Dr. Reid Oliver: Making the Blind See* (*Individual results may vary)
Title: Dr. Reid Oliver: Making the Blind See* (*Individual results may vary)
Author: flowersforchuck
Rating: R-ish
Characters: Lots of Noah and a bit of LuRe
Summary: Prompt by moerlin: Crack!fic prompt: When Noah wakes up from his surgery, the first sight he sets his eyes on is Reid. It’s love at first sight (only for Noah's still-drugged-out self, obviously ;)).
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but CSB/P&G do. No harm intended.
Author's note: I don’t think it really hits the ‘crack’ part of the prompt. Written for the Luke & Reid Drabble-a-thon. Unbetaed. Enjoy.
Noah came to with, what felt like, his head filled with cotton. He tried to speak but his mouth was so parched all he could get out was a croak. Noah blinked his eyes and became frantic when he realized he still couldn’t see. A moan of despair escaped while his hands flew to his face and encountered a gauzy material.
A strong pair of hand encircled his wrists and pulled his hands away from his face. “Noah? I need you to calm down for a minute.”
The voice had become a constant over the past five months and, not knowing when; it had started to fill him with comforting warmth. “Dr. Oliver? What’s wrong, why can’t I see?”
“Shh, nothing’s certain. Your eyes have been out of commission for a long time, so covering them is a precaution. I’m going to dim the lights and then we can remove the bandage.”
Noah took a breath, holding on to the fact that there was still hope. “Okay.” Noah waits and waits but the moments pass and Dr. Oliver hadn’t come back to his side. “Dr. Oliver?”
“Do you want me to get, Luke?”
Luke? That was new; but Noah didn’t want to wait any longer, he needed to know if he was getting his life back. “No. No, let’s do this.”
Dr. Oliver made a grunting noise and Noah didn’t know what it meant, but it didn’t matter because the doctor was back by his side. One of those strong hands came up and wrapped around Noah’s neck, and Noah felt himself lean forward to inhale Reid’s scent. It was musky with a hint of citrus and it was so male. Noah shifted on the bed, trying his best to ignore the tingle of arousal below his waist. Luke was the one who made him feel that way. Luke was the only one who made him feel that way.
Reid had unwound the bandage, and Noah felt his fingers being placed around the pads taped to his eyes, as the exhale of Reid breath ghosted across his temple. Noah found he was having trouble breathing…because he was so excited for the pads to come off!
“Alright, close your eyes; hopefully you’ll just feel some pulling from the tape and they aren’t encrusted to your eyes.”
Reid’s touch was so soft that Noah wasn’t expecting him to rip them off like a band-aid. “Ow!”
Chuckling, Reid ran a finger around the outside of one of his eyes. “Sorry.”
Noah slowly opened his eyes, and while the light in the room was dimmed, he could still see the doctor sitting in front of him. Noah sucked in a breath at the sight. Reid was stunning; angular face with incredible blue eyes. Definitely not the man he was expecting.
He breathed out, “Oh, wow.”
The look of concern that crossed Reid’s face didn’t hinder his appearance in the least. “You okay? Let me know what you see.”
Noah took a moment to gaze at Reid before answering, “I see you lied about the buck teeth and comb over.”
Reid’s grin was large, and Noah was mesmerized at the change in his face. “You remember that? Well, that’s a good sign. So, what’s your name, age, and phone number?”
Noah looked quizzically at Dr. Oliver. “What?”
Reid stood and flipped open his chart, placing it on the bedside table and pulled out a pen. He tapped the pen to the side of his head and said, “You just had brain surgery, Mr. Meyer; I need to make sure nothing got jumbled up in there.”
Noah grinned and told him coyly, “Noah Meyer, 23, and I don’t give my number to strange men.”
Reid smirked and jotted down some notes. “I already have it; what I need to know is do you?”
Noah gave him the number, and Reid hummed satisfied. “Your recall seems on point. Tell me, are you feeling nauseated, dizzy, pain, or confusion?”
He shook his head. “Nope, actually I feel great.”
“What about your sight? What do you actually see?”
Noah looked around the room before his gaze landed back on Reid. He was probably in his early thirties, with auburn hair, and a lean body that Noah itched to touch. “I see you. It’s a little fuzzy; kind of like opening your eyes under water. It’s you, just slightly distorted. I don’t want to sound greedy, but is this as good as it’s going to get?”
