Up in Arms

“It doesn’t really matter now. At this point, what do you think will happen?” Trevor pushed his chair back with a small shove on the wheels from both hands. Trevor’s carefully placed walls were all back up in protection mode to keep him from any more hurt. By design, it also pushed Reed completely away.

“I think the local hero will have his day of fame and then it will subside,” Reed said watching Trevor closely. He stayed bent at the knee, balancing on his heels while Trevor pushed back another few inches.

“What about the homosexual deal?”

“I honestly don’t know, Trevor. It’ll be talked about, I’m sure, but possibly no one will care. We’re in a new age now. Many states are allowing us to marry. It’s not such a big deal anymore.” Reed knew what he said wasn’t completely true, probably more just wishful thinking. The people of this country would care. The United States always cared about such things. His gut told him the undying media coverage on the raid would be set to frenzy, talking about the ins and outs of a gay man in the military. It would never be ‘our hero’s a gay man’, no never that, but something far more ugly, making it far more sinister as Laurie proved with some of her questions. Slowly rising to his feet, Reed took several steps away from Trevor, putting more distance between them. His heart ached when Trevor moved away from him, and he didn’t want to watch it happen again, so he gave him the space he needed.

“They’ll care,” Trevor said, finally averting his eyes. He looked down in his lap. The tick in his clenched jaw became more pronounced by the second. Trevor gripped his fist around the wheel, and Reed was surprised the strong man didn’t bend the rim or pop the tire.

“Perhaps you’re right. Only time will tell. What will this mean regarding your safety, Trevor? Will anyone from the raid come for vengeance? We should get you security.” Reed pushed his thoughts forward, trying to think of all effects of the publicity about to bombard the man he loved.

“I don’t really know. It makes sense, I guess. Except she didn’t care about any of that, or the harm it may cause. All that mattered was that I’m gay. A gay man in the military. Shit, Reed, this is so gonna suck.” Emotion finally showed on Trevor’s face. Hurt tore through his heart at the desperation pouring from Trevor’s eyes.

“We can’t worry about that, handsome. I love you. I’m ready to shout it to the world. I’m good with being out. I have never tried to hide it. I want you to feel the same way. What others think of you shouldn’t matter.” Reed spoke while moving back across the small room to Trevor. He ran a hand up his neck, and took the other hand and hooked a finger, lifting Trevor’s strongly chiseled chin up to meet his gaze. He needed to look at his handsome Trevor as he said his next words. “Babe, nothing has changed for us, and it won’t change. We will be right here together, dealing with all this together. I love you, Trevor. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay by your side.”

Trevor gripped Reed’s hand. It felt very much like the life preserver cast out to a drowning man. They stared at one another. Reed felt like he may have his Trevor back, but Dr. Carlton chose then to come through the exam room door, interrupting his crucial moment. Trevor jerked, looking back at the door, fear covering his features. Trevor shoved his chair back out of Reed’s reach, hitting the small sofa sitting against the wall.

“Everything good in here?” the doctor asked, looking first at Trevor, then at Reed.

“Yes, sir,” Trevor answered immediately, not looking over at Reed who sighed heavily while dropping his hands in his pockets.

“Good. We’re calling in Public Relations now. They’ll contact the Marine corp. The site director’s on his way down. I must apologize. I don’t know how this happened. We never give out our patient’s private information.”

“We weren’t expecting this. I knew it’d been a week, and Trevor was still at the top of the news feeds, but I thought it would fade with a little more time. The leak must have come from within this hospital. Very few people, as a matter of fact only two, know we’re here.” Reed turned, giving Trevor his space, and took the few steps to face the doctor directly.

“Mr. Kensington, we just don’t ever have these problems. I assure you, every procedure will be reviewed, and this won’t ever happen again. This facility will take a hit for this mistake. It’s critically important to find the root of this situation.” The doctor stood by the door, staying somber, focused on Reed.

“I’m ready to get moving. The sooner I’m back on my feet, the better it’ll all be,” Trevor said, awkwardly wheeling past Reed. When Reed tried to help, he got a very clear, very decisive, “I got this.” Trevor struggled to push the heavy door open. After a couple of good whacks against the frame and several strong choice words, Trevor made it out to the physical therapy room. From there, Trevor forced one of the therapists standing, discussing the large breech in security to begin the rehab on his arm. Trevor never took no for an answer, or looked back at Reed for the entire rest of the afternoon. Anytime Trevor was approached regarding the incident with the reporter, he clammed up. He shut down completely and worked his body harder, almost as if he was punishing himself.

By the time they left, Trevor had put in several hours of therapy. He looked exhausted, irritable, and overstressed, both physically and mentally. Several times through the afternoon, the therapist working with Trevor commented on his drive and perseverance. Trevor did not respond to the praise, just kept moving his body, rebuilding what he’d lost. He ignored everything around him, including Reed. By the end of the day, Trevor talked the center into deeming his upper body strong enough for crutches, making his mobility a much easier thing to accomplish on his own. Neither spoke as they loaded into the SUV. During the long, painfully slow drive home, Reed stayed silent, tired of being ignored when he spoke.