FIC: Charlie the Friendly Nurse
Title: Charlie the Friendly Nurse
Author: sleeper6
Characters: Luke/Reid, Charlie (OC)
Rating: PG
Summary: Reid has some things to say about Luke’s hospital care.
Disclaimer: All belongs to As the World Turns, not me.
Author's notes: Inspired by FFF scrubs prompt. Takes place after Too Tired and A Fun Night but can be read as a stand-alone fic.
“Would you like red Jell-O or blue Jell-O, Mr. Snyder?”
Luke smiles at the blond nurse standing beside his bed. “Surprise me.”
The nurse laughs loudly. “You got it.” He slowly walks backward toward the door, his eyes fastened on Luke lying in the hospital bed. “And after you eat your snack, I’ll fluff your pillows.”
Luke laughs. “Fluff all you want.”
The nurse grins, too busy staring at Luke that he doesn’t notice anyone behind him until his back crashes against Reid, who’s been listening quietly as the nurse flirts with his boyfriend.
The nurse turns around. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see you.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Reid says, eyeing the nurse up and down. Who the hell is this guy?
“Excuse me,” the nurse-still grinning widely-says as he walks out of the room.
Reid, clutching his suit jacket a little tighter in his hands, follows the nurse out with his eyes. Once the door shuts, he looks back at Luke, his right eyebrow cocked.
“Hey you,” Luke says with a smile as he tries to wave at Reid with the hand that’s not attached to any IV tubes. “Why is it that hospitals always insist on serving us Jell-O?
Reid walks to Luke’s bed until he’s standing right beside him. He leans down for a soft kiss before straightening. “Because most patients almost always have to be on a liquid diet and it helps with dehydration.”
Luke nods. “That makes sense.”
“So, who’s the pillow fluffer?”
Luke chuckles. “That’s Charlie. He’s been on shift since last night. He got assigned to my room a few minutes after you left. He’s real friendly and sweet.” Luke touches Reid’s hand. “You look great, by the way, all clean and fresh. Sleeping in an actual bed instead of on that chair over there really helped, huh? Aren’t you glad you listened to me?”
Reid flashes Luke a grateful smile. He and Luke arrived in Chicago three days prior to see the specialist that Reid hoped would be able to help Luke, and more importantly, tell them whether Luke would soon need a new kidney or not. Dr. Ken Fischer had requested that Luke be kept in the hospital under observation for a few days so that tests and exams could be done at various times during the day. Luke had first balked-insisting that Reid take him back to Oakdale immediately-but after a stern lecture by both Reid and Dr. Fischer, Luke agreed to be hospitalized. Reid had remained by Luke’s side and even slept next to him the first two nights in the very uncomfortable plastic chair in Luke’s room. But after witnessing a sleepy, tired and crankier Reid the day before, Luke had ordered him to rent a hotel room so he could get a proper night’s rest. Reid had not liked being told what to do, but seeing Luke in a hospital bed, hooked up to various machines, made Reid keep his mouth shut and do what Luke asked. Besides, he always does what Luke asks him to do, anyway.
“You were right,” Reid says, “but don’t change the subject.”
“About Jell-O?”
“I’m talking about Mr. Smiley who’s gonna ‘fluff your pillows’ when he returns,” Reid says. “I can’t believe he actually used that phrase.”
“He’s just doing his job, Reid.”
“Well, he better be fluffing other patients’ pillows too,” Reid says.
Luke laughs. “Don’t be jealous.”
“I’m not,” Reid says quickly and maybe too defensively as he touches the sheets covering Luke. He looks at Luke. “But should I be?”
“Reid,” Luke says as his hand grasps Reid’s hand tightly in his.
“He was being way too friendly when I walked in.”
“That’s a requirement for being a nurse, isn’t it?”
“You weren’t so quiet yourself.”
“It feels good to laugh, Reid.”
Reid squeezes Luke’s hand. I’m such a dick, he thinks as he pulls up the chair next to Luke and sits. Luke has not been his usual ‘Luke’ self since he first started feeling ill months before. Reid tries to make sure Luke doesn’t dwell on his current condition and even does the craziest things to get Luke to smile and laugh like Luke always does. He’s failed more times than he’s succeeded but at least he tries. But now that Luke is enjoying himself like Reid has wanted him to, Reid accuses him of laughing too much. Reid mentally curses himself.
“So you’re feeling better?”
Luke nods. “I think you were right about Dr. Fischer. I haven’t felt this good in months.”
