Chapter 2: The Morning After

It is early the following morning. At the hospital, Nick was admitted at once for surgery to remove the lump causing him unbearable pain. Andy has spent a sleepless night in the waiting room. Just now, the surgeon has given Andy the good news: the cyst, though large, was completely benign and Nick will make a full recovery.

Andy exhales a sigh of relief so deep it seems to come from his soul. “Thank fucking Christ,” he murmurs under his breath, his shoulders dropping with the weight of tension lifted. His eyes are bloodshot, his face unshaven and etched with the lines of a man who hasn’t slept in hours, but there’s a glimmer of hope in his eyes that hasn’t been there since last night. He runs a hand through his hair, his heart racing with the sudden rush of relief. “He’ll be okay,” he whispers to himself, trying to let the words sink in.

The doctor nods, his expression sympathetic but professional. “Yes, Mr. Stevick. Your brother is a very lucky man. We’re going to keep him for observation a few hours, but we expect a full recovery.”

“Can I see him?” Andy is suddenly overcome with a desperate need to convince himself that Nick is really all right.

The doctor nods sympathetically. “Yes, of course. He’s just coming out of the anesthesia, so he might be a little groggy, but he should be fully alert shortly.” He leads the way down the sterile hallway, the smell of antiseptic strong in the air.

Nick’s room is quiet, the machines beeping a steady rhythm that tells the tale of his vital signs. He looks so small in the bed, so porcelain pale, his skin nearly translucent, but his eyes open wide when he sees his brother. “I know youuuuuuu,” he says with a beaming smile. “You’re my slavemaster!”

Nick’s words hang in the air like a confession whispered in a cathedral, and for a moment, the air is thick with awkwardness. But then, the corner of Andy’s mouth quirks up into a grin. “Yeah,” he says, his voice a little choked. “I’m your slavemaster.” He steps closer to the bed, taking Nick’s hand in his own. It’s warm and steady, a reassurance that seems to seep into Nick’s very bones. “But right now, I’m just your big brother. And I’m so fucking relieved you’re okay.”

Nick’s expression grows very serious. “But didn’t you know ... Lily brought me Concord grapes last night.”

Andy’s eyebrows furrow in confusion at Nick’s sudden shift in topic, his mind racing to understand the significance of the grapes. But before he can ask, a nurse bustles into the room, her smile professional but firm. “Mr. Stevick, it’s time for your brother to rest. He’s had a rough night, and we need to keep him calm.”

Nick waves her off drunkenly. “Awww, he’s okay. You leave my ... my lord and commander alone.” To Andy he says, emphatically, “It was Lily Munster brought me the grapes. She’s really sweet. And she sang for me. That song...”I’m Still Here”. Yvonne De Carlo sang it in Follies. Same actress. But she wasn’t playing Lily Munster then. She was playing ... I forget now.”

Andy chuckles softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners, despite his exhaustion. He’s heard Nick’s rambling before, especially when he’s still under the influence of anesthesia. “You’re mixing up your monsters, buddy. Lily Munster didn’t sing in Follies.” He squeezes Nick’s hand gently. “But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” His smile widens as he recalls their childhood, how they’d watch old monster movies and musicals together, before Nick’s tastes grew more sophisticated. “You remember the nights we’d stay up late, watching the classics?” He leans closer to the bed, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’d always fall asleep before the end, and I’d cover you up. Nothing’s changed, Nick.”

Nick shakes his head in confusion. “Of course, Lily didn’t sing in that. But it was the same actress who sang “I’m Still Here” in Follies.”

“Yeah, it was Yvonne De Carlo, but she wasn’t Lily then. She was playing herself,” Andy says, smoothing the hair away from Nick’s forehead with a gentle touch. His heart swells with a mix of love and concern, remembering the innocent days when their biggest problem was staying awake through a movie. “But hey, you’re the showbiz expert around here.” He tries to keep the conversation light, hoping it’ll distract Nick from the pain and fear he’s feeling. “Do you know you’re gonna be just fine, kid? The doctor told me.”

“But what about ... you know,” Nick whispers, his eyes searching Andy’s, the reality of their new relationship weighing heavy on his heart. The drugs make him feel brave enough to ask the question that’s been haunting him. “What we talked about before ... are you okay with that? With me?”

Andy’s gaze holds Nick’s, his thumb stroking the back of his hand in a comforting rhythm. He takes a deep breath, his chest tightening as he considers his brother’s fears. “You know, when you told me you love me, I was shocked. But not because it was you, or because of what you said,” he says, his voice low and earnest. “I was shocked because I realized how much I’ve been holding back from you all these years.” He leans in closer, his voice barely a murmur. “I’ve loved you for so long, Nick. And not just as a brother.” He swallows hard. “I want you to know that, no matter what happens, I’m here for you. I want to be the one who takes care of you, who cherishes you.” His eyes are filled with a fierce determination that makes Nick’s heart race. “But we’ll take it slow, okay? We’ve got time to figure this out.”

