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randomweavingFic: Changeling
Characters: John Dorian/Perry Cox
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Chapter Rating: R
Description: This is a wildly AU story with fantastical elements based on![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thuri's Nano writing project. It begins late in season three, before Carla and Turk's wedding, and from there follows the characters as they face the Change, a strange, magical phenomenon that is turning ordinary humans into half-human creatures from fantasy.
Chapter listings: Contents Post
Author's notes: This chapter is actually chapters 18 and 19 combined, and is therefore a little longer than the rest. However, for those of you keeping tabs, this may not mean our total chapter count has dropped, as there are later chapters to which a good deal of content will need to be added. Just an FYI, really. ;)
JD was supposedly checking up on the latest news about the Changeling phenomenon, but had in fact all but fallen asleep with his laptop on, relief and several days with little sleep both working on him. He shook himself a little when he realized he was nodding off again, and finally shut the laptop, deciding research could wait.
He looked up, surveying the other two occupants of the bedroom; Jack was still babbling happily to himself in his playpen, but Perry seemed preoccupied, and not, JD guessed, with the book he held in his lap. "What's up?" JD asked softly.
Perry started, then smiled at him, though it was a little terse. "Thought you were falling asleep," he said.
JD snorted. "Not quite," he said wryly. "Though I imagine I'll sleep plenty well tonight. But no changing the subject. What's wrong?"
Perry hesitated, then asked, "How long did you say I was out?"
JD's brow furrowed a little as he thought. "About eight days, all together, I think. Why?"
Perry bit his lip. He'd decided--or, more accurately, he'd been ordered--to stay in bed, while JD had brought him a large breakfast of half a dozen scrambled eggs, twelve strips of bacon, three slices of toast with jelly, and an entire box of glazed donuts. Perry had almost been embarrassed to find he was able to polish it all off easily, and though he wasn't actively hungry any longer, he knew it wouldn't be long before he was. He thought back to the first night JD had come to him, when he'd given the kid two bowls of soup and half a loaf of bread, and flushed a little shamefully. He hadn't realized it, of course--hadn't even suspected it--but that was like giving a man dying of thirst nothing more than the drops wrung from a wet cloth.
He shook the thought off, though, and for a time had been content to read the novel JD had brought him. It was Stephen King's The Stand, a rather appropriate book about a disease that wiped out most of humanity, and the way the bands of survivors dealt with the after effects.
But he was beginning to grow restless. And sitting in bed, testing out the strength (or perhaps lack thereof) in his legs, he started to realize he might be a little weaker than he'd initially assessed. He'd thought, originally, that the trembling that pervaded his limbs would abate, when he got something besides Glucerna into his system. But it hadn't, not in the slightest. And he'd begun to wonder if JD's insistence in keeping him in bed had been less about being romantic and more about the younger man's doubt that Perry could get out of bed even if he wanted to.
"I... my legs feel kind of strange," he replied finally. "Actually, my arms do too. Shaky--weak. I'm guessing it must be atrophy, though I wasn't actually out that long..." He frowned suddenly, turning his head abruptly to stare at JD. "Eight days?" he repeated.
JD nodded, sighing a little. "Eight days. Trust me, I kept track. As for your legs..." he paused, considering. "Well, it's a little more severe than I'd've expected for atrophy alone, but maybe it's a side effect of the rejection." He twisted his lips into a half smile, half grimace. "Frankly, given the other known side effects, I'd say a little residual muscle weakness is definitely not that bad. We'll get you back on your feet fast enough, now that you're awake. And eating again." He smiled, then; it was hard to stay worried about anything, now that Perry was awake, and would be all right. And they'd be able to fly together... Every time he thought of it, he shivered slightly.
Perry blinked, staring at JD in dawning horror. "You... you had me on a kio feed," he said slowly. "The whole time?"
JD frowned. "Yes...?"
"Not TPN and lipids?"
JD blinked at him. "It's... it's the recommended protocol, when a patient's GI tract is still functional..." he said, suddenly feeling like an intern again. "I'd've done a peg, if I could've, but I didn't exactly have the equipment, so a kio feed seemed the most logical choice."
Perry groaned, brining his hands up to cover his face. A kio feed. Eight days. And... lots of Glucerna. "You had to clean up after me, didn't you?" he mumbled. Oh, God, this was humiliating.
JD's eyebrows shot up. Was that what Perry was worried about...? "Well... I figured it was better than leaving you lying in it," he said lightly, trying to joke, but when Perry didn't move he frowned once more. "Perry, I'm a doctor, it's not a big deal. Come on, I do it at work all the time."
Perry shook his head slowly, not lifting his face from his hands, so didn't read the truth in JD's eyes: that he'd done this as willingly as he'd done everything else. All he heard, all he felt, was the shame, the mortification: JD had to clean up after him. Like a child. Or, perhaps more accurately, a geriatric invalid.
He laughed, suddenly, and it was a bitter sound. "I guess we can call this a practice run," he said dryly, tone belying the deeply buried fear with which the words actually struck a clear chord. "When I'm seventy and you're only fifty eight, we might have to recap."
JD bit his lip, frowning internally. This was... unexpected. Perry was nothing if not pragmatic, and he knew as well as JD did that the fact that Perry'd been having regular--well, movements--was actually a good sign, one that JD had been relieved beyond belief to see. Then again... well, Perry was also nothing if not proud, and JD guessed it wasn't precisely the first thing you'd hope a lover would have to do for you. Still, this was a reaction JD hadn't exactly planned for. "It's... really not that big of a deal, Perry," he said softly. "And it wasn't like you did it on purpose, or anything. You were in a coma, for crying out loud. Besides, I care a hell of a lot more about you than the people I'm used to cleaning up after."
Perry lowered his hands, but he didn't look up. "I'm sorry you had to do that," he said quietly, face still burning. He was determined to at least apologize, even if he couldn't salvage the situation--even if JD was disgusted, and just doing a damned good job of hiding it. Which Perry rather feared was the case. He closed his eyes, knowing he was probably making a bigger deal out of this than he should be, but unable to stop himself. After all, after a week of wiping his ass, it might be a little difficult to see Perry as sexually appealing again.
He also found himself wondering how he ever got off calling JD girly.
"I'm sorry you went into rejection and it was necessary." JD sighed and stood up, leaving the laptop on the small desk, and crawled up onto the bed next to Perry. "Perry, look at me." When Perry didn't raise his eyes, JD rolled his own and ducked in, kissing the other man softly but thoroughly.
Finally, he pulled back, and Perry's eyes met his own. "Hey. I understand why you're embarrassed, but you really shouldn't be. I didn't mind. Come on, Perry, you're a doctor, you know it was a good thing."
Perry looked down again. He knew, intellectually, that JD was right, of course--that his systems were working was a very, very good sign, and as long as they were, JD should absolutely have been using a kio feed and not IV nutrition. He also knew he would have, without hesitation, done the same thing for JD.
But he hadn't had to, had he? Because JD hadn't been stupid enough to go into rejection.
Damn it, Perry, he growled to himself, get a grip. So you were completely helpless and totally at his mercy. He's still here, isn't he? He kissed you, didn't he?
"You don't have to like it, or thank me or anything," JD offered. "But is it really worth making a big deal out of? I mean..." And then he paused, remembering one of the books he'd seen on Jack's shelf, though he doubted the boy had heard it yet, and couldn't help the wry smile that spread across his face. "Everybody poops, right?"
Perry winced. "I guess so," he said. "And..." he made a face. "Unless we want an encore, I think I'd better see just how bad my legs are."
He moved away from JD toward the edge of the bed. JD frowned. "Hey, wait, let me get over there," he started, sliding toward the edge of the bed. "You might need--"
While he was talking, Perry, ignoring his advice, had tried to stand on his own--then immediately collapsed, his legs crumpling beneath him before he could even sit back down.
"--help." JD finished. He shook his head, slipping off the bed, ignoring Jack's sudden hopeful plea of "Up?" from the playpen. "Next time, let me spot you," he suggested gently, kneeling on the floor in front of the Perry. "Are you hurt?"
"Just my dignity," Perry grumbled. "But that was already mortally wounded anyway, so no biggie, right?"
JD imagined it was a big biggie, but didn't argue as he half-lifted Perry back up, until he was sitting on the edge of the mattress. "Want to try that again, or want me to bring some kind of bedpan?" Two guesses what the answer would be. And reminding him to be honest would hardly help... JD suddenly remembered Carla bitching to him about Perry throwing his back out, and how the best doctors were always the worst patients.
"No bedpan," Perry snapped, then sighed. "Sorry. Just--help me up, okay? Damn it."
JD sighed, and did so, wrapping his arm around Perry's waist and hoisting him to his feet. Perry leaned on him heavily, his own arm over JD's shoulder, but JD bore the weight steadily. They shuffled forward slowly, Perry's breath coming too quickly; JD could feel the older man's muscles trembling, and frowned, but did not say anything, focusing instead on moving forward. Slowly, slowly, they crossed the room, and after about ten minutes of their odd shuffle-walk, they made it to the bathroom.
"I think I've got it, there, JD," Perry said quietly, when JD lingered beside him. Perry had transferred his weight to the sink, and was clutching it so hard his knuckles were white.
JD frowned. "Perry, I really don't mind--" he began, but Perry cut him off.
"Just... just go, okay?" he said, a little sharper than he'd meant. "I'll call you if I need help, but... just let me pretend I've got some dignity left, if you don't mind?"
