Outside, the air was warm despite the recent thunderstorm. The breeze lifted Jamie's grey hair from his face as he rolled the wheelchair through the glass double doors. He noted that all the curtains to the resident rooms were still drawn as most of the patients decided to rest following the day's excitement. Even if someone observed him wheeling the hotheaded grouch away from the facility, it was true that not one person would question it or even care.
Obviously, there was no family to wonder where David had disappeared to. As the physician pointed out, all the data in his patient profile was utter shit; essentially, 'David' didn't exist.
Since the man didn't come in with much property, there wasn't much Jamie had to carry in the satchel on his back. A few clothes, colostomy supplies, art tools; it was light luggage. That didn't mean it was all easy going, however.
David was rather excited to be out and about with Jamie. Despite his usual hermit preferences, the tyrant continued to twist around and squirm in the chair making maneuvering it difficult. It was almost like taking a large, rambunctious puppy home for the first time.
That was a thought that made Jamie shudder. He didn't want to ever equate a human being with a canine as this asshole had done. But that was the most accurate description of David's fidgety behavior. If Jamie was going to get this cumbersome chair through the mud and up to his home, David was going to have to settle down.
"I didn't think you were much of a fan of fresh air and sunshine," he commented dryly to the man in the chair.
David flapped a hand dismissively and chuckled.
"Not generally. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to get to go home with you, Jamie darling," he said, closing his eyes and tipping his face into the sun.
"Look, David. You're used to a life of luxury and fine things. My home is far from a palace, alright? That's the way I prefer it. I'd be perfectly happy to never set foot in a palace again," Jamie advised. "My plants and animals were my main priorities and now I have to babysit someone who traumatized the shit out of me. In addition, to being, I don't know, some type of Ranger again."
David snorted and attempted to gaze back at the gorgeous man pushing his chair.
"I'd hardly compare that hellhole to a life of luxury," he huffed. "Actually, I think a hellhole would be the better option. But, in all honesty, I can't wait to see your little home in the woods with all the cute little animals and flowers."
He laughed lightly still attempting to twist around in the chair.
"For the love of God, sit still David! You're making this a thousand times harder," Jamie gripped as he stopped to remove his black button up. It was soaked with sweat and he briskly tied the sleeves around his waist.
David managed to turn enough to catch Jamie's eye.
"Well, you're the one who opened your mouth, darling. You really think blabbing to that motherfucker would solve anything?" he hissed.
Grabbing the handles of the chair, Jamie gave a shove, jostling David precariously in the seat. He glowered at the grey-haired man who returned the expression with a smirk.
"Oops, sorry," he mocked before addressing David's question. "I don't know exactly what I was thinking. Maybe it would help figure out what was wrong with you?"
David huffed at that statement as the pair reached the trail way leading up into the woods towards Jamie's home.
"You really think after all the doctors over all the years trying to evaluate and treat me, that you and that Dr. Liarpants were going to diagnose me in one afternoon? Please!" he scoffed. "I'm a little more complex than that. Give me some credit!"
Jamie sighed in annoyance, carefully guiding the chair off the paved cement onto the soggy dirt trail.
"It doesn't matter anyways, David. You couldn't stay there whether they knew the truth or not. I saw what you were still capable of doing in there and there's no way I could risk you hurting another person," he shot back.
Growling, the tyrant twisted in the seat yet again.
"So, you're still going with the narrative that I raved about star animals? Fine, whatever. Maybe I did."
Jamie was getting exasperated now and he fought to control the urge to yell in frustration.
"Why the hell would I make that up? Of all the things ever said about you, that's a line?" he groaned. "Anyways, I should tell you now that Dr. Waters will be up in the morning to check in on us. Just so you aren't surprised."
Now, David nearly toppled the chair over as he swung around to glare at Jamie.
"Why in the fuck is that motherfucker coming to visit?" he snarled, mistrust showing in his eyes.
"Relax. It's not to see you, asshole," the other man answered. "I had to agree to a few stipulations in order to take you. You think that he would just let me take a psychotic, mass murdering warlord out of there with no regard for consequences?"
Jamie laughed.
"Let me assure you, it's not you he's worried about," he added.
Now, David shrugged; as long as he wasn't the one in the hot seat, he didn't give a fuck.
"Good, Jamie, because as much shit as you and the good doctor want to talk about me, you aren't exactly 'stable Mabel' either," he taunted, circling his ear with his finger.
