Shattered Bonds

EPISODE 4

After his sports class, Tristan returned to the classroom, expecting to see Nathan engaged in one of his usual activities—scribbling in his notebook or joking around with their classmates. Instead, he found Nathan slumped over his desk, his breathing slow and uneven. A frown creased Tristan’s forehead as he walked over, placing a cautious hand on Nathan’s forehead. His heart nearly stopped.

"Damn it, Nat, you're burning up!" Tristan’s voice was laced with panic as he shook Nathan gently. "Hey, wake up! Come on, man, we need to get you to the infirmary."

Nathan barely opened his eyes, his body too weak to respond properly. He tried to wave Tristan off, but his hand fell limply onto the desk. That was it—Tristan wasn’t going to waste another second. Without hesitation, he scooped Nathan up into his arms, earning gasps and murmurs from their classmates.

"Oh my God, he's carrying him!"

"They’re seriously the cutest best friends ever."

"Are you sure they’re just best friends?"

Tristan ignored the whispers and wide eyes around him. His only focus was Nathan. His arms tightened slightly around Nathan’s frame as he hurried through the school hallway, his jaw clenched with determination.

Upon reaching the infirmary, Tristan gently laid Nathan down on the bed. "Doctor, he has a high fever! Please check him right away."

The school nurse wasted no time, checking Nathan’s temperature and setting up an IV drip. "His fever is severe. He'll need to rest here for the day. You should get back to class."

Tristan shook his head stubbornly. "Not a chance. I'm staying."

"But you might get in trouble," the nurse warned.

"I don’t care," Tristan snapped, then softened as he looked at Nathan. "I'm not leaving him alone."

As the IV fluid dripped into Nathan’s system, Tristan pulled a chair close and sat beside the bed. He watched his best friend, his fingers subconsciously tracing circles on the back of Nathan’s hand. He didn’t even realize when sleep overtook him.

When Nathan stirred hours later, the first thing he saw was Tristan, his head resting on the edge of the bed, his face peaceful in sleep. A soft smile stretched across Nathan’s lips. He gently reached out and brushed a few strands of Tristan’s hair away from his face.

"Has anyone ever had a friend like this?" Nathan murmured to himself, feeling warmth spread in his chest. He gently nudged Tristan’s shoulder.

Tristan's eyes fluttered open, and the moment he saw Nathan awake, relief washed over his face. "You're up! Damn it, Nat, don’t scare me like that again. I was so worried."

Nathan chuckled, his voice still hoarse. "I’m fine now, I promise. Thanks for staying with me."

Tristan sighed. "Like I was going to leave you alone. Never happening."

Just then, the nurse came in to check the IV. "Well, looks like you’re doing better. Your fever has gone down. We’ll remove the drip soon, and you should rest at home for a few days."

Tristan wasn’t taking any chances. That night, he packed an overnight bag and went straight to Nathan’s house. He knocked on the door, and it was Richard Hayes, Nathan’s father, who opened it.

"Ah, Tristan. Here to check on your patient?" Richard teased, stepping aside to let him in.

"Not just check on him, sir. I’m staying over to make sure he takes his meds," Tristan replied with conviction.

From the living room, Erica Hayes, Nathan’s mother, laughed. "With you taking care of him, there’s no way he won’t get better soon."

Richard chuckled, shaking his head. "You two are joined at the hip. Sometimes I wonder if you’ll ever get married and still be this inseparable."

"They’d make a great couple, don’t you think?" Erica mused. "I adore Tristan, and since Nathan is bi and Tristan is gay, it wouldn’t be the worst match."

"Exactly my thoughts," Richard agreed. "But Nathan insists they’re just best friends."

Erica sighed dramatically. "Such a shame."

Meanwhile, upstairs, Tristan had made himself comfortable in Nathan’s room. "Alright, you know the drill. Eat first, then take your meds. No excuses."

Nathan rolled his eyes but complied, knowing Tristan wouldn’t let him off the hook. As he ate, they talked—about school, about basketball, about random things that didn’t matter but still felt important. Nathan realized how much he loved moments like these.

