005 - Yelling About Cosmic Horror Futures

[helpdesk_hero]

WHO: David Alleyne and Josh Foley
WHERE: De Chima Hospital
WHEN: Evening of October 20th
WHAT: Aftermath of a Shadow attack means honesty time.
WARNINGS: Possible references to recent violence and injury, definite talking about gods.



On the other side of the portal David comes to a stop, just far enough away to leave room for Josh. Damian's already out of sight and he watches carefully for the portal to close anyway. Because he's concerned about the man. Thinks about that more than the chill of the evening or how torn and bloody his clothes are. He looks and feels like hell and he just sags when the portal closes.

"You should go back to your shift. I can walk home."

Maybe even safely.

Comments

[goldtoxicity]

"Oh no you don't."

Not after fusing with - whatever the fuck that thing was, and not when he's already made a show of demanding answers. He points to the hospital doors.

"One, I'm checking you out to make sure that didn't do anything bizarre to you and I didn't exactly do a great job patching you up to begin with. Two, you owe me answers. I'll do my rounds and then leave early, so you can hang out in the waiting room for ten minutes."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I like it when you're responsible doctor guy," David tries to tease as he lets himself be herded toward the hospital. "You know, I'm normally the Mom-friend. You stealing my job?"

He can respect the whole making sure he doesn't actually end up paralyzed again, he supposes.

[goldtoxicity]

"I'll be your Mom Friend and no one else's." He carefully slings an arm around his friend's shoulder, guiding him up the steps and towards the waiting room. He's covered in blood and Josh's hands are still bloody so they get a few panicked looks, but most people here know him and his work well enough to know things are probably fine.

"I'll be back. Ten minutes. Uh..." He reaches into his pockets, fishing out a little change and also a lot of lint. "Here. Get some gatorade and rehydrate."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Not a bad idea," David admits, taking the money. He'll ignore the lint. "Try... not to be too long. I'm worried I might have to use my suppression device, and it's got only an hour of charge to it."

The damn thing is a frustrating tether, but he really doesn't want to be in other people's minds here.

"I'll try and not play doctor."

[goldtoxicity]

"Ten minutes. If things get bad then call me and we'll go sooner."

He squeezes David's shoulder reassuringly and then pulls back, apologetically reclaiming his clipboard from the nurses' station to finish his rounds.

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah. This... isn't good. David's brain is definitely a mess right now. But he goes to get a drink and then comes back to find a seat. Sits down on the edge of one to make sure he doesn't get blood anywhere. And as he sits there he sips at the drink, his leg bouncing with nervous energy.

He'd assumed and now he wonders if there is anyone who knew about the Patrinot here. If this really is him admitting, for the first time, his fears about the future. What he's going to be.

[goldtoxicity]

He's back in nine minutes and twenty seconds, coat tossed aside in favor of a clean graphic t that he borrowed from a coworker and a coat to cover david's bloody outfit.

"Alright, let's jet. Do you want me to call an uber?"

[helpdesk_hero]

And David had dressed so nice for dinner. He's got a whole ruined outfit. But he accepts the coat and pulls it on quickly.

"Yeah, I'd definitely prefer a car to walking. Don't trust the world out there," he sighs, frowning down at his ruined gloves. One cut, both bloody. His birthday gift ruined. "I just... I can't go home right now. I can't handle that. Hyenas and crazy clowns and Jersey Devils and Anton?"

Ruined outfit, ruined date, can't go home. His night is complicated.

[goldtoxicity]

He's not done being annoyed about not knowing something so important, but he can put that aside in favor of making sure David's okay. He's quick to order a drive, and as he starts towards the doors, he can't help himself from stopping to tend to whoever needs a little pain relief while they wait to be seen.

"Dude. Move out. I think a room opened up in my house, or hell, if there's not we could both move."

[helpdesk_hero]

Wait, was that...

"You're inviting me to move in with you? I haven't even bought you dinner yet," David answers. What, being disarming is the best he can do right now. It's a pointless joke, though. He and David would never work, so it's definitely a joke.

"I feel bad about it. It's not Anton's fault he makes me think of Belasco."

[goldtoxicity]

"Somebody's gotta watch out for you." He teases in turn, shoving his phone in his pocket. The Uber should be there in just a few minutes, and he's got his eyes out for any more creepy fog showings.

"Anyway, you can't help it. Trauma's trauma, man. It's like I can't deal with guys that wear cloaks."

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, cloaks suck. David sighs as he waits with Josh, and tries so hard not to pace.

"It wasn't so bad at first. Mysterio used his fucking tech on me, and it manifested a memory of Belasco. I was fine before that. The nightmares didn't happen as much then. I thought I was doing better, but then there he was. And if I'm not prepared that definitely fucks me up."

What? Is he trying to distract Josh from what just happened? Absolutely. But it's also honesty.

