Chapter Text
Dom looked at his phone. An unknown number was calling him. Raising an eyebrow he answered. “Yeah?”
“This Toretto?” A deep voice asked.
“Yeah. Who the fuck is this?”
“Roman Pierce. Brian’s homeboy.”
Dom barely bit back the growl. “What the fuck do you want.”
“Just thought you’d want to know he’s in a coma.”
Dom’s whole body went cold. He rumbled out one word, “where?”
It took Dom two days to drive from LA to Miami. He was still pissed as hell at the buster, but he didn’t hate him. He couldn’t. He saved Vince’s life, took a bullet for Jesse, destroyed evidence, and framed the Tran’s for the truck jackings. Dom was a free man because of him, and his family was safe. But Brian had lied to him, betrayed his trust. That wasn’t something Dom could forgive or get over so easily. He knew one day they’d hash it out, but now Dom might never get the chance.
Dom stormed into Brian’s room just as his nurse was changing his bandages. The site almost made Dom’s legs give out.
Brian was hooked up to a respirator and all sorts of other machines. His body was bruised and littered with stitches and burn marks. His face wasn’t as bad as the rest of him, a split lip, broken noise, and a few bruises.
Dom took a seat next to the big man he assumed was Roman Pierce. “What happened.”
Rome looked Dom up and down before launching into his story. They had caught Verone, Brian even crashed his car onto the yacht to do it too. They were riding high from the adrenaline rush and stolen money when Brian never came home. Verone had escaped. He tortured Brian for twelve hours before the feds found them.
Dom nodded, his hands clutching the chair so hard he was surprised it didn’t break. “What made you call me?”
Rome leaned back in his chair. “Brian talked about you. Told me about his undercover op with you. He also told me he was homesick, but was too scared to go home. He figured you and yours wouldn’t want to see him.” He shrugged. “So I figured I’d give you a call, see what happens.”
Dom nodded. “They hold onto the fucker this time?”
“Yup.”
“Too bad.” Dom growled, clearly wanting revenge.
Rome grinned. “B said I’d like you.”
~x~
Dom grabbed a room at the hotel next to the hospital. Not that he stayed in it really. He sat next to Brian, willing the blonde to wake up.
Rome came everyday but only stayed for a few hours. He couldn’t sit still that long and he hated hospitals.
Dom had a lot of time to think, watching his buster laid out on his back. And yeah, Brian was his buster. Over the next couple of days Dom started to realize the reason he was so upset was because he loved Brian. Not like he did Vince, but like how he loved Letty in high school. He missed that blinding smile, cocky attitude, and stunning blue eyes. Dom sighed and rubbed a hand over his head.
~x~
A week later Dom started talking to Brian. He told him everything that happened over the past year or so. The cops impounded the Charger. Jesse was ok and Vince could use his arm. Letty and Leon finally hooked up and Mia was almost done with school. The garage was busier than ever and Dom still owned the streets.
Dom took Brian’s hand and told him he loved him. He missed him like he missed the Charger. He wanted to play with those blonde curls and kiss him until they couldn’t breathe. Dom told him he suspected the team knew that Dom fell for the buster long before Dom even thought that was possible. He told him he could be real thick sometimes.
Brian’s nurse started making Dom leave to get some sleep at night, shower, and eat some food. Dom kissed Brian’s forehead every time he left or came in. When he got back to his room he would check in with Mia. The family was fine and the garage was still standing. Mia would sigh when he said there was no change with Brian.
~x~
Three weeks later Dom’s phone went off while he was in the shower. He jumped out and grabbed it. “Yeah?”
“Mr. Toretto I just wanted to inform you that Brian’s condition has changed. We’re taking him in for more tests.”
“What? Why?”
“We just need to take more tests. Nothing serious.”
Dom hung up and yanked some clothes on. When he got to the hospital a handful of people were in Brian’s room.
The machines were going off like crazy and Brian was twitching like he was having a seizure. The strangled coughing was made Dom loose it.
Dom pushed his way into the room. “Brian!” He made it to the bed and was greeted with a pair of blue eyes. Dom touched his face, gently running his thumb over Brian’s chapped lips. “Hey, no need to have a fit. I’m right here.”
Brian actually nodded. His body stilled and the beeping of the machines returned to their steady rhythm. Brian took a deep breath, the first one of his own in over a month.
“That’s it.” Dom coaxed.
The doctors and nurses stared between the two men in shock.
Dom ignored them, sitting on the edge of the bed. “What’s this all about?”
Brian just turned into Dom’s hand as his eyes slid closed.
He shook his head. “Drama queen.”
Brian’s nurse stayed to check all his vitals. “Everything’s back to normal. We’ll monitor his breathing to make sure he can handle breathing on his own again.” She smiled at Dom. “I guess he was upset you left.”
Dom nodded. “Just like a buster.” When the nurse left he called Mia to tell her the news.
She was happy he was improving and found it funny he had a “fit” as Dom called it.
~x~
Rome showed up around lunch everyday. He’d bring a feast in a grease bag and talk shop with Dom. Most of the time the talks turned to Brian and what he was like as a kid.
Dom wasn’t surprised at all at the stunts the two pulled together.
A couple hours later Dom got up. Brian had been quiet since this morning and he really wanted to finish his shower. “I’ll be back in thirty Bri.” He kissed his forehead.
When he walked back into the room Brian’s nurse was trying to calm him down. He was thrashing and whimpering pathetically. The whimpering broke Dom’s heart.
Brian’s eyes were open too wide and glassy looking. He looked confused and scared at the same time.
“I got this.” Dom said quietly.
Brian’s nurse nodded and left.
Dom sat down on the bed. “Brian, I’m right here.”
His head moved towards his voice but his eyes were still searching. His hand shot out towards the bigger man. When he connected with his chest he grabbed onto Dom’s shirt, his own chest heaving.
Dom caressed his face, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Shhh, Bri it’s ok. I’m right here.”
Brian leaned into his hand, his breathing slowly returned to normal.
He stroked his cheek. “Bri look at me.”
Brian turned his head, his eyes unfocused but no longer wild.
“No one can hurt you. You’re safe.”
He nodded, tears filling his eyes.
“I’ll protect you.” Dom’s voice was soft and soothing.
Brian squeezed his eyes shut as the tears fell freely.
Dom leaned in and kissed his tears away, whispering soothing words.
After Brian calmed down he looked back up. “Dom?” His voice was too rough, but it was music to Dom’s ears.
“Yeah?”
“I love you too.”
Dom smiled and kissed him.
Brian sighed against his mouth and kissed him back.
Dom slowly pulled back. “Get some rest Bri. The sooner you heal the sooner we go home.”
Brian smiled and closed his eyes.
~x~
Two weeks later Brian said his goodbyes to Rome. He was finally headed back to LA.
Dom and Rome shook hands. “Take care of my boy.”
Dom grinned. “No worries.”
Brian got into the car, still moving slowly. He wasn’t fully healed yet. He slept through most of the trip. He freaked out every time Dom left his side. He only felt safe when he was with him.
No matter where they were Dom would pull him close and whisper in his ear. He would hold him until Brian calmed down.
The two of them had a long road to recovery.