Who: Riley & Finn What: Recovering from the storm When: July 20th (backdated) Where: The Facility Hospital Rating: Mid - some language Status: Complete
Finn had drifted off to sleep when Kyrie was still sitting beside him, the hours of concentration needed to keep the waters from damaging the docks had taken their toll and the lovely brunette woman had carried his unconscious form to Medical where he was put on IV fluids and painkillers. They were both needed, especially since when he woke up from the exhaustion induced rest he had a headache. He knew it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been because he had the foresight to ask for something to kill the pain before it had actually started.
It was a lot busier and noisier than when they had admitted him and he knew that there were people that were more injured than him and he didn’t want to put any extra strain on the already worn out staff. But he also knew that they wouldn’t let him go ‘home’ (if there even was one left) unless he had a responsible adult who could keep an eye on him, just in case things got worse, but where was Riley?
Riley was standing nearby fussing at the person treating his fiancé - “Look at him! I need him to get better, don’t y’all have any soup or anything here? I doubt he’s eaten since before the storm.” - only a few steps away from where Finn was resting.
It wasn’t common for Riley to get too worked up about anything but this situation was different and he was still coasting on the feelings of fear and anxiety. Who could blame the poor thing for being a bit snappish and harsh? The love of his life was lying in a hospital bed and he didn’t feel like the personnel were doing that much at all to ensure Finn would be able to go home.
“Sir, we are doing all we can,” the medic replied casually. “All you can?!” Riley barked a laugh of sarcasm. “I think I could do a better job than you blindfolded!”
The medic began to offer Riley a look of impatience, as if that pipsqueak knew anything other than how to run his mouth.
Over the sounds of the center, of the humming of machines and chatter of people Finn heard a familiar voice and the stress behind it, his fiancé was worrying about him and giving people a piece of his mind - typical Riley.
Turning his head and opening his eyes he could see Riley standing near a man dressed in scrubs, obviously one of the many medical personnel that worked there. “Riley..” He said softly but loud enough that the other man could hear him, a hand rising out towards the man he loved.
A look of sass had started to break out across his expression when he heard that soft calling of his name. Instead of saying what was on the edge of his tongue, Riley instead let loose a “lucky for you I have to go.” And with that he was nearly sprinting back to Finn’s bedside.
Concern weighed on him. He sat gently on the edge of the bed, taking that outstretched hand into both of his own. “Hey babe,” came soft words, nearly in a coo, the smile splitting his face one of elation to see color back in Finn’s face.
“You feelin’ okay? God I wish they’d just let me take you home.”
Seeing that smile on Riley’s face was the best thing that he could see after such a long day, well other than seeing Riley in person again and knowing that they had both gotten through the hurricane relatively unscathed.
“Yeah, feeling better after a rest. I think I overdid it at the dock, but I saved it, the boats can still make it over with our food and stuff.” And that was the whole point of his endeavor today, saving the lifeline to the island for everyone.
“I think they’ll let me home soon, just gotta finish this bag and get one last check over.” He looked up at the IV bag that was still dripping saline into his veins. “Do we still have a home?”
Prickles of moisture beaded up in his eyes but he smiled wide regardless. “Always gotta be the hero,” he teased kindly, bringing Finn’s fingers up to his lips. Kisses would be placed over the digits, Riley nuzzled at Finn’s fingers gently.
The idea of a self sacrifice on account of a couple of boats was totally not worth it in his opinion. But Finn was alright, that was what mattered. “Just glad you’re okay. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Riley nodded at the last bit, “Yep. We didn’t do all of that christening for nothing.” And then he was laughing a little. He couldn’t wait to get back there and put Finn into their bed to rest.
The backs of fingers brushed against Riley’s beard as they were brought up to the other man’s mouth, God he really was the luckiest man on the island to bag such a gorgeous and generous person.
It wasn’t really just about a few boats, it was more about keeping the dock there and not letting it get damaged. “You know I’m not going to let some water stop me, I’m made from stronger stuff than that!”
Finn grinned, he was glad that their place had survived, they had just settled in and indeed christened just about every room and surface that they could. “Good. It got really crazy out there, I was worried about you, hoping you got somewhere safe.”
He couldn’t remember when his eyes started to leak but they did. All of those pent up emotions, the exhaustion, trickled down those stubbly cheeks without any sign of stopping. Riley didn’t mind, though. At the end of the day Finn was safe, recovering. It was the only thing that mattered.
“I know you are,” he laughed, the end of his nose wrinkling with amusement. “Tough’r than nails. Like the bite of that there rattlesnake.”
A sigh escaped. His brow furrowed a bit and finally he did lift his free hand to wipe at his eyes. “I didn’t know if you were okay at all, I was scared. Probably raisin’ a bunch of hell in here because of it. I think I wore down the soles of my shoes with all of the pacing.”
When his hand was free Finn reached up and brushed at the tears on Riley’s cheeks, he could only imagine the stress and worry that his fiance had gone through wondering if he was okay out in that storm with strong winds and relentless rain, though really Finn was in his element - literally - and to a weird degree kind of enjoyed the time alone. Even though now he was paying the price with a headache.
Finn loved everything southern about Riley - the accent, the mannerisms and of course the lingo and little sayings. “Like a rusty old Dodge truck that still turns over with some persuasion.” Maybe not the best reference in the world but he was a bit doped up on painkillers.
“I promise you honey that if I had thought it was beyond my abilities I wouldn’t have risked staying out there.” He looked down towards the ground. “And I’ll buy you a new pair of shoes.”
A roar of a laugh would come at the expression and Riley sniffled, nodding at his lover. “Boy howdy, I would swear you’re as Texan as the day is bright!” And then he was giggling. Even with the painkillers he got it and it was as close to home as he ever wanted Finn to get.
“All that matters is you’re safe, and alive. I haven’t prayed in years, but baby I was praying to anyone that would listen.” It was the truth. As he paced he was reaching out to anything upstairs that might have pity for a poor, unfortunate soul like his.
“I just want you to come home. I want you out of his place. I want you with your books.”
If they ever got off the island they had talked about heading down south, even if it was only to step foot across the border into Texas, he knew a lot about Riley’s history and never wanted to do anything to bring back those bad memories but even just saying ‘I’ve gone to Texas’ would be enough for Finn. “Naw, I’ll never be a southern belle like you darlin’.”
Another glance was made up at the IV bag which was slowly emptying, but it seemed to be taking forever, maybe he could just take it out or go home with it in, removing the cannula needle from the back of his hand wasn’t really all that difficult and he really just wanted to go home, curl up with Riley in their bed and sleep wrapped up together.
“Why don’t you see if you can find the doc who admitted me, he was balding and had glasses… I think.” His memory of getting here was still a bit fuzzy except he had remembered the name ‘Kyrie’ and he would be thanking her soon enough.
“Oh baby, your accent is getting me excited,” Riley confessed, the eyebrow waggle would ensue. He was teasing of course, trying to keep Finn in high spirits. That drawl was often hard to mimic but once you knew the phrases it wasn’t such a challenge.
At mention of finding the doctor, Riley nodded. He leaned over, pressing a kiss upon tired lips, then Finn’s warm forehead, before moving away from the bed. Scurrying away he rushed off to see if the doctor who admitted Finn was even there, and if so if he was there to discharge him.
It took nearly fifteen minutes, far too long in his opinion, before he was nearly dragging a doctor back to the room with him. “Hold your horses, you are letting him come home!”
“Sir, we have other patien—“ the doctor began before he was cut off.
“NO! There are no patients in here more important. Let me take him home!”
While it was adorable that Riley was so eager to get him home Finn did feel a bit bad for the poor doctor who had randomly gotten accosted by an over anxious Texan wanting to get his boyfriend home, a look of ‘sorry’ clear on Finn’s face.
“You’re going to need this bed soon enough, just give me some more painkillers and take this IV out and I’ll go home, I’m fine. Honestly.”
The poor doctor (who wasn’t actually the one who admitted him) looked at Riley and then at Finn, “Okay, I’ll go and get you some painkillers and arrange for someone to remove that IV from you.” He then smiled and left to do what he had just said.
“Honestly Ri, you didn’t need to accost the poor guy.”
