Love & Stitches at The Asylum: Part Twenty-Nine
It's the weekend!
Looking to be another chilly one here. Time to bundle up and slip away to somewhere that might not be warmer, but there's plenty of love and cuddles to keep you warm.
Happy Reading!
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Reed rubbed his hand over his face as he crossed the gym and stepped into the clinic. Not a place he spent a lot of time when he could avoid it, which thankfully had been a lot more often than not, lately, except for the odd checkup to make sure he wasn’t having any strange setbacks.
He stood close to the door, letting his eyes adjust to the brighter lights and trying not to wrinkle his nose at the sharp, sterile scent. He might be a masochist, but he definitely didn’t have some kind of medical kink.
“Everything okay?” Setting the food out on the counter, Matt glanced over his shoulder at Reed, blue eyes curious.
Reed nodded, going over to one of the big cabinets, opening it to peer inside and see if there was anything interesting to mess around with. The sharps container would get him smacked, so he left it alone. The bandages were tempting, he wouldn’t mind seeing if he could wrap his whole arm and play being a mummy for a bit just to pass the time, but wasting supplies would piss off the docs.
“Yeah, all’s good.” Reed picked up a weird tool that looked a bit like a space gun, with a little light on it when he clicked the button on the handle and it beeped. “This is neat.” He pointed it at Matt and numbers flashed on the little screen.
“Dude. I do not have a temperature.” Finished putting out the food and drinks, Matt rolled his eyes.
The rest of the subs all crowded around Danny’s door, toeing the line of the two-at-a-time rule by all talking to Danny from outside his room. Jamie hopped up and down like a rabbit, trying to see over everyone else.
“Cool it or I’m throwing you all out of here. Literally.” Rhodey’s gruff voice came from inside the room. The sharp command must’ve gotten a reaction from Danny, because his next words were quieter. “You were told two at a time. Learn how to fucking count. Jamie, Wren, you can come in. The rest of you go sit down and wait.”
Avery turned away from the door. For a moment, hurt ghosted his eyes, like he thought maybe Rhodey had excluded him because he was still pissed. Which he probably was. Jamie skirted around him, catching Wren’s hand to tug him along with him.
“Hey there. It’s so freakin’ good to see you, Danger Mouse.” Jamie approached Danny’s bed. “How ya feelin’?”
Danny’s voice was a bit shaky, but clear enough for Reed to hear him from the other side of the clinic. “A lot better. The special doctor was really nice, but his Dom was scary. I feel bad, but...I’m glad they’re gone. And...my eye’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna take a few days before I can see properly out of it, but other than the scarring...the rest won’t be permanent.”
“Do you think it will be a very big scar? Maybe Quint can do what he did for Reed and open it back…” Wren’s voice trailed off. “Are you angry with me, sir?”
Rhodey let out a frustrated growl. “No. But stop fucking talking.”
“I guess...we’d better let the rest of the subs have a turn.” Tone a little too light, Jamie leaned over to kiss Danny’s cheek, then tugged Wren with him. “See you soon. Love ya.”
The way Danny’s voice matched Jamie’s was kinda freaky, like they were doing some kind of pop star clone thing. All fluff, no substance. “Love ya, too. And that shirt looks really nice on you. You’ve gotten...more toned.”
“Yeah? Thanks.” The grin in Jamie’s voice was evident. “I’ve been working out more. Keiran makes too many yummy things, and now that Matt’s got his café...well, I didn’t want to get fired by our fans for becoming a basketball.”
A loud groan came from Shea. “Jacks, they’re doing it again. Make it fucking stop. This keeps up, they’ll be talking about the weather next. The sun came out this fucking morning. It’s cold. Can you both act...human?”
“No, sir. Not if Rhodey’s gonna stuff my head up my ass for talking about anything.” Jamie’s tone never changed, like there could be sunshine coming out his pores. Which, given his few oddly animated breakfast cereal commercials from before he’d gotten the gig with Glam Grenade, was entirely possible.
Jacks stood, approaching Danny’s bed and moving in front of the door. “Look. I made Jamie a matching cateye patch so you can be twinsies.”
“That’s beautiful, sir. Thank you.” Danny lost some of the whole...stage performance tone he’d been using, his voice catching a bit. “This doesn’t mean… If we have to do an interview or something, he shouldn’t… The fans would be really worried and it would be better if he just looks like him. But I’m sure he’d love to wear it for fun. And no one really has to...look at me.”
