What The Heart Wants

[cacklingMarionette]

Late nights away from the Hideout usually meant multiple things for one Jack "Spades Slick" Noir. He could be on a heist, playing it solo. He could be knocked out cold in a bar somewhere- probably one of his in one of their casinos. Or thirdly, he could be with his dame of the night, Sn0wman. More often than not, whenever Jack came back with multiple injuries, it had to be the third option. Sn0wman always did have a sick sense of humor when it came to romance. And she sure as hell had no clue how to run a relationship.

Since those in a relationship usually don't nearly kill their lovers, anyway.
Jack limped into the hideout around 6 a.m., just as daylight was streaking across the skies. He could tell Draco was up because the lights were still on. And speak of the devil, here he came now.

"Slick, how many times must I tell you- you can't stay up all hours of the night gallivanting with that waste of a--" And he went silent, seeing the state Slick was in. Multiple stab wounds, burn marks, and...was that a gunshot? This was far worse than anything Sn0wman had done to him- my she was an aggressive wench. "Are you alright?"

Usually Jack would deny it, saying he was fine, and that Draco should get his ass into bed. What the hell was he doing up so early? Waiting for him? "Droog," But this time, things were different. Jack's vision was getting fuzzy, and he was losing feeling in his body. "Get the car."

Without hesitation, Draco ran off to fetch the keys, hastily writing out a note for the others, before helping Slick to the car. One careful, yet rapid drive later, Jack was admitted immediately to be treated while Draco waited in the guest lounge for the all clear for him to go in.

[solarOrigins]

It was a slow morning at the hospital. Missy Paint was making her rounds when her she was called to assist in the ER. The patient was a mess and no one was quite sure how he managed it.

After a grueling treatment, Missy and another nurse wheeled the Mr. Noir to a private room for recovery and team lifted him into a bed. Missy stayed while the other nurse left to assist other patients, all the better to tidy up the room and move the various controllers and remotes closer to the bed where the patient could reach them once he woke up.

She would continue to come back every so often to check up on him.

[cacklingMarionette]

Draco came into the room once he was given the clear, sitting in the chair beside his leader, watching an old black and white film on the television. It wasn't until hours later that Jack woke up with a groan, dull aches and above shooting through him like flickers of fire.

Draco looked over at him with a raised brow. "Looks like someone has rejoined the land of the living. What did that foul mistress do to you anyway?"

Jack simply looked over at him, scowled, then proceeded to wince. "Need somethin' for the pain." He murmured. They could talk later about it.

Draco sighed and buzzed for the nurse, waiting for her to emerge.

[solarOrigins]

Missy was humming as she came in. "Oh, you're finally awake" she smiled at Jack in the bed. "I bet I was paged to give you a little pick me up." She walked over to the small cabinet in the corner and took some medication from the drawer before moving to his side and injecting it into his IV. "That should kick in here in just a minute, you'll feel much better, I promise. Can I get you gentlemen anything else then? Jello? Water? Coffee Mr. Droog?"

[cacklingMarionette]

Jack stared at the woman who walked in, unable to tear his eyes away. She was completely different from Sn0wman. She radiated, she wasn't very tall, and damn, she could knock someone out with that smile. Jack found that he was at a loss for words when she spoke, blinking only when Droog spoke up.

"Some water for him, and a cup of black for me. Thank you, Nurse Paint, you're simply a delight."

[solarOrigins]

Missy giggled. "Please, I've told you, call me Missy, Mr. Droog." she headed to the door only to stop in the doorway and turn back. "I'll sneak you some of the good stuff from the Nurse's breakroom" she winked before walking out.

She was only gone a few minutes before she was back with a little tray. She set the tray on the rolling lap table and pulled it over the bed. On it were three cups (two of coffee, one empty), a pitcher of water, various packets of creamer and sweetener, and a slip of paper with a list of food on it.

"Alright, I have two cups of coffee for you Mr. Droog, and for you Mr. Noir, I have water and our cafeteria's menu for when you feel up to eating. There isn't anything wrong with your stomach, so its all dictated by how you feel" Missy smiled warmly, moving over to gently fluff Jack's pillows.

[cacklingMarionette]

Jack looked like he was in a daze. His eyes were halfway shut, and he was breathing calmly. It could've been the medication kicking in, or it could've been...nah.

Droog offered her a smile, something that was simply a formality with the ladies. "Forgive me- old habits for hardest. Our thanks." He said with a simple nod. "We shall ring if we need anything else."

