28 Back to Sleep

The paparazzi could believe what they had seen. This was more than just one little story. This was huge.

Frisbee turned on the car and revved it up. He drove forward, onto the sidewalk, and onto the road to not have to deal with the crowd. He changed the settings that JP had dialed into the car and made it a ride better for himself to drive. He got onto the highway, the cold winds whipping around Dandy and JP in the rear seat.

He was driving to a hospital one that was part of the mob. One where they didn't ask questions. It was the same one that JP had been at earlier. It didn't take very long to arrive, there were few cars on the highway and Frisbee was driving fast.

There were three staff members with equipment waiting for Frisbee to arrive and they asked Dandy to let them take care of James Prince. Frisbee lit a cigarette and stepped out of his car. "I can't thank you enough for the service."

Dandy watched as the staff members cane for JP, making the alien hunter recoil a bit with the racer in his arms.

"Let me go in with you," Dandy clung to JP. He couldn't cry right now, all he could do was hope these people would hear his plea. "I need to make sure he's okay."

Dandy watched Frisbee light up and step out. He looked back to the staff.

That man did this. That man tossed his boyfriend into the car.

"Please."

One of the staff members looked at Dandy while they loaded JP onto a stretcher. She waited for a moment and nodded and let Dandy in. She had seen him on the news with JP.

He didn't like it but Dandy didn't call the shots here. He smiled and let the new boyfriend stay with JP. It would cause that punk more anguish to see JP unconscious. "Call me when he's ready. I have work to do." Frisbee tossed his half-smoked cigarette to the floor and got back into his car. "Don't lay your hands on me again, Dandy. Next time I won't be so nice."

The white convertible roared to life and eased out of the front hospital's pull up driveway and drove off.

The hospital staff carted JP inside. There they would have to assess whatever injuries he had and deal with them.

"He just got out not too long ago.." One of the staff members said.

"JP is always getting hurt. He's been through worse." Another said. He tapped Jp's cheekbone for any sort of reaction and then opened his eyelids to have a look at his eyes. "Notable anisocoria. He's a little cold but that could just be from the open top of the car. Hmm.."

"I feel bad for him..." The lady staff member said she looked at Dandy. "What happened to him? Did you see?"

Dandy was grateful that they let him join. God Frisbee was on Dandy's shit list. He no longer cared about the Trans Am. He just wanted JP off this planet and in his arms.

He refused to move his hand from that cart. As the staff talked. His eyes didn't leave JP.

"That man threw JP into the back of his car," Dandy's voice sounded low. Finally looked to the lady staff member. "We need the cops or someone to go after Frisbee. People saw! The press was all over us at the pub!" Dandy panicked.

He found himself letting go of the cart, his hands holding onto the sleeves of his jacket.

He should have fought Frisbee. He should have knocked that man out with his boots. He should have punched him as soon as he met him.

Dandy looked at JP.

This shouldn't have happened.

"So he needs a neck brace..." One of the staff ran off and came back and began to affix it. "We need to order a scan to have a look at his neck. Maybe we can see if his nose is broken too."

"Frisbee huh." The 2nd male staff member asked. He didn't need to be told. He already knew. "Surprised he doesn't have a welt in the shape of a hand on his face this time." He seemed unbothered. "JP needs to stop provoking him. He just keeps getting hurt."

"The cops can't get Frisbee, guy..." the woman said. "Even if the press saw. They'll be hushed. That's how it works." She started to take JP's jacket off of his body. Then she folded his arms over his chest and laid it over him like a short blanket for the time being until they got him to a room.

Dandy couldn't believe what he was hearing. JP had been put through hell and no one here could do a thing about it? And this wasn't the first time JP had been in here.

Dandy saw JP in a neck brace, shaking his head.

"I'm going to stay with him," he looked at the staff. "The entire time. I want to be here for everything," he places his hand onto JP's. "I don't want him to wake up alone."

He continued to watch the staff work, going quiet as he thought about the past week with JP.

Why did life kick this sweet racer down so often, Dandy wondered. He closed his eyes. Then, as hard as it was, he thought about the positives.

Frisbee knew the truth about Dandy and JP. The three of them weren't at the hotel. And, now, Dandy was with JP. Able to make sure he was taken care of.

