Entry tags:

gerard_quarter, viggo_q

19 April 2009; Market & hospital; Sean Bean/Viggo Mortensen/Gerry Butler; PG
[Crossposted to bean_quarter, viggo_q and gerard_quarter]

Sean swore under his breath as he tightened the last bolt connecting the top of what was going to be his boss's engraving unit to the base. Ever since the man had started feeling well enough to sell their new products Sean had been working in the shop rather than at the stall. Which was fine with him, for the most part, it gave him more time to do actual work rather then babysitting the goods. The downside was when the old man said he wanted to start offering engraving on site rather then sending a piece back to Sean at the shop and making the customer come back. Personally Sean didn't see the big deal with waiting, but here he was a week after getting told about the idea putting the damn machine together.

Sitting back Sean picked up the instructions so he could read over what pieces he needed next. From the looks of it all he had left to do was attach and bolt in the hardware. "Not bad, not bad." Setting the instructions to the side Sean dug out the bolts and shoved them in his pocket. He checked that he had the machine positioned the right way and slid it onto the edge of the table and took off the cardboard protecting the sharp edge that was supposed to lock into place on the table top. "Nothing to it," he whispered to himself and pushed the machine back and slid it forward to try and get it to fall into place.

Sean wasn't sure how the next thing happened. He'd just felt the edges catch in the grooves and went to give it a push when the machine moved forward to fast and caught the arm he had braced on the table top. Caught and ripped up the inside of his forearm. "Fucking hell!" Instinctively Sean pulled it away and winced when he saw how far up the cut went on his arm, that and the amount of blood running already oozing out of the wound.

Viggo was balancing a couple of coffees and a bag of bagels when he heard Sean curse. "Hey I didn't take that long," he joked until he saw Sean's body language. He dumped their snack on a bench and quickly moved to his friend. "What have you done Sean? Let me see?"

When Sean heard Viggo come back he looked over, wincing. "I knew this was a stupid fucking idea," Sean grumbled and pulled his arm away from his chest. He wasn't even sure when he'd pulled his arm up but he could feel the fabric sticking to his chest now.

Looking at the spreading stain over Sean's shirt Viggo reached for the torn flesh. "Fucking hell Sean ..." He looked around for a cloth or towel and when neither could be found he hauled off his t-shirt and wrapped it tightly around the wound.

Sean almost argued with Viggo about ruining his shirt but stopped when he caught sight of the look on his friend's face. "The fucking machine slipped," he said and pulled his arm back up to his chest.

"You gotta get that looked at man," Viggo said with real concern. "I think it'll need stitches... um, I can look after the stalls or we can just close 'em and I'll take you to the hospital."

He knew Viggo was right, the cut would need stitches, but that didn't mean Sean was very happy at the prospect. Looking at the yet unfinished engraver Sean shook his head. "I don't even know where I'd lock that up," he said and gestured to the machine with his head.

Viggo glanced down at the equipment and nodded. "Okay... I can take care of that. Stay here." Luckily there was always a ready supply of cabs near the market and within minutes he had one hailed and signaled for Sean.

It took him a minute but once Sean got up he managed to get over to the cab okay. Now that he was moving he could feel the throb in his arm and grumbled. As much as he knew he had to go get it taken care of it didn't mean he was altogether happy about it. Once he was at the cab Sean nodded over his shoulder. "Could you get my wallet out," he asked, "M'boss's number is on a card inside - give him a call and see if he'll come take over the shop."

"Um yeah sure," Viggo said and reached into Sean's jeans pocket to pull out his wallet. He looked through the wallet until he found the card then slipped it back into the pocket. "Okay... I'll call your boss and sort things here. I can come to the hospital and get you later and get you when they've patched you up."

Sean nodded, trying to give Viggo a smile when he got into the cab. "I'll have someone call."

