He looked down at the sleeping figure curled up under the blanket.
Lotte had fallen asleep halfway home from the hospital. Too exhausted to keep her eyes open, after Lucas had kept an eye on her, as Jens accompanied his mother inside.
He had a long talk with Dr. Henin in her room. He had shared a hug, so long, he almost forgot to have to exist without it, before he was able to tear himself away from the embrace. She had kissed his head and mumbled words into his hair, that all were a blur and only meant to express how much she loved him in the end. He had talked once more with the sad looking woman in a white doctor’s coat after he had left the room. Had talked with her about visiting hours. If not for him, at least for Lotte. They’d have so much more to talk about, but, reminded of the two people waiting for him by the car, he had left it at that.
Perhaps for the best. Too much went through his head that needed to be pondered on. It made him feel dizzy, thus he had to take a couple of deep breaths as he exited the building.
He had carried Lotte in once they arrived at home, unspokenly grateful that he hadn’t had to talk to her about the situation today. He could feel his own eyes getting dangerously heavy. Fortunately Lucas had offered to carry in all of their other stuff, which left him to take a moment of pause and watch Lotte.
Jens still felt a little bad about Sander and Robbe, who had, apparently over night, decided to join them on their way back. The other’s had offered to squeeze together to take them back to Antwerp in a couple of days. But both boys had strongly denied and instead already had changed their tickets late last night. They would take the train from Brussel Central not on the third, but today.
Sander had assured Jens at least ten times, over the course of their long journey, that it was fine. Jens still blamed himself for having cut his friend’s trip short. However Robbe had asked to come to Jen’s grandparents house as well and that their train would leave only in a couple hours anyway. Jens suspected his best friend had in part pressed to get to Brussel with him to see Helena, before he wouldn’t be able to visit her with all the restrictions in place.
His mom and Robbe had shared a long hug themselves and though Robbe had strictly negated that he had tears dwell up, Jens was sure he had seen Robbe’s eyes glisten in the light of the livingroom. Sander had been busy keeping Lotte entertained, who looked happier than Jens had expected. But, as his mother had told him in the hospital, his little sister somehow was convinced that their mom would only be gone for some weeks. Jens already dreaded the moment she had to come to terms with the truth.
The couple had bid goodbye, with a promise to make it through Brussel just fine on their own, when the other’s had gotten into the car to get home. Or better the hospital and then home.
Jens turned, startled by the sudden voice of the boy who stood in the door to Lotte’s room. He smiled at Jens, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. And now that the question had been asked, he felt his stomach grumble in turn. So, food didn’t sound too bad.
He leaned down to brush through Lotte’s hair and smooth out the blanket, before he followed Lucas out to close the door softly behind him.
„You cooking, or something? Because I don’t think we have anything home and I’m way too tired to go out to buy something, even less keen to have to prepare something.“ Jens said while they took the stairs down, working his brain to recall what the kitchen could provide after almost two weeks. Instead he saw Lucas step over to his coat, that he had carelessly thrown over the stair’s handrail.
„I thought more of ordering something.“
„Brilliant idea. I love you.“
„I know.“ Lucas only stated, as he happily accepted the kiss. Jens could feel him still smiling, as he caught his lips. His hand quick to grab the front of Lucas’s sweater to pull the younger boy in.
The jumped apart, when the door bell interrupted them. Both watching the other in utter confusion at who would drop by on a thursday at almost nine o’clock. Lucas only frowned, but still went over the two small steps to look through the little window, before he cheerfully smirked in his surprise.
„What the fuck, guys?“ His boyfriend greeted, as he opened the door, to reveal Sander and Robbe, still with their bags and everything in hand, as they entered, before Jens had any chance to say something. Instead he just stood in shock and watched the two boys take off their jackets and shoes.
„Robbe hated the idea of us going home and leave Jens on New Years Eve alone.“ Sander declared, scratching his neck as he threw Jens a quick glance. The whole drive had more or less happened in complete silence. No one sure what to say or do. So they only listened to the quiet radio playing in the background, while each person was immersed in their own thoughts.
Jens also realised that it was indeed New Years Eve, which somehow only saddened him more, if that was possible. What an awful day to end this miserable year. Especially when the new year started off just as bad and would quickly get worse from here on out. Guaranteed, unfortunately.
„Alright, uhm. I don’t know. Is that okay with you, Jens?“ Lucas asked, quick to join Robbe and Sander who watched him cautiously. He didn’t know what to say. He just wanted to eat and go to bed. Midnight be damned. Still Jens shrugged, before he nodded once.
„Sure. I’m probably not gonna stay up long and Lotte is sleeping upstairs.“
„Good, because I think Robbe wouldn’t have accepted anything else.“
Sander yet again had spoken for his boyfriend, who had remained oddly quiet throughout everything. But now that they were allowed to stay over, Jens found a little smile tugged at the corner of his best friend’s lips, before Robbe came closer to hug him.
It felt so good to have Robbe here with him.
Perhaps company was exactly what he nedded.
„We were actually about to order some dinner, so perfect timing, I guess.“ Lucas explained, opening up a delivery app on his phone, falling into a light discussion and a bit of banter, about what they should get to eat, with Sander. They left the two best friends by the entrance, in favor for the sofa in the living room.
Robbe and Jens, not yet ready to break apart from their comfort for each other, stood in silence, arms wrapped around their bodies and heads buried in the crook of their necks.
This year could just end without them.
__ __ __
tagged: @odi-et-amo85, @tayspots
Might be not the right post to say this, but:
I really hope, despite everything that this year was, it still gave you something good to look back on. No matter how small it may have been. And I hope that the next year will turn out to be a bit better. 😅
I wish you a great evening/night. I’ll see you in 2021!
Lots of love and kisses 😘❤️
Stay safe!