This was an entry to http://community.livejournal.com/graffitidec_fic/ thank you to Shinobi for being my beta.

Phoenix was away in Massachusetts for his cousin's wedding. He was at the reception, indulging his mother by dancing with various single pretty women and getting happily merry on the champagne when Mike called.

“Chester’s in hospital,” Mike said after his hello. The world fell from beneath Phoenix.

“But he’s ok-ish.” Mike added.

“What? You just fucking gave me a heart attack! Hang on.” Phoenix said, his chest heaving painfully as he fought through the crowd to an empty, quiet part of the garden.

“His car flipped over, I was only a few cars away from him – it was on Schrader Avenue – you know?”

“Flipped his car?”

“I have no fucking clue what happened – a truck just hit his tail and he flipped up!” Mike said, clearly still not believing what he’d seen.

“But Chester? Is he ok?”

“Yeah, he’s broken his leg and arm and they’re worried about concussion but he never lost consciousness, so they said that’s a good thing. He said not to tell you but I had to man.”

“Not tell me? He’s obviously concussed!” Phoenix said, the news only skin deep.

“He’s not bad honestly, Phi.”

“He flipped his car!”

“I know, it sounds worse than it was – it must be his car – because it’s so light or something.”

“Flashy sports car – fuck was the roof on?”

“Yes.”

“Jesus…” Phoenix breathed out and thanked the heavens.

“The doctors gave him morphine so he’s pretty out of it – he was in a lot of pain – his whole left side is really bruised.”

“I’m glad you were there.”

“Yeah, Anna freaked out since she saw his car on the news. I called you before Talinda.” Mike said and Phoenix exhaled an amused breathe.

“Don’t tell her that – she’ll be worried if she saw the news Mike, think of Tyler!”

“I’ll call her next.”

“I’ll get a flight home tonight.”

“Ok, call me and I’ll get you from the airport.”

“Thanks man, and thanks for ignoring him and calling me.”

“It’s cool – and look, don’t worry. He isn’t too bad. Honestly.”

“Yeah but still, broken arm and leg? Gonna need me to take care of him.”

“I think that might cheer him up.”

“Oh, is he not doing so good?”

“He's shocked, I think. He had to be cut out of the car. He kept telling everyone he was fine but I don’t think he was.”

“Oh Chazzy,” Phoenix whispered and desperately wished he was there to hold his boyfriend's hand.

“Call me, ok?”

“Yeah, and call me if something happens,” Phoenix instructed as they hung up. He stared at the beautiful flowers for a while, trying to comprehend the phone call before he kicked himself into gear.

His mother wasn’t happy, his band mate being in an accident wasn’t a good enough reason for him to leave a wedding, by her standards. He’d even over exaggerated Chester’s injuries, but he left after making his apologies to his cousin who was far too gone on wedded bliss to care what that rich cousin of hers was doing.

Phoenix had managed to take the seat of the poor person who had turned up too late for their flight to Los Angeles but it meant Mike would have to pick him up at three am so he could be there for when Chester woke up. Probably another excuse for Mike not sleep with his wife, Phoenix thought smugly as he settled down for his five hour flight. His heart sank a little when he imagined voicing that to Chester and the laugh he would get in response; the flight would be miserable without his in-flight entertainment from his boyfriend.

Phoenix was persistent and Mike relented even though he didn’t think it would be beneficial to go straight from the airport to the hospital. So he ditched Mike and with his case still clutched in his hand, he walked down the silent white halls of the hospital and into the room the nurse had directed him to.

A smile automatically graced his lips, like it always did the moment he saw Chester. Only the light from the corridor lit the room but Phoenix could make out that his boyfriend's leg was raised up and bandaged under the covers. He placed his case on the ground and moved to the left side of the bed, taking Chester’s healthy hand. Gently, he gave it a squeeze. He got no response, Chester was peacefully asleep and Phoenix knew it was cruel to wake him just to see his eyes. So instead, he made himself comfortable and settled down for a sleepless night.

“There is a bed, Mr Farrell if you would like to sleep.” A nurse whispered as she came to check on Chester and brought Phoenix out of his stupor.

“No, no. I’m fine. I really want to be here when he wakes up.” He replied and glanced at Chester.

“He’s going to be ok you know.” She reassured as she leaned closer to look at the bruising and stitches on Chester’s forehead. Phoenix had read Chester’s medical notes and realised Mike hadn’t given him the full cover of the injuries, he had conveniently left out the two broken ribs, 8 stitches over his eyebrow and laceration to his ear which was now bandaged up so he couldn’t see.

“Is his ear ok?” He asked suddenly having visions of Chester without his ear.

“I believe so.” The nurse replied and went to the foot of the bed to read his file. “Surface laceration, if it was more severe it would say.”