“I don’t think you’re going to wear one forever. It’s a sub solidarity thing.” Stepping up to Jacks’ side, Jamie took the eyepatch to slip over his right eye. He twisted around, arms out from his sides with a sexy pout. “How do I look?”
Danny made a soft sound of approval. “You really make it, like, a statement piece. But again, only for here. Can you imagine the complaints we’d get from parents if their kids started wearing those all the time? And it might damage some kid’s vision. Or they might not be able to see where they’re going and walk right into traffic, which would be horrible.”
“Not if they were a really mean, irredeemable asshole maybe?” Taking off the eyepatch, Jamie nodded. “But you’re right. Just for in the Asylum. We don’t want to have Lawson fielding fashion lawsuits. It’s bad enough that jerk in L.A. is making knock-off Jacks animal hoodies now.”
Reed shook his head as he put the temperature gun away, going over to the table to grab a handful from the bowl of candy Pike must’ve added to the tray. From Reed’s stash, but he didn’t mind sharing. He chewed on a gummy worm, bracing his shoulder against the wall beside Matt. “Remind me to scratch Hollywood off my bucket list. Is it just me or is this...weird?”
Glancing around the clinic at Avery, who stood with his back in a corner, arms crossed over his chest, Keiran nearby, Pike and everyone else scattered away from the doorway, Matt nodded. “Yeah. I think Rhodey doesn’t deal well with actually caring about someone who’s not a merc. Maybe with his own subs he kinda keeps himself a little more distant because they might snuff it someday.”
“I can hear you.” Rhodey came to the doorway, giving Matt a dark look. “Yes, I’m fucking distant. Have been that way since you gave my boy that special coffee. I haven’t been the least bit concerned over how much it messed with him. Cold hearted bastard that I am.” He let out a bitter laugh and strode across the clinic, slamming the door open with the side of his fist before disappearing out of sight.
Reed winced, inhaling slowly. “Yeah...I think...this shit might be getting to him.”
Voice lowered this time, Matt leaned toward Reed. “If I’d’a known it was that easy to get rid of him, I’d’a done it when we walked in.”
Frowning, Reed searched Matt’s eyes. Not sure what to say, he brought his attention back to Danny’s room, where things had gotten a lot quieter. It was hard to tell how the shit that happened around here fucked with people, but he didn’t know what to do with Matt being so cold.
“It was really nice of you to come see me.” Danny’s smile was a bit slanted, like he was trying not to move one side of his face. “Promise you won’t worry? I really am okay. I was really lucky after doing something so dumb.”
Avery slipped out of the clinic, giving Matt a dark scowl on his way past as Jamie replied to Danny. “I was super worried, but seeing you—seeing how good you look—I feel a lot better. I don’t want to tire you out though. Can I get you anything? We brought snacks. Or maybe Reed can bring you some of his plushies?”
“Maybe...a bit later.” Danny relaxed back, out of sight. “Can you...maybe see if Noah will go check on Rhodey? Not that he can’t manage anything he has to, but I don’t...want him to… He’s been really working hard to take care of everyone and I just made things so much harder. I’m...so freakin’ sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anyone.”
Jacks combed his fingers lightly through Danny’s hair. “We all make mistakes, little mouse, and maybe it was your turn, but it doesn’t mean you made things harder. Rhodey is worried about you because he loves you, like we all do. That’s the price of love and none of us would trade it.”
“I guess.” Danny reached out, taking Jamie’s hand. “But...will you? They’re family and...maybe it’ll help. Like it helps me, seeing you.”
“Sure. I can do that.” Jamie squeezed Danny’s hand, gave him another kiss, then came into the clinic. He met Keiran’s gaze, face a little red as tears he’d clearly been struggling to hold back tipped over his lashes. Swiping at them quickly, he tipped his head back. “Gotta stop being such a f’ing cry baby. Your turn, Keir. Pike.”
