Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 1297
Love Me Anyway
Three patients.
Gone.
JD ran a hand through his hair, wincing at the product that was left on his hand. Great. He didn't even want to know what damage he'd done. Not that it really mattered because he was going home and locking the door and forgetting that the outside world existed.
He clocked out, pulling his hoodie on over his scrubs and grabbing his bag before he left the change room.
"Newbie!"
JD paused in the corridor, waiting for Perry to catch up with him. He didn't bother turning around, and as soon as he felt the older man beside him, he resumed his walk towards the exit.
"I've got another hour here," Perry said quietly. "But I'll see you after?"
JD sighed. Usually, he prayed that Dr Cox would decide to come to his place after his shift. The sex was always hot, and while yes, sometimes, JD curled up after, wishing they were more than just sex, occasionally soaking the pillow with tears when he thought about the feelings he had that were clearly not returned, he still allowed it to continue because he liked it.
But not tonight.
He was feeling fragile enough from the loss of three of his patients in the space of twenty four hours that he knew he wouldn't be able to handle the older doctor using him tonight.
"I'm tired," he muttered, looking straight ahead. "Another night, okay?"
"Newb—"
"See you tomorrow."
JD sped up, not looking back over his shoulder to see if Perry was still watching him as he left. He didn't think he could take it if he wasn't.
…
The beer tasted terrible, and JD regretted not picking up something stronger on his way home. Not that it would have been a good idea.
It really wouldn't.
The adrenaline from his shift had long since left him, and he was feeling tired and weary and just… sad.
He tried all the time not to let what happened in the hospital affect him, but he failed often. Especially when he'd had such a shocking shift.
Leaving the beer on the table, JD curled up on the sofa, his eyes staring blankly at the tv screen. He wasn't even sure what he was watching.
He needed sleep, and he was just drifting off when a knock sounded against the front door.
JD groaned, but he didn't move. Whoever it was could just go away. He wasn't in the mood for people, and it was unlikely to be important. Anyone who knew him, anyone who he'd care enough for to get off the sofa, had his phone number and his pager number.
The nuisance knocker tried again, louder and longer this time and JD grimaced.
He really hated people.
When it sounded a third time, he forced himself up off the sofa and dragged himself to the door, opening it with a glare ready for whoever had disturbed him.
He wasn't expecting to see Perry standing in front of him.
…
JD threw himself back on the sofa, listening to Perry closing the door behind him. He thought he heard the sound of the chain being put across the door and frowned. Instead of joining JD in the living room, he headed straight for the kitchen, and JD heard the rustle of a bag.
A few minutes later, Perry joined him in the living room, two plates in his hands and two fresh bottles of beer tucked under his arm.
"Come on, Newb, food."
JD sat up a little when Perry handed him a plate.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, when Perry sat down beside him. "I said—"
"I know what you said," Perry interrupted softly. "And you've still gotta eat. So I'm here to eat and watch… Good Lord, Betty, what are you watching?"
JD glanced at the telly and shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever was on when I turned the tv on."
Perry rolled his eyes and leant forward to grab the remote, flicking through the channels until he found a catch up of one of his soaps. JD snorted but didn't say anything when the remote found its home on the table and Perry settled in to watch.
They ate in silence. The food was objectively good, JD knew. They'd eaten from the Chinese numerous times, and it was always good, but tonight it tasted like cardboard.
He ate enough to feel full and put the plate on the table.
Perry cleaned his own plate and got up, taking both of them into the kitchen before he rejoined JD, tugging him until he practically fell into his lap with a yelp.
"Perry, what—"
"Just lay down and watch the tv, Newb," Perry ordered softly, his hand threading through JD's hair, tugging gently on the strands.
JD did as he was told, mystified by the change in their interaction. Perry was never usually this affectionate; he preferred to be aloof, gruff and strong and… not whatever this was.
Slowly, JD relaxed into his lap, his blinks getting longer as he fought off sleep with a determination he didn't really feel.
Sure enough, he must have failed because the next thing he knew, Perry was gently shaking him awake.
"Come on, Newb, bedtime."
…
JD settled under the covers, listening to the shower running in the attached bathroom. He wanted to just let himself drift back to sleep, but Perry had been sweet.
He'd been really sweet, and he'd given JD the time to decompress, helping by just being there, even though JD hadn't realised that would be enough. JD thought it would be rude to just sleep after that.
Perry didn't take long in the shower. He opened the door to the bedroom, a plume of steam following him out. JD took a moment to appreciate the sight of him fully naked and possibly still a little damp.
God but the man was sexy.
Perry slipped beneath the covers and opened his arms, letting JD press himself close. He pressed a tender kiss to JD's temple and settled his arms around him.
JD sighed into the embrace, and then let his hands wander, until he'd lowered them enough to brush across Perry's half hard erection.
He wasn't expecting Perry to gather his hands in his own and move them back up to rest on his chest.
JD made a questioning noise, and Perry kissed his temple again. "You said you weren't in the mood tonight, Newb."
"Perry—"
"Hey, no. You had a rough day today, and I get it, Newb. I know how easy it is to just go home alone and mull it over but that's… you don't need to be alone. You've got me, hmm?"
JD pulled his head back a little to look up at Perry. "Do I?"
He hated how insecure he sounded, but Perry just smiled down at him slightly and cupped his cheek.
"You do. I know I'm not good at feelings, and big declarations, but I think we've proved this thing between us has got legs, hmm? We've been dating for a few months and it's been going well, right?"
JD blinked at him. They'd been dating? He'd thought…
Happiness blossomed inside him and he shifted even closer, laying his head down on Perry's chest. "Thank you for coming over."
"Anytime, Princess," Perry replied.
…
Jd flipped another pancake onto the plate as Perry joined him in the kitchen, wrapping his arms around JD from behind.
"You'll make a good wife," he quipped, pressing a kiss to JD's neck.
"You're an asshole," JD replied, laughing.
"But you love me anyway," Perry said, taking the offered plate.
JD felt his cheeks heat as he turned back to the pan to make his own pancakes. "Yeah. I do."
Written for:
Lizzy's Loft: 14. Pancakes
Elizabeth's Empire: 1. Determination
Film Festival: 9. Adrenaline
Milkshakes: Chocolate: Mars: Didn't know they were dating
Urban Safari: 24. African Elephant: Mystified
Rainbow: Green: Nuisance
Petting Zoo: Goats: Aloof
Leaving On A Jet Plane: 34. Cape Town: Practical
365. 23. Yelp