Viggo watched the cab go and looked down at the card in his hand. It took a little longer than expected to get hold of Sean's boss but he finally managed to organise someone to take over the stall. His coffee was cold by the time he'd cleaned up, but he still felt like he needed it and swallowed it down in one go.

"Hey, Viggo isn't it?" Gerry asked as he approached the stall. "Is Sean around?"

Shaking his head Viggo threw the empty cup into the trash. "Sorry man, you missed him. I just sent him off to the hospital to get his arm looked at."

Gerry instantly went cold. "What happened? Is he okay? Of course he's not fucking okay if he went to the hospital..."

"It's okay," Viggo said quickly seeing how panicked Gerry was. "He cut his arm and it might need a few stitches. How about you head over... I'm sure he'll love someone to complain at! Grumpy bastard that he is."

"Yeah ... yeah," Gerry smiled and took a breath. "Thanks Viggo. I... I guess I over react a bit."

Viggo just smiled. "Go see him Gerry."

---

Gerry quickly paid the cab driver and bolted through the doors of the ER. He tapped impatiently at the counter only to get a withering look from the duty nurse.

"Can I help you with something sir?" the nurse asked, leaning her clipboard on her lap.

"Sean... he hurt his arm," Gerry sputtered out then took a calming breath. "My friend Sean Bean came in with an arm injury."

The woman gave Gerry an odd look before scanning the list of names of the patients that were in with doctor's already. "He's being helped in room three down the hall," she said, still looking at him strangely.

"Down there?" Gerry asked already moving in that direction. "Thanks." He smiled at the nurse and jogged down the hall towards the room.

Sitting on the hospital table inside room three Sean was glaring at his mostly cleaned up arm. The doctors in the ER were glad he'd come, giving him a pain pill followed by more stitches than Sean could count at the moment. "Stupid idea."

"I know that voice," Gerry said as he stepped into the partially open doorway. He stood and looked at Sean with his heart hammering in his ears.

At the sound by the door Sean looked up, hoping it was the nurse coming to discharge him and was surprised to see Gerry standing in the doorway. Blinking a few times Sean shifted on the table. "Gerry?"

Gerry moved quickly and was about to hug Sean when he realised that might not be wise. He hesitated and stood still, only his hand hovering close to the injured arm. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

"Mmm, will be really sore when the pain meds wear off." Sean looked at the cut and knew he had to look horrible, having black stitching going almost all the way up his forearm and stopping at his elbow. "How'd you find out I was here? Haven't been allowed to get to a phone."

"Viggo told me," Gerry said a little distracted as his eyes flicked between the stitches and Sean's face. "I... as soon as he said hospital..." He stopped and reached out to run his fingers through Sean's hair giving it a light tug. "I just got scared."

Sean leaned into the light touch and reached out with his uninjured arm so he could hook a finger in the hem of Gerry's jeans. "I'm sorry you found out that way."

Gerry gave a not very convincing smile; the memory of getting word that Brian had died still raw. "Just so long as you're okay and I can take you home."

"Probably a good idea, gave me some pain meds. Said something about more from a pharmacy." Sean frowned a bit as he watched Gerry's face. The smile hadn't quite reached his eyes. Leaning in Sean rested his head on Gerry's stomach, not bothering to pull away when the doctor came back into the room.

Gerry's arm closed protectively around Sean as he watched the doctor go through the chart. "Is he okay to go now?" he said after clearing his throat.

The doctor smiled and nodded. "Just make sure he takes it easy for a few days."

It took a moment before Sean realized the doctor was waiting for him to acknowledge the order and finally nodded. He took the prescription and papers from the doctor that so he'd be able to check out at the receptionist. "Thanks doc," he said and stood, giving Gerry's hand a squeeze before stepping out into the hallway.

While Sean organised the paperwork at reception Gerry hovered nearby; not wanting to crowd him but needing to be close. When he saw Sean thank her Gerry quickly moved to his side and slid his arm around Sean's waist. "I can get us cab... and I can stay over for while."