Hope to fuck you don't pass out when you try to get up... JD held his tongue, though, and left the room, leaning against the wall across from the door, his head hitting it with a soft thump. Stubborn ass. He found himself wishing that Carla and Turk were already there, could help him out...Because everything else aside, Perry was heavy, and the growing wings weren't helping with that.
Greater muscle mass or not, JD didn't look forward to having to carry the other man back to bed again.
* * *
Perry had managed to get back to bed with minimal help from JD--a feat for which he was enormously grateful--but the physical exertion had used the reserves of his energy, and he'd dropped back to sleep almost immediately.
JD sighed, slumping down in the chair once more. He knew Perry wouldn't sleep long before his hunger woke him again, but he was grateful for the small respite. Perry's pride had been something JD'd known he'd have to deal with, sooner or later, but he'd rather hoped it would be later, when they didn't have so much else to worry about as well.
He took a moment, while Perry was sleep and Jack preoccupied with his toys, to pick up the phone and call the others.
Turk answered on the second ring. "JD?"
"Hey, Turk," JD replied, keeping his voice soft so as not to wake Perry.
"Hey, man!" Turk's voice was cheerful, and he sounded so happy to hear from JD that the young doctor couldn't help but smile. "How's everything?"
"Good," JD said, filling Turk in on the events of the last few hours. He'd called them earlier to let them know Perry was awake and appeared to be all right; Turk, for his part, had seemed genuinely relieved to hear Perry had woken up, and had paused for a moment to tell the girls.
"Elliot's been telling us how he'd be fine," Turk said when he got back on the line. "Keeps going on about how strong he is. Tell you the truth, buddy, I think she's got a little crush on him."
"Yeah, I think she does," JD replied, grinning a little. "He did save her life, though, and I hear that can make people act oddly..." Both he and Turk had certainly had their share of lightly enamored patients, after all. Not that they'd ever taken advantage of it. Daydreamed, maybe...
"You're gonna have to warn the girl off," Turk said, and JD heard Elliot protesting in the background.
"Nah. She's not his type," JD replied, grinning softly. It was so different, to be able to just...just talk about this with his best friend. To not have to hide it any longer. And after all, proud stubborn ass or not, he loved Perry, and thought it was about time he started to get to go on and on about someone to Turk, having listened to everything about Carla.
"You sound confident."
"I am. Besides, she tries too hard, I'll just fly away with him."
Turk laughed. "She might go after you. She's itching to run somewhere." The other's changes, under their steady food intake, had progressed rapidly, again leaving JD to wonder exactly how near he'd come to starving his own body into rejection. The others were practically finished, and in half the time it had taken him.
"Well, as soon as you guys can walk a little better, I'm totally coming after you with a truck and a trailer," JD replied, only half joking. Truth was, he missed them more than he could say, and much as he was enjoying his time with Perry, he knew the others wouldn't necessarily be safe forever where they were. He'd feel a lot better, he knew, if they were all out here together. And there was space, though it might be a little cramped; Turk and Carla could take Ben's room, and Elliot could sleep in the den...
He shook himself, glancing guiltily at Perry's back. He knew he shouldn't exactly be planning to offer the Sullivan's cabin to his friends, just because he missed them. He knew it also wasn't fair to blame the older man for feeling a little unsettled by all this. All in all, Perry had handled everything that had occurred within the past few weeks wonderfully, especially since JD knew how difficult it was for him to let others help him. Hell, it had taken nearly an act of God for JD to convince Perry that asking for help wasn't a bad thing, but he knew it was doubly difficult for him now that he didn't have any choice in the matter.
"Dude, we really may run the whole way," Turk said. "You have no idea what it's doing to us being cooped up like this. Carla's pacing twenty-four seven, and we've had to strap pillows to Elliot's hooves so she'll stop stamping. We almost had Mrs. Hansen knocking down our door the first time she started it."
JD laughed lightly. "Yeah," he agreed. "I know how you feel. My wings were not happy with being crunched up under a coat for the first two weeks I had them. And the first time I flew..." he shivered, remembering. "Trust me, Turk, you guys will love being able to really use your Change."
"Yeah, I bet. Is Dr. Cox looking forward to flying?"
JD drooped a little, glancing at Perry, but the other man's breathing was still steady and slow. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I hope so, but he...we've... well, we had kind of a fight."
"What? How do you mean?" He could hear Turk's concern, and swallowed, curling around the phone, missing his friend more than ever.
"It's nothing serious," he said quietly, glancing at Perry's back again. "At least, I don't think it's anything serious. But he's not...well, not used to needing help, you know? And since he knows what I've had to do to take care of him..." JD shook his head. "It doesn't really seem to matter that I don't mind, 'cause he sure does."
Turk let out a soft noise of understanding. "Dude, yeah...You've seen Carla with a cold. God help you if you offer to do anything for her..."
JD smiled slightly, spirits lifting a little. "I remember," he agreed. "Yeah, it's like that, only he hasn't got much of a choice right now. I don't know why I'm taking it so hard, I guess... guess I'd just gotten out of the habit of being snapped at. It'll blow over when he's feeling better, and can move around again. It will." He had to wonder who he was trying to convince, Turk or himself.
"I know it will," Turk said, with the confidence JD couldn't quite muster himself. "Just give it time."
"Yeah," JD sighed. "I'm sure you're right. Thanks, Turk. I'll see you soon."
"See you, buddy. Take care."
JD clicked off the phone and flipped it shut, sitting in silence for a moment before he was suddenly jolted from his thoughts by a stuffed animal hitting his foot.
He looked down, then over at Jack, who giggled and bounced from his playpen. "Up!" he insisted, and hurtled another toy. This one flew over the bed, bouncing off Perry's leg before falling back to the floor.
JD winced, and moved to gather Jack from his pen. "All right, all right," he chuckled, tossing Jack into the air a little before gathering him in close again. "But let's play downstairs so we don't wake your daddy, okay?"
He left the room, talking to the still giggling Jack, and their voices grew muffled as they headed toward the kitchen.
Perry swallowed, turning to glance over his shoulder at the doorway before drawing the blankets further over himself again and sighing.
Great, he thought dismally, recalling the hurt in JD's voice as he'd spoken to Turk. Good one, Perry. Now what?
* * *
By the time JD'd played with Jack for a bit, and finished fixing a huge meal for Perry, he felt better. Not completely relaxed, but better. If anything, he was a bit amused at himself for being so surprised by Perry's harsh words. He'd spent most of the past three years getting yelled at, and had come to recognize it as a sign of affection. A strange sign of affection, sure, but Perry Cox never did anything the easy way.
Not that JD missed the girl's names, but getting all bent out of shape because Perry was being pissy...well, it was silly.
Besides, he reasoned as he settled the food on a tray, he'd better get used to it. The honeymoon period would end eventually, and they already knew they could get on each other's nerves...
Of course, they also knew by now that it wouldn't matter in the long run. He grinned, shaking his head at himself. "I'm very silly, huh, Jack?" he asked, taking the boy up first and settling him in his playpen, before heading back down for the food.
He set the tray down on the small desk, and very gently shook Perry's shoulder. "Perry? I've got lunch if you're hungry."
Perry fought back the urge to flinch when JD touched him--What is wrong with me?--and sat up, eyeing the tray gratefully. JD had, as he'd done with breakfast, brought him a veritable banquet: an entire pot of thick vegetable beef stew, a plate of steaming rolls with a tray of butter, a huge bowl of salad with creamy dressing (ranch, by the looks of it) and croutons.
"There's a chocolate cake in the oven, too," JD said. "It should be done in about ten minutes, then I'll have to let it cool so we can put the icing on it, but..." he trailed off vaguely, biting his lip and watching for Perry's reaction to his peace offering.
Perry gave him a guilty smile. "Thanks, kid," he said softly. "I... I'm sorry, for before, I... I'm not used to this."
JD smiled back, unable to stop himself from leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Perry's forehead. "I know," he replied. "It's hard to be the one who needs help. But that's what I'm here for, okay?"
Perry drew a breath, and nodded once, before moving to sit on the side of the bed. "Nice that you've been through this already," he commented as he picked up a roll and tore it open, blowing on his fingers as the hot bread burned them a little before spreading on a generous pat of butter. "You've already got a pretty good idea how much food it takes to fill me up."
JD snagged a roll of his own, sitting back with it. "Mmhmm. Apparently you're eating enough for four. I've just been making as much as I usually do when Elliot comes over for dinner with me, Turk and Carla." He grinned, watching Perry putting the food away. "Bet you didn't know I could cook, huh?"
"Never would've occurred to me, Newbie," Perry replied, swallowing his mouthful first.
"Well, I can. Let me know if there's anything you'd like rather than just a lots of everything..."
Perry nodded, taking another huge bite of stew. Honestly, at the moment, he found he wasn't particularly picky--it wasn't like pregnancy, apparently, in that he didn't crave particular things. He was just hungry. He supposed he should be glad of that: after all, their options were pretty well restricted to whatever Jordan had brought them.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said after he swallowed. "Thanks."
JD nodded, chewing his roll thoughtfully. Perry had apologized--that was certainly something. It was a huge thing, actually; he could count on one hand the number of times the older doctor had not only willingly admitted to being wrong, but actually said he was sorry for it.
Still, there was some lingering tension in the air between them, and JD knew that until Perry was on his feet again, it would not likely go away completely. No matter how many positive steps they'd taken, no matter how close they'd grown, there would always be a stubborn part of Perry that would bristle at needing help.
JD swallowed his mouthful of roll and said carefully, "So...I was thinking after you eat, it might be a good idea to try to walk some more. You know... build your strength back up." He held his breath, waiting for Perry's reaction, but fortunately the older man just nodded eagerly.
