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Jack was limping again, this was the third time this week that he’s been limping, and everyone has noticed. Day shift noticed in passing, night shift saw it all night. Robby, of course, noticed. He always did, it was his husband for fucksake. But, Jack was stubborn and often refused to get taken care of, no matter how much Robby offered. It wasn’t until one day, during the switch of the day to night shift, he was limping and Frank had noticed.
“You okay, dude?” Frank asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at Jack’s leg then to him. Jack nods, “I’m fine, go home Langdon.”
“I’m only asking because every time you walk you wince. I’m surprised Robby hasn’t noticed yet.” Frank says, shifting his back pack on his shoulder and looking behind him at Robby, who's on the computer catching up with everything. Jack freezes briefly and then raises an eyebrow himself. “What do you mean?” Jack asks. Did Dana blab? No, she wouldn’t, she doesn’t indulge in that type of gossip. No way she let out that he and Robby were married, no way. Nada.
“I don’t know, it just seems like you guys are close, last time you were limping like this he scolded you until you went home.” Jack nods, that's true. Frank smiles then nods, “Good night, dude. I’ll see you at hand off.”
“Bye.” Jack waves, Frank gives one final nod and walks away. Jack groans as he shifts to his good leg.
“Doin’ okay, boss?” Dana sneaks up behind him to ask. He nods again but rolls his eyes, “God, is it ‘harass Jack Abbot’ night? Langdon just asked me the same thing.” Jack snips back. Dana puts her hands in the air and purses her lips.
“Sorry, Jack, just noticed you’ve been limping. Why didn’t you take the day off? I’m sure someone would’ve filled in for ya’.” Dana explains, pointing her finger to Jack’s leg. Jack shakes his head, “Just sore, nothing to worry about.” He answers dryly. Dana only nods once, “Whatever you say, big guy.” She walks away to her station, filling in for Lena this night. Robby looks over to Jack after seeing from the corner of his eye that his husband was wincing and limping in pain. He gets up and walks over, putting his hand on Jack’s shoulder.
“Dana, I'm okay!” Jack sputters.
“Not Dana.” Robby answers calmly. Jack looks behind him then back at his chart. He straightens his back but groans at the sore feeling there too. Robby shakes his head.
“Nuh-uh, you’re going home.” he whispers into Jack’s ear, scared that someone might hear him. The whole ED doesn’t need to know their personal business, and them living together is one.
“No, Michael, i’m fine-”
“Don’t feed me your bullshit, Jack, you’re going home with me, I'm sure someone can fill in. Hell, I’ll do it if I have too. You need to rest, Jack.” Robby insists, pushing the subject.
“You need to sleep, Mike. I'll be fine-”
“You look exhausted too, Jack. Come on, Dana will ask someone to fill in for you. You’re leaving.” Jack didn’t put up a fight, the pain in his leg insisting that it’s a good idea to go home and rest. Jack nods, “Fine, but you’re not babying me when we get home.”
“Can’t promise I won't take care of you, Jack. Come on.” Robby puts his hand gently on Jack’s lower back and walks next to him and goes up to Dana at the station.
“Jack’s going home, too much leg pain. Can someone fill?” Robby asks, Jack going to get his bag.
“Sure, I'll call Parker, see if she's up to it. Too much pain, Jack?” Dana asks, getting the phone and putting Parker's number into it. Jack just shrugs, “Goodbye, Dana.” He says, smiling weakly.
It breaks Robby’s heart to see his lover in so much physical pain. But, at least when he gets home, he can pamper and take care of him. He promised him in Vegas that in sickness and in health that he’d take care of him. Always.
They get into Jack’s car, Robby driving for obvious reasons. Jack protested, but quickly gave up when Robby gave him a look. Their drive home was quiet and peaceful, Jack almost fell asleep as Robby drove to their house. Jack dozes off until the car stops and he feels a hand on his shoulder. He lifts his head from the window and looks at Robby. Robby chuckles.