Reid smiles, relief flooding his entire body. He hasn’t felt this good in months. “He told me he should know later if you have to stay here longer.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Not with Charlie around,” Reid jokes, unable to help himself.
“Reid, please, I do not have a thing for Charlie.”
“He’s young, about your age, friendly like you, brings you Jell-O-what’s not to like about him?”
“He isn’t you.”
Reid smiles. He leans forward and kisses Luke. “No, he’s not.”
“I will admit one thing, though, but don’t hate me,” Luke says.
Reid looks curiously at Luke. “What?”
“He does look good in his scrubs,” Luke says with a sly smile.
“In his nurse scrubs.”
“Scrubs are scrubs.”
“I look a lot better than he does,” Reid says.
“Looked,” Luke says. “Now you only wear them when you’re supervising in the OR. I miss them on you.”
“So you’re telling me that you flirt with Charlie because he wears scrubs?”
“I’m not flirting, I-”
“The Jell-O has arrived!” Charlie walks in with a tray carrying two bowls. He walks over to the other side of Luke’s bed-opposite where Reid sits-and sets the tray down on the small tabletop by the bed. He smiles at Luke. “I honestly didn’t know which you’d prefer so I brought you both flavors.”
“Thank you, Charlie.”
“You’re very welcome, Mr. Snyder,” Charlie says as he adjusts Luke’s bed so that it comes halfway up and allows Luke to sit. He places the tabletop in front of Luke.
Okay, so Mr. Smiley does look good in his scrubs, Reid admits to himself as he looks at Charlie. That doesn’t mean he’s going to allow Charlie a free pass to make adoring eyes at Luke, however. Reid stands and thrusts his hand over the makeshift table at Charlie. “Hi. We haven’t formally met. I’m Dr. Reid Oliver, Mr. Snyder’s boyfriend.”
Charlie smiles as he shakes Reid’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Charlie, Mr. Snyder’s nurse.”
Luke eats the red Jell-O to keep from laughing as Reid and Charlie shake hands.
“Thank you for taking care of him.”
“It’s my pleasure. Mr. Snyder is the perfect patient,” Charlie says, smiling at Luke and patting his arm.
“He’s the perfect boyfriend too,” Reid says, staring at Charlie while rubbing Luke’s other arm.
Charlie picks up the untouched bowl from Luke’s tray. “I’ll take this back and keep it cool for you in case you want some more later.”
“Actually, I can keep it cool for Luke. You go on and help the other patients. We’re fine,” Reid says, taking the bowl from Charlie.
Charlie looks at Luke. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, Charlie, thank you,” Luke says.
“Okay, then, let me just fluff-”
Reid leans forward and holds onto Luke’s pillow. “I got it, Charlie. I can fluff them.”
Charlie nods, still looking only at Luke. “All right, but call me if you need anything. Okay?”
“We will,” Reid says as Luke nods. As soon as the door closes, Reid sits and eats a spoonful of blue Jell-O. “That little jerk.”
Luke laughs. “Hey, I saw you checking him out.”
“Fine, I’ll admit that he looks good in the scrubs, but that doesn’t mean I like him.” He points the spoon at Luke. “And don’t encourage him.”
“I’m not!” Luke says loudly. He lowers his voice and assures Reid. “I won’t. I promise. Besides, he’s probably not even gay.”
“Charlie the friendly ghost, er, nurse is one-hundred percent gay,” Reid says as he licks the spoon. “That’s why I’m spending the night in this chair.”
“Reid, calm down.”
“I am calm. And it’s a good thing I trust the hell out of you or I’d be having him fired right now.”
“Please don’t,” Luke says. He smirks. “He fluffs pillows really well.”
Reid laughs.
Luke laughs too until he suddenly goes quiet. He touches his head.
“Luke?” Reid stands.
“Could-could you lower the bed, Reid?”
“Luke, what’s wrong? Let me get Dr. Fischer.”
“No, no, I’m okay. I feel a bit lightheaded. I just need to lie down,” Luke says.
Reid adjusts the bed so Luke is lying flat. He touches Luke’s forehead. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call the doctor?”
“I’m fine, Reid. That was the first thing I ate this morning so I’m still a little weak.”
“You didn’t eat breakfast?”
“I didn’t feel like it.”
“Well, you better have lunch,” Reid says. He touches the rest of Luke’s face to see if he’s getting a fever.
Luke nods. “I will. Um, are you gonna go sit outside to answer your emails?”
Reid, so as not to disturb Luke’s peace and quiet in the room, would only leave Luke’s side to sit in the waiting area to answer his email, chat with the staff back in Oakdale, and do everything else that he could from his laptop. But Luke is more important than work so if Luke needs him in the room, then that’s where Reid will be.
