Doctors Need Mending Too

Chapter 8

It took me about an hour and a half to finish making the pancakes and some bacon I found inside Blaine's fridge. I then proceeded to set the table for two. Since Blaine hasn't gotten up yet, I decided to walk around his apartment and out of habit, tidy the place up a bit. There really wasn't much to pick up anyway. Blaine was a neat person himself and it shows through how organized his books and CDs were, how his counter surfaces appeared to be dustless, his laundry basket was close to empty and there wasn't a single dirty dish on the sink. I couldn't help but smile- this was one of the many reasons why I've always been so fond of him.

In his small living room was a small flat screen TV and a PlayStation console that looks like it hasn't been played in ages. There were several framed photographs on the side some of which were familiar from his corkboard back at his old house but most were of people I don't know. There was one of Blaine and Ellie in scrubs and white coats, one of Blaine in a toga and another one of him and his mom. I couldn't help but notice the slight glint of sadness that was so obvious in his features. He has changed a lot from the last time I really saw him, of course he's grown up, just like I did. But there used to be a contagious feeling of warmth radiating out of him that's been there from the first time I met him which is now missing. He's become a sullen, hostile stranger to me and it hurts to even think that I may never get the old Blaine back.

-Shit. Where did that come from? I caught myself mid-thought.

-So, I want him back now? After one kiss and a sad story? I shook my head vigorously to get rid of the image. I didn't want to get too ahead of myself. I didn't want to assume. I may have reading the situation wrongly, Blaine was in a vulnerable state and he may have not pulled away from the kiss, but he may not have liked it either, right? None of what happened could have really mattered. To clear my thoughts, I decided to walk away from the photos and proceeded to inspect the rest of the apartment. His CD collection proves that his taste in music hasn't changed at all. I turned the stereo on and allowed the soft music fill the room. Satisfied, I made my way back to the kitchen just in time to see a freshly showered Blaine walking out of his room.

"Hi." He said, smiling warmly.

"Morning. Breakfast.?" I replied turning slightly to show him the table and the food.

His smile grew warmer and for a second I thought it reached his eyes. They were still slightly puffy from all the crying he has done but I decided not to mention anything. He walked towards the living room and grabbed his glasses before taking the seat beside me.

"Ellie called."

I stopped midair on my way to lift the plate of pancakes. Suddenly, a big lump in my throat was preventing me from responding.

"Your dad will be discharged tomorrow."

A wave of relief rushed through me and a huge smile broke through my lips.

"That's very good. Thank you, for everything."

I proceeded with the plate and placed two pancakes on Blaine's. He gave me a small smile in thanks.

"He's being transferred to a regular room this afternoon. I can drive you to the hospital so that you could see him."

"I'd appreciate that. Thanks again, Blaine."

"No worries. I'm glad to be of help."

After we ate, I helped him clear the table and the dishes before I excused myself for a quick shower. Blaine allowed me to browse through his wardrobe for some decent change of clothes. In the end, I had to settle for a fitted dark green shirt and my own jeans I had worn yesterday. I couldn't help but snort when he offered me a rainbow stripped pair of socks but took it anyway. Reusing the ones I had on yesterday just wasn't an option.

I took a long shower and did the most out of the facial products Blaine has. He wasn't one for vanity, but his face didn't need much anyways. Mine, on the other hand, needs a personalized routine that I have established myself over the years just to prevent a breakout. Sighing deeply, I wished for my face to survive a couple more hours.

When I returned to the living room, Blaine was just finishing a conversation with someone at the door. On his hand was a newly dry-cleaned pair of tux.

"Yes, thank you. Goodbye."

He closed the door and was surprised to see me leaning against the door frame at the opposite end of the room.

"Going anywhere special?" I asked, curious.

"It's just for a small party the hospital to celebrate us winning in some research."

"Couldn't be small if you are wearing a tux, right?"

"They are awarding some residents from different fields who wrote the studies."

He was blushing and fidgety, it was cute. So I asked further.

"Are you one of them?"

"Uh.. Yeah."

Blaine avoided my gaze and started playing with the edges of the plastic wrapped around his tuxedo.

"Blaine! That's huge! You did mention you are like one of best right? What did you win?"

"It's nothing really. Just some sort of contest for medical residents around the country."

"Did you place?"

He snorted.

"Yeah. I came in first."

"I told you! HUGE!" I exclaimed. His blush just got deeper.

"Who are you taking with you?"

"No one, actually. I told you, it's not a big deal."

"It so is! Blaine, you are about to be honored as one of the best medical residents in the country! This isn't something you attend by yourself! We should celebrate!"

I bit my tongue just after I realized how the word we slipped out of my mouth. Blaine's head shot up as well, obviously surprised himself. It was followed by a full minute of awkward silence, neither of us with an idea what to say.

Blaine bit on his lip, looking hesitant. I watched him take a deep breath probably gathering a bit of courage before speaking.

"Would you uhm, want to accompany me?"

I smiled. But before I could reply he quickly spoke again.

"I mean, not as a date or anything. It would be boring as hell, I have to admit. It'd be really weird having to attend it alone. Everyone would be bringing their families or someone special at least. I was going to bring Ellie, but she's on duty that night."

I walked the few feet towards him and held him by the shoulders.

"Shhh. Hey, this isn't something you should celebrate alone. Plus, you know I'll never turn down an opportunity to dress up, right?"

"I'm warning you now, it might get pretty boring."

"Then we'll just find a way to entertain ourselves." I said but quickly regretted it when Blaine raised an eyebrow.

"Not in that way, you pervert!" I said slapping his arm. He broke out into a feat of laughter and I followed quickly.

