Chapter Text
Wilbur woke in the early hours of the morning to the shift change. He had gotten used to the routine in this place and despite his annoyance at being woken up every morning at 5am, he found comfort in knowing that he could lie here until the end of time and nothing would change.
He didn’t bother to turn over and greet the next poor person forced to sit by his door for eight hours at a time. He never did if he was honest, there was something about the acknowledgement of someone being there that felt like acceptance.
Acceptance to the fact he was here at all, and Wilbur was prepared to do anything except accept that for the past 2 weeks he had been confined to this hospital room.
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Several hours later Wilbur woke again to the door to his room creaking open. He turned over to see George shutting the door behind him and pulling the chair next to Wilbur’s bed closer.
George had a kind look in his eyes but Wilbur could still see the concern everyone seemed to look at him with these days behind his smile.
“Hey Will.”
Wilbur stayed silent looking past George to the door.
“I have some news.” George pushed on, seemingly unconcerned by Wilbur’s silence. “I have found somewhere for you to stay.”
This grabbed Wilbur’s attention and he shot a sharp look towards George.
“It’s okay! Nothing is happening immediately.” George rushed to continue, “As you know in your… ah ‘condition’ it wouldn’t be suitable for you to return to the group home. However, in saying that the hospital will be looking to discharge you in the next few days. The doctors are happy with the healing on your face and arms, and the bones are stable enough for you to move around a bit. Plus the psychiatrist is confident you're stable enough with the meds you are on to see you as an outpatient.”
Wilbur blinked. What, no way I am getting out of here already, he thought to himself.
George seemingly unconcerned at the lack of acknowledgement from Wilbur carried on the one sided conversation.
“I have an old friend, Phil, who has taken on particularly complex cases before and while he has been closed to new cases for a few years has made an exception for you.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” George startled a bit at the question.
“Why would he make an exception for me?” Wilbur tried to keep his tone carefree but was sure George could hear the doubt in his words.
“Oh well, uhh, I um. Look, I called him and asked specifically. I care about you Will and I don’t have many options here but you need a place to rest and more importantly be cared for and I know Phil can do that for you. He will do that for you. I trust him” George tailed off at that, avoiding looking at Will.
Wilbur sat for a moment, George was clearly uncomfortable with this conversation and he felt no need to put the man at ease.
As silence stretched between them Wilbur turned to look at out window. Of all his years of carers and homes he had never known George to sound this nervous nor this certain about a house before. It puzzled him slightly.
Finally with a turn to look at George he spoke.
“Do I have a choice?” He wasn’t angry particularly but there was a bite to his tone that George certainly picked up on as his expression hardened slightly.
“No, sorry Will but this is the best and safest option for everyone at the moment.”
Feeling the end to this conversation Wilbur turned his back to George again signaling he had nothing more to say.
George let out a deep sigh, pushing back his chair and turning to head out the room.
“It will be okay Will, I promise. You can get through this and I am doing everything I can to make sure of it. I will see you in a couple of days.”
The silence from Wilbur's corner of the room was only interrupted by the soft clunk of the door shutting behind George as he stepped out of the room.