Humming, Reid made another note then closed the chart. “It’s possible. It’s also possible that, in a couple weeks, your eyesight will be back to what it was before. We need to give everything time to heal. Add to that some ocular exercises makes me optimistic.”
“Wow, are you bright siding it doc?”
Reid smiled and Noah thought he detected some fondness in it. “Yeah, but don’t let it get around. An ophthalmologist will be in to discuss therapy, and I’ll be in in about an hour to check on you and see if you can handle turning up the lights.”
Noah leaned back against the pillow and dropped his voice a bit when he said, “I could handle anything you throw at me, Dr. Oliver.”
Reid paused then said, “Um...anyway, your boyfriend’s probably chomping at the bit to see you, so I’ll give you guy a few minutes alone.”
Noah was quick to correct him. “Luke’s not my boyfriend.”
Reid furrowed his brow and nodded twice. “Right, still, Luke wants to see you. Just a few minutes though, you need your rest.”
He smiled as he watched Reid leave. His sight may be blurry, but Noah still knew a fine ass when he saw one.
The hospital doors had hydraulic valves, which caused them to slowly close. Because of that, Noah overheard Reid and Luke talking.
“How is he?”
“Awake, and no worse for wear. You can go in but he needs rest so don’t overdo it.”
Luke snorted. “We’re just going to talk, Reid, not run a marathon.”
“Still…”
“You really did it. He can see?”
“Did you ever doubt me?”
“Never. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“No need to thank me, Mr. Snyder, I was just doing my job.”
“Reid?”
There was silence, and Luke walked in a moment later with strain written across his face. He looked at Noah and gave him a tight smile.
“Long time no see, huh?”
“Can you really see me?”
Noah shrugged. “For the most part. What going on with you and Dr. Oliver? He called you ‘Luke’ twice and you just called him ‘Reid’.”
Luke looked skittish but said, “Oh, um, we’re trying to be more civil with each other, that’s all.”
Of course, Luke always tried to make everyone like him, whether they wanted to or not. “You know it’s a nice idea but I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed. He can’t stand the sight of you.”
Luke looked over at the door and mumbled, “Sometimes I wonder…”
“Look, Luke; I appreciate everything you tried to do for me but,” Noah sighed. He hated that he had to be mean to Luke. “I’d really like it if you could stay away while I’m still in here. It’s just that I don’t want Reid’s animosity for you to bleed over to me.”
Luke’s mouth opened but no words came out, so Noah started to talk before Luke got all dramatic and refused. “It’ll only be a couple more days; after that we’ll…I don’t know, go grab a coffee and we can talk…about stuff.”
Luke pressed his lips together and shook his head but he didn’t refuse. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah if that how you want it Noah.” Luke turned to leave but stopped and said, “I’m really, really happy for you.”
Noah grinned. “I’m really happy for me too.”
&&&&&&&&&
A month had passed, and the highlights were his appointments with Reid. The more time Noah spent with him the more he liked him. Reid was funny and amiable. Noah flirted, and he was pretty sure Reid was flirting back. After one of his last appointments Noah had hugged Reid in thanks, and while the doctor didn’t hug back he didn’t push him away either. Noah took that as a good sign.
Reid had started to sneak into his thoughts outside of the hospital too. When Noah masturbated his fantasies mainly revolved around nameless, faceless men. Lately, the faces had become Reid’s.
After three years together, Luke had never figured out when or where to touch Noah. Their couplings had always felt stilted and, on more than one occasion, Luke had accused him of not wanting to look him in the face while they had sex. Noah denied it but, if he had to be honest, it was true. It wasn’t Luke’s fault really; it was just that Luke’s sex faces…weren’t really sexy. So, yeah, Noah preferred to take Luke from behind, or for Luke to blow him. Noah didn’t think he should be faulted for trying to enjoy sex.
The Reid in his head though knew exactly where to touch him, and he was pretty sure the real thing would be just as good.
It was after one of his sex fantasies with Reid that Noah, panting from exertion, opened his eyes and realized the wavy, watery look, he had been trying to get use to, was gone. Everything looked bright and crystal clear. Noah laughed at himself as he thought of ‘Dr. Oliver’s’ healing touch.
Noah was ready for his final appointment with Dr. Oliver. If Reid gave him the all clear not only did it mean the end of his recovery, but the end to their doctor/patient relationship, and Noah was ready to make his move.
