Chapter Text
"You okay?"
Frank looked up from where he had put his head on the charting hub with a low groan to find Jesse standing above him with an amused expression on his handsome face. "Fine, Jesse. Just fine."
The man's entertained disbelief made his eyes gleam, and a small smile danced on his lips, turning the already good-looking man into something that would have haunted teen Langdon's thoughts for way too many years. "Just trying to pray to whatever deity I pissed off to release me from this curse."
Jesse's chuckle was rich and warm, making something flutter in Frank's stomach. "And this curse being...?"
"Frank."
Dennis' voice was hard and uncompromising, his expression stern as he now stood next to Jesse, standing straight. "Really?" He demanded, unimpressed.
"I'm fine, Whitaker. I hit my head is all, no concussion, no dizziness, no vomiting. Jesse just offered to perform a pupil check for me."
"So, when I asked if you were okay?" Jesse cocked an eyebrow, taking the pen light from Langdon, and moving it between Frank's eyes quickly, doing the check.
"Will I live?"
"If your own stupidity doesn't kill you first." Jesse retorted, handing the flashlight easily. Dennis muttered something that sounded eerily close to 'I'm going to kill him before that," Jesse wisely didn't comment on the new development that was developing of Dennis' growing protectiveness of Frank.
Frank looked up at Jess'e outstretched hand, the mischief dancing behind Jess'e indifferent facade. Frank let out a scoff before putting his hand in Jesse's, the older man effortlessly pulling Frank up. "Did it knock some sense into you?"
"Jesus, Jesse." Frank rolled his eyes,
"That's a no then." He deadpanned. Frank turned his attention to Dennis, who was frowning deeply. "Whitaker" Frank repeated slowly. "I'm fine, it was just a head bump, headache, but that's about all, and Jesse is more than capable of checking me over."
Frank missed the finger wave Jesse gave Dennis. "The man has dealt with worse."
"I deal with him every day. Incoming." Jesse patted Frank's shoulder, a gesture Dennis did not miss. Frank had just enough time to see Robby bearing towards them with a concerned and angry expression on his face, stopping in front of them.
"Why am I hearing from Dr King of all people that you hit your head?" His pen light was out before Frank could protest, checking his eyes, fingers moving to check over Frank's head.
"Jesse apparently checked him over." Dennis bit out. Jesse gave a nod to Robby, who looked over at him. "Oh, did you?"
Frank swatted Robby's hand away, both confused and exasperated by the sudden concern from Robby and whatever bad mood Dennis was suddenly in. "For fucks sake, I'm fine. Jesse, patient in North 10?"
"Ready and waiting."
Frank let out a sigh of relief, slipping out from Robby's hands, "Thank god and what do you mean you deal with me all the time?"
***
"I can't, I have plans tonight, maybe tomorrow?"
"What kind of plans?" Jack shamelessly inserted himself into the conversation between Frank, Shen, and Ellis in the minutes before round up and shift change, and does it have anything to do with you eating a balanced meal and getting enough sleep? Also, what's this about you hitting your head today?"
Frank buried his head in his hands with a groan. He looked up at the expectant man who was very clearly waiting for an answer. "How?"
"Frank?"
"I'm fine."
"Yes, you are." Shen nodded, "But I think he was asking about your head."
Parker looked up from her phone to look at Shen. "You did not just openly flirt with Langdon, right here in front of my Alani? I like the flavours."
Jack shook his head, and Frank let out a chuckle, only to find that once again Jack was staring at him. "Seriously, what is everyone's problem today? Between you, Robby, Whitaker..?"
"Oh shit."
"He did not-"
Shen and Parker whispered to each other, watching Jack suck in a breath, his whole demeanour shifting. "Whitaker? What exactly is Whitaker doing, Langdon?"
Frank's impressive eyebrows came together, his face scrunching in confusion. "What? