When all you got to keep is strong

Move along, move along like I know you do

And even when your hope is gone

Move along, move along just to make it through

~~~

"Welcome back, Dr. Ross." Ryan squinted up at the doctor before turning his head over to the other person in the room.

"You scared the shit out of me, Ross." Ryan recognized his former co-worker instantly but frowned when he noticed the man's fiery red hair.

"Your hair," Ryan mumbled. Gerard brought his hand up to pat the side of his head with a small laugh.

"Yeah."

"What happened?" Gerard frowned himself but couldn't wipe the relieved smile off his face.

"You were just in a car accident and you're asking about my hair?" Ryan gave one nod, wincing at the pain pulsing in his head. "Lost a bet to Frankie." Ryan smiled, not being able to laugh without it hurting.

"How are you feeling?"

The doctor spoke up. Ryan looked over at him. "I have a headache."

"That's to be expected. You did get a minor concussion from the impact." Ryan let his eyes shut and grimaced.

"Can you tell me what the events leading up to the accident?" Ryan tried to remember, but the concentration was causing the ache to beat harder against his skull. The only memories popping up were vague images of the of meadow. Of course he was there. His words were still circling in Ryan's mind.

'You've got to move on.'

Ryan could feel his bottom lip begin to tremble.

'I'll be here waiting.'

A tear rolled down the side of his face.

'I love you.'

"Ryan? Are you okay?" Ryan opened his eyes and turned to Gerard.

"I saw him," he whispered. Gerard frowned, not understanding at first. Soon, his eyes widened and his mouth formed an 'oh'.

"Brendon?"

"What about Brendon?" The two turned to the door, Gerard moving much quicker than Ryan. At the door stood a man that Ryan hadn't expected to see again. "What were you saying about Brendon?" The doctor excused himself, letting the friends catch up. Ryan's eyes were still brimming with tears itching to fall out.

"Spence?" The man walked further into the room, stopping beside Gerard. Ryan couldn't take his eyes off his lover's best friend.

"Yeah, bud. I'm right here." Spencer reach his hand out which Ryan gratefully took. His eyes shifted between the two men. These past two years, he'd felt like he was left alone to deal with his loss, but here were two people who he pushed away and still came to him at a time like this.

His gaze went down to Spencer's hand, noticing the gold band o his ring finger. "I'm sorry I didn't go to your wedding," Ryan sniffed. "Gee showed me pictures. It looked nice."

Spencer shook his head with a small smile. "It's okay as long as you come to the anniversary party."

Ryan let out his own weak laugh. "I'll be there." There was a short pause before Ryan spoke again. "He said he missed you."

Spencer's eyes immediately filled with tears. "What?"

"I saw him while I was unconscious." Spencer let out a hiccuped breath.

"H-how is he?" The tears were already flowing between the men, Gerard included.

"Better," Ryan answered with a nod. "He looks healthier. Happy." Spencer nodded.

"Good." He quickly wiped away his tears and looked down at the bed, nodding. "That's good." Soon, the doctor came back in, doing his routine check up before departing again. Gerard and Spencer were sitting beside the bed, catching up on each other's lives.

"Gee," Ryan sighed looking down at his bed linen.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I could get my old job back? I kinda miss the hospital." A wide grin spread over Gerard's face.

"I think I can pull a few stings." Ryan let out a soft sigh and nodded with a smile. It'll be good to go back. It'd be better for him.

(2 months later)

"Alright, Miss Cole. Everything came up clean on your test. Nurse Kelly will get your paper and then you're good to go."

"Thank you, Dr. Ross," the woman smiled in the bed. Ryans hut the patient file and nodded in goodbye. As he was walking out, the woman called after him.

"Dr. Ross." When he turned back, he saw the woman with her hand pressed over her mouth and face bright red.

"Is something wrong?" She shook her head and peeled her hand from her face.

"I uh... I was wondering if you'd like to have a cup of coffee with me some time?" Ryan let out a nervous chuckle and looked away for a second.

"I don't date patients."

"I won't be a patient once I sign the discharge papers," she countered. Ryan let out a chortle, finding the situation oddly familiar. He eyed the woman for a second, reluctant to give an answer.

A small voice in the back of his head whispered, "It's okay." Ryan let out a soft sigh, his chest aching at the idea.

"You don't have cancer, do you?" The woman chuckled.

"Um. You're the doctor here. Do I?" Ryan smiled and nodded to himself. No, she didn't. He could see that for himself. After another moment of thought, Ryan slowly nodded.

"I think a cup of coffee would be nice." The woman didn't try to contain the glee that spread over her face. Ryan excused himself to go finish up her chart. As he walked away, he let this idea of dating continue through his head.

This was good. This was a start. Brendon was his one true love, but this was for him. Ryan would fulfill the man's final wish for him to enjoy himself until they could reunite again. He could do this. He'll just take it one step at a time.

~~~

Hey everybody!! So... this is the end of Kiss It Better. This is the longest story I've written and I wanna thank everyone who's stuck with it this whole time. Even though this is the end, I have a surprise and I plan to put it up some point tomorrow. If you enjoyed the story, I hope you'll check it out. Again, thank you so much for reading. It means a lot to me ❤️❤️