they neared the main building where Aaron's confined, Johan looked down. "I guess falling in love is that easy. Staying in love... that's the most challenging part."

Adrian also let go of his hold on his shoulder and stepped in front of him, hand on the wall, flashing a silly smile. "And what would make you stay in love, Han?"

"Why are you suddenly asking me that?"

"I just want to know."

Meeting his blue eyes, Johan took one step backward when Adrian inched his face closer to him. They're still in public. And his breath hitched at the proximity. "There's one thing. Just one."

"What is it?"

"Loyalty. That's all."

Johan wanted to regret it when Adrian froze, but he couldn't find it in himself to lie about the particular aspect of love he believed in. He stepped to the side and continued walking, leaving Adrian to ponder what he meant.

———

"I need to go. I still have to go to work later." Johan forced a smile, rocking himself back and forth, feeling awkward now that he's no longer needed. He's served his purpose. It's not like he can donate another four hundred fifty milliliters of blood the next day.

"Thank you so much for your help, Johan." Adelia returned the smile and stood from her position next to Aaron's bed. She gave him a motherly hug that almost made him want to stay. "It means a lot to us. I'm sorry if we troubled you into coming this far."

"It's alright." Johan withdrew from her embrace. "It's not like I'm a foreigner to this place. I spent my childhood in this city, anyway. I'm glad to visit for a cause."

"Really?" Rafael, who stood at the foot of the bed, looked surprised. "Does that mean you can speak Ilocano dialect?"

"Wen, Manong," Johan said with a smirk. It simply just meant 'yes, brother' but it appeased Rafael.

"Why don't you leave Olongapo and move back here? Aaron could use a translator."

"I'd..." He'd rather not. It's even dangerous for him to be here, but Johan went along. "I'd be happy to. If you'll pay me."

Rafael scratched the back of his head. "Come on, man. I'm not that rich."

They shared a quiet laugh as to not disturb other patients. Johan turned to Aaron, who had been put back to sleep. Reaching for his hand, he gave an encouraging squeeze. "Get well soon, Officer Aaron."

Just as Johan was about to pull back, Aaron gripped his fingers. He paused, glancing at the sleeping face that almost resembled Adrian's, only he's got darker hair and complexion, yet still charming or more. They've got good genes, okay?

'Don't start now.' Johan flushed and gently peeled the hand away with Adelia's help. "Gotta go now. For real."

"I'll drop you off to the bus station," Rafael offered. "I have the patrol car with me."

"I'll come with you." Adrian stood from the other side of the bed, but Johan shook his head.

"I think it's best if you stay here with your Mom, Adrian."

"I-I'll just see you off to the parking lot." Adrian's eyes flickered to his mother as if to ask permission. "I won't take long."

"Go on," Adelia said. "Your friend accompanied you here. It's only polite to see him off at least."

With a silent sigh, Johan exited the ICU with the two. After removing the hospital gown, he thanked the nurse for allowing them to bid goodbye to the family. He stuck closer to Rafael as the officer slung a friendly arm to his shoulder, conversing in a local dialect, much to Adrian's dismay.

Once they reached the parking lot, Johan faced Adrian. "Is it okay for me to borrow your jacket?" He lifted the convenience store bag. "It's gonna be a cold trip with me alone."

"Sure. Take care, okay?" Adrian clasped his forearm, eyes stormy. Glancing around, he stepped closer, and gave a subtle kiss at the side of his head. "God, I'm missing you already."

"I'll miss you too, Adrian."

"You'll behave while I'm gone, alright?"

Johan snorted and stepped back. "Are you my Dad?"

"Aren't I? You called me Daddy last—"

"Shut up, please." Johan jabbed him in the stomach, cheek burning at the memory. "We're not in my apartment."

A car's honk pulled them away from each other, and Rafael waved at him to hop in the patrol's passenger's seat. Arm sliding off of Adrian's grasp, hesitant fingers unlatching, Johan turned around without looking back.