"Good plan," he replied. "I don't want to be stuck in this bed any longer than I have to be."
"Can't say I want you to be, either," JD replied, relaxing a little more. "Not under these circumstances, anyway." Perry should regain his strength quickly, with the extra push of the Change helping things along...or at least he hoped so. He eased his right shoulder a little, wishing there'd been a bit of the Change left for him, when he'd been shot...but it was well enough.
He fell silent, watching Perry eat, thinking. Maybe Elliot and Turk and Carla could come out soon...He was sure he could drive if he just put the seat far enough back so there'd be room for his wings. And it would be so nice to have them there, too. Extra help with Jack, with the food, with everything, so he and Perry could concentrate on learning to be together, not on all the logistics of everything else.
He could arrange a trailer somehow, and the truck was in good shape...If the girls were both up, well, he couldn't see a reason not to bring them out soon. Maybe once Perry was up and about on his own again...
He set his half-eaten roll aside and drew a breath. "Perry?" He said, slightly nervous. "What would you think about Turk and everyone coming up here? The apartment's really too small for them, now that they're mostly finished..."
Perry glanced at him, and JD held his breath, but after a moment the older man nodded. "I think it's a good idea," he said softly. In truth, he'd been planning on getting them out here as soon as they could be moved; had there been any way to do so when he was out there, he would have, but Carla and Elliot were in no condition to be moved just yet. "It's not safe for them at home."
JD relaxed, smiling, relieved Perry seemed to feel the same way he did. "It isn't," he said. "I can drive out and rent a trailer, probably, and we can get them back here."
Perry looked up at him and shook his head. "Don't think so, Newbie," he said. "I'm going after them."
JD raised an eyebrow. "You are?"
"It only makes sense," he replied. "My wings are small enough to conceal, still--and we should probably stock up on food again while we're out. I know we still have plenty, but with that many more mouths to feed, and no way to know how soon we can get back to town to buy more..." he trailed off. "I'll take the truck," he said, thinking aloud. "I'll rent a trailer for them, and load the truck with food."
JD wanted to protest, tell Perry to stay, assure him he could handle it himself, but found himself nodding slowing instead. "All right. I suppose you'd draw less attention, in any case...though it should start calming down soon, I would hope. Too many people have started Changing...they can't all stay in hiding all the time." Not that he particularly wanted to walk down a crowded street as he was, though, he thought wryly.
"It's not calm enough," Perry said firmly. "No need to take chances."
"Fair enough," JD replied with a slight grin, getting up long enough to pick up Jack, who was again demanding it, before settling back down, letting the boy stand on his lap while holding onto his hands. "Though I should warn you, it might make Elliot's crush even worse, if you go out there and rescue everyone again."
Perry rolled his eyes. "Never thought I'd live to see the day that Barbie, of all people, would have a crush on me," he muttered. "You, I at least expected, because let's face it, you were never good at hiding exactly what you felt in those big adoring puppy-dog eyes of yours, but she never dealt with my brand of torture as well as you did."
"She has this odd thing about preferring it when people are nice to her..." JD grinned, as Jack started bouncing, wings snapping out and flapping at the same time.
And suddenly JD only had hold of the boy's hands, because the toddler's feet lifted right up into the air.
He was only in the air for a moment before he gasped, startled, and fell with a thump, landing on his behind on JD's lap. He stared up at JD, who stared back at him; Perry was staring at them both.
Then Jack squealed and clapped his hands. "Up!" he giggled, pointing; his wings snapped out again.
JD was ready this time, however, and managed to hold onto him while Jack's wings flapped ineffectually. It took some strength to hold the child down, however, and JD gave Perry a mildly alarmed look. "Okay," he huffed, when Jack finally gave up and settled back to pout in JD's lap, "this could be a problem."
Perry snorted, fighting laughter. "Yeah," he agreed. "Just maybe." He thought for a moment. "I suppose we could buy some kind of brace, or leotard or something, to keep him from pulling out the wings when we're not watching him..."
JD frowned, looking Jack over again. "I don't know if we should stop him from getting them out...I guess we could put a lid on the play pen...and keep an eye on him. He'll be walking soon enough, anyway. Have to seriously baby-proof this place..."
Over the first shock, he held Jack's hands again and, as he'd half-expected, the boy popped his wings out and started them moving, so fast that JD couldn't distinguish the individual beats. And he again rose into the air, but only for a few seconds before floating down again, snuggling close to JD's side and sucking his thumb. "Up..." he murmured, eyes closing.
"Looks like he doesn't have much stamina yet, at least..."
"Not like his daddy, I guess," Perry said, watching JD carefully.
"Well, you work out more than he does," JD replied automatically, then trailed off when Perry shook his head, lip quirking a little.
"Didn't mean me, Newbie," he said softly.
"Oh. Oh..." A wide, wondering smile spread across JD's face, and he blushed, but cuddled Jack closer. "Guess not...But he's still little, so he can work up to it. Can't you, bug?" he asked, dropping a kiss on Jack's forehead.
Perry smiled, and this time it was relaxed, if rueful. "Let's not encourage him," he said. "At least not until we can both go chasing after him, when he decides 'up!' is more fun than hanging out in his playpen." He shook his head, imagining the marketing that could come out of these sorts of changes. Tethers... playpens with roofs...
Perry shook himself. I'm getting to be as bad as Newbie with the daydreaming! "He looks like he's worn himself out for now," he commented. "So maybe put him down for his nap, and we can get started on teaching me to walk again. Whaddya say?"
JD nodded, still looking fondly at Jack, the wondering smile not having budged from his lips. A father? Him? God knew he'd asked for it, but having it now...it was amazing, and nothing like he'd thought it would be. "Yeah..." He shook himself a little. "Yeah, I'll go put him down. No guarantee on how long he'll stay there..."
Perry watched him go, feeling something ease in his chest. He'd called JD "Daddy" deliberately, hoping to catch him off-guard and gage his reaction. JD had already said how much he loved Jack, but Perry knew caring for the child as an Uncle or even a favorite babysitter might care for him wasn't the same as being a father.
Fortunately, though, JD had not seemed frightened or appalled by the prospect--quite the opposite, in fact--and Perry relaxed a little. Maybe this will work out...
JD returned a few minutes later. "I draped a sheet over the top of the crib," he said. "It won't actually keep him out if he figures out he can move it, but I'm hoping it will at least discourage him."
"Sounds like a plan," Perry said. "I doubt we'll be going terribly far anyway."
"Probably not," JD agreed, clearing away the now empty plates that had so recently been full of food. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Perry muttered.
JD stood by the bed and helped Perry get to his feet. Much to his relief, the older man seemed a lot more sure of himself this time, and despite an unsteady moment where Perry swayed and leaned on JD heavily, he was mostly there for balance. They walked to the bathroom, then over to the doorway, before circling back to the bed.
"How you doing?" JD asked when they arrived.
Perry frowned, considering. "Actually, much better than I would have thought," he replied. He glanced at JD. "Almost... normal, in fact." He'd been holding onto JD more out of disbelief than any actual need--it had seemed the more he walked, the better he felt. "Maybe the regenerative properties of the Change don't just affect the new limbs."
JD heaved a purely internal sigh of relief. Thank God, if Perry could be back to himself. For so many reasons. "Maybe they don't...It would make sense, in a way. Hell, I read about a paraplegic who went mer--it healed his spinal cord. If it can do that, strengthening a few muscles is probably nothing."
Perry grinned broadly. "This could take stem cell research to a whole new level," he said. "Think of what else it might be able to cure! I don't know about you, but I'd far rather be a functioning mer than a paralyzed human." Perry knew his good mood had less to do with the fortunately healed paraplegic and far more to do with his own ability to walk again, but he didn't care. Soon--perhaps sooner than either of them could have hoped--he would be able to go after Carla and the others, gather more food... be useful again.
"I think that's probably far enough for now," JD said, wanting to play it safe. After all, there wasn't any rush.
"Ah, you're no fun," Perry said, nudging him. "Let's go check on Jack, maybe pile up downstairs with a movie or something."
JD bit his lip. "I don't know..." he said hesitantly. The Change might be healing the older man, but there was certainly no reason to push it, was there? "Maybe I'll bring a DVD up here and we can watch it on the laptop?"
Perry scowled. "I can handle it, you know," he said, a little stung, despite the voice of reason within him telling him he was being ridiculous. JD was a doctor, after all, and Perry knew there really was no reason to test their luck. Still, the stubborn portion of him was being a lot louder, and insisted he try to prove to JD he was fine. That he was still strong, still able to take care of himself.
"I know," JD replied. "Perry, I'm not...I'm not trying to baby you, or anything. I just want to make sure you're up to what I've got planned for tonight, that's all."
Perry smirked. "I'll be up for it and then some, Danielle," he said, turning away and walking toward the door. There, he paused, glancing back at JD. "You coming or what?"
JD bit back an exasperated sigh and followed, walking closer than necessary as Perry descended the staircase, ready to catch him if need be (or go down with him, if nothing else). Fortunately, they made it to the den without incident, and JD couldn't help but roll his eyes as Perry grinned impishly at him.
"I don't know what you're trying to prove, but congratulations, it's proven," he said, annoyed. "Now will you please sit down?"
Perry tossed his head, but obeyed, secretly relieved for the chance to sit. He'd realized halfway down the stairs that he might've overestimated his own recovery rate, but he'd been too stubborn to admit that to JD. Still, he wasn't quite able to hide the way his legs shook as he lowered himself onto the couch.