"Really check out that nose," Dandy finally said. "It seems to like ta bleed under pressure."

"Wait you're going to stay with him?" All three of the workers seemed surprised. That never happened. JP always arrived and stayed alone with sparse visits while he recovered.

"If he wakes up soon. Looks like he's had a bad blow to the head. His pupils are different sizes. One of his eyes is quite a bit crossed too. Might be a little while but I don't expect him to get out of this tonight." The male staff who had checked the racer's eyes said. "Luckily, they react to light. A very good sign. I think will be back to normal in a few days. He's very good at healing from injuries."

"You can't be with him while we scan him but you can be here with me and look at him through the glass." The 2nd male staff worker said, he adjusted his glasses. "We need to make sure none of his cervical vertebrae are compromised."

The lady got JP ready for his scan, she wore some protective clothing and stayed behind a wall inside the room. She gave the operator a thumbs up.

The worker with the glasses typed a few things on the machine. The scan showed up on the screen as it moved down from the top of JP's head to his collarbone. Even in this short scan, there were areas in his bones that were denser from old fractures that had healed and reinforced. The worker pointed some of them out, telling Dandy about the time JP showed up with a broken clavicle. But didn't provide more about the story. "Seems like he will just be very sore. No new breaks or small fractures."

Dandy watched the scan, seeing the past injuries. He then started to remember what JP did for a living. This man was a racer and crashes were extremely common. And with the way JP drove, there was no wonder he frequented this place.

The news of nothing being broken or fractured was such a relief. Dandy looked at JP, a somber smile on his face.

He didn't speak up. Dandy's hands rested in his pockets as he shook his head.

That man in there was going to be showered with kisses once he woke up. Anything. Anything that man wanted Dandy would do for him.

"Thanks for the update," he kept his eyes on the large scanner. Then, he looked over at the worker. "And, um. Thank you for lettin' me stick around." He went quiet again, looking back into the room.

The workers brought a chair for dandy, a blanket, and some bottles of water. If he needed anything, there was a button to press for non-emergencies such as wanting something to eat. All at no expense to him. "Mr.Inuki takes care of JP's bills." Of course, they neglected to mention that JP paid all his expenses back with his prize winnings.

They hooked JP up to an iv to get him nice and hydrated but also administer some drugs to reduce swelling and for the pain, he would most likely be feeling if he woke up. "The best thing we can do is wait for him to wake up and to keep any swelling to a minimum. His head injury shouldn't be bad enough to need more than we've given him."

"He lucked out being from Odin. A human might have broken their neck from that impact. That's what makes him a good driver. He bounces back no matter what he's dealt." The staff member with the glasses used his hands to brush back JP's messed up hairdo.

Then Dandy was left alone with JP in that quiet room. There was a remote on a counter for a television.

Dandy sat by JP, listening to the workers as they hooked the racer up. He moved his hand to hold JP's, running his thumb along the silver rings. Dandy watched the staff member brush back JP's pompadour, making him smile a bit.

Then, he was left alone with JP. Dandy lifted JP's hand to his lips, giving it a soft kiss before putting it back down.

Glancing over at the counter, Dandy found a remote to the television. Dare he look? What would they say?

He grabbed the controller and turned on the screen. Keeping the volume low, he watched the late-night news play. His hand that was holding JP's moved to the side of the racer's face, gently stroking his sideburns.

"You're okay," Dandy said softly. "Dandy's here with ya, baby."

A nurse came by every so often to check on JP and during one of those visits she gave Dandy a bag of cookies and one of salted crackers. "In case you need something to nibble on."

The sun began to rise and JP hadn't stirred. His breathing would tell Dandy that he was still there. Somewhere.

A different nurse showed up and brought Dandy some breakfast. It was rather nice for hospital food. He left Dandy to eat

JP felt something touching his hand. He opened his eyes briefly to see the hospital ceiling. No. No! He knew who was touching his hand now. It was Frisbee. It was always like that, Frisbee would show up shortly before or after he awoke. He didn't want to speak to him. Had it all been a dream? These past few days had been his happiest and they hadn't even been real. Just a coma dream. Just a fantasy. He couldn't turn his head and his vision was doubled. He closed his eyes again, wanting to cry. He did, silently. Tears started to fall from his eyes. He wanted to go back! He wanted to be with that guy in his stupid coma dream and not be trapped in this life with Frisbee.