"Well, they are awarding me ten grand for the paper. Let's say, I accept the check, have some pictures taken then we skip. I was serious when I told your dad I wanted to take you out for dinner."

"I'd love that." I said, feeling the warmth creep up from my neck to my cheeks.

"It'd be on Wednesday. You won't be on your way to New York yet?"

"Don't worry. I'll be staying until the end of next week to get my dad settled."

"Then, I guess I'll be picking you up at six?"

"Wednesday. It's a date." I replied, a warm smile forming on both of our faces.

We spent the rest of the morning chatting about what I can wear and a bit on our jobs. I learned that Blaine had to go on duty every three days and that he has this Sunday as his day-off so he doesn't need to go to the hospital. I told him about my plans on expanding my clothesline and the possibility of opening a shop here in Ohio. The conversation was easy and light as it had always been with him. He always seemed to understand me, even after we've chosen very different fields and I couldn't help but recognize the longing that I've been trying to ignore all these years.

Without Blaine in my life, I've always felt incomplete.

We ordered pizza at around eleven o'clock and continued our talk over lunch. Half an hour later, we rode his car so that I could see my dad in the hospital.

Blaine led me to a tall blue building where my dad's room was and excused himself to make a quick rounds on some of his patients and agreed to pick me up in about two hours and drive me home. I tried convincing him that I could take a cab but he was insistent. In the end, I agreed in exchange for me making him dinner at my old place in Lima.

I knocked softly against the wooden white door of my dad's room before turning the knob. I was surprised to see my dad already sitting on the couch without IVs connected to him and Carole by his side.

"There you are. Carole said you didn't come home last night."

Blushing, I wondered how much of what my dad said the previous evening he actually remembered.

"I, uh, I crashed at Blaine's. He was too tired to drive me all the way to Lima." I swallowed thickly, wishing the stutter to go away. I wasn't exactly lying.

"Did he take you out to dinner yet?" My dad asked. Of course he remembers.

"No. But he will on Wednesday."

"Nice." I cannot believe the big grin on my father's face.

"Your luggage arrived at our place yesterday, honey. I placed them in your old room." Carole said. I smiled to tell her thanks. I got them delivered as I was in a hurry upon my arrival. I wasn't exactly in the mood to push through a crowd around the carousel waiting for a suitcase when my dad was just admitted in intensive care. But I felt a wave of relief, knowing my skin products are in there.

I took the vacant seat in front of my dad and we started chatting to catch up on what we've been up to. I talk to both of them over the phone on an almost daily basis but I still miss seeing them live and in flesh. Carole has been retired for the past two years but has seen Blaine during his pre-residency training. She said she never really understood our status so she never said a word about it. The two hours Blaine and I have agreed on flew by real quickly.

There was a knock and all three of us turned to watch the door open and Blaine's head popped in.

"Hey."

"Come on in, kid." I smiled at how my dad still addressed him.

Blaine stepped inside the room followed by Ellie in scrubs who was holding a chart and an older doctor in a white coat that reached his knees whom I assumed was Dr. Harrison, my dad's attending.

"Good morning. All's looking great. Are you ready to go home tomorrow?" Dr. Harrison asked a warm smile on his lips as he reached down and placed a stethoscope on my dad's chest.

"Hell, I can go home today if you let me!"

"Tomorrow, okay? I promise. I'd like to watch over you for just one more night."

Dr. Harrison turned to Ellie and inquired about my dad's medications and asked her to write a couple of things in the chart. Blaine was watching over her shoulder with a smile.

"You're as good as new, Mr. Hummel. But remember to take it easy. My resident will come back and explain your medications to you." After we said our thank you's again, he turned on his heel and walked out followed by both Blaine and Ellie. Five minutes later, Blaine came back with a couple of prescriptions on his hand.

"Here's the list of medications you have to take, Mr. Hummel."

"Burt." My dad interjected. Blaine's confused look was priceless.

"Call me Burt."

"Oh. Okay. Mister, uh, Burt, I've already indicated the frequency and some basic instructions here on how you should take them."

"Thanks. I'll take those." Carole took the papers from Blaine and placed them in her bag. Another hour later, Blaine and I decided to head home. Carole announced that she'd be staying behind to spend the night with my father so we kissed our goodbyes and the two of us walked out of the room.

We got off the lift at the second floor to take a shortcut to the parking lot. While walking, we passed by a big door labeled "Department of Internal Medicine" and I watched Blaine nod and smile at some of his passing colleagues. At the end of the hall was a bulletin board labeled similarly where photographs of the staff were posted. Blaine got caught up chatting with a consultant and so I took the few steps forward to look for his photo on the board. At the very top was a picture of Dr. Harrison and below it was written "Section Chief", right below it was Blaine's, labeled "Chief Resident." My eyes grew wide as I felt my jaw drop and my heart overflow with pride. Of course, Blaine was chief resident. He obviously was the best. He's always been, at everything. On the left side of the board were several memos including In-service exam results, which hell yeah, Blaine topped. Also, there was an article about Blaine Anderson winning 1st place in the case report presentation held in Washington six months back. My smile just kept growing wider.

A few more moments later and I felt Blaine place a hand on my back.

"I see you're still kicking asses even now, chief."

He chuckled and an obvious blush was forming on his cheeks.

"Couldn't help it, I suppose."

"Chief resident, really? So cool."

"I was kind of hoping you'd say 'so hot' actually." He teased.

I stuck my tongue out in response and we both ended up laughing.

"C'mon, let's get you home before you kill me for having a single imaginary pimple on that porcelain face of yours."

"Ahh, you know me too well, Blaine Anderson."

"Of course, I do."