Fin

[just_hex]

It had been a rather slow night in A&E and Hex had had plenty of time to chat with the other nurses. He'd been put off with the peds just because he was so good with the kiddies, but when warning bells went off in trauma Hex ran to where he was needed. The bloke was young and terribly thin and Hex got the distinct impression from the state of his hair and nails he was probably not well.

"I'm Hex," he said as two other nurses fussed over the young man, installing an IV and affixing EKG pads. "I just need to get a bit of history."

They went through the details and Hex took it all down, but what he was watching for with all this was to see how lucid Mr. Finlay Flynn was. The other nurses left before he got through the complete questionnaire.

"Almost done, Mr. Flynn," he said, then paused to look at the EKG printout. It wasn't good and the gravity of the situation settled heavy on his brow.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

He felt light headed and a bit dizzy, even now that he was sitting, and Fin struggled to focus on the nurse.

"It's- It's um... I think I took the wrong dose of my thinners, yeah?" he said quietly, wanting it to simply be a medication mishap, and not another heart event.

"Been havin' palpitations all week, didn't think much of it though. Just happens sometimes."

[just_hex]

"Can you tell me the name of your cardiologist?" Hex asked, knowing it was a hopeful question. From what had come up on the tablet regarding Fin's medical records he knew the majority of the man's care was handled through urgent care centers.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Ah- Dr. Harrison, but he's in Manchester, and I've not seen him in ages. Not since I was eighteen," Fin admitted, glancing away.

"My mouth feels like I've got cotton in it," he said quietly. "Think I could have some water, mate?"

[just_hex]

Hex nodded and put the tablet down. A spritz of antibacterial gel and he took a small paper cup and filled it from the tap. He took it to Fin's side and offered it, his free hand resting on the man's shoulder.

"What you've got, it's serious. You should be getting more stable care," he said, but gently since he was sure Fin was aware of the fact.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I know, but it's- Wot? Easy a month's wait, maybe more, just to get in to see someone. Unless you've got money coming out your ears. Funny how they can fit you right in if you've got the right zip code, isn't it?" Fin snorted, taking the water and sipping it.

"Besides, not much can be done for it. Managing it with pills for now. Doctors said as long as I don't over exert myself, I'll not faint any more. ...My hearts just not up for it. Can't beat fast enough or something, thet's how it was explained to me."

[just_hex]

"There's social service...you could get a home nurse to check in on you," Hex suggested. But he didn't argue because Fin was right. The proper post code got you much better care. It was all supposed to be equal but everyone knew it wasn't.

He sighed softly.

"Do you have enough medicine, at least?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I can't get home care, I've not even got a home," Fin laughed awkwardly. "But yeah, I'm alright for meds," he said, pulling out his wallet and slipping out the list of medications he carried with him- just in case.

"That's what I'm on now."

[just_hex]

Hex was no social worker. He was well aware of his limitations and he knew too well he couldn't save the world from the safety of A&E. But something pulled at him, just looking at Fin, and he knew he had to try to help the man somehow. Put him in touch with the right service, or...or something.

He scanned the list and then he sighed.

"These are serious medications," he said. "You're taking them every day, yeah? You can't go messing with your regimen, even if you're transient."

His voice was too soft for that to be anything but pure concern for the young man.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I take them," Fin replied, snatching the list back. "I'm not some gypsy or whatever. I just don't have a permanent address. Right now I'm crashing with my mate Gavin, he says I can stay as long as I need, so long as I buy my own food."

[just_hex]

"Oh good. That's good," Hex said. "I was afraid you were on the street. There's a lot who are, you know. But if you've got a roof- a bit of security- that's good."

He could tell he'd upset Fin and without a word Hex took hold of his wrist to take his pulse. It wouldn't do for his heart to race but Hex wanted to know how badly the organ was fighting the medications.

"What do you do for money?" he asked casually, his eyes on the second hand of his watch.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin looked at the hand on his wrist, powerful fingers wrapped around ghost white skin and bone. He immediately felt a strong tug of attraction, but he pushed those thoughts away.