Nick’s eyes well up. “I ruined everything, didn’t I? Last night...”

“No, you didn’t ruin anything,” Andy says, his voice firm and soothing. He sits down on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb the IV line or any of the other medical paraphernalia. “What we have is ... complicated, but it’s not ruined. We’re brothers, and that’s not going anywhere. And as for the other stuff, it’s new, but it’s not bad.” He pauses, searching for the right words. “It’s just ... different. And it’s okay to be scared. But I’m not going anywhere, and neither is this ... whatever it is.” He squeezes Nick’s hand again, feeling the warmth and life in it. “We’ll figure it out. Together.” His thumb traces over the back of Nick’s hand, a gentle, comforting gesture that seems to speak louder than his words. Nick’s grip tightens around his hand, and he can feel the tremble of his brother’s body as he fights back tears.

Nick says in a faltering voice, “Andy ... I mean, Sir ... I mean ... Master ... will you hold me?”

Andy’s heart swells and he nods, carefully maneuvering around the medical equipment to pull the chair closer to the bed. He reaches out and gathers Nick into his arms, holding him gently like a precious treasure. “Shh, it’s okay, Nick. Whatever you need, I’m here. Just breathe.” He whispers the words into his brother’s ear, feeling the tension in Nick’s body slowly melt away. The weight of Nick’s head against his chest is a comforting reminder of the bond they’ve shared since childhood, and the newness of their romantic love only seems to deepen the connection.

Nick is quiet and still for long moments. Then he whispers, “Do you know what, Sir?”

“What is it, Nick?” Andy asks, his voice low and gentle, his arms tightening slightly around him.

“I have a GREAT BIG BONER. And I am SOOOOOOOOOOO HORNY!!!!!”

Andy’s eyes widen at Nick’s sudden outburst. He tries not to laugh, knowing that his brother’s bluntness is partly a side effect of the pain meds and his general state of mind. “Whoa, okay, buddy,” he says, his voice a mix of amusement and concern. He adjusts Nick’s blanket to cover his lap. “Let’s keep that under wraps, yeah?” He looks around, ensuring no one heard, then leans closer. “But I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

“Oh, Gawd, Andy, I wanna play so bad ... I wanna love you like I didn’t get to last night. I’m so, so, sorry for fffffucking it all up. It was so special. It was what I dreamed of since I was a kid. Please tell me we’ll play again soon. I am dying of desire ... see?”

“Shh, Nick, it’s alright.” Andy’s voice is calm and reassuring, his arms still around his younger brother, his eyes uneasily darting from the tent in his lap to the rest of the room. “You didn’t mess anything up. You just had a bad scare, that’s all. And as for playing...” He takes a deep breath, trying to balance his own desires with the reality of the situation. “We’ll play again, I promise. But right now, you need to rest.” He kisses the top of Nick’s head gently, feeling the soft strands of his hair against his lips. “And we’re not going anywhere. We’ve got each other.”

“Oooookaaaayyy, Andy...” Nick is getting very sleepy again.

“Yeah, I know, you’ve been through a lot.” Andy strokes Nick’s hair gently, his heart aching for his brother’s pain and fear on the previous night. “Just get some rest, kiddo. I’ll be right here.” He leans back in the chair, watching the rise and fall of Nick’s chest with the rhythm of the monitors, his eyes never leaving him. The room is quiet, save for the occasional beep and the rustle of the hospital staff outside.

Nick’s head raises briefly from the pillow, where he has collapsed. “I promise ... I won’t touch myself. Or let it happen in my sleep. I know that would make you so mad.”

“Nick,” Andy says, his voice filled with a gentle reprimand. “You don’t have to apologize for that, okay? It’s a natural thing.” He brushes a lock of hair from Nick’s forehead, his eyes filled with affectionate exasperation. “But maybe save the fireworks for when you’re not in a hospital bed, yeah?”

Nick chuckles drowsily. “I’m so silly.”

Andy can’t help but smile at Nick’s self-deprecation. He’s seen his brother at his lowest and highest moments, and this is just another page in their unconventional storybook. He watches as Nick’s eyes slowly start to close again. “You’re not silly, you’re just tired. Get some sleep. We’ve got a lot to talk about when you’re feeling better.” He adjusts the pillows behind Nick’s head, making him as comfortable as possible. “But for now, just rest.” He leans in and kisses Nick’s forehead, the warmth of his brother’s skin soothing his own nerves.