A breath of relief escaped him as the doctor was willing to discharge Finn. He was nearly blubbering all over again. Making his way to the bedside Riley sat down again, taking up one of Finn’s hands. Kissing his lovers fingers he smiled. “Finally.”
He’d spent enough time here, he was ready to go. Anxious to leave.
“Baby, we both know you want to go home. Now we can go.”
Finn sat up slowly, knowing that any sign of dizziness might be cause for him to extend his medical visit longer. Thankfully there was no lightheadedness or any ill effects and soon he’d be able to go home. “I tell you what I could use though… a nice cup of tea and one of those delicious cookies, if you’ve still got any left.” As good as the saline was at replacing fluids from dehydration it did nothing for the rumbling in his stomach.
The doctor returned a few minutes later with a small container of painkillers and with practised ease removed the cannula from the back of Finn’s hand. “If you start feeling dizzy or have any weird side effects from the painkillers please don’t hesitate to come back.” With a smile he handed over the container, signed a piece of paper which he also got Finn to sign. “And you’re free to go.”
“Of course I do. I saved a whole Tupperware full.” Hed make as much tea as Finn wanted. He only wanted the man to rest until he felt up to being around. He didn't have any snacks on him but he could probably hassle the doctors for something edible.
A breath would escape Riley when the doctor finally let Finn go. Moving to stand, a hand would outstretch. “C’mon, let’s go.”
He helped his boyfriend stand up, holding on to ensure Finn wouldn’t fall over as he began to lead them toward the doors.
He was still tired and knew that it wouldn’t be too long before he’d be asleep again but sleep was always better in a more familiar bed, hospital gurneys didn’t exactly have the most comfortable mattresses in the world. Leaning slightly against Riley, Finn walked out of the building.
It had stopped raining which was good but now it was possible to see some of the damage caused by their friendly hurricane, trees were down or stripped of branches and some buildings had lost part or all of their roof or windows were blown out.
By the time they reached their new apartment Finn was feeling quite tired again, maybe he wouldn’t be needing that tea after all. “Thank you baby.”
He lead and supported Finn the entire way, taking things a step at a time. There wouldn’t be any rushing Finn, making him strain any harder than he had to. “For what?”
They ascended to the apartment and he unlocked the door, opening it. Leading his fiancé inside, once the door was closed he walked with Finn to the bed.
“Shoes off. We are fancier than the hospital.” When Finn was in the bed and settled Riley helped with his shoes. “I’ll start the tea and get you a cookie. Yeah?”
Finn sighed contently when they walked into their apartment, it was so good to be home.
“For everything, I’m so lucky to have a gorgeous man like you.” Finn said, letting Riley help with the shoes and stripping off his pants down to his boxer briefs before doing the same to the shirt and light jacket that he had been wearing and despite everything were still a bit damp.
“Don’t worry about the tea or cookies, I’m so sleepy. Just a glass of water and I’ll take one of these.” Shaking the bottle of pills, at least he’d sleep well without the throbbing of a strong headache.
He helped Finn peel the still wet clothes from skin. Any other time this would’ve turned into something different, as it was he was happy only to get the other man into bed to rest. “Baby, I’m the hottest thing next to the sun, but then you’re the sun.”
When Finn was down and resting, Riley went to get a glass of water. He brought it back, shook a pill out of the bottle, and handed both to his lover.
Tomorrow when Finn was feeling better they’d fool around, not that it took much to light that spark between them but tonight tiredness won out, he would’ve fallen asleep before anything got too serious.
Taking a sip of water he popped the pill into his mouth and downed it with another mouthful of liquid. “Thanks. I’m sorry I won’t be much company tonight.” But Riley understood, he always understood. “Unless you want to listen to me snoring all night.”
A laugh would come. Kisses would be placed upon cheeks, forehead. “I know. Just rest.” He did understand because he knew for all of the selfishness he had Finn trumped all of it. He was devoted entirely to this man and his well-being.
Blankets would be brought up, tucked around his lover. Just knowing that Finn was comfortable that was enough for him.
A tired smile spread across his lips at the kisses, something that he always liked Riley doing. A few moments later the smile was broken by a yawn.
He shifted onto his side after Riley had pulled the blankets up and snuggling down into the warmth. “Love you.” He said sleepily.