[solarOrigins]

Missy nodded happily and left them with a little wave. There were only a couple more hours left in her shift and so many patients still who may need her before she left.

[cacklingMarionette]

Jack watched her leave, keeping silent even after she did. After a while of silence, Draco spoke up. "Fair dame got your tongue, Slick? How impressive."

Jack finally scowled at him with a grunt. "Why the fuck would you come to that conclusion?" Draco hummed in amusement. "Seeing as how your usually yammering mouth seems to be dry of words, it's a big indicator."

[solarOrigins]

Missy poked her head in and smiled at them when she passed by the room again. "Still doing alright, Mr. Noir? Are the pain killers still working? I can give you a stronger dose if they aren't"

[cacklingMarionette]

He looked over at her, simply staring at her, relishing in her beauty.

Draco looked over at her with a warm smile. "He's quite alright, Missy. The only medicine he needs is for the cat to return his tongue."

Slick growled at him.

[solarOrigins]

Missy giggled, hiding her mouth behind a hand. "My shift ends within the hour, If you need anything before then, you can page me with the call button. If not, I'll be leaving a note at the nurse's station for the next person on duty." She looked to Droog with a smile. "Though I doubt I'll really need to. I'm sure you'll tell the next nurse exactly what's happening, Mr Droog."

[cacklingMarionette]

"Indeed I shall. Though I may not promise that Jack will do as well in your absence." Draco looked over at Jack with a knowing smile, and Jack simply squinted his eyes at him.

God, he felt like they were stupid juveniles in high school.

[solarOrigins]

Missy tsked at him playfully. "I would behave if I were you, Mr. Noir. Just remember that the nurses control your painkiller intake" she teased. "you might need that later you know"

[cacklingMarionette]

Draco simply chuckled as Jack stared at her in confusion.

"I'll keep close watch on him, Missy. I'll keep him in his place."

Jack's gaze snapped to him again, which practically screamed 'Are you fucking kidding me?'

[solarOrigins]

Missy giggled again before leaving the room.

[cacklingMarionette]

"'M gonna fuckin' kill you, I hope you know that." Jack mumbled.

"Barking from an incapacitated dog holds no bite, Slick. You know I'm teasing." Draco huffed.

[solarOrigins]

Missy was still giggling as she went to the nurse's station to make out her note. She would have to put a copy on Jack's file and clip one to the file holder by his door before she left.

While she was there writing, another nurse brought a box of doughnuts. "a little treat for us" she winked at Missy before going on her way.

Missy smiled and grabbed Droog a plain glazed and a jelly with sprinkles for Jack to maybe cheer him up. She carried them back to the room on a napkin, the file in hand. "Is anyone hungry?" she asked, pausing in the doorway

[cacklingMarionette]

Just as Jack was about to snap another retort at Droog, his words were cut short by the presence of the little beauty. Droog, of course, decided to answer for him.

"Why yes. How awfully thoughtful of you, dear."

[solarOrigins]

Missy set the napkin on the tray. "I took you as a plain doughnut man, Mr Droog." She smiled at him. "And I got one with sprinkles for you, Jack. Not sure what the filling is, but everyone needs a bit of surprise in their life"

She moved to the door to put Jack's file in the file holder before turning back to them.

[cacklingMarionette]

Draco waited for her to leave before looking over at Jack, who was staring at his donut.

"Sprinkles, Jack. Sounds like something serious." He snickered.

Jack just sighed softly, not even caring about his teasing anymore- he was right after all. He grabbed his donut and took a bite, relishing in the boston cream filling it had.

[solarOrigins]

Missy turned back to them. "Alright gentlemen. This is the end of my shift. I'm due back first thing in the morning, so I'll see you then" she smiled. "I trust you'll be keeping an eye on him until the end of visiting hours, Mr. Droog?"

[cacklingMarionette]

"You know it, Missy." He mused as he took a bite of his own donut.

Jack simply looked up at her as he swallowed, relishing in her beauty before she left.

[solarOrigins]

Missy hummed as she crossed the room again and gave Jack's pillows one last fluff, setting the control for the bed's incline by his hand before turning and leaving the room with a smile.

She had a lunch date to make.

[cacklingMarionette]

"So how badly do you have it?" Draco asked.

Jack sighed before swallowing his bite of donut. "Pretty bad, Droog, ain't gonna lie."

Draco hummed and folded his hands nicely. "Worse than Sn0wman?"

"So much fuckin' worse."

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