_______

Finn knew something didn't feel right. But nothing seemed off, so why was his mind nagging at him? He tried to search for his answer, yet nothing came to mind. 

He tried to continue to sketch out his next project outfit, but no inspiration came forward. It was all blocked with one thought-

What am I forgetting?

He twirled his mechanical pencil around his fingers and pursed his lips at his sketchbook. His mind kept on going in circles, trying to use process of elimination to figure out what was wrong. 

It couldn't be work, he was ahead schedule with his designs. He wasn't forgetting anyone birthday's or a celebration. All of his friends were happy at work, even though they complained way too much about him complaining about the cold weather. And the boys all seemed to be doing well too. Well, most the them anyways.

Linx was still being Linx, Remi was overworking again, and Trev seemed to be hiding something. But he already knew all that, so what else was he missing?

Finn pushed off his desk and let his chair twirl around the room, his thoughts wandering around. Maybe he was too tired, it was already Friday morning and staying up too late with no coffee usually messed up with his brain.

Luckily, before he went too deep down the rabbit hole, a steady knock knocked against the office door. 

It was quickly opened and Austin appeared, his stoic face emotionless as ever. But Finn didn't care about his handsome face, he cared about the mug of hot cocoa and the platter of sugar cookies he was holding. Austin walked up and placed the items down, and turned around to leave. 

Of course, Finn couldn't let him leave so easily. It's boring in their home office, and it since it seemed like Trev and Linx fell asleep, no noise was coming from Linx's room, he couldn't 'accidentally' eavesdrop on their conversation.

So Austin was stopped by a sneaky foot that snaked around his ankle and lightly pulled him back. Austin gave Finn a questioning gaze, and was returned with a coy smile instead of an explanation. Finn kept dragging Austin back towards him until their knees were touching and Finn had to lean back into his chair to look up at Austin.

"I'm booooored!" Finn whined and flopped against Austin's chest, his cold cheek warming up with Austin's warmth. Austin didn't respond, knowing Finn will find a cure for his boredom all by himself. 

"What should I do...? Make early breakfast? Clean something? Oh yeah, Austin, am I forgetting something? Like, a date or maybe someone's mad at me and it slipped my mind? I can't seem to remember." Finn rambled his thoughts out and asked his rhetorical question. Because really, if whatever he's forgetting is actually important then he would've written it down on his calendar. Maybe he should check his calendar, even though he just updated it a hour ago.

As Finn was pulling out his calendar from his phone, he didn't feel Austin's abs tense up at the mention of him 'forgetting something'. 

Finn browsed through his calendar but nothing special popped up. With a click his phone screen went dark and he was back to being bored. But a second later he wasn't bored anymore as a great idea popped in his head. 

He wanted to dance.

Finn jumped up, ignoring how his chair collided against a shelf and made some items fall down, and grabbed Austin's hands. He swinged them wildly and started to jump up and down.

"Let's dance!!" 

"No."

"Catch me!" Ignoring Austin's statement, Finn hooked his arm around Austin's neck and jumped up in a bridal position. After years of Finn jumping on him and telling him to catch him, he caught Finn on instinct. Finn giggled, happy that his plan worked, and kissed Austin's collarbone as a thanks. 

Austin remained silent, but he secretly appreciated the gesture. They stayed like that for a couple more moments before Austin's arms had to let Finn down. Finn grinned and hopped around the office, his erratic steps matching his mind.

Like aren't humans aliens to aliens?

Why was Austin awake so late? Doesn't he usually go to sleep early to go his office job?

And if the sun was a planet, wouldn't Earth be a moon? 

Or how a Friday morning is also a Thursday night!

And how a rooster can also be called a cock. 

That kicking someone's butt in Greco-Roman wrestling is illegal...

Finn stopped hopping around, a small frown forming as he tried to piece all the hints his mind was giving him. Austin saw his sudden change of mood and just stood still as he realized that Finn figured it out. Linx and Trev weren't home, they were at Rooster.

Finn immediately opened his phone to text Rose to drag the two troublemakers back home, but then remembered that Ivy caught Linx's flu and Rose was taking care of her. He could only wring his fingers as he shut off his phone and stared at Austin for help. 

But to be honest, Austin didn't want to help. He knew the two were old enough to take care of themselves and Trev could take care of minor injuries. Plus, it's not like the boys would've let Linx go to Rooster in his condition, nor would Linx let them trap him indoors like some sort of sheltered kid. If either party got involved with each other, then they wouldn't just be dealing with a sick Linx. So with those reasons, he didn't want to interfere with anything.

But he also couldn't just straight up lie to the boys, he's learned how important communication is in a relationship. So when Finn looked over with his glistening eyes, Austin could only give him a tight-lipped smile and a small nod that he already knew. 

And Finn felt like throwing his phone at Austin for doing his usual stunts again. Sure, he knew Austin probably had a perfectly reasonable explanation for why he didn't tell him, he always has one. Yet that means nothing when Finn realizes that Austin might as well told everyone but him. That Austin just doesn't trust him and doesn't him as an understanding lover. 