“No, I can work in here.”
Luke smiles at him. “Okay.”
Reid kisses Luke’s forehead and sits back in the chair.
“And Reid? I’m sorry about Charlie. I won’t flirt with the nurses anymore,” Luke whispers before he closes his eyes.
Luke opens his eyes three hours later. He notices the empty chair where Reid sat earlier. He looks around the room, but Reid isn’t there. He reaches for the call button. The nurse at the front desk tells him someone will be in his room shortly.
“Mr. Snyder, you rang?”
Luke rubs his eyes to make sure he’s seeing what he thinks he sees. Reid, in the same-colored scrubs as Charlie’s, stands in front of his bed, holding a tray. He laughs. “Reid, what are you doing?”
Reid sets the tray down on the same small tabletop as before. “I’m bringing you lunch, Mr. Snyder. And I also brought you dessert.” He uncovers four bowls. “I didn’t know which you preferred so I brought you all four flavors of Jell-O that we serve.”
“Where did you get those?”
Reid adjusts Luke’s bed. “I told Charlie you’d probably throw up your lunch and I needed something to protect my clothes. So, how do I look?”
Luke motions Reid closer. Reid obliges as Luke pulls him for a kiss. “I love you, Dr. Oliver.”
“That’s Nurse Oliver-for today, anyway.” Reid kisses Luke again. “And you can flirt all you want with the nurses-well, for today.”
Luke grins.
“You feel okay?”
Luke nods.
“Oh, and Dr. Fischer said he’ll talk to us after lunch.” Reid uncovers the plates on Luke’s tray.
“I hope it’s not too bad,” Luke says as he picks up a fork.
“Me too.”
As Luke eats, Reid gives him a thumbs-up. Reid settles in the chair for a few minutes but then suddenly jumps up. “Damnit!”
“What?”
“I forgot to fluff your pillows.”
Luke leans forward so Reid can access his pillows. “Fluff all you want, Nurse Oliver,” Luke says with a laugh.
Reid laughs too, hoping that Luke’s good mood will continue long after Dr. Fischer gives them the news. He kisses the side of Luke’s head and then begins fixing Luke’s pillows.
For those of you reading Oakdale is Not So Bad,a new chapter will be up within the next few days. Sorry for delay!
Author: sleeper6
Characters: Luke/Reid, Charlie (OC)
Rating: PG
Summary: Reid has some things to say about Luke’s hospital care.
Disclaimer: All belongs to As the World Turns, not me.
Author's notes: Inspired by FFF scrubs prompt. Takes place after Too Tired and A Fun Night but can be read as a stand-alone fic.
“Would you like red Jell-O or blue Jell-O, Mr. Snyder?”
Luke smiles at the blond nurse standing beside his bed. “Surprise me.”
The nurse laughs loudly. “You got it.” He slowly walks backward toward the door, his eyes fastened on Luke lying in the hospital bed. “And after you eat your snack, I’ll fluff your pillows.”
Luke laughs. “Fluff all you want.”
The nurse grins, too busy staring at Luke that he doesn’t notice anyone behind him until his back crashes against Reid, who’s been listening quietly as the nurse flirts with his boyfriend.
The nurse turns around. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see you.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Reid says, eyeing the nurse up and down. Who the hell is this guy?
“Excuse me,” the nurse-still grinning widely-says as he walks out of the room.
Reid, clutching his suit jacket a little tighter in his hands, follows the nurse out with his eyes. Once the door shuts, he looks back at Luke, his right eyebrow cocked.
“Hey you,” Luke says with a smile as he tries to wave at Reid with the hand that’s not attached to any IV tubes. “Why is it that hospitals always insist on serving us Jell-O?
Reid walks to Luke’s bed until he’s standing right beside him. He leans down for a soft kiss before straightening. “Because most patients almost always have to be on a liquid diet and it helps with dehydration.”
Luke nods. “That makes sense.”
“So, who’s the pillow fluffer?”
Luke chuckles. “That’s Charlie. He’s been on shift since last night. He got assigned to my room a few minutes after you left. He’s real friendly and sweet.” Luke touches Reid’s hand. “You look great, by the way, all clean and fresh. Sleeping in an actual bed instead of on that chair over there really helped, huh? Aren’t you glad you listened to me?”
