Ryan decided very quickly he was not a fan of being fed like this. Not that Scott was doing a bad job, it was just embarrassing. The food wasn't even that good. But, Ryan put up with it. He was a little hungry anyway, and Scott was being so earnest about the whole thing. Ryan just wished he'd put a little more on the fork for each bite. Michael watched on awkwardly, until Ryan's phone started vibrating in his back pocket.
"I've got to take this call," Michael said as he stepped out.
Once out in the hall, he unlocked the phone and answered. Ryan's lock code wasn't too hard to figure out, he'd seen his friend unlock his phone hundreds of times. He just never thought the knowledge would come in handy like this. He already knew who was calling by the caller ID, but was taken aback by the harsh tone on the other end of the line.
"Ryan, damnit, where are you? Your shift started twenty minutes ago! You better have a good excuse for being late!" The grating voice of the manager at Dean's Grocery sounded through the speaker.
Michael wanted so bad to tell the guy off. Who the fuck did he think he was, trying to talk to his friend like that? Michael swallowed the lump in his throat and growled back through gritted teeth, "My friend is in the hospital, busy getting his breakfast fed to him, because some asshole like you who obviously doesn't respect omegas decided it'd be funny to try and murder him by dropping a fucking pallet on his face. So sorry, but he's calling out today."
Michael hung up before the guy could respond. He tried to control his breathing. He didn't want to start crying again. This whole thing went from scary to frustrating. His friend was going to be okay now. But Michael had no idea what he could do to help!
Michael rubbed his eyes. With the adrenaline running off, he was starting to get tired. He wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and forget tonight ever happened. He was supposed to work again tonight, but he didn't want to go back. There's no way it was safe to work there, not after what happened. Not after what they did...
"Oh, you must be that friend of Ryan's we've been told about!"
Michael turned his head at the female voice. An older couple, slightly older than his parents, were coming down the hallway. The woman had a vase of flowers in her arms, and the man was carrying a large paper bag. Whatever was in it smelled amazing. Michael's stomach growled. It had been a long time since lunch break.
"We're Scott's folks," the man greeted kindly. "The name's Howard, and this is my mate, Gail. Do you know how our son in law doing? Do you know if it's safe to go in?"
"Yeah, you can come in..." Michael mumbled shyly, moving to hold open the door for them.
"Oh my gosh you really did come!" Ryan gasped. "You brought me flowers? They're so pretty! Mr. Howard, Cuddle Bug said you were bringing a surprise, was it the flowers? That's so nice of you!"
"We've got more than flowers," Howard said, holding up the bag from his bakery. "They're fresh from the oven, our new fall specialty pastry."
Ryan looked over at Scott expectantly. "Please say I can have one?" he begged.
"After you finish your eggs." Scott replied firmly.
Scott took the flowers from his mom and set them on a small counter in the room before giving her a big hug. "Thanks for coming," he whispered in her hair.
"Of course, Sweetheart." Gail returned his hug just as enthusiastically.
Howard hugged the both of them. "It's what family does, and Ryan's family."
Michael stood off to the side like a fifth wheel. It was cramped in the room with this many people. He wondered if he should just make an excuse to leave.
Howard glanced over at him and gave him a wink. "I bought plenty enough to share, no need to be shy."
They all managed somehow to find somewhere comfortable to be in the room. Scott sat in the chair next to the bed so he could resume his fiance duty, Gail was perched on the arm of the chair, Howard was leaned up against the counter with the flowers, and Michael was sat at the edge of the bed. Michael was the only one eating a pastry, but Ryan had one sitting on his plate for when he cleared Scott's conditions.
Michael thought the pastries were indeed as good as they smelled. They were cinnamon rolls, but they had little chunks of apple in them and were covered in caramel. It was like a warm hug for your insides. Comfort food like this was exactly what he needed.
"You gotta give me bigger bites," Ryan complained. "I want to eat my cinnamon roll. And you gotta eat one too. They smell really good and I know you like sweets. And I bet you haven't had breakfast yet."
"I promise I'll eat," Scott sighed. "And I don't want you to choke. Eat, or talk. You can only do one, not both. There's like, four pieces of egg left, then you can have some cinnamon roll."
"Fine... Oh! Ms. Gail, Mr. Howard, I didn't introduce Michael yet, this is my best friend Michael. He works with me at FedEx and he takes all kinds of cool pictures for Instagram and he's thirsty for Edwardo the weatherman on TV."
"Dude, I get that you're drugged out, but do you really have to tell them that?" Michael deadpanned.
"Edwardo? Oh, do you mean Eddy Sanchez?" Gail asked. "He comes to the bakery sometimes after shooting since it's close to the studio. Always gets a hazelnut latte and a lemon poppyseed muffin with raspberry jam. He seems like a nice guy. Good family."
"We did his brother's wedding cake last year," Howard added. "It's hard to believe they're twins, since they look nothing alike. Can you imagine though, a set of twins, and they're both alphas!"
Michael almost dropped his cinnamon roll.
Gail added, "Eddy's brother is just starting out in politics, following their father's footsteps. Did you know their dad got his start by spearheading the Rights for Omegas campaign? But, Eddy seems to be doing pretty well for himself working for the news studio, don't you think?"
Michael was astonished. "You guys know really Edwardo Sanchez?"
While Scott's parents happily filled Michael in on his crush, Ryan finally got to start eating his treat. Scott tore off little pieces and fed him with his fingers, letting Ryan lick the extra caramel off of them every few bites.
"It's a shame your parents are in the room. This is kinda sexy." Ryan teased.
Conversation stopped. Michael cracked first, trying to suppress his laughter. Howard hid his mouth behind his hand. Scott was dumbstruck.
Gail took it in stride. "Sweetie, do you need us to leave so you two can have a moment?"
"No, I can wait," Ryan said with a smile. "Did you know how great your son is, though? He's such a considerate lover and he likes it when I-"
"OKAY my parents don't need to know about any of that!" Scott interrupted him, embarrassed.
"But Cuddle Bug, you're amazing! And it feels really good when you-"
"Ryan, please!" Scott's face was red as could be.
Ryan pouted. All he wanted to do was brag on his fiance, after all. Everyone else in the room thought it was cute.
As Ryan was pointedly not looking at him, Scott noticed his breathing was a little more labored than before. "I'm sorry I fussed, Hot Stuff. Two more bites, then you have to put the oxygen mask back on."
"Fine..."
Ryan obediently finished the last of his treat, and put up with having his face cleaned up and the oxygen mask replaced. It wasn't comfortable to talk with, but it sure made breathing easier.
"You have to eat now, Cuddle Bug." Ryan ordered.
"Yes sir," Scott fished a cinnamon roll from the box and took a huge bite. He caught a glimpse of Ryan's smile under the mask.
"It's good he's not afraid to keep you straight," Howard told Scott. "Don't know where I'd be if I didn't have your mother around."
Gail blew a kiss to her husband.
The conversation drifted from there. Michael was subtly trying to get more information on his crush, while Scott's parents were quite happy to subtly provide answers. Overall, it was a good distraction for everyone. Ryan was doing a good job keeping up with everything and staying engaged in the conversation, but Scott noticed he was talking less and less. Droopy eyelids gave him away, and if it wasn't for the neck brace his head would certainly be lolling.
"Getting sleepy?" Scott asked softly, stroking Ryan's cheek. "Want to lay back down?"
"Uh huh..." Ryan mumbled.
They managed to get him reclined easier than they had sat him up, though he didn't want to lay flat like he had been.
Once settled, Ryan said, "I don't want you guys to leave yet... Can you please stay a little longer...?"