38(Thanks again so much for your support! They always make my day. I hope you like the new chapter.)
Enjolras trembled slightly as he looked around the waiting room. They had been here for about an hour now and the pain was only getting worse. He didn't feel good. The pain made him nauseous, he was cold and he felt sweat trickle down his back. He didn't want to be here. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Combeferre's tear stained face telling him that he and his mother had been in an accident and that his mother hadn't made it. Every time he saw a nurse smile at him sympathetically, he flashed back to his almost catatonic father who came to pick him up once he was released from the hospital. And the words his father had shouted during their fight last night echoed painfully in his ears. It's your fault. You were too lazy to walk to that idiotic meeting of yours. It's your fault she's dead. It wasn't the first time his father had said those things while he was drunk, and he always took them back once he sobered up. And normally, Enjolras was able to ignore them, but now that he was here, the words suddenly hit very close to home again.
Combeferre had immediately filled out the forms concerning his medical history and the older student was getting a little frustrated that they had to wait for so long. Of course he knew there were people here who had been waiting even longer and he knew that the emergency cases were given priority, but he couldn't stand the look of pain and anxiety on his younger friend's face. Combeferre wasn't a fool. He knew it would be hard for Enjolras to go back to a hospital after the last time he had been in one, but they didn't really have a choice. If his jaw was really fractured, a doctor had to look at it and determine their best course of action. He frowned when Enjolras flinched away from him the minute he put his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Sorry," Enjolras whispered. He blushed a deep red and gave Combeferre an apologetic look. "Sorry... I was just... memories..." He winced as the pain in his jaw once again spiked and looked back down at his hands. He hated this place. He wanted to go home. Well... not home, but back to Combeferre's place. Which actually qualified as home too. Didn't they always say 'home is where the heart is? Well then his father's place definitely wasn't his home right now. When Enjolras looked back up, Combeferre was just watching him with a sad smile. His eyes shone with compassion and Enjolras hated that too. He didn't want anyone's pity. It made him feel vulnerable and weak and he didn't like feeling that way. He had had enough of that for months.
"I know," Combeferre said quietly, "I'm sorry we have to wait this long. I don't know why... I had hoped we would be on our way back home by now. I'll check with the receptionist again. Surely there has to be a doctor available who can spare a few minutes to take a look at you."
Combeferre stood from his seat next to Enjolras and Enjolras really wished he wouldn't have. He didn't like to sit here alone, even if it was just for a couple of minutes. Having Combeferre next to him, made him feel grounded in some way. He let out a soft sigh and pulled a trembling hand through his tousled curls. Enjolras missed his mother terribly. He never spoke about her anymore, because the grief was still too big and he didn't want to break down every time he tried to talk about it. So now he usually walked around with a mask, telling people he was doing relatively well. He hid his true feelings behind his work and his studies, which wasn't easy, but manageable now that Combeferre had moved to Paris and wasn't able to follow his every move. Enjolras saved the tears and the sorrow for when he was alone at night. Only then did he allow the mask to fall off and to feel the painful twisting of his heart.
Combeferre's facial features were contorted in worry as he walked up to the reception desk. Enjolras had been withdrawn ever since they set foot inside the hospital, but he had locked himself further away with every passing minute to the point that, apparently, Enjolras wasn't even aware that Combeferre was still there next to him. It wasn't that Combeferre was really surprised that going to a hospital would have some sort of effect on his younger friend. He had been expecting it. But he had not expected his friend to have such a violent reaction to the whole thing. And Combeferre didn't like it at all.
"Please, miss," Combeferre said in a pleading tone when he arrived at the nurse's station, "I know it's crowded in here and I know that everyone has to wait their turn, but my friend has been sitting there for more than an hour now and he's in a lot of pain." Combeferre paused for a second and looked back at Enjolras who was sitting on the other side of the waiting room staring blankly ahead. "He is not doing so good... And he doesn't feel comfortable in a hospital... He has been in a car accident a couple of months ago and he lost his mother... Please... Isn't there a doctor who can take a quick look at him? I want to get him out of here as soon as possible..."
The nurse behind the desk looked passed Combeferre at Enjolras and felt sympathy for the boy when she took in his pale face and pained features. She offered Combeferre a sad smile and nodded. "I can't promise you anything, but I'll see what I can do."