Reid flashes Luke a grateful smile. He and Luke arrived in Chicago three days prior to see the specialist that Reid hoped would be able to help Luke, and more importantly, tell them whether Luke would soon need a new kidney or not. Dr. Ken Fischer had requested that Luke be kept in the hospital under observation for a few days so that tests and exams could be done at various times during the day. Luke had first balked-insisting that Reid take him back to Oakdale immediately-but after a stern lecture by both Reid and Dr. Fischer, Luke agreed to be hospitalized. Reid had remained by Luke’s side and even slept next to him the first two nights in the very uncomfortable plastic chair in Luke’s room. But after witnessing a sleepy, tired and crankier Reid the day before, Luke had ordered him to rent a hotel room so he could get a proper night’s rest. Reid had not liked being told what to do, but seeing Luke in a hospital bed, hooked up to various machines, made Reid keep his mouth shut and do what Luke asked. Besides, he always does what Luke asks him to do, anyway.
“You were right,” Reid says, “but don’t change the subject.”
“About Jell-O?”
“I’m talking about Mr. Smiley who’s gonna ‘fluff your pillows’ when he returns,” Reid says. “I can’t believe he actually used that phrase.”
“He’s just doing his job, Reid.”
“Well, he better be fluffing other patients’ pillows too,” Reid says.
Luke laughs. “Don’t be jealous.”
“I’m not,” Reid says quickly and maybe too defensively as he touches the sheets covering Luke. He looks at Luke. “But should I be?”
“Reid,” Luke says as his hand grasps Reid’s hand tightly in his.
“He was being way too friendly when I walked in.”
“That’s a requirement for being a nurse, isn’t it?”
“You weren’t so quiet yourself.”
“It feels good to laugh, Reid.”
Reid squeezes Luke’s hand. I’m such a dick, he thinks as he pulls up the chair next to Luke and sits. Luke has not been his usual ‘Luke’ self since he first started feeling ill months before. Reid tries to make sure Luke doesn’t dwell on his current condition and even does the craziest things to get Luke to smile and laugh like Luke always does. He’s failed more times than he’s succeeded but at least he tries. But now that Luke is enjoying himself like Reid has wanted him to, Reid accuses him of laughing too much. Reid mentally curses himself.
“So you’re feeling better?”
Luke nods. “I think you were right about Dr. Fischer. I haven’t felt this good in months.”
Reid smiles, relief flooding his entire body. He hasn’t felt this good in months. “He told me he should know later if you have to stay here longer.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Not with Charlie around,” Reid jokes, unable to help himself.
“Reid, please, I do not have a thing for Charlie.”
“He’s young, about your age, friendly like you, brings you Jell-O-what’s not to like about him?”
“He isn’t you.”
Reid smiles. He leans forward and kisses Luke. “No, he’s not.”
“I will admit one thing, though, but don’t hate me,” Luke says.
Reid looks curiously at Luke. “What?”
“He does look good in his scrubs,” Luke says with a sly smile.
“In his nurse scrubs.”
“Scrubs are scrubs.”
“I look a lot better than he does,” Reid says.
“Looked,” Luke says. “Now you only wear them when you’re supervising in the OR. I miss them on you.”
“So you’re telling me that you flirt with Charlie because he wears scrubs?”
“I’m not flirting, I-”
“The Jell-O has arrived!” Charlie walks in with a tray carrying two bowls. He walks over to the other side of Luke’s bed-opposite where Reid sits-and sets the tray down on the small tabletop by the bed. He smiles at Luke. “I honestly didn’t know which you’d prefer so I brought you both flavors.”
“Thank you, Charlie.”
“You’re very welcome, Mr. Snyder,” Charlie says as he adjusts Luke’s bed so that it comes halfway up and allows Luke to sit. He places the tabletop in front of Luke.
Okay, so Mr. Smiley does look good in his scrubs, Reid admits to himself as he looks at Charlie. That doesn’t mean he’s going to allow Charlie a free pass to make adoring eyes at Luke, however. Reid stands and thrusts his hand over the makeshift table at Charlie. “Hi. We haven’t formally met. I’m Dr. Reid Oliver, Mr. Snyder’s boyfriend.”
Charlie smiles as he shakes Reid’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Charlie, Mr. Snyder’s nurse.”
Luke eats the red Jell-O to keep from laughing as Reid and Charlie shake hands.
“Thank you for taking care of him.”
“It’s my pleasure. Mr. Snyder is the perfect patient,” Charlie says, smiling at Luke and patting his arm.
“He’s the perfect boyfriend too,” Reid says, staring at Charlie while rubbing Luke’s other arm.
Charlie picks up the untouched bowl from Luke’s tray. “I’ll take this back and keep it cool for you in case you want some more later.”