"I'm an actor, but I take odd jobs around town as well. Cleaning tables and dishes mostly. Nothing strenuous. I know I've got to watch how much work I do."

[just_hex]

Fin's wrist fit into his hand, so slight and so fragile. Hex could have easily snapped it and so he was remarkably gentle. It was good to hear 'acting' and 'tables' because working in A&E had proven to him time and again how dangerous it could be when a person had no home and was struggling. Fin was clearly no statistic if he wasn't resorting to sex work.

"That's brilliant, mate. What sort of acting do you do?" he asked, his mind immediately thinking of overblown West End theater.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Small stage productions mostly. Nothing flash," Fin shrugged, watching Hex and well aware of why the man had asked.

"I'm not a prozzy. I know that's why you were asking," he said quietly. "Unless you want to pay for a go," he said, the words somehow flirtatious and venomous at the same time.

[just_hex]

"No, mate. I wouldn't," he said, the kindest possible turn down. Hex smiled at Fin, the sort of smile that was sweet and reassuring, but he couldn't help that it was a touch flirtatious as well.

"I meant no offense, yeah? It's me job to find out how much risk you're in."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin only hummed at that, then looked at Hex's hand again.

"Done fingering my pulse then, mate?" he asked. "I'm fine. I just had a spell, that's all. My friends just had a panic. I've told them before I'm alright as long as I just relax and lay down for a bit."

[just_hex]

"Yeah, sorry," Hex replied, slowly letting Fin's wrist go. "I should go get the doc to check you out. He might want to run more tests...just so you're aware."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No, come on, be a mate. Get me out of here, yeah? I just need something to eat, I'll be alright. Go on, be a devil," he said, giving the other man a light nudge.

[just_hex]

"I can't. I'd like to, but it's me job on the line," he replied, but an idea took hold and he smiled. "But by the time you get done with the heart monitor I'll be off. I could take you out for a late dinner," Hex offered. It was an easy risk to take- the worst Fin could say was no.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hesitated, trying to decide if Hex was asking him out on a date, or out as a mate.

Rather than say yes or no, he ducked his head and shrugged. "You don't even know me. Might knife you and take yer wallet," he pointed out.

Though he supposed anyone looking at him, especially a nurse, wouldn't see him as a threat.

[just_hex]

"I'm pretty sure if you were going to knife me and take me wallet you wouldn't be warning me it was going to happen, I reckon," he replied. "Come on, then. We can go to the diner across from the main doors. They have really good soup..."

As if that might be enough to tempt Fin into joining him.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Yeah, sure. So what's the doctor want to do with me then?" he asked, sighing a little.

He'd never been to a diner before, there were a few around all claiming to sell authentic american food. Though Fin supposed as long as they served fish and chips, he'd be alright.

[just_hex]

"Just tests, you'll be fine." He smiled at Fin and ducked out of the room. A bit later the doctor walked in to check Fin out. He listened to his heart and lungs, looked at his history, and ordered a couple tests. Hex was right, too- by the time Fin was ready to walk out- with a heart monitor he was to wear for twenty four hours and bring back, Hex was getting off shift. He made his way back to Fin's room as another nurse was getting him fixed up.

"That's alright, Shirl, I can get him," he said. "He's just going across the road, anyway."

Hex smiled at Fin as Shirl fussed a bit more then handed the slender man his discharge papers.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"This is absolute bollocks," Fin complained, picking at the wires. "I knew I should have just left. I should never have let you convince me to stay and see the doctor. Now I've got to wear this nonsense all day."

[just_hex]

"It's just for a day. You'll forget they're even there," Hex assured him. Once Fin had his papers Hex ushered him out- out past nurses and beds, out past the sick and injured- out into the street. The ambulance bay stood empty but up and across the street was the most odd little restaurant. It was a diner and looked as if someone had parked a train carriage on the block and built up around it. It was a facade, of course.

"This place is great. The best thing about it is it's fast. Sometimes on shift you've only got ten minutes or so and they get something hot to you in just moments," Hex explained.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I am starving," Fin admitted, still a little sulky, but following after Hex.

"You take all your patients for meals then?" he asked as they headed inside.