Combeferre nodded his thanks and walked back to his younger friend. When he sat back down he carefully draped an arm around Enjolras' shoulders and pulled him a little closer against his side. "The nurse is going to try and get a doctor for you Julien... We shouldn't be here for much longer. Try and relax, okay? You're going to be fine," Combeferre said kindly, but he frowned as he noticed the tremors going through the smaller body next to him. He gently pressed his cheek against Enjolras' forehead and closed his eyes in quiet defeat. If he wasn't sure that his friend was running a fever earlier, he definitely was sure now, though it was only a small one. Combeferre just hoped that it was the rain and the cold weather from last night that caused the fever and not the beginning of an infection. Because if it was, then there was a chance that Enjolras was going to be admitted in the hospital and Combeferre really didn't want that to happen.
After another fifteen minutes or so, a nurse finally came to tell them that there was a doctor available to see them now. Combeferre smiled and let out a relieved sight. Finally. He helped Enjolras up and supported him on their way to an examination room, knowing his friend needed it more than he would ever admit. Once in the room, Enjolras took a seat on the bed, lay back and closed his eyes. He really, really didn't want to be here. He reluctantly opened his eyes again when the doctor entered the room and introduced himself.
"Good morning, my name is Doctor Matoine. I'm sorry you've had to wait so long. What seems to be the problem here?" The doctor was a kind looking woman and she smiled warmly at Combeferre and Enjolras before moving closer to take a seat on the stool next to the examination bed. Combeferre was sure she already knew what the problem was, but he appreciated her friendly approach. He knew Enjolras was in too much pain to speak, so he decided to do the talking for him. "Hello doctor, my name is Etienne Combeferre and this is my friend Julien Enjolras. I think Julien may have a fractured jaw... Uh, the bruise has been there since last night, but it didn't hurt as much back then as it does now. He can't really move it; it really hurts to speak and I believe he has also a little trouble breathing... But he hasn't thrown up, so I don't believe he has swallowed a lot of blood..."
Doctor Matoine smiled again as she listened to Combeferre and then gently traced the bruised area with her fingers, pressing softly in some places and frowning sympathetically at the noises of distress coming from her patient. "And how did this happen?" she asked kindly, not missing the warning look Enjolras shot his friend.
Combeferre hesitated. "It... It was an accident... He fell against a table top and smashed his jaw..." Combeferre could feel himself turning red and he quickly looked towards the floor. He wasn't good in lying. He never had been. But he couldn't just tell this doctor the truth could he? Enjolras was a minor and if the doctor knew his father had hit him, there would be a chance that she contacted either the police or Child Protection Service. Doctor Matoine raised an eyebrow and gave Combeferre a sceptical look. She didn't believe a word of what he was saying, of that he was sure. Then she looked back at Enjolras. "Is that what happened?" she asked seriously. "You don't have to talk, just nod or shake your head."
Enjolras nodded and the doctor sighed, but didn't say anything more on the matter. It could wait. "Okay, well, I think it was a good decision to come here this morning. I do believe we're dealing with a fracture as well, although I don't know the severity of it yet, so we'll take some X-rays first and then we can determine what course of action will be best. You're also feeling a little warm to the touch. That could be just from low resistance combined with exertion and pain, but I want to take some blood to check for infection nonetheless. Is there anything else I should know?"
Enjolras shook his head and closed his eyes again, fighting hard against the tears that burned behind his eyes ever since the doctor had been touching his jaw. Combeferre however hesitated. He knew Enjolras didn't want to talk about it, but he felt that the doctor should know about how this whole hospital visit effected his friend emotionally. Just in case. Doctor Matoine seemed to catch up on Combeferre's hesitation and nodded her head in the direction of the hall way. "Monsieur Combeferre, can I talk with you outside for a second?"
At the question, Enjolras cracked one eye open and glanced at Combeferre who shrugged and pretended not to know what it was about. He gently squeezed Enjolras' shoulder and followed Doctor Matoine out of the room.
"Now that we're outside the room, is there something you'd like to tell me?" Matoine asked kindly.