JD raised an eyebrow, when Perry's descent ended with a rather sudden thump, and shook his head. "Least that couch pulls out, if you can't get back upstairs. What did you want to watch?" He wasn't going to keep pushing. If Perry wanted to be an idiot, well...JD did have the means to drug him senseless. He wouldn't use it, of course, but the image was comforting, for the moment.
"I don't care. I don't plan to pay much attention to the movie." Perry waggled his eyebrows suggestively, hoping to tease JD out of the sour mood his own stubborn ploy seemed to have put him in. Now that he was here, he knew he'd been behaving immaturely, and felt rather bad about it. After all, JD had enough to worry about without needing to babysit both Jack and Perry himself.
"You should," JD replied shortly, grabbing the first DVD that came to hand and putting it on, before settling himself on the floor, nowhere near Perry.
Perry bit his lip, only glancing at the screen as the opening scene from The 13th Warrior began to play. He slid over on the couch, toward the end where JD on the floor sat glaring resolutely at the TV, and reached out, laying a gentle, if hesitant, hand on the back of JD's neck. "Hey, come on," he said softly. "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
JD shrugged Perry's hand away, wings coming up to block another try, and didn't answer. He couldn't quite believe he wasn't going to accept the apology--the second one in a single day!--but...Perry hadn't done anything to earn forgiveness, and dammit...He hadn't spent the past eight days busting his ass getting Perry healthy, just so the older man could wreck it by being too fucking proud and stubborn.
Perry lifted his eyebrows, understanding the unspoken challenge in JD's posture. He slid backwards a little to study JD's face, noting that though his eyes were following Antonio Banderas and Omar Sharif, he was clearly not paying any attention to what was happening. All his attention was focused on Perry, waiting for the next move.
Perry considered. JD's wings had come up, but as Perry moved away, he brought them back down a little. Perry settled back against the couch, and for a long time was still, pretending to care as Antonio Banderas rounded the corner of the riverbank and came into sight of the Viking camp.
After a time, as Perry'd hoped, JD's wings relaxed a little further, and it was then Perry made his move.
Sliding slowly over on the couch, he carefully positioned himself behind JD, holding his breath, but the young man did not raise his wings to block him again. Taking that as a good sign, Perry reached forward with both hands and settled them firmly on JD's shoulders. Then, wordlessly, he began to slowly massage the tense muscles, eyes on the back of JD's head, waiting for the younger man's reaction.
At first, JD only tensed beneath the massage, but after a few minutes he gradually relaxed again. He drew his knees up and rested his arms on them, his forehead on his wrists. But he didn't say anything. And there was a deep-seated tension within him that Perry's fingers couldn't ease. "You going to bother to tell me why?" he asked, finally, sounding tired rather than angry. "You of all people know better, and I really wouldn't think you'd want to risk a relapse, considering..."
Perry unfolded his legs and placed his feet on the floor, one on either side of JD, before bending down and placing a kiss on the nape of his neck. JD shivered slightly; Perry let his hands slide down a little further, working at the newly-developed muscles of JD's chest before sliding up in long strokes to his shoulders, then back down. "I'm sorry," he murmured again, feeling abashed. Truth be told, he wasn't sure exactly why he'd insisted on behaving like such an ass. "I guess I don't like feeling helpless."
"Who does? I don't think any less of you, you know," JD added, leaning back into Perry's embrace, sighing softly. He wasn't sure that was what was wrong, but it seemed the most likely of the various possibilities. "Or at least, not for needing help. The whole macho act..." He shrugged.
It felt strange, in a way, to keep Perry hanging, keep him from getting the forgiveness he was trying for. Strange, but good in a way, too. To know he didn't just have to give in...And hell, if he got massages like this, JD thought he might have to be pissed more often. If tradition held, Perry would probably give him reason often enough.
Perry sighed, moving up to settle his fingers in JD's hair, gently massaging his scalp. "Old habits die hard," he murmured. "I'm not used to this whole 'unconditional, no strings attached' thing. Guess I still don't quite believe it."
JD let out a noise very like a purr, his whole body going limp, as Perry's hands moved through his hair, pressing in all the right places. "Mmm...believe it. If I'm still here after the past three years, I think you can safely bet I'm not going anywhere..."
Perry's fingers stilled for a moment, moving to simply cup JD's head between his hands, and he bent forward, planting a soft kiss in his hair. "Good point," he murmured, fingers resuming their massaging circles. "Can't say I know why, but I'll admit you've been more patient with me than anyone else ever has. Certainly more patient than I deserve."
"Because I love you," JD told him. "And it meant I got to follow you around and look at your ass all day..." JD smiled slightly, pushing his head back against Perry's fingers when he started the massage again. "Perry? Can we agree that you're very butch and useful, and nothing will change my mind about that, so you can take care of yourself for a couple days?"
Perry chuckled, lowering his arms to wrap around JD's neck from behind and hugging him. "Yeah, fair enough," he agreed. "I owe you that much, at least."
"You do." JD smiled, and relaxed completely. "Of course, you can still fuck me through the mattress later to make it up to me."
Perry growled, nipping at JD's earlobe. "Dirty talk, Newbie," he chided, though he was secretly thrilled: Who knew JD could be such a demanding lover, when the mood took him? "Might have to punish you for that."
"Oh really?" JD turned his head, giving Perry better access to his ear. "Promises, promises. Of course if you're worried you're not up to it, I suppose I could always fuck you..." He kept his tone deliberately light and teasing, not wanting Perry to know how much he wanted to know the answer to that particular question.
Perry shivered. "Now who's making promises?" he whispered, voice rough as he licked at the tender skin in the hollow behind the lobe, then nibbled the tendon.
JD groaned, arching up a little. "Guess that'd be me..." Fuck...yeah. He couldn't believe his luck, that Perry would actually want him to...Dude, awesome. He shifted, pressing back again, wishing there was room for both of them on the couch. He wanted to feel Perry against him now...
Perry apparently wanted the same thing, and decided to bypass the couch altogether. He drew away suddenly, making JD whimper, but then slid down to the floor, crawling so he was in front of him and moving forward and kissed him. Thoroughly.
JD whimpered again, for an entirely different reason. He pressed into the kiss with tongue and teeth, knowing he was being more aggressive than was usual for him, but not caring, either. He tugged Perry closer, wanting to feel the other man all against him. Finally he growled in frustration, pulling away to gently but firmly push Perry over onto his back. Then, lowering himself on top of him, he ground his hips down as he resumed the interrupted kiss.
Perry groaned softly, arching up against the movement. He could feel JD against him, already hard; he parted his thighs to let JD's weight settle firmly between them. "God..." Who would have thought such a simple act could feel so damned good...?
"Not quite, but thanks," JD replied around a groan, his hips pressing forward again, just rubbing himself against Perry, feeling him press back in turn. "Fuuuck," he breathed, doing it again, lips finding Perry's, tongue dipping into his mouth.
You said it, Perry thought fervently, arching slowly, throwing his head back with a sharp gasp. JD, left without Perry's mouth to devour, latched instead onto his throat, suckling at the joint of neck and shoulder.
Perry shuddered, the sensation shooting straight to his groin. He rolled his hips up, bringing his hands down to grasp JD's ass and press, pulling them even tighter together.
They rocked together for some time, slowly at first, but growing soon in speed and desperation. Behind them, the movie played on, unnoticed, and between panting kisses and whispered words of encouragement, JD felt himself beginning to grow flushed, a familiar heat washing through him and making him moan.
Okay, this is fucking nuts.... They still had all their clothes on, for Christ's sake...But JD couldn't argue with the feelings coursing through him, the delightful friction as their hips moved in time...He groaned, deep in his throat, sinking his teeth into the corded muscle of Perry's shoulder before he could stop himself, hips stutter-jerking forward. "Don't stop..." he managed, wings shuddering as he panted.
"No," Perry agreed, bringing his knees up to wrap his legs around JD's hips. Holy shit... "Unh--JD, I'm..."
JD almost laughed. "Me too," he replied, hips never slowing as he licked his way up the side of Perry's neck, before lightly biting his earlobe. "Come for me..." It was half-order, half-plea, and JD knew whether Perry asked or not, he himself was going to nearly any moment. But what the fuck, he had other pairs of jeans...
"Ghhhaa!" The cry was gritted through Perry's clenched teeth; he strained upward against JD's weight, feet hitting the floor to give him leverage. His fingers curled around JD's cheeks, squeezing and pulling him down as he ground up hard and obeyed, coming in hard, short spasms.
JD followed, with a deep groan of his own, wondering absurdly if they should fight more often. If this was what making up was like...Fuck. He was all for it.
Perry collapsed under him after a long moment, arms falling limp at his side, legs sprawled; JD remained a comfortable weight atop him. For several long moments, all they did was breathe; then, suddenly and rather absurdly, the sounds of the movie behind them filtered into Perry's consciousness. He tilted his head back, watching upside-down as the Norse villagers built defenses against the Wendol. He chuckled, relaxing again and resting his hand in JD's hair. "We may need to start the movie over."
"Shh, afterglow," JD muttered, smiling softly as Perry played in his hair. "God, that was...perfect. Just what I needed, what I wanted..." He wriggled a little, and made a face. "Except for maybe that part. Want me to bring you some fresh pants?"
He didn't show any sign of getting up, though. Rather, he seemed to settle himself more comfortably, sighing contentedly.
"In a minute," Perry replied, snugging his other arm around JD's back, under his wings. "Mm. Does this mean I'm forgiven?"
JD giggled softly, shifting enough to kiss Perry tenderly, but thoroughly. Finally, he pulled back, his eyes twinkling. "Oh...I'll think about it."
