Chapter 11

'What have I done?'

Alex sits in front of his bed looking at the unconscious man with a huge bandage covering his stomach.

When Alex left the bar and he collided with someone he never would have guessed that it is Peter's father. Getting past his first shock he quickly realizes that something is definitely wrong. Daniel collapsed against his shoulder and Alex instinctively holds him close in an embrace. He seems now unconscious. That is when Alex feels something wet underneath his fingertips. He pulls back his hand and nearly screams when he sees the blood.

His brain started working fast. Since it seems to be true that Daniel is affiliated with the mafia he wouldn't want the police involved. He maybe doesn't even want official treatment.

In the theoretical classes they made sure to train the new kindergarten teachers also in first aid medicine. Alex was good at it. He decided to take Peter to his home, treat him as best as he could and let him make the decision by himself as soon as he wakes up. Granted, this only applies if he doesn't get a fever or any other signs for a worsening in his state.

With new found determination he heaved Peter into a Taxi, double covering his wound with his jacket to not stain the car seats.

At home he commanded Zero to stay in the kitchen but nevertheless locked the bedroom door. The dog might get too excited with the smell of blood and he hasn't got the brain capacity left to deal with him, too.

He lay Daniel on the bed, carefully stripping him of his jacket and blood stained shirt. He gets a bucket of warm water and a wash cloth to carefully clean the area around the wound so he could see better. It seems like a lot of blood. Like, really a lot.

He gulps down and takes a moment to get back his bearings. All the while he works so focused that he can't even appreciate the definition of his abs.

He cares for the wound as best as he can and with a little help of google. One hour and seemingly three buckets of sweat later, Alex slumps on the ground beside the bed, totally spent.

Now it finally dawns on him what he has done. He took a man he only knows briefly to his home. This man is wounded, possibly critically. He administered first aid with the help of a friggin internet search engine. He didn't call a doctor or any family members of him to let them know about his state.

If this goes sideways he could become a criminal.

Beating himself up over this, he comes to the conclusion that the deed is already done. Now he has to see it through. With this he makes himself comfortable on the floor, eyes fixed on the patient and starts his silent watch.

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Half an hour after he finished the treatment Daniel abruptly stirs. Alex is directly alert, leaning in close. Daniel starts to furrow his eyebrows and toss his head around.

'Is he in pain?'

Alex quickly notices, that the sudden movement was due to Daniel regaining consciousness and drifting over to sleep.

He was having a nightmare.

'Well, who could blame him? He just got stabbed and had to suffer through my amateur medic skills.'

Giving in to temptation before he realises, Alex' hands reaches out to brush Daniel's hair off his forehead, gently stroking the furrows between his eyebrows. Alex is surprised when he sees Daniel visibly relax under his touch.

Without thinking Alex continues stroking over his forehead, caressing his cheeks from the temple downwards. After five minutes Daniel finally settles into a peaceful sleep.

But as soon as Alex breaks the body contact a crease once again appears on Daniel's forhead.

Feeling equally guilty and happy Alex sits down again besides the bed and grabs Daniel's hand. He would still hold on to it when Alex himself also drifts of to sleep.

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- Daniel's point of view –

As I wake up I feel my whole body hurting. Concentrating, I spot a particularly painful spot in my left side. Realizing this, my memories from last night come crashing down. I was stabbed.

Expecting to see the familiar ceiling of my own bedroom, I blink the sleep away. Only to find out that this bedroom is all but familiar. I turn my head in search for clues where I ended up. There is a head full of dark hair crouching besides the bed, chin on the covers.

'Who…?'

Than I feel my hand being gripped and the stranger's head moves, startled awake by my movements.

Rubbing his eyes and blinking in my direction I realize who this person is. Alex, the rookie teacher. Is this good luck or bad luck?

"How did I end up here?" I ask him, my voice still hoarse because of the sleep and suffered pain.

"You don't remember? Well, you were unconscious most of the time." The young teacher seems to ponder about how to explain this to me and I see a faint glimmer of guilt in his eyes. Now, I am curious.

"So?" I make my voice a bit more stern, how I would talk with my not paying debtors. This voice directly hits the guilty consciouns.

"Well… You stumbled against me and suddenly collapsed on my shoulder. I couldn't just leave you there." His voice has a tinge of defiance in it. Have I hit the spot?

I just look at him, letting him jamble on.

"Well, I noticed you were bleeding. But, but, you know…" I can visibly see his inner struggle. Would he keep rambling on and on, burying himself deeper like all my debtors would do?

But then, something interesting happened. He pauses. Breathes in deeply. His whole demeanour changes. His posture straightens. Than he locks my eyes in his gaze. The following voice was nothing like the guilty mess from a a few seconds ago.

"I noticed you were bleeding and had a knife sticking in your side. Since I know about your profession I figured, you would prefer to not have the authorities alarmed by going into a regular hospital. So I placed you in a taxi and took you home. I cared for your wound to the best of my abilities. I planned to watch over you and only take you to a doctor if you showed signs of a worsening state. But despite having a nightmare you seemed calm. So I let you rest and wanted to wait until you wake up so you could decide on your own how to proceed."

There it is, the look of defiance, daring me to hold it against him.

I can't help but chuckle. I soon regretted that since it shot a sharp pain through my sides. I winced.

"Are you okay?" Ah, how can he show me this look after rejecting me? The little teacher looks at me with eyes full of worry.

"Don't worry. You did a decent job." I looked into his eyes and added: "Thank you." I keep his gaze locked in mine, willing my meaning to get across. Ah, there is a light blush on his cheeks. How could my gaydar be false with him?

"For the further treatment I will seek out my sister. She is a nurse and can handle something like this."

"Where does she live?" I look at him, curious. "Ahh, well, you know. You still seem to be in pain so I should accompany you."

This conceited straight little devil. Well, I like his company so I might as well take him along. Maybe he will stay for dinner after all. Peter will also be there as an excuse.

"Then I will gladly take your offer. Do you have a car or shall I call a taxi?"

Maybe the shitty day from yesterday earned me some good moments for this day. Let's hope for the best.