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“We've just topped up his pain meds, he'll be asleep for a while.” the nurse said, patting the sleeping man on the shoulder as they left the room.
Carlos Sr huffed groggily at the interruption. The creaky chair at his son's bedside (which had a habit of sticking uncomfortably to his skin) wasn't a great place to sleep. He tried to anyway; it made the time go quicker.
Although the surgery was successful, it would be a lengthy recovery. Especially after struggling to breathe. The lack of colour - apart from a blue tinge on his son's lips - was a sight that would be burnt into the man's vision forever. The rhythmic beeping of the vital signs monitor not accompanied by his son's voice, or even the sounds of him shifting in the bed, was unnerving. Though there was a little comfort at the hissing and clicking from the ventilator that he'd grown used to over the past few days being replaced by his son breathing independently.
He laid there. Motionless. His hand stayed placed in his father's, fingers entwined just as it had been for however long his father had dutifully stayed by his bedside.
As much as Sr wanted to hear from his son, he was thankful that the medication was working. He could wait forever if he needed to, if it meant his son wasn't in pain. He had to wait; had to trust his son to bounce back in his own time.
Sr didn't know when exactly he dropped off, or how long he'd been out for. There was definitely a shift change - he didn't recognise the nurse doing the observations. He watched them closely as they noted down the incomprehensible numbers showing on the monitor. He watched for any change in their expression as they worked, any indication that anything about the condition of his loved one had changed. The saturation number was above 95, so he knew that was okay. But what about everything else? Was his son still going to be okay?
The nurse seemed to pick up on the man's worried expression, who smiled softly as they looked over to his son in the bed, which caused Sr's brow to furrow in confusion.
Though, his expression soon changed; his eyes widened at the weak squeeze of his hand. Sr nodded quickly to the nurse as they walked out, shuffling to the edge of his seat.
Jr’s eyes began to flutter just as his father turned to face him. He looked around the room in a haze as the strange environment that swirled in his vision came further into focus.
“Hola, mi niño. Are you okay?” Carlos gently caressed his son's face with his thumb as he spoke.
The familiar sound of his dad's voice brought him back into reality, even if it was still slightly fuzzy at the edges. Carlos smiled weakly at his dad as his eyelids began to feel heavy once again.
“Hey. It's okay, rest. I'm not going anywhere.” Carlos smiled as his son leant into his touch.
“Papa?”
“Yes mijo?” He reached for his son's hand.
“Cuddle.” he looked up at his dad with half lidded eyes.
How could he say no to those big, brown doe eyes?
Sr moved closer to his son, careful to not touch the sensitive area, brushing past the large dressing secured on the younger’s lower abdomen as he placed his arms around his frail boy.
He withdrew slightly at the utterance of an uncomfortable sigh. He knew then what his child needed when he was met with the sleepy expression he hadn't seen since Jr was a boy.
“You want me next to you? I can try and squeeze in but I don't want to move you. You need to take it easy mijo.”
The small whine that escaped the youngers mouth - a hint at the eventuality of tears - was enough for Carlos to give in.
Sr let out a slightly strained huff as he lowered himself onto the bed, squeezed himself into the space, and sat up against the pillows.
I'm too old for this. It's been so long.
“I'm going to lift your legs now, okay?” this he did with much difficulty - the sedative had made his boy floppy and even heavier than usual. He lifted him slightly, carefully placing Jr sideways onto his lap. Jr just about managed to help his dad keep him upright before falling backwards slightly.
“Here.” Sr spoke as he pulled his boy softly into his chest; placing his hand gently on Jr’s forehead to keep the side of the younger man’s head against his chest; cautiously ensuring Jr's head was supported.
“Good?” He said to the man who was now curled up cozily and looking at him absentmindedly. The sedative effects of the pain medication was very obvious, the only thing the younger man seemed to be aware of was the comforting presence of his father.
Sr chuckled contentedly as he took his boys hand - careful to avoid knocking the cannula - and began to rock him softly. It was just like before. All those years ago when his son was little; when he would come to him for comfort at the first feelings of distress. It took him back to when they used to sit like this for hours, holding his boy close; the little one grabbing onto the material of his shirt as he told him that everything was going to be okay. No one could hurt his little boy as long as he was around. No matter how big he'd got.
Just like before, Sr wiped away his boy's tears of pain and caressed his cheek as he began to relax in his father's arms. His eyes closed again.