* * *
Next Chapter
* * *
Characters: John Dorian/Perry Cox
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Chapter Rating: R
Description: This is a wildly AU story with fantastical elements based on
thuri's Nano writing project. It begins late in season three, before Carla and Turk's wedding, and from there follows the characters as they face the Change, a strange, magical phenomenon that is turning ordinary humans into half-human creatures from fantasy.Chapter listings: Contents Post
Author's notes: This chapter is actually chapters 18 and 19 combined, and is therefore a little longer than the rest. However, for those of you keeping tabs, this may not mean our total chapter count has dropped, as there are later chapters to which a good deal of content will need to be added. Just an FYI, really. ;)
JD was supposedly checking up on the latest news about the Changeling phenomenon, but had in fact all but fallen asleep with his laptop on, relief and several days with little sleep both working on him. He shook himself a little when he realized he was nodding off again, and finally shut the laptop, deciding research could wait.
He looked up, surveying the other two occupants of the bedroom; Jack was still babbling happily to himself in his playpen, but Perry seemed preoccupied, and not, JD guessed, with the book he held in his lap. "What's up?" JD asked softly.
Perry started, then smiled at him, though it was a little terse. "Thought you were falling asleep," he said.
JD snorted. "Not quite," he said wryly. "Though I imagine I'll sleep plenty well tonight. But no changing the subject. What's wrong?"
Perry hesitated, then asked, "How long did you say I was out?"
JD's brow furrowed a little as he thought. "About eight days, all together, I think. Why?"
Perry bit his lip. He'd decided--or, more accurately, he'd been ordered--to stay in bed, while JD had brought him a large breakfast of half a dozen scrambled eggs, twelve strips of bacon, three slices of toast with jelly, and an entire box of glazed donuts. Perry had almost been embarrassed to find he was able to polish it all off easily, and though he wasn't actively hungry any longer, he knew it wouldn't be long before he was. He thought back to the first night JD had come to him, when he'd given the kid two bowls of soup and half a loaf of bread, and flushed a little shamefully. He hadn't realized it, of course--hadn't even suspected it--but that was like giving a man dying of thirst nothing more than the drops wrung from a wet cloth.
He shook the thought off, though, and for a time had been content to read the novel JD had brought him. It was Stephen King's The Stand, a rather appropriate book about a disease that wiped out most of humanity, and the way the bands of survivors dealt with the after effects.
But he was beginning to grow restless. And sitting in bed, testing out the strength (or perhaps lack thereof) in his legs, he started to realize he might be a little weaker than he'd initially assessed. He'd thought, originally, that the trembling that pervaded his limbs would abate, when he got something besides Glucerna into his system. But it hadn't, not in the slightest. And he'd begun to wonder if JD's insistence in keeping him in bed had been less about being romantic and more about the younger man's doubt that Perry could get out of bed even if he wanted to.
"I... my legs feel kind of strange," he replied finally. "Actually, my arms do too. Shaky--weak. I'm guessing it must be atrophy, though I wasn't actually out that long..." He frowned suddenly, turning his head abruptly to stare at JD. "Eight days?" he repeated.
JD nodded, sighing a little. "Eight days. Trust me, I kept track. As for your legs..." he paused, considering. "Well, it's a little more severe than I'd've expected for atrophy alone, but maybe it's a side effect of the rejection." He twisted his lips into a half smile, half grimace. "Frankly, given the other known side effects, I'd say a little residual muscle weakness is definitely not that bad. We'll get you back on your feet fast enough, now that you're awake. And eating again." He smiled, then; it was hard to stay worried about anything, now that Perry was awake, and would be all right. And they'd be able to fly together... Every time he thought of it, he shivered slightly.
Perry blinked, staring at JD in dawning horror. "You... you had me on a kio feed," he said slowly. "The whole time?"
JD frowned. "Yes...?"
"Not TPN and lipids?"
JD blinked at him. "It's... it's the recommended protocol, when a patient's GI tract is still functional..." he said, suddenly feeling like an intern again. "I'd've done a peg, if I could've, but I didn't exactly have the equipment, so a kio feed seemed the most logical choice."
Perry groaned, brining his hands up to cover his face. A kio feed. Eight days. And... lots of Glucerna. "You had to clean up after me, didn't you?" he mumbled. Oh, God, this was humiliating.
JD's eyebrows shot up. Was that what Perry was worried about...? "Well... I figured it was better than leaving you lying in it," he said lightly, trying to joke, but when Perry didn't move he frowned once more. "Perry, I'm a doctor, it's not a big deal. Come on, I do it at work all the time."
Perry shook his head slowly, not lifting his face from his hands, so didn't read the truth in JD's eyes: that he'd done this as willingly as he'd done everything else. All he heard, all he felt, was the shame, the mortification: JD had to clean up after him. Like a child. Or, perhaps more accurately, a geriatric invalid.
He laughed, suddenly, and it was a bitter sound. "I guess we can call this a practice run," he said dryly, tone belying the deeply buried fear with which the words actually struck a clear chord. "When I'm seventy and you're only fifty eight, we might have to recap."
JD bit his lip, frowning internally. This was... unexpected. Perry was nothing if not pragmatic, and he knew as well as JD did that the fact that Perry'd been having regular--well, movements--was actually a good sign, one that JD had been relieved beyond belief to see. Then again... well, Perry was also nothing if not proud, and JD guessed it wasn't precisely the first thing you'd hope a lover would have to do for you. Still, this was a reaction JD hadn't exactly planned for. "It's... really not that big of a deal, Perry," he said softly. "And it wasn't like you did it on purpose, or anything. You were in a coma, for crying out loud. Besides, I care a hell of a lot more about you than the people I'm used to cleaning up after."
Perry lowered his hands, but he didn't look up. "I'm sorry you had to do that," he said quietly, face still burning. He was determined to at least apologize, even if he couldn't salvage the situation--even if JD was disgusted, and just doing a damned good job of hiding it. Which Perry rather feared was the case. He closed his eyes, knowing he was probably making a bigger deal out of this than he should be, but unable to stop himself. After all, after a week of wiping his ass, it might be a little difficult to see Perry as sexually appealing again.
He also found himself wondering how he ever got off calling JD girly.
"I'm sorry you went into rejection and it was necessary." JD sighed and stood up, leaving the laptop on the small desk, and crawled up onto the bed next to Perry. "Perry, look at me." When Perry didn't raise his eyes, JD rolled his own and ducked in, kissing the other man softly but thoroughly.
Finally, he pulled back, and Perry's eyes met his own. "Hey. I understand why you're embarrassed, but you really shouldn't be. I didn't mind. Come on, Perry, you're a doctor, you know it was a good thing."
Perry looked down again. He knew, intellectually, that JD was right, of course--that his systems were working was a very, very good sign, and as long as they were, JD should absolutely have been using a kio feed and not IV nutrition. He also knew he would have, without hesitation, done the same thing for JD.
But he hadn't had to, had he? Because JD hadn't been stupid enough to go into rejection.
Damn it, Perry, he growled to himself, get a grip. So you were completely helpless and totally at his mercy. He's still here, isn't he? He kissed you, didn't he?
"You don't have to like it, or thank me or anything," JD offered. "But is it really worth making a big deal out of? I mean..." And then he paused, remembering one of the books he'd seen on Jack's shelf, though he doubted the boy had heard it yet, and couldn't help the wry smile that spread across his face. "Everybody poops, right?"
Perry winced. "I guess so," he said. "And..." he made a face. "Unless we want an encore, I think I'd better see just how bad my legs are."
He moved away from JD toward the edge of the bed. JD frowned. "Hey, wait, let me get over there," he started, sliding toward the edge of the bed. "You might need--"
While he was talking, Perry, ignoring his advice, had tried to stand on his own--then immediately collapsed, his legs crumpling beneath him before he could even sit back down.
"--help." JD finished. He shook his head, slipping off the bed, ignoring Jack's sudden hopeful plea of "Up?" from the playpen. "Next time, let me spot you," he suggested gently, kneeling on the floor in front of the Perry. "Are you hurt?"
"Just my dignity," Perry grumbled. "But that was already mortally wounded anyway, so no biggie, right?"
JD imagined it was a big biggie, but didn't argue as he half-lifted Perry back up, until he was sitting on the edge of the mattress. "Want to try that again, or want me to bring some kind of bedpan?" Two guesses what the answer would be. And reminding him to be honest would hardly help... JD suddenly remembered Carla bitching to him about Perry throwing his back out, and how the best doctors were always the worst patients.
"No bedpan," Perry snapped, then sighed. "Sorry. Just--help me up, okay? Damn it."
JD sighed, and did so, wrapping his arm around Perry's waist and hoisting him to his feet. Perry leaned on him heavily, his own arm over JD's shoulder, but JD bore the weight steadily. They shuffled forward slowly, Perry's breath coming too quickly; JD could feel the older man's muscles trembling, and frowned, but did not say anything, focusing instead on moving forward. Slowly, slowly, they crossed the room, and after about ten minutes of their odd shuffle-walk, they made it to the bathroom.
"I think I've got it, there, JD," Perry said quietly, when JD lingered beside him. Perry had transferred his weight to the sink, and was clutching it so hard his knuckles were white.
JD frowned. "Perry, I really don't mind--" he began, but Perry cut him off.
"Just... just go, okay?" he said, a little sharper than he'd meant. "I'll call you if I need help, but... just let me pretend I've got some dignity left, if you don't mind?"
