Welcome to Gaia! ::

Daren took a deep breath and did what he did best. he drew it all in and shut himself down. everything, every thought, every emotion not needed for that exact moment was locked away. "if you have other friends, then what do you need me for?" he asked softly, smiling sadly at Tim, "you aren't alone. no one blames you for what happened. you were so strong, Tim. George is going to be ok. he lost a lot of blood and was in surgery for sixteen hours, but it was a success. he's going to live. i'll take you to see him, if you want. he'll be awake soon and then you two can talk. his wife is here, too. she said she wanted to speak with you, we told he what happened, but not everything, of course. just-just was she absolutely needed to know. she wants to make sure you are ok, too."

Daren nodded, "you don't have to see her, Tim. i'll tell her you are ok, she'll just have to deal with that." he'd tell her Tim was fragile right now, as he was, and she would understand. Daren knew Tim needed him right now, he'd only leave once Tim was ok being by himself. or with someone that could take care of him. "Tim," he said softly, looking into his friend's eyes, "you need to know that you didn't rape him. you were as much of a victim as George was, you were just the tool that was used to hurt George and in doing so Fa-" he couldn't say that name, not right now, "Aomine was able to hurt both of you at the same time. would you blame the gun that kills the man or the person that pulls the trigger?"

Daren moved to the bed and sat down beside Tim, "no, you didn't have free will at that time, Tim. If you had said no, he would have hurt you or George or both of you! you didn't have a choice, Tim, you didn't want him to hurt George and the only way to save George from punishment was to do as you were told. he's a smart man, he understands that, Tim." he hesitated a second before running his hand through that red hair as he usually did to sooth Tim. "you fought for him and that is more than i could have done." he continued to stroke Tim's hair and thought that it might be a good time for a distraction. "Iroh contacted your mothers." he said softly, "they know you are here and asked to be called as soon as you woke up...i think they are in the waiting room, actually, but Iroh said to let you wake up naturally so they staid there." he knew that meeting them would not be pleasant for him, but he deserved their hatred. he would accept anything they did to him, it was only right. he was the reason their precious son was once again in the hospital. "should i go and tell them you are awake?"

Daren let out a small puff of air, a tiny smile on his face, "they mean, it Tim, but that's ok. they have the right to hate me." he moved his hand from Tim's and stood, "Will you be ok alone for a few minutes? i can call in the nurse if you would feel better to have someone here while i get them."

Daren nodded, "you're strong, Tim. far stronger than i ever have been," he walked to the door and paused, "i'm actually a little jealous, maybe i'll be as strong as you someday." he gave Tim a small smile before leaving the room. he paused at the end of the hallway, bracing himself, and went to the waiting room and the two mothers waiting for him. his palms were sweating, but he kept moving forward until he was standing in front of them. "He's awake." hes aid softly, not sure what else to tell them.

Jason paused just outside of Tim's door, not sure if he would be awake or even want to see him or not. in his hand was a bouquet of flowers that he'd ordered from a local place that he knew of, but he wasn't sure Tin would want flowers. he finally steeled his courage and knocked before stepping in, surprised to see Tim awake and more importantly, alone. he had been able to not blame Daren for what had happened, but seeing Tim laying on the bed, alone in this big room, fanned a rage he hadn't known he could feel. he was practised at hiding his emotions and kept a smile on his face as he walked to the bed. "Hey-" he said softly, the flowers behind his back, "good to see you awake. i, um, i brought you flowers...but, well, you don't have to keep them." he was blushing now, his face turning bright red, "i'm sure you wouldn't want flowers, they were a stupid idea. sorry-" he looked at the bouquet and then at Tim, "sorry, i just-" he shook his head and sat on the bed next to Tim, "i was so scared. when they brought you in, it scared me. i thought i was losing the man i loved and i just-" he gently took Tim's hand into his, "i didn't want to lose you too."

Daren nodded, "yes, ma'm. i am moving soon, i'll pack his things and send them to your house." he didn't say he was sorry, he knew it would be meaningless after everything he had done. "you won't see me again," he promised as they passed and left him. he had expected to be hit, to be yelled at, he hadn't expected to hear words that shattered what little was left of him. he had failed, he'd known that, lord knows he knew that, but to hear those words i'm disappointed in you, Daren had driven it home like a dagger of ice. he turned away from the entrance to the hospital and left. he got on his bike and drove home, beginning to pack as soon as he got there. he couldn't live here anymore. he couldn't live with the guilt and the shame of being inside the flat, even the city seemed to be staring at him with accusing eyes. the name Aomine had been all over the news and it didn't take long for the reports to connect him with his father. now, instead of being seen as a hero, he was seen as the son of a psychopathic criminal, as someone to be watched and feared as they waited for his true nature to show itself.

Jason smiled and moved closer to Tim, giving him a small hug, "i'm holding you to that promise," he said softly, wanting to hold Tim tight, but not wanting to hurt him. A voice from the door made him pull away and he blushed to see Tim's moms standing there. he stood up quickly to give them room, "I, um," he grabbed Tim's chart and looked them over. he hadn't been allowed to work on Tim, Daren insisting it was Tim's request. it had driven him insane to not be in the thick of it, but he understood why once Daren had explained. "he's doing well. there is nothing permanent, not physically at least." he put the chart back down and went to the small sink on the side, pulling out a vase and filling it with water to give the family time.

Daren heard the knock and paused, but it was probably someone from the station. he had given his statement and filled out his report, but Iroh didn't want him to be alone right now. he answered and instantly felt danger, bristling, "yes?"

Jason licked his lips, not sure if it was his place or not to offer, but he'd seen the pain in Tim's eyes too. "He could stay with me," he said softly as he placed the flowers on the beside table. "i have-" he swallowed, "i have an extra room i could clear out for him. it's an option, at least. i'm just another face in the hospital, not famous or known in the least, so you don't have to worry about him getting hurt." he shrugged, "just, thought that options would be good. you know?" he would have to go into that room, though. he hadn't been in their in over a year, since he lost his husband. he would have to go through his things, rip open all of those old, painful memories, but he would do it if it mean that Tim would have a place he felt safe.

Daren was able to take a small breath before the cloth covered his mouth and nose. he struggled, fighting as hard as he could, and he got in several good blows, but the man had a good grip on him and all he needed do was wait for Daren to wear out. he held his breath as long as he could, but soon he had let it out and take a gasping breath. he almost instantly began to feel dizzy, and though he struggled, it wasn't long before he hung limply in the man's arms.