The chair stopped moving and Jamie suddenly stormed in front of David, hands on his hips in anger.
"Compared to who, asshole? Because if its you, then I'm as cool as a cucumber. But let's remember who's fault it is that I got officially diagnosed with PTSD today," he yelled, bending down into David's smug face. "Oh, that's right! It's yours!"
David grinned back shamelessly.
"Uh oh, caught your first psych diagnosis, huh? Guess you don't know about the other one yet," he hissed back.
"What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not going to play games with you!"
Now, David sighed wearily, suddenly feeling very tired. He leaned back in the chair.
"Must we rehash our complicated backstory right now, Jamie? How long have we spent at odds with each other? I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to sit around a campfire and air our broken pieces later," he muttered.
Jamie threw his hands up in frustration, one going to his forehead.
"Fine. You're giving me a migraine with this cryptic shit anyways," he snapped, moving back behind the chair.
The pair continued along the trail, up through the trees where the leaves still held small drops of rain. It felt slightly cool in the shadows of the overarching branches and birds chirped brightly in the canopy.
David let out a small contented sound as he took in the fresh air and beautiful scenery. Faintly, he could make out the excited bark of a dog, before a rustle in the undergrowth gave way to a blur of brown and black fur. It was Jamie's pooch, he remembered. Bear?
"Hey, boy! I'm glad to see you too!" Jamie actually laughed, the sound strange to David's ears.
Of course, he wouldn't be familiar with expressions of true joy from his new roommate. The dog whined and rolled around Jamie's legs, eager to be stroked. It reminded the tyrant of his days with Red when he was docile and behaved; now that alter would gladly tear his innards out. Again.
Interesting that Red appeared to keep Jamie in the dark about his existence. David stroked his chin as he considered whether Jason really was hiding somewhere deep inside, perhaps in some catatonic state. He smirked.
Still the faithful guard dog, hmm, Red?
Jamie's hands rubbed briskly behind Bear's ears while the dog balanced on two legs against his companion's body. He panted heavily, licking at Jamie's face.
"Alright, alright, down, boy! Down!"
Bear trotted around the chair and sniffed hesitantly at David's offered hand. The mutt seemed to glare at the man in a knowing way. He barked once in warning; obviously he was making his displeasure known.
"It's ok. I'll be on my best behavior, ok? Good boy," he cooed at the bright shiny eyes.
"If I were you, I'd find another term of endearment," Jamie advised hotly. "For some reason, that one really grates on my nerves."
The chair was moving again as they approached the small cottage that was home. Chickens raced out of the way of the advancing humans and Jasper screeched out for his own special acknowledgement.
"What the fuck was that?" David asked, having never met a goat up close before.
Jamie frowned down at him. The man had seriously been sheltered. Pausing, he then redirected the wheelchair toward the goat pen, where Jasper now peered at them from his perch on the roof of his little house.
"That's Jasper," Jamie introduced the two obnoxious individuals. "He's actually a she, by the way. She'd already been named when I got her."
"Interesting," David commented staring into weirdly shaped pupils.
The goat stumbled down from the roof and pranced toward the gate where the two humans stood. Again, the creature bleated at them in annoyance.
"She's probably hungry. It's feeding time for these guys. I've got to figure out where to put you while I get everyone fed," Jamie sighed.
Now, the tyrant was confused.
"Can't I just sit right here and watch you?" he asked, surprised to find that he felt a little nervous.
Why would he feel nervous? It was just him and Jamie again. Sort of. Red was the one he always interacted with after Jason. David knew he could still inflict damage on a human body but in his current state he had no way to prevent Jamie from just ditching him and walking away, like everyone else. Besides whatever the fuck was going on with these star animals, he had no sway over his former pet.
"I thought you'd find that boring, David?" Jamie responded, moving beside him. "And that's another thing. Do you still want me to call you David with it being just us out here?"
The man in question shrugged, trying to conceal his unease.
"You've called me asshole so much, I thought that was my new name," he teased nervously.
"Well, to be fair, you gave me a new name once," Jamie answered, looking down at him blankly.
David nodded, looking into those unique beautiful eyes. Yes, there was something different about Jamie setting him apart from Jason and Red. Nothing he could put his finger on, possibly the facial expressions and his body language. All three versions were beautiful to him though.
