Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Come on! Let’s go!” Mateo shouted.

Mateo could see the door, he pushed his friends through it as he felt heat rush against his back. He was suddenly launched forward and felt the cool grass as he landed hard.

Mateo knew he had to move, he looked around and saw his friends standing farther away. Mateo couldn’t blame them for not helping him. They weren’t trained like he was. His vision was blurry and he felt pain in the arm that he landed on.

Mateo coughed and knew he needed to move farther away from the burning house that he called home.

He pushed himself up even though his whole body was screaming. He heard sirens around him and saw the lights, but he couldn’t process anything.

He tried to take a step, but ended up tripping. Mateo braced for the hard ground, but he never hit it. Instead, strong arms wrapped around him and gently carried him until he could be placed on a gurney.

Mateo looked up at the person that caught him and was surprised to see Judd.

”What are you doing here?” Mateo asked.

”I’m covering a shift. What happened?” Judd questioned.

”I’m tired, Judd. I just wanted some sleep, but they were keeping me awake.” Mateo started to complain. His vision was starting to get fuzzy.

“I hate to say this, but you gotta stay awake a little longer, Probie. Where are you hurt?” Judd asked urgently.

”I think my back got burned. And I hurt my arm on the fall. And I hit my head when I fell.” Mateo said.

Paramedics were moving him around, but he couldn’t be bothered to care or put up a fight. He heard voices as he started to drift off, but he couldn’t understand what they were saying. The only thing he was certain of was that he was safe.

Mateo woke up to sounds of beeping. It didn’t sound exactly like his alarm, but it was constant.

He opened his eyes to see blue ones staring back.

”Hey there, sleeping beauty!” Judd greeted with a smile. Mateo looked around the room. Grace was right next to Judd. They both had a similar look of worry and joy on their faces.

Mateo was about to ask about what happened, when the memories of burning came flooding back.

”My home.” Mateo spoke softly.

Grace gave him a sympathetic look as she patted his leg.

”I’m sorry, hun.”

”Was anyone else hurt?” Mateo sat up with worry as he remembered more of what happened.

”No, calm down. Everyone’s fit as a fiddle.” Judd assured. Mateo relaxed back into his pillow.

”What did the doctor say?”

”You have a few minor burns on your back, and you sprained your arm. You also have a mild concussion.” Judd listed.

”How am I supposed to find a place to live if I can’t look at a screen?” Mateo asked, mostly talking to himself.

”You don’t need to worry about that. We’re gonna take you home with us when you get let out. And you can stay as long as you need until you find a place to live.” Grace declared. Mateo wanted to fight back, but he could tell that there was no arguing with Grace.

Judd had a look on his face that told Mateo that a hard conversation was about to happen.

”Mateo, when we found you, you could barely process the words coming out of our mouths. You said you were tired and that they were keeping you awake. Who was keeping you awake and why didn’t you say anything to anyone?” Judd rambled.

Mateo looked at his hands nervously before speaking.

”My friends were keeping me up, they haven’t really been quiet when I’ve been trying to sleep. I didn’t want to bother anyone with my problems so I never asked for help. When I was finally telling them off, the moment kind of got interrupted by the smell of gas.” Mateo explained.

”You’ve got some bad friends, Probie.” Judd said bluntly.

”I mean they’re not that bad-“ Mateo tried to defend them.

”Nu-uh! I haven’t seen a single one of them since your house blew up. They knew you were hurt, but no one has even called asking about you. I know it sucks to hear, but they are bad friends!” Judd bursted with anger that scared Mateo a little.

Judd noticed this and calmed right down.

”I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. You just gave me a scare and I hate to see you hurt. You’re like a brother to me.” Judd admitted.

Mateo smiled brightly.

”Really?” He asked, his eyes wide.

“Of course!” Judd chuckled.

“Mateo, you will always be family to us. Never be afraid to give us a call if you need help.” Grace cut in.

Mateo started to tear up.

”Wow, i’ve never had people care so much about me.” Mateo smiled.

”Well now you do.” Grace smiled.

”And there will be more on the way, once I send out a text to the rest of the crew.” Judd added.

Mateo just chuckled happily before yawning.

”Get some rest, Mateo. We’ll be right here when you wake up.” Grace assured.

Mateo smiled as he quickly drifted to a deep sleep.

The End.