Keiran clucked his tongue, pulling Jamie into his arms and speaking to him softly. “You did well. And if you didn’t cry, I’d wonder about you. Stay soft where it matters, dulzura. That’s the strongest thing you can do.” He kissed Jamie’s forehead, cupping his cheek and keeping his voice low. “I don’t think Danny really understands Rhodey and Noah’s relationship. Avery is with Rhodey now. They’ll be quiet together for a bit and sort themselves out. If anyone needs to talk to Rhodey, it should probably be Jared, but...it’s best we all stay out of it.”
“I mean, I could get Jared...” Jamie glanced toward the doorway. “I think he and Noah were going to...um...well, they were sleeping when I left.”
Looking at the two, Reed made sure his voice was just as quiet so Danny couldn’t hear him. “With the meeting and everything today, that’s probably good. Everyone’s exhausted—the docs most of all.” The edge of his lips quirked. “We don’t want to deal with them all crabby.” Knowing he needed to be serious now, he looked from the gym door, then back to Danny’s room. “You know...mentioning this to Jared might be a good idea, though. Like...just give him a head’s up and let him decide from there. I think he’d appreciate it.”
“What do you think, Wren?” Jamie held out his arm to his co-sub, tucking his hand in Wren’s back pocket when he stepped closer.
Wren nodded, his expression troubled as he glanced at Matt, then turned his full attention to Jamie. “I think it would be good. The worst things happen around here when information isn’t shared properly. Rhodey and Jared are close. They understand one another on a different level. It would probably be best if this doesn’t carry into the meeting. There are already some difficult issues to discuss. And we planned the classes to improve the situation. It would be a shame if anything were to derail that.”
“Okay...” Tipping his head from side to side, Jamie rolled tension out of his shoulders. “I’ll try to do it without setting anyone off. Me being the bearer of news hasn’t gone so good in the past.”
That got a smile tugging at the edge of Reed’s lips. “Dude, you’ve got this. Noah’s all impressed with you for kicking Trevor’s ass.” He gently brushed his fingertip over the bandages covering Jamie’s knuckles. “That’s totally earned you some brownie points.”
“Heh. Well, Wren’s his boy, so c’mon. We’ll tell him together, yeah?” Jamie pulled Wren with him, grinning at Reed. “Thanks, dude. For reals.”
Reed flashed him a broad grin, finishing off his last gummy worm. “Anytime, man. Seriously, I need to rewatch the whole thing on a big screen. You’ve got some moves. The whole club’s been talking about it. I knew you had it in ya.”
The compliment seemed to make Jamie grow several inches taller, which considering how confident he usually looked in a crowd was something that bore thinking about another time. He spoke from the doorway, on his way out. “We should work out together when you’re cleared.”
“You can count on it.” Reed gave him a little wave, turning toward the door to Danny’s room as Keiran came out with Pike, the smile on his lips that looked a bit forced fading, the taller sub’s eyes glistening like he’d been containing his emotions for as long as he could and was losing his tight grip on them.
Nudging Pike ahead of him, Keiran went to the table and pulled the lid off the one container that hadn’t been opened. “Come try one of these, Pike. Tell me what you think. I was going to give them to Danny, but...maybe later. I should have considered he won’t have much of an appetite yet.”
“He will soon.” Pike sat cross legged in front of the table, plucking one dog bone shaped cracker out of the white container. “But I don’t mind trying a few. We had a lot of cooks when I was growing up, but...okay, some were nice, but you make the best food. And you don’t keep it away because I’m in trouble, which is awesome.”
Looking a bit horrified, Keiran shook his head. “Fuck, no. If anyone ever tries to punish you like... Here, have some cheese with that, Pike. I could slit someone’s throat, just hearing that. Jesus.”
Coming in from the gym, Dallas arrived in time to hear Keiran’s commentary on slitting someone’s throat. He slowed, concern in his brown eyes, lips pressing together. “Why are we killing people today? Do I need to convince Rhodey to let Wren back in the security room?”
“Naw, they’re all dead.” Pike wiggled back against Keiran’s shins, tipping his head to gaze up at him with a soft look on his face. “I got everything I need now. Without...it having all kinds of fucked up attached to it.” He put a cracker sandwich in his mouth, his brow furrowed. “I’m not supposed to swear today. Sorry. This is gonna be tricky.”
With Reed, Matt lowered his voice on the way past Pike. “Just in the bar. Later. Swear all you want, now. It’ll keep Dallas from noticing it when Keiran does it. You’re like a whitenoise machine for foul language.”