Hope to fuck you don't pass out when you try to get up... JD held his tongue, though, and left the room, leaning against the wall across from the door, his head hitting it with a soft thump. Stubborn ass. He found himself wishing that Carla and Turk were already there, could help him out...Because everything else aside, Perry was heavy, and the growing wings weren't helping with that.
Greater muscle mass or not, JD didn't look forward to having to carry the other man back to bed again.
* * *
Perry had managed to get back to bed with minimal help from JD--a feat for which he was enormously grateful--but the physical exertion had used the reserves of his energy, and he'd dropped back to sleep almost immediately.
JD sighed, slumping down in the chair once more. He knew Perry wouldn't sleep long before his hunger woke him again, but he was grateful for the small respite. Perry's pride had been something JD'd known he'd have to deal with, sooner or later, but he'd rather hoped it would be later, when they didn't have so much else to worry about as well.
He took a moment, while Perry was sleep and Jack preoccupied with his toys, to pick up the phone and call the others.
Turk answered on the second ring. "JD?"
"Hey, Turk," JD replied, keeping his voice soft so as not to wake Perry.
"Hey, man!" Turk's voice was cheerful, and he sounded so happy to hear from JD that the young doctor couldn't help but smile. "How's everything?"
"Good," JD said, filling Turk in on the events of the last few hours. He'd called them earlier to let them know Perry was awake and appeared to be all right; Turk, for his part, had seemed genuinely relieved to hear Perry had woken up, and had paused for a moment to tell the girls.
"Elliot's been telling us how he'd be fine," Turk said when he got back on the line. "Keeps going on about how strong he is. Tell you the truth, buddy, I think she's got a little crush on him."
"Yeah, I think she does," JD replied, grinning a little. "He did save her life, though, and I hear that can make people act oddly..." Both he and Turk had certainly had their share of lightly enamored patients, after all. Not that they'd ever taken advantage of it. Daydreamed, maybe...
"You're gonna have to warn the girl off," Turk said, and JD heard Elliot protesting in the background.
"Nah. She's not his type," JD replied, grinning softly. It was so different, to be able to just...just talk about this with his best friend. To not have to hide it any longer. And after all, proud stubborn ass or not, he loved Perry, and thought it was about time he started to get to go on and on about someone to Turk, having listened to everything about Carla.
"You sound confident."
"I am. Besides, she tries too hard, I'll just fly away with him."
Turk laughed. "She might go after you. She's itching to run somewhere." The other's changes, under their steady food intake, had progressed rapidly, again leaving JD to wonder exactly how near he'd come to starving his own body into rejection. The others were practically finished, and in half the time it had taken him.
"Well, as soon as you guys can walk a little better, I'm totally coming after you with a truck and a trailer," JD replied, only half joking. Truth was, he missed them more than he could say, and much as he was enjoying his time with Perry, he knew the others wouldn't necessarily be safe forever where they were. He'd feel a lot better, he knew, if they were all out here together. And there was space, though it might be a little cramped; Turk and Carla could take Ben's room, and Elliot could sleep in the den...
He shook himself, glancing guiltily at Perry's back. He knew he shouldn't exactly be planning to offer the Sullivan's cabin to his friends, just because he missed them. He knew it also wasn't fair to blame the older man for feeling a little unsettled by all this. All in all, Perry had handled everything that had occurred within the past few weeks wonderfully, especially since JD knew how difficult it was for him to let others help him. Hell, it had taken nearly an act of God for JD to convince Perry that asking for help wasn't a bad thing, but he knew it was doubly difficult for him now that he didn't have any choice in the matter.
"Dude, we really may run the whole way," Turk said. "You have no idea what it's doing to us being cooped up like this. Carla's pacing twenty-four seven, and we've had to strap pillows to Elliot's hooves so she'll stop stamping. We almost had Mrs. Hansen knocking down our door the first time she started it."
JD laughed lightly. "Yeah," he agreed. "I know how you feel. My wings were not happy with being crunched up under a coat for the first two weeks I had them. And the first time I flew..." he shivered, remembering. "Trust me, Turk, you guys will love being able to really use your Change."
"Yeah, I bet. Is Dr. Cox looking forward to flying?"
JD drooped a little, glancing at Perry, but the other man's breathing was still steady and slow. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I hope so, but he...we've... well, we had kind of a fight."
"What? How do you mean?" He could hear Turk's concern, and swallowed, curling around the phone, missing his friend more than ever.
"It's nothing serious," he said quietly, glancing at Perry's back again. "At least, I don't think it's anything serious. But he's not...well, not used to needing help, you know? And since he knows what I've had to do to take care of him..." JD shook his head. "It doesn't really seem to matter that I don't mind, 'cause he sure does."
Turk let out a soft noise of understanding. "Dude, yeah...You've seen Carla with a cold. God help you if you offer to do anything for her..."
JD smiled slightly, spirits lifting a little. "I remember," he agreed. "Yeah, it's like that, only he hasn't got much of a choice right now. I don't know why I'm taking it so hard, I guess... guess I'd just gotten out of the habit of being snapped at. It'll blow over when he's feeling better, and can move around again. It will." He had to wonder who he was trying to convince, Turk or himself.
"I know it will," Turk said, with the confidence JD couldn't quite muster himself. "Just give it time."
"Yeah," JD sighed. "I'm sure you're right. Thanks, Turk. I'll see you soon."
"See you, buddy. Take care."
JD clicked off the phone and flipped it shut, sitting in silence for a moment before he was suddenly jolted from his thoughts by a stuffed animal hitting his foot.
He looked down, then over at Jack, who giggled and bounced from his playpen. "Up!" he insisted, and hurtled another toy. This one flew over the bed, bouncing off Perry's leg before falling back to the floor.
JD winced, and moved to gather Jack from his pen. "All right, all right," he chuckled, tossing Jack into the air a little before gathering him in close again. "But let's play downstairs so we don't wake your daddy, okay?"
He left the room, talking to the still giggling Jack, and their voices grew muffled as they headed toward the kitchen.
Perry swallowed, turning to glance over his shoulder at the doorway before drawing the blankets further over himself again and sighing.
Great, he thought dismally, recalling the hurt in JD's voice as he'd spoken to Turk. Good one, Perry. Now what?
* * *
By the time JD'd played with Jack for a bit, and finished fixing a huge meal for Perry, he felt better. Not completely relaxed, but better. If anything, he was a bit amused at himself for being so surprised by Perry's harsh words. He'd spent most of the past three years getting yelled at, and had come to recognize it as a sign of affection. A strange sign of affection, sure, but Perry Cox never did anything the easy way.
Not that JD missed the girl's names, but getting all bent out of shape because Perry was being pissy...well, it was silly.
Besides, he reasoned as he settled the food on a tray, he'd better get used to it. The honeymoon period would end eventually, and they already knew they could get on each other's nerves...
Of course, they also knew by now that it wouldn't matter in the long run. He grinned, shaking his head at himself. "I'm very silly, huh, Jack?" he asked, taking the boy up first and settling him in his playpen, before heading back down for the food.
He set the tray down on the small desk, and very gently shook Perry's shoulder. "Perry? I've got lunch if you're hungry."
Perry fought back the urge to flinch when JD touched him--What is wrong with me?--and sat up, eyeing the tray gratefully. JD had, as he'd done with breakfast, brought him a veritable banquet: an entire pot of thick vegetable beef stew, a plate of steaming rolls with a tray of butter, a huge bowl of salad with creamy dressing (ranch, by the looks of it) and croutons.
"There's a chocolate cake in the oven, too," JD said. "It should be done in about ten minutes, then I'll have to let it cool so we can put the icing on it, but..." he trailed off vaguely, biting his lip and watching for Perry's reaction to his peace offering.
Perry gave him a guilty smile. "Thanks, kid," he said softly. "I... I'm sorry, for before, I... I'm not used to this."
JD smiled back, unable to stop himself from leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Perry's forehead. "I know," he replied. "It's hard to be the one who needs help. But that's what I'm here for, okay?"
Perry drew a breath, and nodded once, before moving to sit on the side of the bed. "Nice that you've been through this already," he commented as he picked up a roll and tore it open, blowing on his fingers as the hot bread burned them a little before spreading on a generous pat of butter. "You've already got a pretty good idea how much food it takes to fill me up."
JD snagged a roll of his own, sitting back with it. "Mmhmm. Apparently you're eating enough for four. I've just been making as much as I usually do when Elliot comes over for dinner with me, Turk and Carla." He grinned, watching Perry putting the food away. "Bet you didn't know I could cook, huh?"
"Never would've occurred to me, Newbie," Perry replied, swallowing his mouthful first.
"Well, I can. Let me know if there's anything you'd like rather than just a lots of everything..."
Perry nodded, taking another huge bite of stew. Honestly, at the moment, he found he wasn't particularly picky--it wasn't like pregnancy, apparently, in that he didn't crave particular things. He was just hungry. He supposed he should be glad of that: after all, their options were pretty well restricted to whatever Jordan had brought them.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said after he swallowed. "Thanks."
JD nodded, chewing his roll thoughtfully. Perry had apologized--that was certainly something. It was a huge thing, actually; he could count on one hand the number of times the older doctor had not only willingly admitted to being wrong, but actually said he was sorry for it.
Still, there was some lingering tension in the air between them, and JD knew that until Perry was on his feet again, it would not likely go away completely. No matter how many positive steps they'd taken, no matter how close they'd grown, there would always be a stubborn part of Perry that would bristle at needing help.
JD swallowed his mouthful of roll and said carefully, "So...I was thinking after you eat, it might be a good idea to try to walk some more. You know... build your strength back up." He held his breath, waiting for Perry's reaction, but fortunately the older man just nodded eagerly.
