head over heels

33 ~ ouch

They went to the ER.

Riley had bullied him into going, or rather she'd bullied Ethan at the wheel, not taking no for an answer and heckling him until he gave in. His brother shot an apologetic glance at Evan as they pulled into the ER.

"I can't believe we're doing this right now," Evan complained, "It's a fucking finger for gods sake, and not even an important one?"

Riley stood like a stern mother at his door. "You look like shit, your face is covered in blood and your finger is just as bent as you. We're going."

Evans' jaw clicked open, "I— what?"

Riley nodded seriously, "I did enjoy that," then a slight smile broke her stern expression, "Can I make gay jokes now, is that allowed? Are we there yet?"

Ethan was snickering from the driver's seat. "That was a good one."

Evan groaned, "Oh god." 

His nose was somehow still leaking. It had gotten on his shirt. He looked like a mess. The last thing he wanted was to set foot in this hospital right now.

"Get out, we're going." Riley was apparently back to stern Riley now.

If Evan knew anything, it was that Riley was maybe the single most stubborn person he knew. They were going to stand in this parking lot all night if he didn't agree.

"Fuck, shit fine," Evan swore, picking himself up and out of the car.

Riley was satisfied as they walked in. Ethan trailed behind looking slightly sheepish, apparently not having recovered from Evan walking in on them doing god knows what.

Honestly, that was the least of Evans worries. With Riley's sheer force of will, he was surprised it hadn't happened years ago. He just desperately didn't want to know the details of his brother's love life, or— whatever this was.

Riley led the charge through the ER. Evan just stood awkwardly, holding a tissue to his nose. After looking over his finger, a nurse gave him an icepack and another packet of tissues for his nose and ordered them to sit down and wait.

They did.

Evan was wedged between Ethan and Riley, and never in his life had he wanted to fizzle away more than right now.

"So..." Riley started, seemingly itching to address the elephant in the room. "Me and Ethan—" she trailed off, "Are... Something?"

Ethan seemed to sink in his chair, not meeting Evans' eyes as he stared firmly at the floor.

Hooking up. They were hooking up. The party. At that moment it all came crashing back to him. Ethan, red faced and dishevelled. Riley coming down the stairs from Ethan's room.

Suddenly, there was no explanation of this that Evan wanted to hear.

"Spare me," Evan groaned, "Do what you want, seriously—"

Riley smiled. "I really thought you'd be worse about this, thanks Ev."

Then she perked up, "I'm gonna get some doritos from the vending machine, want anything?"

Ethan perked up, "Chocolate please."

Riley nodded, turning and heading for the machines.

Ethan was dead silent. Slowly, Evan turned to him, raising an eyebrow. He couldn't deny the ridiculousness of the situation. After a few seconds, and an awkward look, Ethan let out a snort of laughter.

"Don't look at me like that—" Ethan laughed.

"I'm not—"

"You are?"