Crunching on the crackers, Pike gave a quick nod. “Gotcha. I can so do that.” He sat up a bit and grinned at Dallas. “Do you wanna hear about how my cousin Lacy ended up eating dirt? It was so fucked up. I kinda hated her, but...it was a rough way to go.”
Reed rubbed his hand over his face and groaned. “One of us should probably get that kid to Stephan. Stat.”
“Maybe. I don’t think I’m going down there again anytime soon.” Matt lingered just outside of Danny’s room, hands jammed in his jeans pockets. “And I’m sorry for all that with Rhodey. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m super pissed at him for not letting Garet stay here for help. Nobody’ll let me talk to or see my fucking brother, and I’m so tired of worrying about him and Lawson. I feel like if Rhodey hadn’t gotten involved, neither of them would’ve gotten hurt. Ever.”
Reed took a deep breath, resisting the urge to say what was on the tip of his tongue. It wouldn’t be fair, but...fuck. Was that how Matt really felt? “Dude, Lawson...I mean, he works a lot and...the pressure was bound to get to him eventually. Everyone else has their moments, and he’s gotta keep things so in control…” He lifted his shoulders. “Rhodey’s making sure his dad can’t take him out. And that Curtis’ family...or, the people who made a shitload working for them, don’t find out that he’s still alive. I can’t...he saved me and Curtis when we were fucked. I don’t always like his methods, but it’s not like I could do it better. And Garet...do you really think this is the best place for him?”
Gaze on his feet, Matt scuffed his sneaker across the tiles. “I mean, Stephan helps all of us...and we have the clinic. We brought in a specialist for Danny. Instead, my brother gets to go to rehab? How is that fucking fair? He needs his family. I never should’ve sent him to school.” Matt’s next swallow was audible. “What if he thought I was sending him away? That we didn’t want him here? He’s always drifted around like he’s trying to find his place. Ever since mom and dad died. He gave up on us. Maybe he thought the gang were the only ones who cared if he was around. I don’t know.”
“You talked to him, man. You were trying to get him away from them. Give him options.” Reed hooked his thumbs to the waistband of his pajama pants. “You did everything you could. He made some bad choices. That’s not on you. Rhodey wouldn’t have done anything to hurt your brother. He’s big on family, even if he can be fucked up about it.”
Looking a little green around the gills, Matt punched the fingers of one hand through his hair to shove back his bangs. “Anyway. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get into this right now. I just meant to say sorry for being a jerk.”
Reed put his hand on Matt’s shoulder, squeezing lightly. “I get it. I’d be fucking out of my head if it was Ez. Sometimes, I kinda am. He goes off the fucking grid and I have no idea what he’s up to. Then he comes back and he’s like… I don’t know him anymore. And it hurts. A lot. All I can do is...try to be here when he needs me. And...remember the people who do. He’s an adult and...there’s a lot of stuff that’s out of my hands. I hate it, but I’d drive myself fucking crazy if I tried to control how he lives now, you know?”
“Yeah. I don’t even want to think how Ez is going to react.” Matt blew out a breath, face going a bit red. “Garet can’t ever come back home, and that’s what sucks the most.”
Right now, that’s what it looked like, but Reed couldn’t help hoping things might change. He drew Matt in close to his side, pressing his lips to his temple. “Never say never. Curtis thought he was in that place once. And look what happened. We’ll figure it out. That’s what family does.”
Head hanging, Matt nodded, leaning into Reed with a slight bump. “Love you.”
“I love you, too.” Reed stayed right there, for just a moment, letting Matt feel that he had him, however he needed him. He closed his eyes, thinking of both their brothers and how much things had changed. At one point, it had been like...they’d both been able to come together and fill in the blanks where their parents should’ve been. Both their dads had checked out—Matt’s before he died, and Reed’s...fuck, he might as well be dead. Their moms had been awesome, but had been gone too soon.
And maybe they couldn’t replace those people in their brothers’ lives, but they’d done their best. That had to count for something.
Matt nudged Reed toward Danny’s room. “C’mon. Let’s cheer him and us up. Ask to see all nine-thousand eye patches Jacks is making for him.”
