Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

I asked. I know your father means well, but the man can be a stubborn ass sometimes... I guess it runs in the family." They said good-bye and hung up. Now to face the walrus.

    STONE floated happily, his eyes cracking open: a dim room, warmth, soft noises, only calm movement. His eyes felt so heavy. He tried to look around, but was too tired. Letting his eyes drift closed, he fell back into the happy, floaty abyss. This time he dreamed. Buster was there, bumping his chest and looking for treats. "It's okay, boy, I know you didn't mean it." He rubbed the long nose and felt an arm around his waist, Preston's smooth cologne tickling his nose.
    Turning in the arms, Preston pulled him close, standing in front of him, kissing him. This was definitely a dream, and he went with it, letting it float over him like a security blanket.
    Beep... beep... beep--a sound entered his dream, jarring it, stopping the fun and perfection.
Beep... beep... beep. The illusion faded away, and he became aware of voices, real voices, coming from nearby.
    He tried to open his eyes, but they felt full of sand. Swallowing gently, his dry throat ground and pain shot through him. He groaned a little, and the voices stopped.

    "Sweety, here's some ice." He saw movement and something cold slid between his lips, and icy water glided down his throat, soothing the pain away
    "Where am I?" Stone tried to look, but his eyes felt heavy and drifted closed again.
"In the hospital, honey, you hit your head."
"Buster."
"He spooked and kicked you." That explained why his chest felt like he'd gone nine rounds.
The voice was reassuringly familiar, even if he couldn't place it right now. "You fell and hit your head on the stall."
"Hmm."
A hand slid into his, another caressing his arm. "We were so worried."
    Slowly, he rolled his head toward the second voice and saw Robbie standing next to him. He squeezed his hand, and Robbie smiled at him, his hand continuing to caress his skin. Looking around the room he began to focus. Geoff stood near his feet with Eli next to him, both watching, looking concerned.
    "You're going to be okay." Turning his head the other way, he saw Joey, who lifted a cup and placed a straw to his lips. Sipping a little, he swallowed and spilled on himself. Joey dabbed at him with a tissue before putting the cup down again.
"How long?"
    "You've been here since yesterday." Geoff, that was Geoff's voice he'd heard. "You had us frantic, but you're going to be fine." Someone squeezed his other hand. "We'll be here if you need us." Stone nodded a little. "Rest." He let his eyes close.
    Stone was aware of people leaving. Robbie and Joey said good-bye. He vaguely heard Len and Chris stopping in, and felt what he assumed were their hands squeezing his. He opened his eyes and saw the two older men smiling at him, obviously relieved. Stone tried to talk, but just felt too tired, squeezing their hands again before closing his eyes. This time the world fell away, and he dreamed again, disjointed, garbled things that made no sense. He kept dreaming he was swimming toward an island and he could see Preston on the beach. The water was warm and he swam, getting excited as he got closer. But whenever he got close, the island moved farther away. "Preston, Preston," he called as he got farther and farther away.
    "It's okay." Stone felt a hand on his, and he opened his eyes, looking around the room. Geoff sat in the chair next to his bed, with Eli nearby. "You were just dreaming." Stone's eyes darted all around the room until he remembered where he was. "You're okay, and we're not leaving you alone. Do you need anything? Are you in pain?"
    "Head hurts. Chest hurts." That was all he could say, because each breath made it feel like someone had been dancing on top of him. "I'll get the nurse to get you something, and I ordered you dinner. It should be up soon."
    Geoff pressed the button, and someone came in, asking him about his pain and wanting him to give them a number or some such nonsense. It fucking hurt, and she finally put something in his IV and the pain began to subside. Food arrived, and Geoff fed him a few bites of the awful stuff.
    "Adelle?"
"She said she'd be up later to see you."
"Bring food." Whatever Geoff was giving him felt like glue and tasted worse.
    "I'll be sure to tell her." Geoff gave him a bite of something sweet and chocolaty, and he ate it, asking for more. He managed about eight bites and then closed his eyes again. Belly full, body tired,