"Feels like you're drowning but you still got breath."

[aussielawyer]

Who: Mark Campbell and Caden Drake
What: Extended support networks
Where: Pediatric ICU, Mount Sinai
When: Monday night

Mark was functioning, but only because he had to. He knew he couldn't shut down, he couldn't fold... not while Justin needed him. But functioning meant he needed to keep his head above water, which meant he needed to try to eat, to try to drink, to try to sleep, to occasionally force himself away from Justin's bedside so he didn't crash and burn. He just had no intentions of Justin being alone at any point through any of this. It meant Mark had to remember he had other people here who meant just as much to Justin as he did. They were Justin's family, and they wanted to help. Mark knew he had to let them. There was now all-but a roster in the works for people to come sit with Justin. Any family who was here and could help. Even Justin's maternal grandparents had come from Chicago to be with him, and Mark's own parents were en-route from Australia to be here. None of it made it easier, though. Nothing could.

He just received a message from Nate saying that Caden Drake, the producer of the Broadway production Justin had been due to star in was here to show his support and offer any help. Mark just nodded quietly and then asked Nate to let the guy know he would be out there to see him soon. As soon as he plucked up the energy to get on his feet, that was. Justin's fingers were feeling cold today. The nurses had told Mark and Justin's other visitors that they might not be able to take his hand into a hold, but they could touch his fingers where there was no IV. It was contact and a connection.

He finally stood and stooped to give Justin a gentle kiss on the forehead and then when he left, Nat was there in lieu of James to sit with Justin for a little while. He gave her a small hug of gratitude and then went out to meet with Caden. The guy was sitting in the waiting area, looking very different to the last time Mark met with him to discuss the dos and donts of Justin's PR for the show. This time, he was in jeans and a t-shirt with Converse shoes, looking much more casual and laid back. Mark went over and shook Caden's hand in greeting. "Thanks for coming. We really appreciate all the support. Aiden showed me the press release about the show. That's... thank you."

"Oops, I did it again."

[onlyoneofme]

Who: Casper Price and Lori Price
What: Little brother annoyance prerogative
Where: Lori and Raven's place
When: The day after THIS

Casper owned his own apartment (which wasn't unlike the pad Tom Hanks' character had in the movie, Big, because he was basically a big kid that would probably never grow up), but that didn't stop him regularly and unceremoniously dumping himself on his big sister. He had his own key, and the only warning she would get was him yelling through the key hole that he was coming in so they better stop having sex on any visible surface, a loud and pointed jiggle of the keys as he opened the door, and then he waltzed right in. It was just Casper, she was used to it, and honestly, if he didn't do this sort of thing, she would probably worry he was dead. Luckily Raven just tolerated it too, and he thought it was awesome his sister had a cool girlfriend, because if she didn't, he would probably make life extremely awkward for anyone who didn't like him.

He was more subdued today as he let himself in. This time he just yelled out that he was coming in, and then when he did, flopped himself dramatically on Lori's sofa, feet going up onto the coffee table with a heavy sigh as he looked forlornly up at the ceiling. "I'm in love and he doesn't even know I exist. I need chocolate. Or ice cream. Or chocolate in ice cream preferably. With Oreos. Why do you have a picture of boobs on your wall? That's not even good art. Wait, are they boobs, or an elephant's butt?"