He couldn't take the pain or the blows to his emotions. Not anymore. From deep inside, he pulled up from the dredges that he had always pushed down. All those times he had kept quiet. All those times he had bit his tongue. That rage that when he looked into it...it felt like a never ending reservoir. He screamed like he hadn't before, not even during his wreck at Yellowline had he screamed. Then it devolved into sobbing. "No! I don't want to be here! I want to go back! Put me back!" He kicked his legs, "I don't want to be here anymore if I can't have him! I loved him!" He became quiet. "...put me back to sleep..."

Dandy has fallen asleep holding JP's hand. Once in a while, the nurses came in to check on him. His sleep was on and off. Waiting. Checking on JP.

Then, he heard something while deep in his slumber. It sounded like... Shouting? JP's shouting? Wait... JP? Dandy raises his head up, the sound becoming louder and louder. Then, he realised what had just happened.

He heard the hysterical sobbing and babbling coming from the racer. Those feet kicking, the sound of the sheets and mattress rubbing under the racer and then. He was quiet.

Dandy slowly got to his feet, still holding JP's hand. He had the most loving smile on his face as he stood over JP. The racer could see Dandy now. Dark circles under his eyes from a shitty sleep.

"At least you got to sleep. Some asshole just woke me up with his yellin'," Dandy smirked, his hand moving to rub the racer's cheek. "Mornin', soda pop. I missed ya."

JP felt the movement and he turned his eyes to glare with the most hatred he had ever given anyone. He was ready to get punished for his scream and his words but also because of the look. He saw a figure enter his doubled field of vision

.It was a shape he hadn't expected.

His expression changed completely. He was speechless. His right eye's pupil widened even if his left was constricted and out of alignment due to his blunt force trauma. Was he hallucinating too? He moved his arms, which wavered a little, and he touched Dandy's face. He was real. "I don't...understand. I've been in this hospital for months haven't I? In a coma...are you my nurse...?" He wondered if that's how he had gotten Dandy's face. From glimpses beyond his deep sleep.

Dandy heard JP's question. Was Dandy his nurse? The alien hunter threw back his head, letting out the happiest laugh. He looked back down to JP. That racer was a mess.

"You were checked in last night. Salty nuts tossed ya into the back of his pussy wagon and drove ya here. As much as I wanted ta fight him," Dandy sighed and closed his eyes. "It only would've made things harder."

He felt a little tug at his lips that made him smile. Dandy opened his eyes back up to see JP's.

They were beautiful but so unsettling at this moment.

"I'm just glad your neck isn't broken."

He had to be the nurse assigned to him. Had to. He didn't remember the night before or the event the day. When he thought, he remembered sex in a car and nothing after. That's why the nurse was laughing. He was nervous or shy. He didn't know how to respond to JP's touch. "You know my name already but can we please date? I want you..." he wanted to kiss this man who looked so much like the man in his dream. "You've taken care of me all this time and I want to repay you. I made memories of you and I. Ones I want to make real." He started to pull Dandy down. He wanted a kiss so badly.

Apparently, JP wasn't fully paying attention to Dandy as he spoke.

"Uh, hello?" Dandy felt JP pulling him down. He didn't fight back. "JP, soda pop, ya gotta listen ta me," he tried to keep JP from thinking the past week was a dream. "Those memories are real." Dandy held out his hand, about to drop some truth on JP.

"We've had sex on my ship, sex in a hotel, sex in a rental and I wanna do it right now but this isn't the best time," he looked around the room, making sure no one heard him. "A nurse wouldn't look like me. Trust me. And there isn't a single hot nurse in this whole damn hospital..."

JP looked at Dandy as if he had seen the best thing ever. Maybe Dandy couldn't see it, but that's what the poor racer felt his gaze was like. The man even called him soda pop too. Then that hand. JP paused. Had he been too creepy? Please...

"Wait so if it is real and got he had gotten better already... Who is salty nuts?" He frowned. Who had hurt him? When Dandy mentioned wanting to fuck the racer, JP moved his legs apart and raised his knees. "I won't tell anyone here shhh.." he giggled and rubbed the back of Dandy's neck with his hands.

