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The noises in a hospital can be overwhelming. The sound of people talking in the hallway. The sound of feet shuffling from room to room. The beeping of machines on each floor. Patients receive a mix of good news and bad. One can never get used to the hospital. Why would they? Fifty percent of the time it's not good news.
Irwin Dundee never liked hospitals.
It was the smell, the atmosphere, and the Doctors. As a kid he wasn’t fond of them. He despised them even more now. Something about watching your loved ones slip away does that.
Why was he here now? Why was he willing to get past his deep unknown fear of hospitals to sit here in a waiting room full of people who were hoping to get good news.
Because of his dear husband.
Unfortunately, Barry Benson was an accident waiting to happen. He loved him to death but God was he clumsy. So while he was getting patched up in the back, Dundee had to wait here. The staff wouldn’t let him go back there and to be honest he didn’t want to. In case he needed to run, the doors to the front were literally right there a few feet away from him.
It was odd. Dundee could handle blood, gunshot wounds, stabbings, and killing people. However, when it came down to sitting here and waiting at a hospital that terrified him. There were bigger and better things to be scared about and yet here he was, legs bouncing up and down and sweating like he had a 100 degree fever.
“Hey Dee, are you all good?”
Dundee’s head turns so fast to the right he almost gives himself whiplash. Pez is sitting there next to him, a concerned look on his face. The Prime Minister relaxes, taking in a deep breath. “Yeah, just tired is all...”
“Ah don’t worry about Barry. He’s stubborn as a mule. He’ll be alright.”
Dundee lets out a shaky breath and nods his head, agreeing to that statement. Barry Benson was indeed stubborn. He didn’t answer after that, his leg bouncing away. Unfortunately, Pez was smart enough to let it go or drop the subject.
“Mate, are you sure you’re alright? You seem nervous as hell.”
Dundee stares at the man next to him. “I’m fine. I just don’t like hospitals much,” he mumbled under his breath and Pez happened to catch it. “You shoot cops down for a living and get shot on the daily. Yet you’re sitting here and telling me that you don’t like hospitals?”
“Mate, thats fuckin’ different. I’m usually knocked the fuck out when they bring me in. This time it ain’t for me. So, I gotta wait here and take in all this fucking chaos.”
Pez was about to ask about the chaos when he began to hear the overhead system blaring all around. It was code blue. His eyes take note of how Dundee begins to tense up next to him. He watches the other man’s hands begin to tense, gripping the armrests making his fingers white. People around them begin to silently panic around them. Nurses and Doctors run down the hall to where the code was currently happening.
Ah. That Chaos. He understood now.
With little to no hesitation he raised a hand and wrapped it around his Prime Minister’s shoulders. Dundee freezes almost immediately but also relaxes just as quickly. “It’ll be alright Mate. You know, I may take the piss sometime and annoy you but you’re one of my best friends Dundee. I’m here for ya.”
Above the noise and chaos around Pez can make out the smallest of ‘thanks’ coming from Dundee. He nods his head in response and then retracts his arm from the man’s shoulders. The silence between them grows meanwhile all around the noises continue. The code had stopped by now, of course there was no way to find out if the person coding was okay or not. They would also never find out.
“Is there anyone for Barry Benson?”
At the sound of his husband’s name, Dundee practically bounces from his seat; Pez following suit. “That would be me. He’s my husband. How is he?” He asked, wondering if he could get any answers from the Doctor who had something in his hand. He seemed... calm?
“Ah yes, he made it through the surgery just fine. The bullet missed several, if not all of his arteries. He’s expected to make a full recovery. He’s young too, so he shouldn’t have many side effects either.” The Doctor spoke, looking down at the clipboard he had brought up.
A sigh of relief leaves Dundee’s lips before he realizes, unaware of how long he had been holding that in. “Thanks Doc.” He mumbles. “How long before we can go see him?” he hears Pez ask beside him.
“We’re waking him now, so give him 30 minutes to an hour. We’ll make sure to get someone to come grab you. It’ll either be me or a nurse.” The Doctor responded and shot them both a small smile and turned around to walk off.
Dundee wasn’t sure how the fuck he managed to make it so long while in a fucking hospital. He’d had distractions thank god for that but at some point one can get tired of playing Bloons on a phone.
“See Dee? I told you Barry would be okay.” Pez laughs a little as he goes to sit back down. Dundee does the same with a nod. “Yeah, I know but shit like this... waiting around for some form of news...it never goes well for me,” he responds, swallowing thickly as he thinks of his mother...his father... his brother. Friends, mentors. They all leave him in the end.
Pez hums before replying, “That's the downside of life. You never know how precious it is until it's gone.” Dundee can only nod in response.
~~~~~~~~~~
It wasn’t long before a nurse came back to fetch them. Dundee’s limbs felt shaky and like jello. What the fuck was he expecting? He should be used to seeing people weak in hospital beds by now. He should be used to all the bad memories.
They were led to the back of the hospital where the recovery rooms were. On the wall, there was a plaque with Barry’s name on it. His room number was 421. Behind the closed door, Dundee can hear small calm beeps of the IV drips working. All too familiar sounds. “He’s awake, not too aware but at least knows that you’re speaking to him. It's because of the morphine he was given.” Before he can answer the Nurse reaches over to open the door and it takes a couple of seconds for Dundee to muster up the courage to step inside. Pez is right there with him, seeming to understand what was going on.
What was in front of them...it was a lot to take in.
His husband; his Vice Prime Minister lying in a hospital bed, dozens of tubes hooked up to him like some sort of science experiment. His heart ached at the sight. Hazy blue eyes turn to look at him and a wide dopey smile follows suit.
“Deeeeee!”
Barry’s voice is quiet and slurred from all the anesthesia. Dundee can’t help the smile that spreads across his face. He can feel it. “Hello husband,” he speaks in a soft voice. “I had an ouchie.” He hears Barry comment and Dundee laughs softly and nods. “You did. Some fucker decided to mess with you but don’t worry I got him back for you,” he speaks ever so sweetly.
“My hero~”
Barry lets out a yawn and reaches out to Dundee, motioning for him to get closer. The other man steps closer with a little hesitation. Pez stands back for a moment.
Before sitting down, Dundee leans over to press a soft peck to the top of Barry’s head. He settles down on the seat next to the hospital bed, leaning over and reaching his hand to grab onto Barry’s. Fingers intertwining gently. “How are you feeling?” he asks his husband, his voice quiet and low. “Mm, high. Like I smoke a bunch of weed or some shit,” Barry mumbles and strains a laugh. Dundee feels his hand being squeezed, as he returns the gesture and sighs. “Yeah? So it's no worse than everyday life in the club?” Barry shakes his head slowly. “Good. I’m glad you’re okay. I was fuckin’ nervous, I’ll be honest husband.” The Prime Minister admits, his heart beating in his chest.
“Why?”
He swallowed thickly, trying to get the words out. “Wasn’t sure if you we’re gonna make it.” Dundee feels Barry’s thumb rub the top of his hand in comfort. “Nah, you’re stuck with me forever Dee. Hate to break it to you.”
“I’m betting on that Barry. I really am,” a sad smile forms on Dundee’s face and nods.
He forces himself to believe his husband’s words. “Yeah? I wouldn’t have it any other way husband.” He laughs, ignoring the lump in his throat. He didn’t have the heart to tell Barry that anyone who knows him or loves him will leave him in the end. He didn’t have the heart to face the fact that one day something might happen and Barry would be gone. He hated to think about that fact, it absolutely gutted him.
After all; Dundee doesn’t die.