When he finished his food, Tristan handed him the pills. "Take them."

Nathan groaned. "You're bossier than my mom."

"And don’t you forget it. Now swallow those pills before I shove them down your throat myself."

Nathan laughed, but obediently took the medication. He sighed as he leaned back against the pillows. "You know, I really like being taken care of by you. It’s kind of nice."

Tristan smirked. "Don’t get used to it. I only do this because I love you."

Nathan felt his heart skip a beat at those words, but Tristan had already turned away, busy arranging things on the bedside table. Nathan smiled to himself. He wasn’t going to lose Tristan—not now, not ever. Not even if he got married in the future.

Because some bonds were meant to last a lifetime.

Taking Care of Nathan

For the past few days, Tristan had been balancing school and taking care of Nathan, who was still recovering. Since Nathan wasn’t attending school, Tristan made sure to collect all his notes, jotting down every single detail in crisp handwriting. He even took extra care to highlight important points, just the way Nathan liked it.

After school, Tristan would head straight to Nathan’s house, sometimes even before changing out of his uniform, just to check on him.

“Did you eat yet?” Tristan asked one evening, stepping into Nathan’s room and setting his backpack down.

Nathan, lounging on his bed in his hoodie and sweats, groaned dramatically. “I was waiting for my personal nurse.”

Tristan rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smirk tugging at his lips. “First of all, I am not your nurse. Second of all, you better have eaten, or I swear, I’m force-feeding you like a baby.”

Nathan chuckled but didn’t respond.

Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “Nathan.”

“Fine, fine,” Nathan sighed, sitting up lazily. “I was waiting for you, okay? It’s boring eating alone.”

Tristan shook his head and sighed. “You’re unbelievable. I bring you your notes, your assignments, and you still expect me to feed you?”

Nathan grinned. “That’s what best friends are for, right?”

Tristan scoffed but went downstairs anyway to grab food for him.

By the time he returned, he found Nathan lying back against the pillows, looking out the window. His expression was unreadable.

Tristan sat on the bed and handed him a plate. “Eat up. And don’t even think about skipping your meds.”

Nathan turned to him, watching him for a moment before accepting the plate. “You’ve been doing so much for me, Tris.”

Tristan waved him off. “Yeah, yeah, just eat.”

“No, I mean it,” Nathan said seriously, placing the plate on his lap. “You don’t have to do all this, but you do. I don’t even know what I’d do without you.”

Tristan felt a warmth spread in his chest, but he just clicked his tongue. “You’d probably be dead in a ditch somewhere.”

Nathan laughed. “Maybe. But you wouldn’t let that happen.”

“Damn right I wouldn’t.” Tristan smirked.

Nathan took a bite of his food before speaking again. “You know, I was thinking…”

Tristan hummed, grabbing Nathan’s water bottle and placing it near him.

Nathan hesitated. “Even when we grow up, no matter what happens, I don’t want to lose this. Us.”

Tristan paused, looking at him. “Nathan, what are you even saying? Of course, we’re not going anywhere.”

Nathan looked away for a second, then back at him. “I mean it. Even if you get married, or I do… I don’t want anything to change.”

Tristan stared at him before laughing softly. “You i***t, what makes you think anything would change?”

Nathan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Life? Things just… happen.”

Tristan scoffed. “No, people let things happen. We won’t.” He leaned back, crossing his arms. “Even if you get some fancy job, even if you move somewhere far, even if you—”

“Even if I fall in love?” Nathan asked, his voice quieter.

Tristan blinked.

Nathan offered a small smile. “Would things still be the same?”

Tristan held his gaze for a moment before answering. “Yeah,” he said firmly. “Because you’ll still be my i***t best friend who can’t even eat without me around.”

Nathan chuckled. “True.”

Tristan reached over and flicked his forehead lightly. “So stop overthinking and eat before I really shove the spoon into your mouth.”

Nathan laughed, shaking his head as he picked up his plate again. He felt lighter, knowing that no matter what happened in the future, he had one thing that would never change—Tristan.

And to him, that was everything.