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“I need a what?!” Snafu asked the dentist. He’d gone in for a routine dental cleaning that Eugene had scheduled and then they’d sprung this on him. What the fuck was he supposed to do?
“It’s a simple procedure really, but I don’t do them,” Dr. Clark continued. “There’s a very good dentist named Dr. Blane that does root canals on back teeth.”
Root canals on back teeth, Snafu thought. Why the fuck did he even need ta do this?
“So this is somethin’ I gotta have done?” Snafu asked incredulously. “They gotta drill out my tooth?”
“Yes, Mr. Shelton. It needs to be done.” The dentist nodded his head. “We’ll get you scheduled.”
Get him scheduled? How the fuck was he supposed to do this? He didn’t do dentists. The only reason he came was because of Eugene’s badgering and now he had ta go ta some special dentist ta have some scary procedure done. Granted that particular tooth had been bothering him, but he didn’t like to think about that.
Taking a script for antibiotics he left the dentist’s office with the appointment card clutched in his hand, Snafu's head was reeling. He couldn’t do this by himself. Eugene was going to have to take the time off school and go with him.
Going into the pharmacy he dropped the script off and waited for it to be filled. Deciding to send out a message he quickly typed.
Snafu: You ain’t gonna fuckin’ believe this.
Burgie: What?
Knowing Snafu it wasn’t something big, just what he thought was a huge deal.
Snafu: I gotta have a fuckin root canal.
Chuckling Burgie read the message. Snafu was being dramatic about a simple dental procedure.
Burgie: So?
Flabbergasted, Snafu looked down at his phone. So? This was a big deal and his best friend was blowing him off.
Snafu: I don’ want ta do it.
Burgie: Well it’s better than letting your tooth rot out of your head.
Snafu: Here I was lookin for some support and all I gets is indifference.
Cackling Burgie took a drink of his beer.
Burgie: Snafu, I’ve had one. It’s no big deal.
Snafu: We’ll jus’ see if I come out on the otha’ side.
Oh god, he was laying it on thick.
Burgie: I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Staring down at his phone, Snafu frowned. Hearing his name called he grabbed the prescription and paid, hopping into his truck for the drive home.
Pulling into their driveway he made his way into the house, scratching their cat Suki on the back.
“Eugene,” he yelled out.
“I’m out back,” he heard hollered back. Walking to the patio doors he scooted outside.
“Hey,” he sat down next to Eugene. “So’s ya know I had that dentist appointment ya made fer me taday.”
“Yeah, so?” Eugene asked, stretching his legs out in the sun.
“Well they says I gots ta have a root canal,” Snafu worriedly told him.
Leaning up Eugene looked him square in the face. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m goddamn serious. They set me up with some kind o’ special dentist and everythin. I go next week and you’re goin’ with me.” Scowling he took a drink of the whiskey he’d poured.
“I don’t know that I can, Mer,” Eugene replied. “I have class and I don’t know if I can miss.”
“Well you’re damn well gonna cause I ain’t goin’ by myself. I’ll cancel the fuckin’ thing” There was no way in hell he was going for some crazy dentist appointment without Eugene.
Handing the appointment card over he saw Eugene look at it.
“I might be able to make this work,” he nodded his head.
“Ya betta’ be able ta make it work and I’m damn serious.” Snafu sniped. “It’s yer fuckin’ fault I went ta begin with.”
“Snafu,” Eugene glanced over, feeling the trickling sweat sliding down the beer bottle in his hand. “You need to take care of your teeth. If the doctor thinks this is best you need to do it.”
“That might be fine and well, Eugene,” he took a drink. “But I ain’t goin’ unless you are right there in that room with me. I need you.”
Snafu, for being so rough and tough, was so over the top. Most people never saw this side of him, only Eugene.
“I’ll make sure I’m there, babe.” He reassured. “I won’t make you go alone.”
“Ya betta, it’s fuckin’ ridiculous I even need ta go.” Snafu answered assuredly.
“Alright, alright,” Eugene laughed. “I’ll go and hold your hand.”
“Don’ make fun o’ me Eugene,” he grumbled. “Ya ain’t neva’ had ta have one o’ these done.” He was going to google exactly what this entailed. Was it going to hurt? Was he actually going to be able to go into some dentist’s office he’d never met and let him use a drill on his tooth? Heart pounding he pulled out his phone. After searching a bit he wished he hadn’t.
“You should take better care of your teeth,” Eugene laughed. “If you did, you wouldn’t be going in for a root canal.”
“Whateva,” Snafu frowned. “I jus’ want ta get it ova’ with.” Showing Eugene his phone he complained “jus look at what their gonna do ta me.”
Reading on his phone Eugene grabbed his hand and gave him a squeeze. “I’ll be there, babe. I won’t make you go alone.”
Spending the rest of the evening outside Snafu tried to put this appointment out of his head. There wasn’t anything weak about being a little worried at having someone work on his teeth. He’d never admit it, but he was scared.
Going on about their week, Snafu became more and more nervous the closer they got to the date.