[goldtoxicity]

Mysterio.

Maybe mentioning that someone else fucked with David is a bad, bad idea, because his expression immediately sours. Yeah, Mysterio. He's going to have to deal with that too. He fishes around in his pocket for something - coming up with a cheap little vape pen, and leans back against the wall.

"Yeah, dude, you need a babysitter."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Stay away from Beck, Josh. Please. I'm dealing with that."

He's the guy's therapist now. It's a mess. But that's what David does. he becomes a mess. He lives the mess, embraces it.

"Says the guy vaping. I'm getting out into the world again, Josh, isn't that good enough? I've spent some time with Vision 2.0, I've had more than a few nights hanging out with Damian. I'm trying. But... I might need to move for real. You serious about being able to put up with me that close to your space? When you're around?"

[goldtoxicity]

"If he hurts you again, and you hide it from me? I'll be dealing with it." That isn't really comforting, but it's not said in the way Josh usually says things. It lacks the black humor, it's a serious statement. "I've seen way too many people bite it because they think they can handle something on their own. Not you too."

But in response to the vape comment, he turns his head and blows it in a steady stream at David's face.

"And yeah, dude, I wouldn't be offering if I wasn't serious? We were roommates before, like in the same room, and I'm pretty sure I pissed you off more than you pissed me off."

[helpdesk_hero]

"If he hurts me again, I'll tell you right away, I swear," David promises. The guy deserves to understand negative repercussions. "But I don't want you using your powers to hurt people. I won't be that to you."

Come on, Josh, David's played with death enough to know this is all a thing. He doesn't want to die, at all.

"You couldn't keep your damn side of the room clean," he remembers, voice soft. "Didn't want my parents to think I was a slob. I'll... definitely consider it. Plus I can probably get out of being Joker's paid chef."

[goldtoxicity]

"I don't need my powers to hurt people." That's a joke, but - maybe not actually a joke. "And that is me."

He glances down the road, chewing lightly on the end of the stick.

"I'm still a slob. But I don't have a lot of stuff and I mostly keep it in my room. If that room gets filled then we can move out somewhere - but if you wanna stay where you are then you're good to, too. I just want you to be happy and okay."

[helpdesk_hero]

But it shouldn't have to be, not for David's sake.

"I... am letting myself be convinced to move. I'm just so tired lately. Not getting enough sleep these days. I'll see about trying to get situated there. I wanna be happy and okay, and sleep would help with that."

A lot. He sighs and rubs at his temples. "You have any housemates likely to try and kill me at night?"

[goldtoxicity]

"Honestly I'm not home enough to know? But they don't touch my stuff and haven't killed anyone to my knowledge, so I think you're good."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Well, it will work then. But you have to promise to be by sometimes if I do move in. I'm like, several years behind in schooling you on video games."

That much he wants to do. Connect with his friend again. Because clearly his life is bad decisions at the moment. And look, he's clearly managed to distract Josh. Victory.

[goldtoxicity]

"Well, lucky for you I blew my last paycheck on a decent game setup. So we can play to our hearts content."

The uber pulls up and Josh stuffs the vape back in his pocket, gesturing to his friend to hop in the car.

[helpdesk_hero]

"I promise not to use my glasses to have gaming tips up."

He smirks before heading toward the vehicle, and he does let himself get in first. Good thing all the blood is probably dry. He hopes.

[goldtoxicity]

It's fine, it's cool, he'll throw extra money to solve the problem if need be. Josh slides in next to him and makes some polite smalltalk before leaning heavily against the seat and rubbing his temples.

He's going to need such a long sleep after this.

But it's cool. He doesn't live that far. They get to his house and he hops out, ushering David to his room.

"I think I got some sweats that should fit you, you can grab a shower and change and - like, throw those in the laundry I guess."

[helpdesk_hero]

Ah yes, Josh’s room. The same as usual. David lets himself be shuffled into it and tries not to feel awkward. At least the offering is genuine.

“Don’t bother. My shirt and coat and scarf are ruined. The pants might be salvageable...”

He looks at his hands. His gloves. Bloodied messes. And sighs.

“These were an early birthday gift from Damian. Best gloves I’ve had since coming here. Guess these will have to go as well. I guess just set them aside so I can wear them home tomorrow.”

His isn’t making nearly enough to comfortably replace all of this after dropping so much on the suppression device. And he definitely takes the device off for now. No reason to test the waterproofing at the moment.

“Find me a towel and some pants and I’ll figure the rest out from there.”

[goldtoxicity]

"You might be able to find a drycleaner who can get it out. Some of these people are miracle workers."

Josh's room is a mess, but he knows where his lazy pants are. He snatches them up from the pile of clean laundry and grabs a towel from his closet, tossing them both David's way.

"Get clean. I'll order pizza. Then we'll talk."