"They said once the pills wear off if I don't take more I might be a big grumpy," Sean said, trying to make a slight joke as he shifted his stitched arm a bit as they walked out of the hospital and nodded. "That would be nice, unless you have to work."

"Fuck work. It can wait," Gerry said and smiled at Sean. "Once you're settled I'll get the prescription filled because heaven forbid I have to put up with grumpy Sean."

That's better. The smile on Gerry's face was more genuine this time and it made Sean relax a little more. "You could always get Lola on the way back and stay with me tonight," he suggested.

"Yeah but only cuddling tonight," Gerry grinned and turned to kiss Sean's temple. He knew Sean wasn't into public displays of affection, but Gerry decided he'd just have to deal with it.

Sean grumbled a little but nodded, not even really focusing on the fact Gerry had kissed him out in the open. Somehow he could see himself crashing earlier that night then he usually would. "Could order in food at least."

"I can do that," Gerry said although he had a feeling that Sean would be asleep before it arrived. He waved at a passing cab and steered them to the curb where he let Sean get in before jogging round to the other side. "I think I better call Viggo and let him know you're okay too."

Relaxing against the seat Sean let his eyes fall close and rested his hand on Gerry's knee. "Yeah, probably should. Vig offered to meet me here and take me home. Bastard treats me too well."

"He cares about you Sean, that's pretty obvious," Gerry smiled looking Sean. "And I don't blame him for that."

Turning his head toward Gerry Sean laughed a bit. "Something you both have in common, kinda loose in the head liking me."

Gerry just smiled and covered Sean's hand with his own. "We're nearly home Sean."

Instead of answering Sean simply let out a 'hmm'. He was surprised how much his head was feeling clogged. He'd been okay at the hospital but now he just felt sleepy. Part of him wondered if it was because Gerry was with him and he didn't have to worry.

Reaching over, Gerry brushed his fingers through Sean's hair and gave him a light kiss. "We're here Sean," he said softly. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

Sean blinked his eyes a few times before looking past Gerry to see his apartment building. Only thing was he really didn't remember they being in the cab that long. "God, this is why I hate hard drugs." Shaking his head Sean got out of the cab.

Gerry paid the driver and guided Sean into the apartment. It was obvious that dinner wouldn't be needed and turned him straight towards the bedroom.

Without thinking too much Sean followed Gerry through the apartment, digging out the papers Gerry would need if he went to the drug store later and leaving them on the dresser.

"Come on ... bed," Gerry said and started to help Sean undress.

"This what it's like having a parent around?" Sean asked paused when he thought about how he was going to get his shirt off.

"Uh huh," Gerry muttered while he began undoing the buttons of Sean's shirt. "Okay... I'll hold the shirt while you ease your arm out."

Sean stuck his tongue out at Gerry but nodded his head, slowly easing his arm out, only wincing mildly when he hit the stitches against the fabric once.

"That's it," Gerry crooned and eased the shirt away. He unfastened Sean's jeans and slid them down. "Okay... sit on the bed and I'll get your shoes off."

Raising an eyebrow briefly Sean did as he was told. "This feels weird," he said through a yawn.

Gerry looked up and smiled at Sean mid yawn. "What feels weird?" he asked while pulling off a sock and giving Sean's foot a rub. "The drugs or having a slave undress you?"

"Being taken care of." Sean smiled a bit even at the light touch and dropped back on the bed. "The drugs are different...never did pain pills."

"Well like it or not, I'm taking care of you." Gerry moved the covers back. "Shuffle back and let me cover you up."

Without arguing Sean nodded and shifted back until his head hit one of the pillows, his eyelids feeling more heavy now that his body realized he was laying down.

"Get some sleep Sean," Gerry murmured and lay next to him, his hand lightly resting on Sean's chest.

Sean nodded lightly, already feeling his body giving in to sleep.