Dandy watches JP move his legs apart and practically get into position. The alien hunter's face went red and quickly moved his hands to JP's knees to lower them. He looked around quickly again. Dandy was giggling too, a big grin on his face when he shook his head.

"Not here, baby! We gotta wait until you're healed up a bit more," Dandy moved JP's hand from the back of his neck to his lips. He gently kissed on the palm of it. It felt so good to kiss on this man's skin again. He then moved that hand back to the back of his neck and leaned down, giving JP a sweet kiss on the lips. He didn't want to explain who salty nuts was until later. Right now: all he cared about was making sure JP was okay.

"Are ya hungry? They left me some snacks," Dandy reached onto the table, handing JP a bag of cookies. "I wanted to save these for ya for whenever you woke up," he offered, shaking the bag a little. Then, he looked at the bag. "Do ya need me to open it?"

"Aww.." The racer was disappointed that Dandy insisted on not doing it in the hospital room. But at least he got his kiss and by god, he didn't want to let go. He had to though and was left licking his lips. That was probably what made Dandy ask if he was hungry. "Yes, please. It's about the only sugar I'm gonna get right now, isn't it?"

Dandy found himself chuckling at JP's reply about sugar. He leaned down and kissed JP's cheek.

"With how sweet you are, I wouldn't think you'd need any more sugar, baby~" he grinned and then opened the bag of cookies for JP. He placed one to JP's lips, a cute smile on his face. It had been hours since the last time Dandy had smiled. Back when they had that cheesecake at the pub. He felt a little tug at his heart remembering that moment.

They were so confident. Dandy was naive and didn't know how Frisbee would treat him and JP. Especially JP...

"You better heal up fast," he offered JP another cookie. "If you wanna get some lovin' you gotta be able ta walk outta here without that neckbrace," Dandy said with a little wink.

JP ate that cookie and a bit slowly since he found it awkward to move his jaw with the brace. He was letting those crunchy cookies melt in his mouth. "I have to get better fast now that I know what I remember is real." He took the second cookie. He realized that there was something he could do that no one was stopping him from doing. He could pretend. He moved his hands down to his waist. Feeling his belt. They searched for the zipper and pushed it down.

Dandy heard that zipper and moved his hand down to JP's. He forced that little metal tab back up.

"Slooow down," Dandy placed his hand over JP's crotch. "If you really wanna get off then I can help, but we really gotta make it discreet. We don't know when another nurse will be in here."

Dandy didn't even notice, but his hand was already feeling against JP's leather. Once he realized this, Dandy gulped. He looked to the door. He had a feeling it wouldn't lock. The only one that could would be the bathroom...

"Where do ya wanna do it? Risk it in this room or try ta do it in the bathroom?" His face was blushing. JP was so desperate. It was like that man had found a new interest in Dandy in this state.

He wasn't supposed to hear that zip. JP breathed out forcefully. "Yea right, you think Sweet JP is going to slow down?" He closed his eyes and smiled when he felt Dandy's hand linger. He knew he couldn't get up from where he was. He hadn't been cleared for it. "Dandy, I have to stay here. I can't get up unless they say I can that's how it works. Maybe we can ask...what if I can leave already? I don't have anything broken right?"

Dandy twisted his mouth at that.

"I'd rather have you here and recovering than ta take you out and get you hurt again," that and he realized that they had nowhere to go. He could call the boys, but he still never heard about them landing.

And with Frisbee working with the old man. God, Dandy was not ready for that talk with JP.

"We... Might just have ta do it here," he wasn't ready for this. He loved sneaking around, but if they were caught then they'd probably get kicked out.

"We should try ta get you cleared to move around. Then we can stay at the hospital until your healed up. And, ya know, see if they can fix your bleeding problem."

Dandy seemed unsure about that. JP waved his hand, "It's fine, Dandy. I don't need it." But he really wanted it. He took in a deep breath and sighed.

"I've been here before. I recognize the...ceiling. They couldn't do anything here. Said it wasn't a big problem." He remembered what Dandy had said in the past, "but in space, they could maybe fix me. Right!? Sweet JP won't bleed from his nose anymore!" He smiled a little. "We will go together, right? That part is also true? I have a hard time believing this is real."