Combeferre looked back at the closed door and sighed. "Yes... Uh, I just... I don't know if Julien wants me to tell, but... b-but I think it might be better if you knew, just in case he has to stay here longer... or... or something like that. It's just that Julien really isn't comfortable here and it gets worse the longer we've been here. Six months ago he and his mother got into an accident and his mother died. Julien only woke up a week later... And being here brings back all these memories, you know, and he's trying really hard not to show it, but I know he's not doing well. He's nervous and withdrawn... and I just thought it would be better if you knew."
Doctor Matoine's face turned sad. She had read about Enjolras' medical history and she knew about the accident and the injuries her patient had sustained from it, but she didn't know about the emotional trauma and it was an awfully sad story. She nodded and gave Combeferre's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for telling me. I'll try to have the examinations done as quickly as possible and then hopefully your friend can return home within the next couple of hours. Go back inside, I'll be there soon and then we'll take the X-rays."
When Combeferre stepped back inside Enjolras' room, his friend was looking at him expectantly. The older student just smiled. "Nothing to worry about, Julien. She just wanted a few clarifications about the form I filled out earlier." Enjolras frowned but closed his eyes again, not really believing what Combeferre was saying, but not in the mood to counter it either. He relaxed a little more when he felt his best friend take hold of his hand and he softly squeezed it in return to let Combeferre know that he was glad his friend was there with him. "The doctor will be back soon... Just try to relax for now. I'm here and everything will be fine. I promise."
An hour later, Doctor Matoine came back into the room with a smile on her face. They had taken the X-rays and some of Enjolras' blood nearly forty five minutes ago. Though the results of the blood test would take a little longer, the X-rays were ready and Matoine clipped them on the light board to show them. Enjolras frowned as he immediately noticed the crack in his lower jaw. He had no idea if it was really bad, but it definitely didn't look good.
"As you can see there is a clear fracture right here," Doctor Matoine said and she pointed to the crack that Enjolras had been staring at. "And like I already thought, it's a hair-line fracture and it will heal on its own. You don't need any surgery, but I am going to stabilize your jaw to limit mobilization. It's a simple procedure which Combeferre will be able to repeat if necessary. Unfortunately the pain will be present for a while but I'll prescribe you some strong painkillers. You won't be able to eat solid food for at least a week, so you'll be on a liquid diet."
Doctor Matoine paused for a second to see if both patient and friend were still following her." I do not like that temperature, but because we're dealing with a minor fracture, I doubt you're developing an infection. We'll still have to wait for your blood test results to be sure, but you do not have to stay in the hospital for that. You can go home as soon as I've stabilized the jaw. And when you're at home, try and take as much rest as you can. It would be unfortunate if you get sick on top of this..."
Enjolras and Combeferre both nodded. To be honest, Enjolras wasn't even really listening anymore after the doctor had told then he could go home. He felt immensely relieved.
"If for some reason you don't feel good or if it feels like something is wrong, or if you have any questions, you can always contact the hospital."
Again, both Enjolras and Combeferre nodded. Soon thereafter, Enjolwas was doped up with his first round of painkillers and Doctor Matoine had showed Combeferre how to stabilize Enjolras' jaw with pressure bandages.
They could finally return home after being in the hospital for three and a half hours. It was already nine o'clock and Combeferre was starting to freak out a little. He had an important test this afternoon, he still had to call Enjolras' school, his father and he promised to call Courfeyrac as well, he had slept no more than five hours and he didn't know if he was comfortable leaving a drugged and injured Enjolras alone at his apartment while he was gone. Maybe Eponine or Bahorel could stay with Enjolras until he got back. Bahorel had moved to Paris two years ago and Eponine at the same time as Combeferre and Joly. Combeferre was sure they would be willing to keep an eye on their friend if they were able.
The medical student glanced down at the sleeping form leaning heavily against him and couldn't help but smile. Though the circumstances were anything but preferable, Combeferre felt happy to have Enjolras with him. He pressed a soft kiss on top of the golden curls and sat back in the cab that drove them back to Combeferre's apartment. He'd deal with everything once they were home and Enjolras comfortably tugged back into bed. Of one thing Combeferre was sure however. He was never letting Enjolras go home to his father unless the man got his act together and dealt with his problems for once and for all.
TBC.
(Hope you liked this chapter! Please let me know and review? Thanks!)