Chapter Text
Santa peeled his eyes open followed by a groan. He tried to move but winced when a sharp pain shot through his chest. The loud beeping sound above his head was annoying him and he wanted it to stop. Where was he? Why was he lying on a cold hard bed? He was about to move again when a voice called out
"Santa! Thank God you woke up! Are you okay? Stay still okay. Don't move. I'm calling the doctor"
Santa blinked. Okay first thing first. That was definitely Perth's voice. Secondly why shouldn't he move and why in the world does he need a doctor. Another sharp pain erupted in his chest and he screwed his eyes shut, moaning. Yeah okay...a doctor would be nice right now
"It's gonna be okay Santa"
Eyelashes fluttered open and met Perth's. It was only then he remembered what had happened to him. He slowly reached out to him "Are you..okay?"
"I'm fine. Thanks to you. It was a stupid move but you saved my life"
Santa gave a small nod and then a thought crossed his mind "My Dad?"
"Don't worry. He's recovering well. I haven't told him about you...didn't want him to take stress but he's good now"
"Thank you" Santa reached out to Perth "So... can I please be forgiven now?"
Perth took the offered hand in his "Santa you were unconscious for eighteen hours. Remember I was going to get engaged so.."
Santa's wide eyes flickered on Perth's hand and heart sank in his stomach when he saw a ring on his finger "You got...engaged?"
Perth nodded with a broad smile "Yes and my fiance is the best guy in the world. He's sweet lovable and cutest in the world"
Santa's eyes shone with tears
"Would you like to meet him?"
"No thank you" Santa tried to pull his hand but Perth kept a tight hold "C'mon don't be like this. I'm sure you'll love him"
Santa gasped when Perth lifted his hand "Oh my God"
FLASHBACK
"Santa!"
Santa let out a gurgled cough. He wanted to tell Perth not to worry but felt darkness edge into his vision. His breath came in ragged, shallow gasps "So..Sorry"
Perth pulled out his cell and dialled 911 "Please help me! My friend is stabbed...I need help immediately!" he yelled in a desperate voice. After informing which street they were in he hung up and turned his attention back on Santa. Hand trembled as he tenderly caressed Santa's cheek with one hand and finally allowed his eyes to release the tears he had built up. Despite his best efforts to apply pressure, the blood flow was relentless.
"SANTA! NO!" Perth shouted when Santa's head tilted to his side. He finally heard sirens and hope filled in his chest and yelled at the paramedics "Hurry up!"
Perth was pushed aside by one of the paramedic who quickly pressed the wound with a big white gauge. Another one placed an oxygen mask on Santa's mouth "He's barely breathing. We should hurry!"
"Which hospital are you taking him?"
"Good Health. Let's go!" said the first paramedic. They quickly strapped Santa to a board and loaded him in the ambulance "He's losing too much blood! I need more gauge" was the last words Perth heard as the ambulance door shut close
Perth ran his way back to the hospital. He reached in time to see Santa getting whisked away inside the emergency ward. He staggered on his feet and sank down on a waiting chair staring at his blood stained hands. What had he done? Santa was fighting for his life because of him. If he hadn't been so stubborn, none of this would have happened "I'm sorry... come back to me... don't leave me... I...I love you"
Perth looked at the closed door where Santa was being treated and tears fell from his eyes. He pulled out his phone and dialled a number "Garry? Sorry to disturb you at this hour but I need to talk to you"
Minutes passed into hours but Perth didn't get any news on Santa. Doctors and nurses went in and out but still nothing. Eventually his patience ran out after pacing and he rushed towards a nurse who walked out of the emergency room "Excuse me could you please tell if Santa is okay?"
"The one with the stab wound?"
"Yes. How is he? He's okay now right?"
"Are you his family"
Perth didn't know what to say but he nodded anyway "Yeah kind of...he's my boyfriend"
"Well he just came out of the surgery and it went well. Although he's not out of the woods yet"
Tears once again brimmed in Perth's eyes "Can I see him?"
"We're shifting him to ICU. You won't be able to go in but you can see him from outside"
"Thank you"
"Son?"
Perth turned around to see his father and ran towards him like a small child seeking comfort "Dad!"
Tanapon hugged his son tightly "Garry called and told me everything"
"Santa.." Perth's voice broke
"It's going to be alright son. We'll talk about it later. Right now you need to be strong for him" Tanapon spoke softly and ran a hand on Perth's back "By the way I brought something for you"
Perth looked through the small window and saw Santa unconscious and surrounded by an array of equipment that he had no idea what they were doing to him. He looked so young and fragile and just wanted to touch him, hold him in his arms. Once again he found himself drowning in the silence and emptiness of the waiting room.
Daylight disappeared and now it was late evening when finally the doctors annouced Santa was out of danger and Perth thought he could breathe again. His smile reached his ears and he thanked God for returning Santa back to him.
A nurse came and informed Perth that if he wanted, he could sit near Santa because his health was improving and was about to wake up any time soon. Perth was more than happy to be next to him.
Perth sat down and took Santa's hand in his "Thank you for not leaving me" he sniffed and then a small grin formed on his face "But you've scared the shit out of me so I'm going to make you pay"
Perth pulled a box out from his pocket which was brought by his father and smiled. He carefully slipped the engagement ring on Santa's finger and kissed at the back of his hand "Get well soon my future husband"
PRESENT
Santa gasped when he saw the ring on his finger matched with the ring on Perth's finger "Oh my God"
Perth laughed placing a soft kiss on Santa's lips "I'm engaged to you"
Santa burst into tears and gave a light hit on Perth's arm "You're one mean fiance. You couldn't have told me directly?"
"Aww c'mon! A little payback doesn't hurt right?"
"Doesn't hurt? You almost gave me a heart attack... when I'm right in the hospital bed!" Santa raised his voice wincing when his ribs protested against the strain "Aww..aww aww... damn this is hurting"
"Hey relax okay. Don't strain yourself" Perth heard the door open and saw a doctor enter "I see you're awake Mr Pongsapak. How are you feeling now?"
"Still hurts" Santa whined
The doctor checked the wound and Santa's vitals "You're doing great. Everything seems good and for the pain l'll increase the dose of painkillers"
"Thank you"
When the doctor left Perth sat down next to Santa and reached up to gently cup his face rubbing his thumb along his finance's face "I'm sorry"
"No I'm sorry"
"I'm more sorry" said Perth
Santa shook his head "I'm sorriest"
"That's not even a word"
"It's in my dictionary. I could get you one if you want"
Perth rolled his eyes "No Santa, I should be apologising. You got hurt because of me. I'm sorry"
"Yeah but who started it? Me! I hurt you first so I'm sorry"
"First you'll accept my apology"
"Why do you get to go first"
"Because you kept apologizing and I was acting like a stubborn idiot"
"I agree" Santa said with a goofy smile on his face
"I wasn't finished yet"
Santa looked at him confusingly
"You also behaved like a stubborn idiot who didn't give up on us"
"Guess that makes us two idiots in love"
Perth smiled leaning down for a kiss "I love you Santa"
"I love you too Perth"
THE END :-)