Fin

[petty_dabbler]

It had been a solid week without a single peep from John. He wasn't home. Texts went unseen, his voice mail box was full.

John was actually bored out of his mind. They'd locked him up in the psyche ward and there he'd been in his pajamas and deck shoes, staring at a white ppadded wall. Not his first time, wouldn't be his last time. There was one on one and there was group and there was shitty food and prescribed fun time and John knew all he needed to do was be patient.

And the day came.

"Mr. Constantine, you're set to be released, but we need the signature of a responsible adult who will help monitor you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I've done the psycho babysitter thing before, love," John said. "Give me a phone, I know who to call.

He dialed Fin from memory.

"Oi, mate. I need a grown up. I'm in hospital, fourth floor. Psych ward. Can't miss it."

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin knew where to go, and he hated that.

He signed the forms, made small talk with a nurse who was apparently a fan, then went to collect John.

"Dare I ask?" he said, rather than hello.

[petty_dabbler]

"Demons aren't real, Hell isn't real. I'm all better, see?" he said, slipping on his coat. "Let's get the fuck out of here."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin nodded, following him into the lift.

"I've got a car outside waiting. Where do you want to go? Have you eaten? I bet you haven't. We should get a meal," he decided, looking anxious and concerned.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'd kill for chips and gravy," he nodded. "I'll tell you why I've been gone. What's it been? A week?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I don't know," Fin admitted as they climbed into the car. "I was away for a few days filming, but when I got back I couldn't reach you, I know that much. That was about two days ago."

[petty_dabbler]

"I know it's been more than two," he said. "Do you have a cigarette? They binned my pack and I'm dying."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Yeah, of course," Fin said, pulling out a silver cigarette case and holding it out in offering.

"I'm sorry I didn't come looking, I just assumed you were off working," he confessed, looking apologetic.

[petty_dabbler]

"That's a reasonable assumption," he replied with a nod. He scrambled for a cig and then groaned with satisfaction on the first drag.

"I was on a job, but then it went to shit. The police came. Questions were asked. Shoelaces were taken."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You should have called me, I'd have come," Fin insisted.

[petty_dabbler]

"I was under court ordered observation. No outgoing calls until they decided I'm not really a danger," he said. "I called you as soon as I could. Thank you. For coming. I hoped you would."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Always," Fin assured him softly, covering John's hand with his own and squeezing lightly. "Without hesitation, John."

[petty_dabbler]

"It's not my first time, you know? Ive been in and out of mental hospitals for years. You'd think by now they'd have me flagged as 'not mad' but it keeps happening," he chuckled. Now that he had a cigarette, all was right with the world.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin didn't laugh though, his thumb smoothing back and forth over John's knuckles, a soft caress that expressed his concern and care without a word.

"I'm going to give you my lawyer's card," he said after a moment. "If this happens again, you use it. You have that right. You call them, and they'll contact me, and I'll do whatever I can to prevent this happening again, John."

He couldn't make promises, but he could do his best to help.

[petty_dabbler]

John took the card, read it, and slipped it in his pocket.

"It's not a big deal, Fin. Waste of time, mostly. But...thanks. I'll call when it happens again."

When. Not if. John knew better.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin squeezed his hand again and nodded.

"I missed you," he admitted after a moment. "A lot, actually."

[petty_dabbler]

"I missed you a lot, too," he admitted, slowly flipping his hand over to hold Fin's, palm to palm. "More than once I reached for my phone to text you. You know, completely forgetting it was locked up."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin slid in slightly closer, leaning against John.

"After being locked in there, let me put you up in a hotel for the night. We can have room service and you can have a lovely hot soak..."

[petty_dabbler]

"You're my sugar daddy now?" he teased, his eyes sparkling brightly. "That sounds really nice. A good, long soak to get the antiseptic off."

He couldn't help but think a soak would be even nicer with someone with him.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Don't be a dick about it," Fin said softly. "I just- I want to help, that's all."

[petty_dabbler]

"I'm not being a dick, love," John assured him, catching his cheek to pull him in for a kiss.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin returned it slowly, his kiss tender and slow.

"I just wish I could- I dunno... I dunno," he sighed, pulling away and shrugging.

[petty_dabbler]

"Wish you could what, Fin? Make it all better? It's not so bad, love," John assured him.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Look after you," Fin said quietly.

[petty_dabbler]

"That's a nice fantasy, innit? Grumpy old sod like me taken care of. Bet you'd pamper me, hmm?" he said lightly. He flicked the cigarette out the window, then twisted to face Fin as best he could.

"You'd do a much better job than I would, I'm sure."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin said nothing, he just looked down at his hands for a long moment.

"Sometimes I wish there were two of me. Because I feel like there are two paths here, and I want to follow them both, even though I know I can't."

He loved Hex, had no desire to leave his side. Loved the life they had. ...But part of him felt at home with John too. Felt like maybe he could take care of the man. Could be something for him to want to come home to.

He couldn't have it both ways though.