Everyone knew nurses where a ripe source of gossip, so he had it on good authority that Dr. Oliver was gay. Noah was confidant Reid wouldn’t rebuff his advances. Why would he? Noah was good looking, nice, and now that he could see, soon to be successful.
With a smile, and a bounce in his step, Noah made his way to Dr. Oliver’s office. Only, when he got there, he hadn’t expected to find Luke already inside. Great, that was exactly what he hoped for, Luke pissing off Reid. The door was ajar and he could see Reid flipping through a folder while Luke fidgeted.
Noah was about to go in and kick Luke out, then rethought that idea. Maybe it was a good thing. Luke would get Reid riled up then Noah could swoop in, declare his feelings, and then tell Reid he’d never have to see Luke Snyder again. It would give him an edge, so Noah lingered by the door to watch the fireworks.
Luke started, “You’ve been ignoring me.”
“No, I’ve been working, there’s a difference.”
Reid was dedicated to his job and Noah appreciated that about him. They could be together, but Noah would still get the independence he craved. Not like Luke who constantly followed him around like a puppy.
“Cut the crap, Reid. Ever since Noah woke up you’ve been MIA. I…I thought we were starting something.”
Starting something? Luke had said the two were trying to get along, for his sake. Maybe Luke was reading the signals wrong? Noah rolled his eyes. Leave it to Luke to interpret any attention from a gay man as an invitation.
“Really? Correct me if I’m wrong, which I’m not, but you’re the one who said that was a conflict of interest.”
Noah’s interest peeked. Where they talking about him? Reid must have said something about their attraction to Luke!
“Don’t. I know I’ve been all over the place but…there’s something here, and I’m ready to see where it goes.”
Reid finally placed the file on his desk and stared at Luke. He brought his hand up to cup Luke’s cheek, and Luke leaned into it like he anticipated it. “What happens when he wants you back?”
“He won’t”
Reid dropped his hand and Noah saw a flash of hurt flicker across his face. “Bzz. Wrong answer, but thanks for playing, Mr. Snyder.”
Noah was starting to get a clue as he watched Luke grab onto Reid’s arm while his other hand caressed Reid’s face. Noah’s heart sank as the pair’s lips came together in a passionate kiss. Noah wished he hadn’t seen it; he wanted to look away but found he couldn’t move.
Lips finally disengaged, Luke asked, “You feel it too, don’t you?”
Reid smirked. “I feel something…”
Laughing, Luke swatted at his arm. “Don’t be cute. You wanted to know how you make me feel? You make me feel alive. When I’m with you everything seems so much brighter and exciting! Don’t give up on me…on us. Ask me again.”
Reid was quite for a moment, then looked Luke in the eyes and asked, “What about Noah?”
Luke grinned, kissed Reid on the nose, and whispered so softly that Noah had to strain to hear it. “Noah who?”
It was like being punched in the gut. Noah watched Reid’s hands, the hands he had wanted on himself; squeeze Luke’s sides, while Luke couldn’t keep his hands out of Reid’s hair.
Noah had enough and staggered out to the waiting area. He sank into the nearest chair and tried to wrap his head around what he had just witnessed. Whatever was going on looked like it had been going on for awhile. He felt rage start to bubble up and wondered if they laughed about it behind his back. Laughed because he was literally blind to the fact that his boyfriend was cheating on him with his doctor?!
Whatever attraction he had to Dr. Oliver fizzled away. What Reid was doing with Luke was not only unethical, but it was sick!
Luke had practically accused him of stepping out with Mason, but here he was making out with his doctor when Noah needed him the most? God, Luke was such a whore for attention that he couldn’t see Reid only wanted to fuck him! Men like Reid only wanted guys like Luke to use…to break.
Bile burned the back of Noah’s throat. He was lucky to find out now the type of people his doctor and ex were. He knew he should walk away and wash his hands of the both of them…only he couldn’t.
He may not really want Luke back, but they had three years of history together, three years of breaking and making up, and Noah couldn’t abandon him to the whims of Reid Oliver. No, he’d save Luke. Make him understand that Dr. Oliver could never love someone like Luke. That it’d be best for everyone involved if they got back together. Screwing Reid Oliver over in the process would just be icing.
Noah smiled, leaned back in his chair, and began to plan his reve…plan on how to get Luke back where he belonged. With Noah.