He felt around the bed and found a holder for a little remote. He had been at these places enough to know where to look. "I'll call them and you can ask if I can leave. I don't like being here at all."

Dandy nodded, biting his lip.

"But first," he raised up his finger. "I gotta explain what happened in the past... Twenty-four hours," he sat on the edge of JP's bed.

"I met Frisbee. He helped with the Trans Am, he took us to dinner and he mentioned... A hotel room," Dandy rubbed the back of his neck. "We came out to him about us bein' together," he took a breath and looked at JP. "He didn't take the news well and, well," Dandy gestured at JP and then around the room.

"He knocked you out and then he took us here," he placed his hand on JP's leg. "I don't know how ta tell ya this but..."

He looked at his bracelet. The communicator that kept him in contact with his crew.

"We gotta get off this rock."

"What happened. Tell me." The racer tried looking at Dandy but he felt like he was straining his eyes. He looked up at the ceiling instead. He listened to the short run down. He was getting a new Trans Am but at this cost. The racer frowned. "So he hurt me again huh? Enough that even he felt bad at how I was and brought me here." What had he done wrong in a past life for this to happen to him? Was this the universe punishing him? "I want my honey..." he still insisted. "I miss her." Please before we leave.."

Dandy saw JP staring at the ceiling, his insisting on seeing his Trans Am. The alien hunter closed his eyes and laid back on the bed, his body against the racer's legs. He rested his hands behind his head and joined JP in staring at the ceiling.

"Maybe we can take her with us," Dandy rolled over to look at JP. "We'll keep her on the Aloha 'Oe and slowly get her out back together," he moved his hand to JP's thigh. "I want her with us too. I don't want Frisbee ta place another claw on that car."

"I don't know anything about building cars, Dandy." He tried to touch Dandy's hand which was on his lap. "Maybe we can tell the old man we will pay him back later. I know it's a lot of money for him to hold off on but.. He can work on and deliver her to us. Wherever we are."

He went quiet for a moment and swallowed hard. "We need to go and tell Frisbee to fuck off. The old man can take as long as he needs."

"What we need ta do is ta stay far away from that creep as possible," Dandy he sat back up. "We kinda did that last time and now we're in here. The best "up yours" we can give him is by cuttin' him off your money and out of your life," he rested his arms on his knees.

"I wouldn't mind fighting him, but I'm more worried about a repeat, ya know?" He played around with his gold bracelet. Then, he clicked the button on the top.

"Hello? Space Dandy here. Anyone out there?"

They tried that last time? Oh. Last night. JP felt his heart sink. "Right." He sounded near defeated. "We can try to cut him off but I still owe a lot to a-uh organization." The Inuki gang. His bondsman. The mob. Maybe without frisbee. He could pay it off faster. He knew Frisbee used his money for a luxurious life but also to pay both of their debts.

He was afraid of what would happen if he split from Frisbee. At least when it came to Inuki.

There was no response. Dandy then continued to talk to JP.

"That Mr.Inky, right? The Ink guy? I think Frisbee mentioned him," Dandy rubbed his chin. "You can still pay him I'm sure. And don't forget: I'm gonna teach ya how to pilot the Little Aloha," Dandy then thought on his words. Wait. JP had amnesia

"I mean Surprise! I'm gonna teach ya how to fly the Little Aloha so you can race!" Dandy did jazz hands at JP.

"Mr.Inky? Inuki. He's...a lot of things. My bondsman. My debt collector. A mobster. The top of the pyramid." JP smiled a little but not because he wanted to laugh. "If I don't pay him on time, he tosses me back into prison or worse he-" his train of thought stopped.

Did he hear that right? The Little Aloha!? He was so sure Dandy would never let him drive it! "No way really!? Dandy, I won't disappoint you!" JP said just like the first time.

"Yeah don't worry about that Inuki guy," Dandy waved the thought away. He then thumbed at his chest. "You're gonna have one helluva teacher and one helluva ride in your corner! Don't you worry your pretty little head about that, baby!" Dandy then leaned I'm towards JP. "We'll get through this. You 'nd me," he kissed JP on the lips. Then, he scooted closer to the racer, his hand gripping the sheet under JP.

Dandy deepened that kiss. God, he needed this right now. He shifted his legs, letting himself more onto the bed.

