“That’s not true,” Danny denied, having a flashback to the conversation with Tony at the hotel, another time when someone said something truly unbelievable about Paul. “There is no way. He’s fucking golden. I could give you a long list of references.”
“How charming.” Jason sounded anything but charmed. He shook his head again, doing detailed work of scrubbing his fingers one at a time as he spoke under his breath, “I really hate this prick. I have no idea why I’m helping him.”
Danny couldn’t help it. He stiffened, feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as Jason continued to bitch about Paul.
“Call him a prick again, I dare you,” Danny growled, using a voice he reserved for intimidating Tony’s less-than-honest employees. His eyes narrowed, every muscle in his body tight with the urge to fight. “I want you to apologize.”
“Please don’t do that.” Jason’s breath hitched as he scrubbed at his hands more furiously. “I was in pretty deep subspace before your friend decided to ruin my weekend. I need you to be levelheaded to keep me focused. I wasn’t planning on working until Monday.”
Danny was amazed. No one had made that simple request of him. Paul was the levelheaded one, not him.
“Okay,” Danny said, trying to suppress the anger that made him desperate to lash out at anyone as an escape from the fear and stress over Paul. “What do you need?”
“Gloves out of the box.
Jason breathed a sigh of relief as Danny turned to walk out of the bathroom. Danny came back with a box of gloves in hand and turned off the faucet, knowing Jason wouldn’t want to touch it after spending that long disinfecting his hands.
Jason took another deep breath and looked up at Danny. “I’m sorry for calling your friend a prick. He’s lucky to have a Master who cares about him. I wish I had that. Maybe it’d keep me from thinking with my dick and ending up in an abandoned house risking my medical license on a Friday night.”
“I already told you no one will know,” Danny offered calmly. “If something happens I’ll say I tried to patch him up myself. I’ll take the fall for you.”
“Hopefully we won’t have to test your word.” Jason pulled on the gloves. “We need to disinfect his back. Do you think he can stay on his feet? Otherwise we’re gonna ruin your mattress.”
“Actually, that mattress is new. It’s the only good piece of furniture I got and he needs a place to sleep. Let’s get him into the shower.” Danny walked back into the bedroom. Though Paul’s eyes were closed, Danny knew he was awake and just enjoying whatever buzz he got off the pain. He leaned down, stroking Paul’s hair. “You can stand up, right? We need you in the shower.”
Paul blinked up at him and asked, “Is he still here?”
“The doctor?” Danny frowned. “Yeah.”
Paul groaned. “Can’t I go to the hospital instead? I hate that guy.”
“Are you crazy? No,” Danny said, still shocked by Paul’s hostility. “What the hell’s your problem with him?”
“He thinks he’s better than me.”
“You want me to admit you’re better?” Jason asked as he came from the bathroom, giving Paul a bored look.
“Yes, I do,” Paul said petulantly, sounding his age. “Admit I’m tougher than you.”
“Fine, I admit it,” Jason said with a snort of annoyance. “You win the hardcore award. You’ve nearly killed yourself and now you have your Master bartering blowjobs in exchange for medical care. Congratulations. Really well done.”
“I’d rather lay here and bleed to death than accept help from that asshole.” Paul’s eyes narrowed in a way that told Danny he was serious. “He can suck my left one.”
“Listen, frat boy—”
“I want both of you to shut the fuck up,” Danny growled, cutting off Jason’s retort. “Paul’s getting up and you’re helping me patch him up. When you’re done, he’s going to apologize for being an asshole and then say thank you for keeping him out of a straitjacket.”
Paul snorted. “I’d suck his dick first.”
“Okay.” Danny lifted his eyebrows pointedly at Paul. “Save me the trouble and pay your own debts. Sounds like a plan.”
“You didn’t really promise to suck his dick,” Paul choked, his face noticeably paling as he looked at Danny in horror.
“Something like that, yeah,” Danny said, not bothering to point out it was actually the reverse because he was feeling a bit vindictive. “Now get up and be fucking appreciative about it.”