"Why don't we just stick with David?" he replied. "Wouldn't that be easier for you too? Rather than saying 'Drakkon'?"
Jamie looked away, out over at the lake where the ducks were paddling on the glassy surface.
"None of this is going to be easy for me, David. You know that. I'm going to be constantly watching my back, right? And I've already frisked your stuff for any drugs," he muttered, looking back at David with that last sentence. "I'm locking your meds up too, so you don't try anything sneaky."
"I understand, Jamie," he whispered. "And I'd actually love to sit here and watch you while you feed your animals."
He struggled and failed to fight back the large yawn.
'I must have really flipped some shit today,' he mused to himself.
Bear plopped down next to the wheelchair, eyes on the fatigued human.
"It looks like your doggy will keep me in line while you're busy," he teased, propping his hand up on an arm.
Jamie sighed and looked down at Bear.
"Don't get in grabbing distance, bud," he warned.
David growled despite his tiredness.
"I'm not going to hurt your pooch, Jamie. Go on. Go feed your little critters. We'll be right here. Right, Bear?"
Jamie swayed nervously, looking between the two for a moment.
"If you do anything to him," he hissed, "or any of them, I will not hold back on you. That I can promise you."
David yawned again and waved Jamie away.
"You'd be closer to being done by now if you'd just get on with it," he muttered.
The sun warming his shoulders wasn't helping the man to stay awake. He hunkered down in the chair and cast heavy lidded eyes at the other man. Jamie ran a hand over his face.
"Fine."
He moved off to gather the feed and other supplies, his eyes repeatedly seeking the man and dog as he worked. Nerves on edge, he rushed through his tasks, trying to wrap everything up a little early as daylight was waning. Feeling exhausted himself, Jamie suddenly felt the painful rumble of his stomach.
This had been one hell of a day.
'I'm a fucking idiot," he grumbled to himself.
David continued to watch Jamie through his exhausted eyes, appreciating the sensual flex and bulge of his slightly sweating muscles as he moved, carrying the feed, shoving Jasper off as the creature accosted him, and chasing the chickens into their coop for the night. Watching the scene reminded him of his daydreams in the nursing facility; sitting here, he could imagine that he and Jamie were a couple just living everyday life together.
Soon, they would go into the little house together, where Jamie would prepare dinner and David would help him by washing and cutting up the vegetables, setting the table, and being the professional taste tester. He would entwine his arms around his love's waist as he stood at the stove, cooking, and drop tender promising kisses to the back of his neck.
No Jason or Red, no Tommy or Drakkon, no Power Rangers or space aliens. Only Jamie and David. Always. Two people who fell in love and ran away into the wild together, running their farm and living free.
Stretching in the chair, he caught sight of the black button up shirt hanging on the handle of his wheelchair. David reached out and grabbed it, pulling it tight to his chest. It was still slightly damp and smelled strongly of Jamie.
What he wouldn't give to bury his face in the crook of Jamie's neck enjoying the scent at its source, to feel the warm, steady body pressed against his own? Jamie looking at him with love and adoration instead of fear and disgust? All the things that could have been….
He must have dozed off because before David realized it, Jamie was standing beside him again, gingerly shaking his shoulder.
"Hey, ready to go inside? I'm done," he whispered, noting that the tyrant had snuggled down with his discarded shirt.
"Hmmm? Yeah, I'm ready. I'm starving too," he answered, looking up at Jamie with bleary eyes.
Jamie raised a brow, remembering David's finicky appetite.
"You aren't afraid I'm going to poison you?" he half joked, also realizing that the time was right in range for the man to start melting down.
He unconsciously patted a pocket where he kept a prepared vial of medication prescribed by Dr. Waters along with his obsidian stone.
David actually laughed, his shoulders shaking.
"No, I'd expect something more extravagant considering your last attempt to end me."
Jamie was so exhausted that he couldn't help but burst out laughing. His hands went to his stomach as he bent over with laughter. David grinned at Jamie in amusement.
"No grand ideas on how to top that, Jamie?" he teased.
"Not at the moment, but don't tempt me. I learned from the best remember?" he answered, wiping a tear from his eye. His stomach growled again loudly, which made the two dissolve in laughter again.
"Goddamn, we are both fucking crazy," David wheezed and Jamie could only nod.
Finally, he took hold of the wheelchair and the pair moved toward the cottage, still chuckling at their shared mental health woes.