"Good plan," he replied. "I don't want to be stuck in this bed any longer than I have to be."
"Can't say I want you to be, either," JD replied, relaxing a little more. "Not under these circumstances, anyway." Perry should regain his strength quickly, with the extra push of the Change helping things along...or at least he hoped so. He eased his right shoulder a little, wishing there'd been a bit of the Change left for him, when he'd been shot...but it was well enough.
He fell silent, watching Perry eat, thinking. Maybe Elliot and Turk and Carla could come out soon...He was sure he could drive if he just put the seat far enough back so there'd be room for his wings. And it would be so nice to have them there, too. Extra help with Jack, with the food, with everything, so he and Perry could concentrate on learning to be together, not on all the logistics of everything else.
He could arrange a trailer somehow, and the truck was in good shape...If the girls were both up, well, he couldn't see a reason not to bring them out soon. Maybe once Perry was up and about on his own again...
He set his half-eaten roll aside and drew a breath. "Perry?" He said, slightly nervous. "What would you think about Turk and everyone coming up here? The apartment's really too small for them, now that they're mostly finished..."
Perry glanced at him, and JD held his breath, but after a moment the older man nodded. "I think it's a good idea," he said softly. In truth, he'd been planning on getting them out here as soon as they could be moved; had there been any way to do so when he was out there, he would have, but Carla and Elliot were in no condition to be moved just yet. "It's not safe for them at home."
JD relaxed, smiling, relieved Perry seemed to feel the same way he did. "It isn't," he said. "I can drive out and rent a trailer, probably, and we can get them back here."
Perry looked up at him and shook his head. "Don't think so, Newbie," he said. "I'm going after them."
JD raised an eyebrow. "You are?"
"It only makes sense," he replied. "My wings are small enough to conceal, still--and we should probably stock up on food again while we're out. I know we still have plenty, but with that many more mouths to feed, and no way to know how soon we can get back to town to buy more..." he trailed off. "I'll take the truck," he said, thinking aloud. "I'll rent a trailer for them, and load the truck with food."
JD wanted to protest, tell Perry to stay, assure him he could handle it himself, but found himself nodding slowing instead. "All right. I suppose you'd draw less attention, in any case...though it should start calming down soon, I would hope. Too many people have started Changing...they can't all stay in hiding all the time." Not that he particularly wanted to walk down a crowded street as he was, though, he thought wryly.
"It's not calm enough," Perry said firmly. "No need to take chances."
"Fair enough," JD replied with a slight grin, getting up long enough to pick up Jack, who was again demanding it, before settling back down, letting the boy stand on his lap while holding onto his hands. "Though I should warn you, it might make Elliot's crush even worse, if you go out there and rescue everyone again."
Perry rolled his eyes. "Never thought I'd live to see the day that Barbie, of all people, would have a crush on me," he muttered. "You, I at least expected, because let's face it, you were never good at hiding exactly what you felt in those big adoring puppy-dog eyes of yours, but she never dealt with my brand of torture as well as you did."
"She has this odd thing about preferring it when people are nice to her..." JD grinned, as Jack started bouncing, wings snapping out and flapping at the same time.
And suddenly JD only had hold of the boy's hands, because the toddler's feet lifted right up into the air.
He was only in the air for a moment before he gasped, startled, and fell with a thump, landing on his behind on JD's lap. He stared up at JD, who stared back at him; Perry was staring at them both.
Then Jack squealed and clapped his hands. "Up!" he giggled, pointing; his wings snapped out again.
JD was ready this time, however, and managed to hold onto him while Jack's wings flapped ineffectually. It took some strength to hold the child down, however, and JD gave Perry a mildly alarmed look. "Okay," he huffed, when Jack finally gave up and settled back to pout in JD's lap, "this could be a problem."
Perry snorted, fighting laughter. "Yeah," he agreed. "Just maybe." He thought for a moment. "I suppose we could buy some kind of brace, or leotard or something, to keep him from pulling out the wings when we're not watching him..."
JD frowned, looking Jack over again. "I don't know if we should stop him from getting them out...I guess we could put a lid on the play pen...and keep an eye on him. He'll be walking soon enough, anyway. Have to seriously baby-proof this place..."
Over the first shock, he held Jack's hands again and, as he'd half-expected, the boy popped his wings out and started them moving, so fast that JD couldn't distinguish the individual beats. And he again rose into the air, but only for a few seconds before floating down again, snuggling close to JD's side and sucking his thumb. "Up..." he murmured, eyes closing.
"Looks like he doesn't have much stamina yet, at least..."
"Not like his daddy, I guess," Perry said, watching JD carefully.
"Well, you work out more than he does," JD replied automatically, then trailed off when Perry shook his head, lip quirking a little.
"Didn't mean me, Newbie," he said softly.
"Oh. Oh..." A wide, wondering smile spread across JD's face, and he blushed, but cuddled Jack closer. "Guess not...But he's still little, so he can work up to it. Can't you, bug?" he asked, dropping a kiss on Jack's forehead.
Perry smiled, and this time it was relaxed, if rueful. "Let's not encourage him," he said. "At least not until we can both go chasing after him, when he decides 'up!' is more fun than hanging out in his playpen." He shook his head, imagining the marketing that could come out of these sorts of changes. Tethers... playpens with roofs...
Perry shook himself. I'm getting to be as bad as Newbie with the daydreaming! "He looks like he's worn himself out for now," he commented. "So maybe put him down for his nap, and we can get started on teaching me to walk again. Whaddya say?"
JD nodded, still looking fondly at Jack, the wondering smile not having budged from his lips. A father? Him? God knew he'd asked for it, but having it now...it was amazing, and nothing like he'd thought it would be. "Yeah..." He shook himself a little. "Yeah, I'll go put him down. No guarantee on how long he'll stay there..."
Perry watched him go, feeling something ease in his chest. He'd called JD "Daddy" deliberately, hoping to catch him off-guard and gage his reaction. JD had already said how much he loved Jack, but Perry knew caring for the child as an Uncle or even a favorite babysitter might care for him wasn't the same as being a father.
Fortunately, though, JD had not seemed frightened or appalled by the prospect--quite the opposite, in fact--and Perry relaxed a little. Maybe this will work out...
JD returned a few minutes later. "I draped a sheet over the top of the crib," he said. "It won't actually keep him out if he figures out he can move it, but I'm hoping it will at least discourage him."
"Sounds like a plan," Perry said. "I doubt we'll be going terribly far anyway."
"Probably not," JD agreed, clearing away the now empty plates that had so recently been full of food. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Perry muttered.
JD stood by the bed and helped Perry get to his feet. Much to his relief, the older man seemed a lot more sure of himself this time, and despite an unsteady moment where Perry swayed and leaned on JD heavily, he was mostly there for balance. They walked to the bathroom, then over to the doorway, before circling back to the bed.
"How you doing?" JD asked when they arrived.
Perry frowned, considering. "Actually, much better than I would have thought," he replied. He glanced at JD. "Almost... normal, in fact." He'd been holding onto JD more out of disbelief than any actual need--it had seemed the more he walked, the better he felt. "Maybe the regenerative properties of the Change don't just affect the new limbs."
JD heaved a purely internal sigh of relief. Thank God, if Perry could be back to himself. For so many reasons. "Maybe they don't...It would make sense, in a way. Hell, I read about a paraplegic who went mer--it healed his spinal cord. If it can do that, strengthening a few muscles is probably nothing."
Perry grinned broadly. "This could take stem cell research to a whole new level," he said. "Think of what else it might be able to cure! I don't know about you, but I'd far rather be a functioning mer than a paralyzed human." Perry knew his good mood had less to do with the fortunately healed paraplegic and far more to do with his own ability to walk again, but he didn't care. Soon--perhaps sooner than either of them could have hoped--he would be able to go after Carla and the others, gather more food... be useful again.
"I think that's probably far enough for now," JD said, wanting to play it safe. After all, there wasn't any rush.
"Ah, you're no fun," Perry said, nudging him. "Let's go check on Jack, maybe pile up downstairs with a movie or something."
JD bit his lip. "I don't know..." he said hesitantly. The Change might be healing the older man, but there was certainly no reason to push it, was there? "Maybe I'll bring a DVD up here and we can watch it on the laptop?"
Perry scowled. "I can handle it, you know," he said, a little stung, despite the voice of reason within him telling him he was being ridiculous. JD was a doctor, after all, and Perry knew there really was no reason to test their luck. Still, the stubborn portion of him was being a lot louder, and insisted he try to prove to JD he was fine. That he was still strong, still able to take care of himself.
"I know," JD replied. "Perry, I'm not...I'm not trying to baby you, or anything. I just want to make sure you're up to what I've got planned for tonight, that's all."
Perry smirked. "I'll be up for it and then some, Danielle," he said, turning away and walking toward the door. There, he paused, glancing back at JD. "You coming or what?"
JD bit back an exasperated sigh and followed, walking closer than necessary as Perry descended the staircase, ready to catch him if need be (or go down with him, if nothing else). Fortunately, they made it to the den without incident, and JD couldn't help but roll his eyes as Perry grinned impishly at him.
"I don't know what you're trying to prove, but congratulations, it's proven," he said, annoyed. "Now will you please sit down?"
Perry tossed his head, but obeyed, secretly relieved for the chance to sit. He'd realized halfway down the stairs that he might've overestimated his own recovery rate, but he'd been too stubborn to admit that to JD. Still, he wasn't quite able to hide the way his legs shook as he lowered himself onto the couch.