Laying in bed the night before, he watched Eugene move around the room. “You’ll make sure everythin’ is a-okay tomorrow, right?” He asked, watching his husband root through his drawers for some sleep pants.
“Of course I will, Snafu.” Eugene finally found some pants. Quickly changing he walked over to the bed. Laying down next to Snafu he tipped his chin up looking him straight in the eye. “I always take care of you, don't I?”
Pulling his shirt off Snafu huffed “yeah, ya do.” Why the hell was he so nervous about this shit? He shouldn’t even need Eugene with him, but he desperately did.
Waking in the morning his stomach was jumping. Nudging Eugene he whispered “we gots ta get up and get goin.” Watching as his lover stretched his arms above his head Merriell’s heart thumped.
“I’ll make some coffee,” Eugene offered. Getting out of bed he went into the kitchen, setting the pot to brew. He knew how nervous Snafu was today. It really was a routine procedure, but Eugene could tell how upset he was feeling.
Pouring Snafu a cup of coffee he added the sweet creamer he liked. Bringing it into the bedroom Eugene held it. “Some coffee for you babe,” he murmured. “Are you ready?” Taking in his man in his skin tight black jeans and t-shirt Eugene grabbed him around the waist. “I love you, Mer.” He pulled him close. Eugene knew what using his real name did to him.
“I love ya to,” he responded, tugging his boots on. Taking the coffee from Eugene he gratefully took a drink. “Thank ya fer comin’ with me mon amour,” he eyed Eugene steadily.
Patting him on the cheek Eugene answered “as if I would be anywhere else.”
Getting ready to go, Snafu's stomach was flipping. He could do this damnit. Following Eugene out to the truck he slid onto the passenger’s seat. He was going to let Eugene drive today. He was too nervous.
Pulling into the parking lot Eugene waited for Snafu to get out. “Come on Snaf,” he teased. “You’re going to survive, I promise.” Watching as his man slid out of the truck scowling Eugene hid a grin. He felt for Snaf having to get this done; he was so nervous Eugene just wanted to reign kisses all over his face.
Grabbing his hand they walked towards the door. Once entering, Eugene got Snafu registered and they sat in the waiting room.
“Mr. Shelton?” A dental hygienist stuck her face out a door. “Can you come with me?”
Standing, Snafu managed to mutter “only if he can come with me.”
“Of course,” she smiled. Leading them into a room she had Snafu sit in the dental chair with Eugene sitting beside him. “Dr. Blane will be with you shortly,” she smiled as she closed the door behind her.
Laying back in the chair Snafu felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest. Reaching out he gripped Eugene’s hand. “I don’ know about this Eugene.” He mumbled. Just as he was ready to stand up and leave the room the door opened and Dr. Blane and his assistant walked into the room.
“Good morning Mr. Shelton,” he greeted. “This is my assistant Diane and she will be helping me today with your procedure.” Getting things ready on a tray he put some kind of gel around the tooth he was going to be working on.
“Okay,” he held up a syringe. “I’m going to numb you up, first.” Eugene felt Snafu gripping his hand as the doctor prodded him with the needle.
“Now you shouldn’t feel anything,” the doctor reassured. Watching the dentist get to work Eugene just sat nearby feeling Snafu's bone crushing squeeze on his hand. It took about 30 minutes, but finally the doctor was done. Giving Snafu a list of things to do and not do they paid and left the office. Eugene felt a little bad. Snafu's jaw was all puffy and he could tell he was still numb. “Let’s get you home babe.” He kissed his knuckles.
Arriving back at their house Eugene ushered Snafu inside, grabbing him some sweatpants out of his drawer. “Go get changed,” he pushed him towards the bathroom. “We’ll stay in here tonight. Watching as their black cat jumped up on the bed Eugene gave her a scratch to her ears. Quickly getting changed himself he pulled back the blankets, waiting for Merriell to come back into the room. Laying back against the bed Eugene waited for the inevitable complaining.
Coming out of the bathroom Snafu started up. “Oh my god Eugene,” he whined. “I feel like shit. My face is all fuckin’ numb and my jaw hurts.” Scowling he crossed his arms. “This is all yer fault. It was yer big idea that I go ta the dentist.”
Opening his arms Eugene laughed. “Come here, babe. Let me make it better.” Watching as his grumpy husband got into bed he waited for the incessant clinginess to start. Snafu could bitch all he wanted but when it came down to it he would have to be snuggled up against Eugene. He couldn’t help it. Trying to hide a smile as Snafu grumbled, but made his way to the bed he felt him lay down in his arms. Wrapping them around him Eugene felt Merriell’s cold nose against his neck. “Ya got me hurtin’ Eugene,” he moaned. “I feel like I ain’t gonna make it. Gonna need some serious lovin,” he continued, throwing his leg across Eugene’s hip.
Kissing him on the shoulder Eugene murmured “oh you know I’ll take care of you, Mer.” Clicking through the television channels he ran his fingers through those soft curls. Snuggling him close he held him as he fell asleep.