God damn it. Dandy was already moving his tongue in as he kissed JP. He breathed between kisses. The sound of smacking lips filled the room.

That's what he liked to hear. Dandy's reassurance picking him up from getting lost wading through dark thoughts. He held Dandy close as they kissed each other over and over again. Dandy did most of the work while JP laid there unable to really reach up with his head. He had to wait for Dandy to close the small gap between kisses. He moved one hand between his legs to grope himself.

A nurse came in to check up on JP's condition and to administer another dose of anti-inflammatory drugs. It seemed like the racer was already awake and not in much pain. Their doses were just right. "Oh, you two are like actually gay gay. I thought that was just tabloid stuff. Um..."

When Dandy heard the woman speak up, he launched himself off of JP and stumbled.

"Uh! H-hey there, baby!" He wiped the drool from his chin. He couldn't even talk back. "So, er. How is be lookin'? Do ya think he can leave today?"

She laughed at how quickly Dandy pulled away from JP and how the racer started biting his lower lip now that Dandy wasn't kissing him anymore. "Ah! Yes. He can leave. But I brought these for him." She handed Dandy a transparent orange bottle with a white top. "Two a day. He shouldn't have any complications. He did pretty well over the night which was the most important part." She went to look at the racer, "His eyes look a little crazy...but they'll get better in the following days. Make sure he eats with those pills, you don't want to give them to him on an empty stomach." She smiled, "We'll discharge him with the collar for now but you can remove it tomorrow."

Dandy looked over the pill bottle.

"Got it," he nodded and place the pills into his jacket pocket. Dandy looked back to JP's eyes. You know, he was already getting used to it. Dandy nodded and smiled at JP.

"Ya hear that, soda pop? We're free to go!" He giggled. Then, he heard his communicator go off.

"Can you go one day without being on the news?!" QT hollered over the speaker. Dandy jolted.

"Ha, one second," Dandy grinned and ran to the bathroom, locking himself inside. There were sounds of QT's muffled yelling and Dandy saying "I know! I know!" from behind the door.

The nurse shook her head. "When you're ready, you can follow the signs to the exit. Hope you don't show up anytime soon James." She smiled, he wouldn't be able to see it. "I'm getting tired of you." She left and closed the door.

JP felt a little offended at first but then realized she meant it in good faith. "Right." He slowly sat up and realized how awkward it was to not be able to turn his head. It wasn't the first time he had a c-spine collar on either but he always forgot. "Where did Dandy go..."

He heard the bounty hunter and swung his legs off the bed to get to his feet and follow the source of the noise.

"You and JP are all over the news again!" QT wasn't mad, he was panicking. The sound of Meow's transmission was coming in as well.

"The footage was NUTS! I can't believe that guy just tossed him in there like that! Is he okay?" Meow asked, the sound of the news report in the background.

"He's alright, but he doesn't remember," Dandy explained. "I'm actually glad you guys called me back. We need ya ta pick us up. We're at a hospital, er," he opened the bathroom door. Dandy beckoned JP.

"Can we hear him?? Is he awake??" QT asked with a little whine. Dandy heard this and felt himself smiling. Those boys were already getting attached to JP as well. Dandy stood in the doorway of the bathroom and lifted the wrist communicator up to JP's lips.

"I got some friends that wanna say hi to ya," Dandy grinned.

"JP! I'm so glad you're okay!" Meow's audio sounded like it was a bit crackled due to his yelling.

"We were so worried about you!!" QT's cried, his voice making Dandy flinch.

JP opened the bathroom door where Dandy was speaking with his friends. "Uh...you call people while you're in the bathroom?" He made a face of disgust. "Why..." Then he realized Dandy wasn't doing anything in there except for just talking. "Oh thank god."

He heads QT asking for him, "QT, it's so nice to hear you. I'm awake, just you know. Banged up. But nothing time won't make better." He squinted, "Did you always have two of those." he reached to touch the phantom communicator. "Oh, what..."

"How do you two know what happened? Did Dandy tell you?" He twisted his torso to look at Dandy. "Was it on the tv?" He cleared his throat. "I'm really happy to have people worry for my wellbeing. Thank you."

"Of course we worry!" QT added. "You're one of our friends and you're dating our best friend. Why wouldn't we worry about you?" Dandy walked JP over to the hospital's television and flipped it on. It was muted, the captions playing.