“Good.” Phoenix nodded as his eyes returned to Chester. He heard the door click as she left and watched Chester twitch and blink his eyes open. “Hello sleepy.” Phoenix whispered and leaned down close.

Chester blinked a few more times before smiling coyly at his boyfriend. He mouthed a hello and Phoenix kissed him.

“What are you doing here?” Chester asked his voice thick and slow from medication.

“Well, my daft boyfriend got in a car accident.” Phoenix said and Chester smiled.

“You came all the way back?”

“I came all the way back.”

“I… thank you.” Chester replied and Phoenix heard the emotion there. Phoenix climbed up so he lay on the bed, on his side with his head on the pillow and kissed Chester again.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Phoenix whispered and slid the back of his hand down Chester’s cheek.

“I was really scared, Dave.”

“Mike said you were very brave.”

“Not really.” Chester shook his head then pressed it gently to Phoenix’s.

“Well you were and it’s over now and you’re safe and well.”

“I was thinking about all sorts.”

“Was Mike useless?”

“He was ok; I think you would have been better. He kept telling the paramedic that we were writing an album.”

“Sounds very Mike.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” Phoenix chuckled. “You should sleep.”

“I’m thirsty.” Chester ignored the last comment and said. Phoenix got up and found him a glass of water, helping him to drink. Shortly afterwards he did fall asleep and Phoenix, feeling he could also sleep now took off his sneakers and lay in the bed opposite, quickly dosing off.

Phoenix was woken by a grunt and an electric noise. He opened his eyes and watched as Chester struggled to get his bed to sit up.

“It’s six in the morning.” Phoenix said and Chester nodded still struggling to press the button with his left plastered hand. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting tables at Wendy’s.” Chester snipped sarcastically.

“Well you should be sleeping.” Phoenix chose to ignore him and got out of bed.

“I’ve been asleep since yesterday afternoon.” Chester replied and jerked his hand away as Phoenix reached for the bed remote.

“You’re going to be an annoying patient aren’t you?” Phoenix said and tried again. He was quicker and snatched the remote from Chester’s hand. “Sleep.”

“Fucking cock.” Chester muttered and turned his head away from Phoenix.

“Now now, language like that and I’ll take your Jello and ice cream away.”

“Stop being horrible.” Chester pouted as he tried to shake his head away from Phoenix who ran his fingers through soft curls.

“Stop being grouchy.” Phoenix replied and rested against the up right bed, one leg dangling over the edge.

“I’m allowed to be grouchy.”

“Who said?” Phoenix continued lightly, knowing his boyfriend was feeling tearful.

“Stop it.” Chester whimpered and Phoenix grinned, sliding his hand around Chester’s shoulders and pulling him close. He kissed the top of his boyfriend's head and just held him tightly, knowing that this was all he needed.

“I can still have Jello and ice cream, right?”

“I’m sure the freezer is full of ice cream and I know I’m not good in the kitchen but if I can’t make Jello then there really is something wrong with me.”

“You can put fruit in it.”

“Woah, lets not get adventurous.” Phoenix replied and was pleased to hear Chester giggle.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too… considering you told Mike not to tell me.”

“I knew you’d worry.”

“Well duh!” Phoenix replied and gave Chester a little squeeze. “That’s my job. You’d worry if I was here.”

“Yeah.” Chester sighed.

“We’ll just put that down to concussion huh?”

“Yeah.” Chester repeated and closed his eyes.

While Chester dosed, Phoenix gently lifted the sleeve on his hospital gown and looked at all the bruising which shone through the tattoo’s making them look odd and twisted. He pressed another kiss to the top of Chester’s head and it was the strawberry smelly hair that brought tears to his eyes. The smell was so strongly embedded in his mind as the smell of his boyfriend, of rolling over in the night and through sleep finding comfort in it and like his bass swinging heavily into his stomach he realised that smell could have disappeared yesterday.

**

Because of his injuries the doctors wanted to monitor him for a few days, but to the relief of Chester, Phoenix and the doctors, he was discharged eventually with a wheelchair and the strict order of resting.

Brad, the bastard that he is, suggested they set up a bed downstairs for Chester for convenience; he suggested this after Phoenix spent an hour getting his injured mate up the stairs.

“PHOENIX!” Chester bellowed and Phoenix sighed. He put down his coffee and dragged himself upstairs. Taking care of Chester was not easy and it wasn’t necessarily because it was Chester the diva; more Chester the bored and going insane.

“Yes baby?” Phoenix asked from the doorway and Chester smiled.

“Play with me.” Chester said and threw back the duvet with his right hand to reveal his naked body.

“How did you get naked?” Phoenix said through laughter and he approached the bed, sitting down and kissing Chester.

“Sheer perseverance.” Chester grinned and wiggled his hips. “We should have sex.”

“We... yes.” Phoenix trailed off, unable to think of a response. “It’s a little out of the question isn’t it?”

“No...” Chester replied and pouted. “I’m here naked and you are saying no?”

“Chester.” Phoenix sighed and looked at the bruises that scattered up and down his torso.

“Phi Phi.” Chester purred and lifted himself up on his elbow and kissed at the closest flesh; Phoenix’s wrist. “So pretty.” Chester said and shuffled closer, kissing up Phoenix’s arm who just watched with a smile on his face. “Hmm, freckles.”

“Chazzy.”

“Yes?” Chester looked up with big wide eyes and pouted rosy lips and Phoenix groaned; he was such a pushover.

“And how do you suppose we do this?”

“Well if you put pillows under my butt it should work or I could lay on my tummy.”

“We’ll try the pillows.” Phoenix replied and Chester flopped back on the bed. Phoenix pulled the duvet out of the way and begun to take his clothes off, he watched as Chester slowly became hard with anticipation. “I’m glad I still have an effect on you without touching you.”

“Shut up.” Chester rolled his eyes.

It felt strangely clinical, there was no atmosphere yet so Phoenix lay next to Chester and held his face, kissing him gently. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He whispered and his fingers slid down Chester’s chin, they traced over the smooth chest and down over a bruised hip.

“Never stopped you before.” Chester grinned and pressed their lips together, taking hold of Phoenix and pulling him into the moment.

Phoenix pulled back to put the pillows beneath Chester, then for good measure licked at the small nipples. Chester giggled and reached out, roughing up Phoenix’s Mohawk. Chester lifted his right leg up and moved his left leg to the side as he couldn’t bend it. Phoenix planted himself between Chester and licked his lips.

So the sex wasn’t the best they’d had, Phoenix had to do all the work and Chester complaining that his cast itched half way through really put a dampener on things; then Chester put his arms around his neck and the plaster was heavy and Phoenix really lost his stride.

“Oh well, we still came.” Chester shrugged when they were both laughing quietly after settling down for their cuddle.

“Yes, that is the main thing.” Phoenix replied and smiled warmly at his mate, it felt special that they could laugh at their bad sex, that they’d stepped forward in their relationship. Usually bad sex meant the end of a relationship for Phoenix.

“Isn’t Brad supposed to be taking us out for dinner tonight?” Chester said.

“Oh fuck yes, what time is it? We could cancel?”

“No fucking way! It’s the first time I’ve been out in days – or even downstairs!”

“Yeah... we’ll do that with Brad here, either side of you.”

“Over protective sod.” Chester rolled his eyes. “I’ll need the wheelchair – I’ve only walked to the bathroom and back on my leg.”

“I’ll fold it up.” Phoenix sighed, he’d been hoping for a nap but reluctantly sat up and pulled on his boxers. “Want a coke or something?” He asked as he wandered to the door and watched Chester nod.

The wheelchair was still by the door since Chester hadn’t used it, Phoenix looked around it for a latch or lever. He lifted it, pleased it was light and tried to collapse it by force.

“Humph.” Phoenix muttered and looked under it. “Chester did they tell you how to fold the chair up?” He called up the stairs.

“No.” Chester shouted back and Phoenix stared at the chair with puzzlement. He pushed and suddenly it slammed shut and he yelled out.

“Fuck!” He yelled as he stared at his fingers trapped between the wheel and a bar.

“What?” Chester shouted.

“Holy Jesus.” Phoenix blasphemed. “I’ve caught my fingers.” He whimpered. “They’re stuck.”

“Is it bad?”

“Hmmmm yes.” Phoenix blinked back the tears that sprung to his eyes, which he’d have wiped away except one hand was trapped and the other holding the fucking chair up.

“I’m coming!” Came Chester’s reply and Phoenix looked up to see his partner hobbling to the top of the stairs, using walls as support.

“Be careful.” He warned, pretty sure Chester had rolled his eyes at him.

“Is it bleeding?” Chester asked and Phoenix grimaced as he looked at his fingers, two were trapped and bent at an unnatural angle that made his stomach roll. He heaved and looked away. “Don’t pass out!” Chester cried out as he saw the colour drain from his boyfriends face.

“I won’t, I’m fine.” Phoenix said after a moment of breathing slowly in and out.

“I’ll call an ambulance.”

“I don’t need an ambulance.” Phoenix replied and sat down on the stairs, resting the chair down. “Should I try and free my fingers?”

“No! You don’t know what could happen – it might start bleeding all over the place.” Chester cried out and wished Phoenix hadn’t put his back to him. “I’m coming down.”

“What? No, you can’t.” Phoenix turned as much as he could.

