[OPEN] it hurts to remember.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon nodded, getting to his feet. He fixed his low riding jeans, running a hand through his messy hair. He really didn't care how he looked, just didn't want to look like death. No pun intended.

"Oh my gosh. Wanna go see daddy?" Harper asked Bandit, and she nodded frantically, looking around for him. Deacon picked her up carefully, Harper gasping at the feeling of his hand so close to her face. She climbed up into a chair, leaning down to pick up Bandit's nightshirt. She folded it carefully, watching Deacon walk into the back. He walked slowly into Connor's room, hugging Bandit close. 'What if I can't touch him now? What if he's a different person because of the transplants?' He thought, chewing on his lip.

"How are you feeling?" He asked hesitantly.

[trez matthew steele]

Trez got up slowly but hung back.

Inside the room was a list of everything they had done, including replacing both lungs, kidneys, his liver again. They hadn't dared touch his heart or stomach.
He looked up, smiled sleepily. "Okay..." He mumbled, shifting his weight and nestling into the blankets. He wasn't hook up to a whole lot, watched them. He realized he had nearly died for good... Had come so close... "C-come h-here...."

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon walked slowly over, leaning down and kissing his forehead gently. He felt like he was dreaming, like Connor would be yanked away at any second. He couldn't be alive, right? He laid Bandit down beside him, the toddler leaning up to kiss his shoulder.

"Daddy!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms carefully around his neck. Deacon stroked his hair gently, looking down at him.

"Your friend is here with his girlfriend. They've been here since you were admitted." He said, hoping it would make him feel better knowing that someone besides him cared for him. "I love you, Connor.. I really do.."

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor closed his eyes at the gentle touch of lips. He hugged Bandit tight, avoiding his chest and abdomen, the staples and stitches still hurting despite his pain medication in his IVs. "H-hey baby," He murmured. He gazed up at Deacon. "Are they..? Mm...I love y-you too..." He whispered, biting at his lip. They had taken his lip ring out. He swallowed the rush of emotion, reached out and pulled Deacon's hand to his chest just over his heart, a faint smile passing his lips. "I-it's still beating, babe..."

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon smiled, biting back tears. "I feel that.." He breathed, leaning down to kiss him softly. He didn't want to spend another moment without him, everything really falling into place now that he realized just how short of time he had with him. He ran his hand gently over his chest, looking down at him. Bandit kissed his cheek, pressing close to him.

"You kay? A better?" She asked, looking up worriedly at him. Deacon just watched him, tears slowly falling down his cheeks. He smiled, slowly sitting down in the chair next to his bed. He bit his lip, reaching down to take his hand gently.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Connor.." He said quietly. "We were worried.."

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor smiled at him, took his hand. He looked at Bandit, yawned. "I'm okay Bandit.." He breathed, cleared his throat some. It was odd, no irregular breaths, no harsh breathing from lung damage. He bit his lip some, realized he felt far better than he could even remember ever feeling in a long time. His throat was a different story. He licked his lips, closing his eyes with a soft breath.

[deacon reid rudman]

"Do you need something to drink?" Deacon asked, knowing the oxygen they had him on probably dried out his throat. He watched Bandit curl up as close as she could, watching him intently. She was obviously scared he would go back 'to sleep'. She hadn't been there for any of his surgeries, and didn't understand what was happening when he didn't respond.

"I pay wif Harper. 'N she do my hair." She told Connor, pointing to her one little ponytail on the side of her head. "'N she gets me jessed. 'N Trez lemme sleepy on him."

"Motor mouth." Deacon smiled, reaching over to brush Connor's hair back.

[connor crayze sykes]

"Pl-lease," He murmured, running his thumb over Bandit's cheek again, smiling. "Y-yeah? You like them?" He poked her little nose before kissing her forehead. He glanced up as Deacon pushed his hair aside. A tired smile passed his lips before he shifted his weight with the faintest of grimaces. He looked around warily.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon nodded, getting up and walking to the nurses' station to get him some water. He came back with a bottle, reaching onto his tray for a straw. He unscrewed the cap for him, sticking the straw in before handing it to him.

"Yeah. Dem nice." She said with a smile, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Deacon took his seat again, reaching over to rub her back gently. He hated to see her so sad, especially when she had only woken up herself a few days ago. "I yub you, daddy." She said, looking up at him with bright blue eyes, reaching up to play with a strand of his hair.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor murmured a thanks, taking a thirsty sip and easing up some. He played with Bandit's hair, searching her face. "I-I love y-you too, baby," He murmured, kissing her forehead again. He cuddled her close, breaths slow. Gentle tears started down his cheeks, so happy he had more time with them...
And then he realized, Christy wouldn't have even known if he had died..