Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2019 20:48:10 GMT -5
FINE.
“So yeah, that’s fine. I mean, if it’s good with him. I’ll ask. Don’t see why it wouldn’t be, though.”
Mike was sitting on the couch of their hotel room’s balcony. As usual, it was the best that they could afford to book- in this case, the Charlee Lifestyle. Just looking around, they could see they made a good decision- the bed was comfy, the space was roomy, and there was a private balcony patio- complete with private grill and hot tub!- overlooking the city. Everything was wonderful. Nothing to do for the rest of the evening but unwind from the flight, maybe make use of the hot tub. John had opted to take a shower, and Mike was about to start flipping through the channels when Dr. Jillian Moriarty had called to check in and set John’s next appointment. So, jotting down on the bedside notepad where they were, they’d gone out onto the balcony to take the call.
They’d spoken to Dr. Moriarty before, of course. Mike liked the sound of her- her tone was warm and friendly, and seemed to be so naturally and not a veneer developed for the job. That was paramount. John could smell bullshit from a mile away and any hint of falseness wouldn’t be conducive to an atmosphere of trust.
“So… and I don’t need any details an’ I don’t think you could tell me if I wanted ‘em, but… how’d it go? I mean, he said it was fine, an’ I asked him if he’d want to keep going, he said if it was okay with me, I said of course it was okay with me, an’... yeah.”
Mike chuckled lightly, then sighed. What they wanted most was for John to get something out of this, something that could help him deal with everything he’d endured. They also knew, as a matter of course, that getting their partner to open up about anything to someone new was as difficult an undertaking as prying open an oyster. This would take time, Mike knew that, but getting things off on the right foot was important.
“Really? Good. Yeah. So… that’s fine, yeah. … Oh, totally. He’s the sweetest f… er, he’s a sweet guy. Mmmhmmm… no, I don’t mind.”
If Mike was a subject of conversation between the two of them, they weren’t going to let that stop them. They just hoped it’d be good stuff, but… well, you never could tell. Anything that helped him get better.
Sighing, they looked out over the city. Twilight was starting to set in, and, faintly through the windows, Mike could hear a faint rhythmic thump- probably a party at the rooftop pool. Mike’d have to ask John if he wanted to go up there some night while they were here. EDM wasn’t really his thing but he did like dancing.
“Okay. Okay, I’ll let him know and have him text you. Like I said, it should be ok. Thanks, Doc.”
They hung up, letting their phone-holding arm drop to their side, sighing again. John hadn’t been the only one to get a recommendation to see someone. They’d declined, though. Mike was fine, just fine. They’d gotten by alright for this long, and besides. John had been through worse. He needed them to be steady, strong, and reliable for him while he went through the healing process. A lot of ugly shit was likely to be coming through the pipes and while it was Dr. Moriarty’s job to help him through it, backup on the homefront wouldn’t hurt.
Besides, the nights of chaining cigarettes and beers and the occasional illicit drug, the outrageous death matches in front of a house of fifty tops, the anonymous sex with whatever ring rat asked, the general freight-training themself into inevitable self destruction- that was done with. It was as part of the past as calling themself ‘she’ and ‘her’ for everyone else’s convenience, and maybe a desperate attempt to fit into ‘polite society’. They were past that phase. After all, if they wound up dead in a nest of electrified razor wire and thumbtacks or of alcohol poisoning in the midst of a fivesome, who would take care of John? They may be a stupid, ugly hot mess hiding behind smirking, sarcastic bravado, but they thought of things he didn’t. Some of which were vital. If they didn’t remind him of that stuff, who would? Nobody got him like they did. Nobody loved him like they did.
Mike would be fine. Mike always was.
“...this is a nice view.”
“SHIT!”
Mike jumped about a foot in the air, half tumbling off the couch.
“Geez, you’re like a damn cat. Didn’t hear you come in, bud.”
“Obviously.”
He gave the tiniest of smirks. They smirked back.
“Just got off the phone with the Doc. She says that if it’s ok with you, she wants to talk to you again day after we get back. One o’clock. Text her if that’s ok, she said she gave you her number.”
“Okay.”
“I’m famished. Want me to call the dude up, put this private grill to good use?”
“Sure.”
Picking themselves up, Mike gave their partner a smile and picked up the courtesy phone.