“Sleeping beauty, it’s time to get inside. Unless you wanna sleep in the car, I won't judge.” Robby jokes. Jack rolls his eyes playfully and opens the door. He gets out on his good leg and starts to limp towards the front door, Jack looks behind him and sees a frowning Robby.
“Stop looking like a kicked puppy, Mike, my stump just hurts. A hot shower and some sleep should help.” Jack unlocks the door and walks into the house, putting all of his stuff on the floor, limping to the couch.
He sits down onto the soft comfortable couch and groans, a powerful zap of pain going up his spine.
“Fuck.” he grunts, shifting in his seat. Robby sits next to him and looks at Jack.
“Can I massage your shoulders? Stump?” He asks, looking concerned and a bit sad for Jack. Jack shrugs.
He feels guilty that he makes his lover so concerned sometimes because of a dumb decision he made as a teenager to join the army, he was so stupid and naive. It wasn’t worth it all, and it didn’t even pay all his tuition. He did all that for nothing, now he’s left without his leg, ptsd, and some hearing issues due to the explosion. He sighs and tries to get up but hisses in pain.
“No, you’re staying there. No more stubbornness tonight. Come closer.” Robby demanded, and Jack gave in. “Take your prosthetic off, babe. I’ll help you feel better, I promise.” And Robby always kept his promises. Because of course he does.
Thats one of the many things he loves about Robby, even though the fucker can be too secretive about his mental health, he still keeps promises and loves him dearly.
Jack leans down and takes his prosthetic off, getting his stump up into Robby’s lap. Robby rolls his scrubs up to his thigh and starts to massage the stump. At first, Jack groaned in slight pain, now he is finally feeling some relief. He sighs and closes his eyes, laying down as the soreness goes away slowly but surely.
He sits up when Robby stops massaging, Robby’s looking at him.
“You want to go shower? No offense, but you’re really sweaty.” Jack laughs, “too tired.”
“I can come in with you, if you want. I need to shower too.” Robby suggests, “Okay, get my crutches for me please.” Jack asks, pointing to the bedroom. Robby nods once and gets up, groaning himself. Damn getting old sucks. Robby walks over to the bedroom and comes back with his crutches. He has a wheelchair, but he only uses it if he absolutely has too and refuses to use it 99.9% of the time.
“Here ya’ go, come on Jack.” Robby walks off to the bathroom and starts the shower. Jack gets up with his crutches, making his way to the bathroom. He opens the door and sees that the shower is already hot and that Robby’s already stripping. Jack whistles at him, making Robby jump.
“Oh fuck off.” Robby throws his shirt at Jack’s head.
Jack undresses himself and carefully walks his way into the shower, sitting on the chair. Robby gets shampoo on his hands and starts to scrub it into Jack’s curls. Jack crosses his arms and lets Robby do his thing. When he’s done practically bathing Jack, he turns around and starts to bathe himself.
“Want me too-”
“Jack, you need rest. I can clean myself, go lay in bed. I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Jack only nods and gets out carefully. He sits on the toilet seat and starts to dry himself off, putting clean clothes off and crutching his way to the bedroom.
When he enters the bedroom and properly lays down, the stress and pain of the day immediately go away. He sighs and gets under the covers, putting his crutches to the side of the bed for when he gets up tomorrow. He closes his eyes, but doesn’t fall asleep. He finds that he can’t sleep without Robby being next to him sometimes, which pisses him off because their schedules are so varied. He rubs his eyes open and looks to see Robby entering the room, in just a shirt and his boxers.
He gets into bed and lays down next to Jack, yawning. Jack instantly goes into Robby’s arms, gravitating to each other like magnets. Robby kisses the top of Jack’s damp head and smiles.
“Good night, Jack. Love you.” He says.
“I love you too, Misha. Now sleep.” Jack yawns himself, closing his eyes and drifting off.