A smile tugged at the edge of Reed’s lips. Stepping into the small room at the back of the clinic, where there was a more comfortable bed for longer stays, with a small white dresser in one corner, a bit of natural light from a window cut in half from where the room had been added, and a night table on one side, out of the way of the monitors, which had a vase on it full of...wildflowers. Noah had gone to his mom’s and raided Todd’s greenhouse for them. Knowing him, he’d dropped them off while Danny was sleeping without saying anything, but they added some color and life to the otherwise sterile room.
Reed was gonna add even more, no matter how long Danny was here. The guy needed some stuffed animals. And balloons. His gaze shifted to Danny and he struggled not to wince as he took in his face. Danny was smiling up at Shea, holding Jacks’ hand, but he looked really small under all those blankets. Around the white bandage covering his eye, his face was in different stages of bruises.
“You keep trying to show us all you’re tougher than you look.” Reed stepped up to the end of the bed, giving Danny a crooked grin. “We get it. And we’re all really good with you just hiding under stuff. Next time, just do that.”
Resting back against a huge pile of extra fluffy, pastel colored pillows Jacks must’ve brought in, because they definitely hadn’t been there yesterday, Danny breathed out a laugh. “I will definitely try. But...it’s hard…” He pressed his teeth into his bottom lip. “Is Curtis all right?”
“He’s good.” Curtis spoke up from the doorway, looking freshly showered and shaved in a bright white Henley with a softly worn napp to the waffle weave. “How’s it hangin’ Wreck It Ralph?”
His one uncovered eye going a bit wide, Danny’s ducked his head. A tear trailed down his cheek. “Very good, sir. I...I was so afraid for you and maybe I shouldn’t have been, but...Jared was so mad. And...I know you can fight, but…” He groaned and pressed his eye shut. “I don’t like...the people I love fighting. Not like that.”
Curtis stepped into the room, breaking the two-visitor-at-a-time rule. Jacks didn’t say a word, just smiled softly at Curtis as he swept the pad of his thumb across Danny’s cheek to dry his tears.
“I’m sorry we put you in a position where you felt you needed to be the adulter person in the room, Danny. That’s unfair, and I’m going to do my best to make sure you know from now on that we’ve got this.” He leaned in, handing Danny something that he pressed into the sub’s palm. “We’ve got you.”
Opening his palm, one uncovered eye slitted a bit, like Danny focused on the tiny pewter charm that had a clip that would go on his collar. A little mouse and a puppy hugging. More tears fell from his one uncovered eye, and seemed to dampen his bandaged one as he gazed up at Curtis.
His words came out as a whisper. “When I was in Hollywood, I didn’t know a lot of good people. It...took me a long time to understand that. Coming here, you were...so big and scary and I thought I had to be afraid of you. But when I got to know you, I wanted...to be part of your world. I care about what happens to you, so much, sir. I respect you. You’re...family. And I didn’t know what that meant...until The Asylum.”
Gathering Reed and Matt under each arm, Curtis pulled them close. His own voice was a bit rough as he replied. “That’s...yes. Family. I’m glad we got that part right. We might mess up a lot, but we love you. Never doubt that. We’re here for you. I’m glad you’re here.” He met Jacks’ gaze. Then Shea’s. “All of you.”
“Are you…” Danny glanced over at Jacks and Shea, then settled his one blue eye back on Curtis. “Rhodey told Jared to go to bed. He was going to stay, but...he needed to sleep. He...you know he loves you too, right? Please don’t let this… Jamie did something good. And Wren and Avery were trying to help. And they said you gave them permission, but I know you were doing the right thing. I think everyone will get it when they think about it, but Jared just worries. And it makes sense, but...can everything be okay now?”
“Yes, everything can be okay now. You have nothing to worry about, and neither does Jared.” Curtis tightened his arms around Reed and Matt. “Does that mean you’ll wear my tag and be under my protection, too?”
Danny’s lips parted. He looked at the little charm again, then lifted his gaze to Jacks’. “Shea...wanted me to be safe and...well, he didn’t choose Rhodey, exactly. But...kinda? Are you okay with this? I want this one to be...yours.”
Shifting his attention from Curtis’ face—like he tried to make out whether he was asking for an intimate relationship with his boy—Jacks smiled softly at Danny. “If that’s what you want, little mouse...”