“But you’re in pain and we need to get you to hospital.”

“Brad can take me – do not come downstairs.” Phoenix spoke sternly and slowly stood back up.

“Dave…. Be careful.” Chester whimpered and Phoenix turned, slowly walking up the stairs. “What are you doing?”

“I’m not going to hospital in my boxers and you are naked.” He reasoned and Chester turned, hobbling quickly to the other wall and then walking along to their bedroom. Phoenix smiled at Chester’s butt.

“Don’t you feel the cum running down your leg?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“No?” Chester shrugged.

“It’s run under your plaster.” Phoenix said with a soft sigh. “I don’t know how to put pants on and this is getting heavy.”

“Ok… ok. Sit on the bed and rest the chair on the bed.” Chester said nodding with thought.

“Is your leg not hurting?”

“No.” Chester lied as he pulled jogging pants from the wardrobe and shuffled back to Phoenix and sat heavily of the bed. “Right, now….” He trailed off and held out the pants. Both of them peeled into laughter at the situation; there would be no physical way of getting pants on either of them.

“Call Brad.” Phoenix said glad that he, at least had boxers on.

“Hey Brad,” Chester said down the phone, “Er no, we can’t make tonight- but we still need you, like right away. It’s kind of an emergency – Phoenix has his fingers trapped in my wheel chair and they don’t look good and I can’t get any pants on….. Ok, see you soon.” He hung up. “He’s on his way but we wants us to keep trying the pants.” Chester said, trying to keep a straight face but he giggled.

“Stop making me laugh – I’m in pain, this isn’t funny!” Phoenix whimpered, tears began streaming down his cheeks.

“I’m sorry.” Chester said gently and rested his head of Phoenix’s shoulder. “We’re both such idiots.”

“Yep.” Phoenix agreed. “Try and put those pants on yourself.”

“They won’t go over my plaster cast – I need shorts.” Chester sighed and reached for a pillow to cover himself up. “Brad will just have to see us naked.”

“He’s seen Mike naked and recovered from that.”

“Yes, it’s not like we’re drunk and climbing naked into his bunk.”

“Guys?” The front door clicked open and they heard Brad call.

“Upstairs.” Chester called and they watched the door. Brad appeared and burst out laughing. Elise, Brad’s wife appeared and managed to laugh and walk over to Phoenix.

“Oh god, that doesn’t look good.” She said, her eyes purposely not looking at Chester.

“What the hell were you two doing?” Brad asked. “No, actually I don’t wanna know.”

“We weren’t doing anything---“ Phoenix started.

“We’d finished the sex.”

“---I was trying to close Chester’s chair so it’d fit in your car.”

“Brad go get ice or something.” Elise instructed.

“I’m not leaving you alone with them.”

“I’m sure I’m fine with a gay couple.”

“No, I’m worried you’ll break something!” Brad joked and left the room.

“Can you feel your fingers?”

“Yes, they hurt like hell.” Phoenix replied.

“Could you get me a pair of shorts from the wardrobe please?” Chester asked politely.

When Brad returned he was not happy that he was given the job of clothing Chester; with his eyes tightly shut he lifted the pants up as Chester moved the pillow and lifted his hips. “Remember when Mike climbed into your bunk naked?” Chester chose that moment to ask.

“Vividly.” Brad replied dryly, shuddering as he remembered feeling Mike’s bits dangly over his legs.

“I don’t want to be the one to take this off.” Elise told Phoenix gesturing to the chair and he groaned, he did not want to walk into a busy hospital holding the wheelchair.

“Everything will make sense when I hobble in next to you.” Chester offered.

“You aren’t coming.”

“What?” Brad and Chester said simultaneously.

“Why can’t I come?” Chester asked in a hurt voice.

“Because I have your mode of transport stuck to my hand.”

“I’ve hobbled about fine and there will be wheelchairs there.”

“Why did I put pants on him if he’s not coming?” Brad asked and Phoenix smirked.

“I’m coming.” Chester spoke defiantly and it was Brad’s turn to smirk.

“You’ll need a tee shirt then.” Phoenix replied with a sigh. Chester leaned forward and kissed his boyfriend.

“Don’t worry Dave; I’ll take care of you.” He whispered before, with the help of Brad and Elise they began the journey to hospital.

“Are you trying to reassure him because I don’t think that’d work.” Brad muttered as he held Chester tightly and willed his friend to move faster.

“I need to sit in the front because of my leg.” Chester told Brad. “And drive slow because I’m scared of cars now.”

“And don’t go over any bumps ‘cause of my hand.” Phoenix chipped in.

“I wish you’d called Rob.”

“I do too; he’d probably take us to McDonald’s first!” Chester Said sombrely, and as they left the house he slipped his right hand into Phoenix’s left.