The room was quiet except for the steady beep of the heart monitor.
It was strange how something so small could fill the entire space, soft, steady, reminding Jamie that his brother was still here. Still breathing.
He hadn't moved much since they'd been allowed in the next day after surgery. His chair was pulled close to the bed, his hands folded on his lap.
Jace looked impossibly pale under the harsh hospital light, his arm bandaged and an IV line trailing up to the machine.
Jamie's eyes burned, but he didn't dare close them. Every time he did, he saw blood. On his hands. On Jace's shirt. The image wouldn't fade, no matter how many times he wiped his palms against his jeans.
The door creaked open behind him, and Jamie turned just in time to see Matt step in, followed by Charles.
And then Jett.
Jamie blinked, momentarily thrown off. He hadn't expected to see him here again.
Matt gave a small wave, holding up a paper bag. "We brought food. The canteen looked like a crime scene, so don't say I didn't try."
Jamie tried for a smile, failed. "Thanks."
Charles went straight to the far corner, placing a water bottle on the table. Matt was talking, filling the air with easy chatter, but Jamie wasn't really listening, his gaze kept flicking back to Jace' s sleeping form.
Jett, though, stayed near the door for a long moment before finally stepping in. His presence filled the space without effort, broad shoulders, dark hoodie, that quiet, rough-edged energy that made him seem out of place among the white walls and soft beeping.
He didn't say anything at first. Just stood there, eyes on Jace, jaw tight.
Jamie turned slightly. "You came."
Jett shrugged, like it didn't mean anything. "Matt was coming. I tagged along."
"Still." Jamie murmured. "Thank you."
It wasn't just for coming.
It was for everything.
Jett's response was a low grunt, but his eyes flicked to him for a second, and stayed.
Jamie's hair was messy, his face still pale, his voice hoarse from crying, but there was something about him now, softer, unguarded.
Has he always looked this pretty?
Jett thought before he could stop himself. The thought startled him more than he'd admit.
As if on cue, Jamie looked up, their eyes meeting across the narrow room.
Neither of them said anything.
Just a quiet heartbeat, his heart tripping over itself, before Jamie looked away again.
Matt cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So, uh, how's he doing?"
Jamie blinked himself back to focus. "Better. They said he just needs rest."
"That's good." Matt said softly. "He's tough. Like you."
Jamie gave a weak laugh. "He's tougher. Always has been."
The room drifted back into soft quiet. Charles checked his phone. Matt leaned against the wall. Jett stood with his hands shoved in his pockets, pretending to study the floor.
And then,
A soft groan came from the bed.
Jamie's head snapped up instantly. "Jace?"
Jace's eyelids fluttered open, unfocused at first before settling on him. His lips cracked into a faint, tired smile.
"Sugar..." he croaked.
Jamie's breath hitched. "Shut up, you idiot." he said, voice breaking halfway between a sob and a laugh. "Don't- don't talk. Just rest."
"Still bossy..." Jace whispered, but his smile lingered before his eyes slid closed again.
Jamie sat back down quickly, pressing his hands over his face, exhaling in relief. 'God, don't ever do that again."
Across the room, Jett felt something unclench in his chest. The air didn't feel as heavy anymore.
When Matt finally stood, the spell broke. "We should let him rest." he said quietly.
Charles nodded, pocketing his phone. "Yeah, I've got practice tomorrow anyway."
Jett still hadn't moved. His eyes were fixed on the brothers, the way Jamie hovered close, adjusting the blanket, whispering something he couldn't hear.
"Jett?" Matt called. "Shall we go?"
"No." Jett said before he could stop himself.
Matt froze, brow arching. "....No?"
Jamie didn't even seem to notice, still fussing over Jace, tucking the sheets like his life depended on it.
Jett cleared his throat. "I mean..umm…yeah, sure. Let's go."
"That's what I thought." Matt smirked, gathering his things. "Get well soon, Jace."
Charles gave a little wave toward Jamie. "See you around, Jamie. Tell Jace he still owes me a rematch."
"Yeah." Jamie said quietly, finally glancing up. "I will."
As they headed out, Jett lingered by the door, just long enough for his eyes to meet Jamie's one last time.
"Take care of yourself." he said, voice low.
Jamie blinked, caught off guard again, but nodded. "I will."
Then Jett turned and left.
And as the door closed behind him, Jamie sat back beside Jace's bed, whispering softly, "Thank you.... again."
He didn't know if Jett heard it.
But he hoped he did.