Unlike Austin, Finn was an open book. His cheeks flushed from anger and embarrassment, tears dripping down his face, fingers twisting around each other, and his pretty blue eyes glaring at the floor. With his emotions splayed out, Austin couldn't help but show a bitter smile.

Austin slowly walked up to Finn and wrapped his arm around his waist while the other cradled Finn's head against his chest. Finn buried his face in his chest and used his shirt to wipe his tears, his arms also wrapping around Austin's waist. Austin rocked back and forth knowing it'll calm Finn down, and waited for a cue when Finn's done thinking and ready for the explanation. 

It was quiet in the office. Not a comfortable quiet or a peaceful one either, but just quiet. 

And then Finn's phone rang, the happy little tune echoing in the quiet room.

Finn answered the call before he even looked at the screen and as he listened, his phone almost fell by his shaking hands. 

"Finn Finn Finn, help me, h-help us, we went out and everything was fine then police came and and they weren't fair and Linx is b-bleeding and he's sleeping and he's not waking up a-and my shirt is soaked, Finn what do- where do- are you coming? Can you come? I don't know-" 

"Can you send us your location Trev? Can you click on the location button and show us where you are? Can you do that?" Austin cut his rambling, as well as Trev's approaching panic attack, because they can hear the details when everyone is safe. 

"I can send, I can send! Are you coming? I sent it and bring blankets and water and, I don't know I don't know-" 

"I got it Trev, and can you take a deep breath for me? We'll bring everything, don't worry, just keep yourself and Linx warm. I'm giving the phone to Finn now, talk to him, okay my love? Can you do that?" Austin was already shuffling around the house, grabbing blankets, snacks, and shoving it in a bag he found. Finn was trailing behind, with another bag in one hand and a phone in another.

Finn's soft murmurs were drowned out by Austin's thoughts, as he tried to not wake up Remi and Kade while maneuvering around the house. Orion was off at work, and nobody knows when he's coming home.

"Put on your jacket, we're leaving in two minutes." Austin whispered behind him and Finn nodded his head, cheeks still flushed. 

They put on their clothes, lock the door, toss the bags in the back, and start driving to Trev and Linx.

_______

Trev regretted everything. If only he told the boys, then Linx wouldn't be injured. If only he convinced Linx not to go, then Linx would be safe. If only he fought in Linx's place, then Linx wouldn't be unconscious with blood dripping down his nose and staining the snow an ugly pink.

He tried to talk to Finn through the phone to clear his mind, but with every stutter and slip up, his mind kept going back to the what if's and if only's.

But he couldn't be selfish right now and focus on his dumb mistakes, he had to take care of Linx. That's the least he can do to fix this.

Trev was currently sitting in a puddle of wet snow with Linx straddling him. But if a person was to pass by, they wouldn't be able to see most of Linx's body with all the clothes that was piled on top of him. Trev's back shivered with the wind, but his front side was heating up with Linx leaning against him and the all clothes piled on. 

He rocked back and forth, rubbing Linx's back to create heat and hopefully comfort. With each breath, Linx's chest moved against his own, his shallow breaths worrying Trev. 

But at least he's not losing anymore blood...

Of course, if Trev would've just stopped Linx from fighting he wouldn't even be bleeding. Such an idiot, he's such an idiot. 

"-still there? Trev, can you say yes if you can hear me? Please sweetie, I gotta hear your voice." Finn's quivering voice broke through Trev's thoughts, yet it drove his negativity even deeper.

"Yeah, I'm still here..." Was his wobbly response as he leaned his head against Linx's shoulder and mentally apologized to Linx for making his shirt wet and salty. 

He continued rocking back and forth, not sure if it was to warm up Linx or to calm himself down. Probably the former since he can't be selfish now, Linx has to become healthier before he can worry about himself. He's already made enough mistakes as it is. 

A bright light soon illuminated Trev's vision and his anxiety both spiked and relaxed when he felt a pair of comforting hands on him and a kiss on his temple. He looked up and saw Austin bending down with worry plastered on his stoic mask. 

"Everything will be fine. Help me get Linx in the car and keep him warm." Austin scooped Linx up and went to the car. Finn already sneaked behind Trev and gave him a crushing hug. It only lasted a second before Trev broke it off because they couldn't waste time hugging while Linx was still hurt. 

Trev didn't need to look back to know Finn was frowning at him, but Trev knew he could deal with all that later. For now, Linx was more important than himself.

He went to the back of the car and sat down next to Linx, as Austin was buckling him and pulling off his own coat to pile on Linx's large blanket of clothes. Finn soon arrived and sat in the front, his hand reaching back to grasp Trev's hand. 

Trev flinched when he felt his ice-cube hand touching Finn's lava hand, but Finn's tight grip made sure he couldn't escape the warmth. 

 And once Austin sat in the driver's seat, the four of them were soon speeding to the hospital. 

_______