Work Text:
You knew something was wrong before he even came home. It was 9:39PM. It wasn’t often he had to cover a day shift, but him and Robby had swapped around this week. You had texted an hour ago to ask if everything was alright and he hadn’t even seen it. You thumb the buttons on the side of your phone absently. Jack Abbot doesn’t always text back straight away. It wouldn’t be the first time you had to wait a bit.
The door opened with a strong push, clattering against the wall. You jumped, flinching at the sudden noise. Jack’s heavy set footsteps were unmistakable. You squeezed your hands together upon hearing him throwing his coat and bag by the shoe rack.
“Jack?” You called out, softly. He rounded the hallway corner, shoulders dropping slightly upon seeing you. He crossed over, hands grabbing desperately at your hips and pulling you in for a long kiss. He didn’t break until you were sure your lips were blue. You gasped lightly.
“How wa-” You were cut off when he pulled you back in for round two. His hands gripped tight enough to hurt and you finally put your hands on his chest, pushing him away with a small ‘ow’.
“Sorry, baby.” He rumbled, head dipping down to rest between your shoulder blades. His hands rested on your hips, fingers just barely hooking on to your jeans.
You began rocking rocking both of you back and forth, soaking up the warmth of his body. He needed to get out of scratchy scrubs, you hated the material of the tops he always chose. Leaning down to rest your nose on his hair, you took a long sniff. You could still get a little of his aftershave and deodorant, but it was mostly sweat.
“You should shower.” You whispered, kissing the crown of his head. He groaned against you, causing you to laugh lightly.
“Was work okay?” You asked softly. You knew it hadn’t gone incredibly well by the time he came in and the way in which he did, but you still wanted details.
“No comment.” He murmured.
“That bad?” You replied, kissing him again. He stilled slightly under you.
“Yeah.” He spoke shortly. You frowned at his tone, your hands rubbed up and down his back in a soothing rhythm.
“Anything you wanna tell me?” You asked quietly. He huffed in irritation, before pulling himself away from you quickly. Your frown deepened.
“I don’t want to talk about it, honey! Jesus Christ, read the fucking room…” Your mouth hung open and you stared at him for a moment. He opened his mouth in a mocking gesture and gave an aggressive shrug before shuffling away.
You stayed exactly as you were for a few moments, only moving once you heard the shower going. You blinked back tears that threatened to spill over. You took his plated dinner out of the fridge, sticking it in the oven on a low heat to have it warmed by the time he was out. You set his place at the kitchen table and made your way wordlessly into your bedroom.
You read your book, listening to the sounds of him turning the shower off. You fingered the spine of your book nervously, hoping he wouldn’t come in. Tears burned your eyes again, thinking of your short exchange. You wiped your eyes roughly. The bathroom door opened and he pattered into the kitchen. You knew he wouldn’t bother changing into anything now. He was probably only wearing a towel, right now. If you weren’t a little hurt, the thought of that would have turned you on.
You heard him getting his plate out and placing it down. You were dimly aware of the fact you have been ‘reading’ the same page for about 5 minutes now. He called your name softly, and you did not answer.
He called once more, before giving up.
After about an hour, he yawned into his hands. It had been a long fucking day, but he didn’t have to take it out on you. He pawed at his empty plate before taking it over to the sink to wash it. He quietly crept up the hall and into the bedroom. You were lying on your side of the bed, facing the wall. You were in your pajamas and your eyes were closed. He watched your chest rise and fall for a few moments.
You were wide awake, despite your appearance. You listened to him drop the towel into the laundry basket and felt his weight on the bed. You cracked an eye open when you felt him lie next to you. His crutches were on your side, by the dresser. Exactly where they had been since last night. Guilt rose in your stomach as you thought of him dealing with unnecessary pain because of you. His arm looped around your waist and you closed your eyes once more.
“My love?” He kissed the shell of your ear gently. “Are you awake?”
You didn’t answer, keeping up your charade. He waited for a few moments before sighing and laying himself down completely. You both drifted off not too long after that.
Your eyes shot open suddenly. They snapped to the clock - 3:47 AM. Your body felt like it was vibrating. Ugh. Fantastic. You knew you weren’t getting back to sleep anytime. You glanced back, Jack had twisted himself away from you. Literally twisted by the look of it, his arm that was slung around you hung limply off the side of the bed. You tried not to laugh at him.
Tip-toeing out of bed, you shut the door behind you. You went to the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets for that disgusting mint tea Jack had bought you when you first told him you have trouble sleeping. He always restocked it for - he knew damn well you would buy that shit for yourself - and encouraged you to drink it. Brewing it up, you brought it out to the patio. You left the door open to let the cool night air into the house. You sat on one of the pretty deck chairs you had picked out, grimacing when you took a sip of your tea.
“I don’t like it when we go to bed angry.” You jumped at the sudden intrusion, whipping your head back to see your vaguely sleepy and very naked husband.
“That wasn’t kind.” Was all you said in return. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry sweetheart, I don’t know why I didn’t apologise right away.” He leaned against the door frame, crutches supporting him. He walked over to sit beside you and you were suddenly very glad that Jack had no neighbours. This fucker had no probelm with nudity.
“You’re frozen.” You replied, putting a hand on his cold thigh. “And exhausted, go back to bed.”
“I don’t sleep well without you. I worry about you, baby.” You softened at that. Jack always worried about your lack of sleep, even back when you had just met. He had made you do sleep studies and see a specialist to find out if there was a solution. There wasn’t, of course. He had been furious, demanding to speak to their department head. You were absolutely mortified that your then-boyfriend (also then-resident) had caused such a scene but there was a part of you so warmed by the fact he would fight for you.
“Please forgive me, baby. I truly am sorry. It was a really, really, really shitty day. I can tell you all about it now. Start to finish.” He grabbed your hands, his tone turned pleading.
Finally, you cracked a small smile and for the second time that day, you watched his shoulders drop.
“I don’t want to hear about it. I just wanted to help.” You maneuvered your hands to hold his back and squeeze them tightly. “Of course, I forgive you. I’m sorry for pushing.”
He raised your joined hands and kissed them both. You twisted one of your legs to wrap around his and he took it as an opportunity to pull you closer. Your mouths met in a kiss, much more tender than anything you two had felt since he came home last night. His hands landed on your hips, angling you closer. Yours went to his thighs, creeping up, up, up.
“... Have you given any thought as to how you’re gonna make it up to me?”
He laughed huskily, and you knew neither of you were getting back to sleep tonight.