JD raised an eyebrow, when Perry's descent ended with a rather sudden thump, and shook his head. "Least that couch pulls out, if you can't get back upstairs. What did you want to watch?" He wasn't going to keep pushing. If Perry wanted to be an idiot, well...JD did have the means to drug him senseless. He wouldn't use it, of course, but the image was comforting, for the moment.
"I don't care. I don't plan to pay much attention to the movie." Perry waggled his eyebrows suggestively, hoping to tease JD out of the sour mood his own stubborn ploy seemed to have put him in. Now that he was here, he knew he'd been behaving immaturely, and felt rather bad about it. After all, JD had enough to worry about without needing to babysit both Jack and Perry himself.
"You should," JD replied shortly, grabbing the first DVD that came to hand and putting it on, before settling himself on the floor, nowhere near Perry.
Perry bit his lip, only glancing at the screen as the opening scene from The 13th Warrior began to play. He slid over on the couch, toward the end where JD on the floor sat glaring resolutely at the TV, and reached out, laying a gentle, if hesitant, hand on the back of JD's neck. "Hey, come on," he said softly. "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
JD shrugged Perry's hand away, wings coming up to block another try, and didn't answer. He couldn't quite believe he wasn't going to accept the apology--the second one in a single day!--but...Perry hadn't done anything to earn forgiveness, and dammit...He hadn't spent the past eight days busting his ass getting Perry healthy, just so the older man could wreck it by being too fucking proud and stubborn.
Perry lifted his eyebrows, understanding the unspoken challenge in JD's posture. He slid backwards a little to study JD's face, noting that though his eyes were following Antonio Banderas and Omar Sharif, he was clearly not paying any attention to what was happening. All his attention was focused on Perry, waiting for the next move.
Perry considered. JD's wings had come up, but as Perry moved away, he brought them back down a little. Perry settled back against the couch, and for a long time was still, pretending to care as Antonio Banderas rounded the corner of the riverbank and came into sight of the Viking camp.
After a time, as Perry'd hoped, JD's wings relaxed a little further, and it was then Perry made his move.
Sliding slowly over on the couch, he carefully positioned himself behind JD, holding his breath, but the young man did not raise his wings to block him again. Taking that as a good sign, Perry reached forward with both hands and settled them firmly on JD's shoulders. Then, wordlessly, he began to slowly massage the tense muscles, eyes on the back of JD's head, waiting for the younger man's reaction.
At first, JD only tensed beneath the massage, but after a few minutes he gradually relaxed again. He drew his knees up and rested his arms on them, his forehead on his wrists. But he didn't say anything. And there was a deep-seated tension within him that Perry's fingers couldn't ease. "You going to bother to tell me why?" he asked, finally, sounding tired rather than angry. "You of all people know better, and I really wouldn't think you'd want to risk a relapse, considering..."
Perry unfolded his legs and placed his feet on the floor, one on either side of JD, before bending down and placing a kiss on the nape of his neck. JD shivered slightly; Perry let his hands slide down a little further, working at the newly-developed muscles of JD's chest before sliding up in long strokes to his shoulders, then back down. "I'm sorry," he murmured again, feeling abashed. Truth be told, he wasn't sure exactly why he'd insisted on behaving like such an ass. "I guess I don't like feeling helpless."
"Who does? I don't think any less of you, you know," JD added, leaning back into Perry's embrace, sighing softly. He wasn't sure that was what was wrong, but it seemed the most likely of the various possibilities. "Or at least, not for needing help. The whole macho act..." He shrugged.
It felt strange, in a way, to keep Perry hanging, keep him from getting the forgiveness he was trying for. Strange, but good in a way, too. To know he didn't just have to give in...And hell, if he got massages like this, JD thought he might have to be pissed more often. If tradition held, Perry would probably give him reason often enough.
Perry sighed, moving up to settle his fingers in JD's hair, gently massaging his scalp. "Old habits die hard," he murmured. "I'm not used to this whole 'unconditional, no strings attached' thing. Guess I still don't quite believe it."
JD let out a noise very like a purr, his whole body going limp, as Perry's hands moved through his hair, pressing in all the right places. "Mmm...believe it. If I'm still here after the past three years, I think you can safely bet I'm not going anywhere..."
Perry's fingers stilled for a moment, moving to simply cup JD's head between his hands, and he bent forward, planting a soft kiss in his hair. "Good point," he murmured, fingers resuming their massaging circles. "Can't say I know why, but I'll admit you've been more patient with me than anyone else ever has. Certainly more patient than I deserve."
"Because I love you," JD told him. "And it meant I got to follow you around and look at your ass all day..." JD smiled slightly, pushing his head back against Perry's fingers when he started the massage again. "Perry? Can we agree that you're very butch and useful, and nothing will change my mind about that, so you can take care of yourself for a couple days?"
Perry chuckled, lowering his arms to wrap around JD's neck from behind and hugging him. "Yeah, fair enough," he agreed. "I owe you that much, at least."
"You do." JD smiled, and relaxed completely. "Of course, you can still fuck me through the mattress later to make it up to me."
Perry growled, nipping at JD's earlobe. "Dirty talk, Newbie," he chided, though he was secretly thrilled: Who knew JD could be such a demanding lover, when the mood took him? "Might have to punish you for that."
"Oh really?" JD turned his head, giving Perry better access to his ear. "Promises, promises. Of course if you're worried you're not up to it, I suppose I could always fuck you..." He kept his tone deliberately light and teasing, not wanting Perry to know how much he wanted to know the answer to that particular question.
Perry shivered. "Now who's making promises?" he whispered, voice rough as he licked at the tender skin in the hollow behind the lobe, then nibbled the tendon.
JD groaned, arching up a little. "Guess that'd be me..." Fuck...yeah. He couldn't believe his luck, that Perry would actually want him to...Dude, awesome. He shifted, pressing back again, wishing there was room for both of them on the couch. He wanted to feel Perry against him now...
Perry apparently wanted the same thing, and decided to bypass the couch altogether. He drew away suddenly, making JD whimper, but then slid down to the floor, crawling so he was in front of him and moving forward and kissed him. Thoroughly.
JD whimpered again, for an entirely different reason. He pressed into the kiss with tongue and teeth, knowing he was being more aggressive than was usual for him, but not caring, either. He tugged Perry closer, wanting to feel the other man all against him. Finally he growled in frustration, pulling away to gently but firmly push Perry over onto his back. Then, lowering himself on top of him, he ground his hips down as he resumed the interrupted kiss.
Perry groaned softly, arching up against the movement. He could feel JD against him, already hard; he parted his thighs to let JD's weight settle firmly between them. "God..." Who would have thought such a simple act could feel so damned good...?
"Not quite, but thanks," JD replied around a groan, his hips pressing forward again, just rubbing himself against Perry, feeling him press back in turn. "Fuuuck," he breathed, doing it again, lips finding Perry's, tongue dipping into his mouth.
You said it, Perry thought fervently, arching slowly, throwing his head back with a sharp gasp. JD, left without Perry's mouth to devour, latched instead onto his throat, suckling at the joint of neck and shoulder.
Perry shuddered, the sensation shooting straight to his groin. He rolled his hips up, bringing his hands down to grasp JD's ass and press, pulling them even tighter together.
They rocked together for some time, slowly at first, but growing soon in speed and desperation. Behind them, the movie played on, unnoticed, and between panting kisses and whispered words of encouragement, JD felt himself beginning to grow flushed, a familiar heat washing through him and making him moan.
Okay, this is fucking nuts.... They still had all their clothes on, for Christ's sake...But JD couldn't argue with the feelings coursing through him, the delightful friction as their hips moved in time...He groaned, deep in his throat, sinking his teeth into the corded muscle of Perry's shoulder before he could stop himself, hips stutter-jerking forward. "Don't stop..." he managed, wings shuddering as he panted.
"No," Perry agreed, bringing his knees up to wrap his legs around JD's hips. Holy shit... "Unh--JD, I'm..."
JD almost laughed. "Me too," he replied, hips never slowing as he licked his way up the side of Perry's neck, before lightly biting his earlobe. "Come for me..." It was half-order, half-plea, and JD knew whether Perry asked or not, he himself was going to nearly any moment. But what the fuck, he had other pairs of jeans...
"Ghhhaa!" The cry was gritted through Perry's clenched teeth; he strained upward against JD's weight, feet hitting the floor to give him leverage. His fingers curled around JD's cheeks, squeezing and pulling him down as he ground up hard and obeyed, coming in hard, short spasms.
JD followed, with a deep groan of his own, wondering absurdly if they should fight more often. If this was what making up was like...Fuck. He was all for it.
Perry collapsed under him after a long moment, arms falling limp at his side, legs sprawled; JD remained a comfortable weight atop him. For several long moments, all they did was breathe; then, suddenly and rather absurdly, the sounds of the movie behind them filtered into Perry's consciousness. He tilted his head back, watching upside-down as the Norse villagers built defenses against the Wendol. He chuckled, relaxing again and resting his hand in JD's hair. "We may need to start the movie over."
"Shh, afterglow," JD muttered, smiling softly as Perry played in his hair. "God, that was...perfect. Just what I needed, what I wanted..." He wriggled a little, and made a face. "Except for maybe that part. Want me to bring you some fresh pants?"
He didn't show any sign of getting up, though. Rather, he seemed to settle himself more comfortably, sighing contentedly.
"In a minute," Perry replied, snugging his other arm around JD's back, under his wings. "Mm. Does this mean I'm forgiven?"
JD giggled softly, shifting enough to kiss Perry tenderly, but thoroughly. Finally, he pulled back, his eyes twinkling. "Oh...I'll think about it."
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