“Actually, I can keep it cool for Luke. You go on and help the other patients. We’re fine,” Reid says, taking the bowl from Charlie.
Charlie looks at Luke. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, Charlie, thank you,” Luke says.
“Okay, then, let me just fluff-”
Reid leans forward and holds onto Luke’s pillow. “I got it, Charlie. I can fluff them.”
Charlie nods, still looking only at Luke. “All right, but call me if you need anything. Okay?”
“We will,” Reid says as Luke nods. As soon as the door closes, Reid sits and eats a spoonful of blue Jell-O. “That little jerk.”
Luke laughs. “Hey, I saw you checking him out.”
“Fine, I’ll admit that he looks good in the scrubs, but that doesn’t mean I like him.” He points the spoon at Luke. “And don’t encourage him.”
“I’m not!” Luke says loudly. He lowers his voice and assures Reid. “I won’t. I promise. Besides, he’s probably not even gay.”
“Charlie the friendly ghost, er, nurse is one-hundred percent gay,” Reid says as he licks the spoon. “That’s why I’m spending the night in this chair.”
“Reid, calm down.”
“I am calm. And it’s a good thing I trust the hell out of you or I’d be having him fired right now.”
“Please don’t,” Luke says. He smirks. “He fluffs pillows really well.”
Reid laughs.
Luke laughs too until he suddenly goes quiet. He touches his head.
“Luke?” Reid stands.
“Could-could you lower the bed, Reid?”
“Luke, what’s wrong? Let me get Dr. Fischer.”
“No, no, I’m okay. I feel a bit lightheaded. I just need to lie down,” Luke says.
Reid adjusts the bed so Luke is lying flat. He touches Luke’s forehead. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call the doctor?”
“I’m fine, Reid. That was the first thing I ate this morning so I’m still a little weak.”
“You didn’t eat breakfast?”
“I didn’t feel like it.”
“Well, you better have lunch,” Reid says. He touches the rest of Luke’s face to see if he’s getting a fever.
Luke nods. “I will. Um, are you gonna go sit outside to answer your emails?”
Reid, so as not to disturb Luke’s peace and quiet in the room, would only leave Luke’s side to sit in the waiting area to answer his email, chat with the staff back in Oakdale, and do everything else that he could from his laptop. But Luke is more important than work so if Luke needs him in the room, then that’s where Reid will be.
“No, I can work in here.”
Luke smiles at him. “Okay.”
Reid kisses Luke’s forehead and sits back in the chair.
“And Reid? I’m sorry about Charlie. I won’t flirt with the nurses anymore,” Luke whispers before he closes his eyes.
Luke opens his eyes three hours later. He notices the empty chair where Reid sat earlier. He looks around the room, but Reid isn’t there. He reaches for the call button. The nurse at the front desk tells him someone will be in his room shortly.
“Mr. Snyder, you rang?”
Luke rubs his eyes to make sure he’s seeing what he thinks he sees. Reid, in the same-colored scrubs as Charlie’s, stands in front of his bed, holding a tray. He laughs. “Reid, what are you doing?”
Reid sets the tray down on the same small tabletop as before. “I’m bringing you lunch, Mr. Snyder. And I also brought you dessert.” He uncovers four bowls. “I didn’t know which you preferred so I brought you all four flavors of Jell-O that we serve.”
“Where did you get those?”
Reid adjusts Luke’s bed. “I told Charlie you’d probably throw up your lunch and I needed something to protect my clothes. So, how do I look?”
Luke motions Reid closer. Reid obliges as Luke pulls him for a kiss. “I love you, Dr. Oliver.”
“That’s Nurse Oliver-for today, anyway.” Reid kisses Luke again. “And you can flirt all you want with the nurses-well, for today.”
Luke grins.
“You feel okay?”
Luke nods.
“Oh, and Dr. Fischer said he’ll talk to us after lunch.” Reid uncovers the plates on Luke’s tray.
“I hope it’s not too bad,” Luke says as he picks up a fork.
“Me too.”
As Luke eats, Reid gives him a thumbs-up. Reid settles in the chair for a few minutes but then suddenly jumps up. “Damnit!”
“What?”
“I forgot to fluff your pillows.”
Luke leans forward so Reid can access his pillows. “Fluff all you want, Nurse Oliver,” Luke says with a laugh.
Reid laughs too, hoping that Luke’s good mood will continue long after Dr. Fischer gives them the news. He kisses the side of Luke’s head and then begins fixing Luke’s pillows.
For those of you reading Oakdale is Not So Bad,a new chapter will be up within the next few days. Sorry for delay!