Danny’s cheeks went a little pink. “Umm...well, I don’t know what I want. But...this feels good. Like, Curtis likes me. The Asylum can be very dangerous. And he’s...awesome. And you won’t have to worry so much and...the rest can...we can figure it out later? I wouldn’t mind being able to work without you or Shea having to worry and…”
That got a bit of a huff from Shea. “Don’t beat around the bush, my boy. We aren’t established as Core. Rhodey can do a lot, but he’s not around for the small stuff. If you’re being looked after by someone like Curtis? It’ll make a difference.”
Taking the tag from Danny’s fingers, Curtis clipped it to his collar. He jangled it with his index finger, meeting Danny’s gaze. “This means I’ll take care of you. You can come to me with anything you need, whenever you need it. That’s what being under my protection means. You decide your limits, and I’ll respect them. We’ll take it as it comes. For now, just know you’re looked after.”
“Yes, sir.” Danny brought one hand to his throat, a small smile on his lips. “But this goes for my Doms too, right? Rhodey said so. He looks after them when he can, but you’re...Shea’s right. You’re in a better position. He doesn’t get involved, but you’re in the center of everything.”
There was no way it could get any more obvious that Danny had no idea how club politics worked. Sure, Curtis watching over him was good. And Reed had no issue with it. But claiming subs could be a whole power play and it was hard to tell if that was what was happening here.
Danny was...the kind of sub that was easy for a Dom to want to step up for. To want to protect. But things could get fucking messy real fast.
Coming in from the adjoining room, Quint glanced at Danny’s monitors and pressed a hand to his cheek. “All right, that’s enough for now. He needs some rest, this was...a shock to his system and as much as I’m used to dealing with mercs, dealing with starlets is a whole different beast. Those pretty smiles can be quite deceptive.” He looked down at Danny. “You don’t have to impress anyone. You’re tired and cold and I would feel a lot more comfortable if you were honest about it.”
That got Danny’s face crumpling like he’d just been told his last performance was a complete fail. “I don’t want to upset anyone. This...my surgery turned out fine. I’m fine. I’m—”
“Going to rest now.” Quint did the thing that had a lot of people seeing him as a Dom, but was just him being a damn good doctor. He would fuck people up for his patients. Or force them out of a room without the slightest bit of regret, his smile still in place. “You can see him later, once he’s settled at home. Don’t overwhelm him. He’s focused on everyone else right now, which isn’t good for him. But I think...this helped a little.” He glanced at Curtis. “He’ll feel better, you standing by his Doms. Let’s leave it at that and avoid what else may come of this.”
Herded out of the room, Reed didn’t get a chance to ask what the man meant. He looked over Quint’s shoulder, to where Shea was fussing with Danny’s blankets while Jacks was doing some embroidering in a small frame. Describing the little mouse wearing a too big crown he was making in a soft, soothing way that was almost a lullaby.
It was hard to picture the smaller sub, so full of life when he wore his play collar, chasing balls and barking—or collar off, laughing with Jamie, the two getting into intense conversation about song lyrics—stuck in that bed. Any real joy seemed dampened by what had happened to him.
If the classes Reed was gonna propose to the Board worked out? None of them would have to be afraid to be happy and playful. Or worry about one wrong step tearing everything apart.
There had been no Sub 101 in The Asylum.
Not for him. Not for Matt or Jamie or...any of the others.
But it could be there for them all now.
Right when we need it the most.
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❤️❤️❤️ I love when we get to see Reed’s perspective, and I love his and Matt’s relationship and how much they love their brothers.
ReplyDeletePoor Avery. He’s having a rough week.
Danny might be in the lead for the most Doms 🤣 I remember reading a few books back about them getting a “core” charm on their collars so they’d all be protected, and I think that’s such a good idea!
My take is that Curtis is on Shea and Jacks side whereas Rhodey bullies them. Curtis has the softer side as a Dom, and Danny needs that more often than the harder side he needs from Rhodey. I think Reed is right, this is a power move, it also solidifies Curtis had the right to make the decisions he did the night before. And of course, everything he said to Danny is true, who can't love him <3
ReplyDeletePoor Matt. And Cu rtis and Danny? Hmmm.... Might be cute
ReplyDeleteI get where Matt is coming from but is Rhodey the only one who made the decision about Garret? And i feel for Rhodey, must be hard if your most vulnerable boy is seriously hurt. Love the charm.
ReplyDelete