"I can't read it, but I know what happened," Dandy frowned and took a seat in the chair he stayed in during the night. It was a commercial now, but in a moment the scene would play.

"I still can't get over what that dude did. And Dandy you freakin' drop kicked him! That was so you," Meow chuckled. Dandy blinked looking over at JP.

"They got footage of that?" Dandy had never shown JP that side of him. From what he remembered, he kicked Frisbee against the trunk of the car and threatened him. JP would see this. He would see Dandy defending him. But, in the end, joining the racer.

"Uh-huh! We knew that was our Dandy!" QT sounded so pleased. "I'm surprised you didn't try to fight him more. It was so unlike you to stop," he added. QT was wrong, but Dandy shook his head. This man was aggressive at times, but in moments like that: he knew when to stop the fight. He stopped that fight for JP and his well-being.

Then, the news was on. Playing on the screen were scenes captured by phones and even some by deployed flying drones. Dandy stood back up, holding JP's hand as they watched together. He gave the racer a gentle kiss to the cheek and then spoke into the communicator again.

"Come find us. We need that ride, baby."

JP sat on the hospital bed and used his arms to prop himself up as he leaned back to look at the screen. He found it hard to read and felt like maybe that hit to the head had ruined his ability to read. "Dandy, I can't...I can't read what anything says." He witnesses the events he couldn't remember and how he was tossed and he flailed in the air. The whole car moved when he hit the inside. He could see the way he had ended up in the rear seat. "You held me and I didn't even know."

He stood up, still holding Dandy's hand. "Let's leave. I don't want Frisbee finding us still here when they call him about me being awake."

Dandy heard JP mention him being held. He was glad that they at least got footage of that scene from the event. Once the coverage was over, Dandy turned off the screen and lead JP towards the door.

"Yeah, we gotta bounce. QT, what time do you guys think you'll be here?" He asked into the bracelet. QT took a bit to respond.

"It should take us at least an hour. We're pretty far away from you guys at the moment," QT explained. "There might be a place nearby that you two can stay at until we get there! Maybe a restaurant?" When QT mentioned food, Dandy reached into his pocket and found the remaining BooBies funds.

"Whaddya say, baby? Wanna go get some breakfast?" Dandy asked with a little smile. "We can walk there," he kissed JP's cheek. "I won't let you fall like last time. I want you ta hold onto my arm, a' right?" He didn't know if JP remembers that part. He had a sinking feeling that the racer wouldn't. If he asked, Dandy would explain for sure.

"Do ya need ta call a nurse or? I think there's, like, dismissin' forms or somethin'? QT always handles that for me," Dandy rubbed the back of his head. Those past hospital trips were always a blur, for obvious reasons.

"An hour? That's so long." They were already heading out, down the halls following the signs. JP was trying to get his jacket on and decided to leave it unzipped. He didn't feel hungry but he did want to chew. He just wanted something in his mouth yet not a cigarette. "I'll just nibble off your plate, love. Huh? Fall...?" He thought hard about that and only vaguely remembered being carried by Dandy and feeling his hot body against his chest. He wanted to remember more.

"Those forms get taken care of for me..this...this isn't your normal hospital." he hugged Dandy's arm especially when he had to take a step down like at the exit. He wasn't sure where to step.

With JP in a neck brace, a lot more people were looking at them. They took notice that Sweet JP's signature pompadour wasn't there. Instead, it was brushed back into something a lot smaller and a bit messy. Some had seen the news while others hadn't. There were some hushed whispers and pointing but JP couldn't look around. To him, there seemed to be a lot of people on the sidewalks.

"Oh careful, we're going to bump into-" The person moved past without a problem. The nurse had said his eyes would go back to normal but he wondered if that was true. What would Meow and QT think? What did he even look like? Why did they look crazy?

Dandy did enjoy him holding his arm as they walked. While they left the hospital, Dandy ignored the whispers for once. He wasn't in the mood to pose and look giddy for everyone.

He was in the mood to get away from this planet and never return.

Dandy heard JP speak up about the person walking past. He started to realize that JP's sight was a bit... Off. The alien hunter pulled JP closer while they walked.

Space 🌟 Himbos

28 Back to Sleep

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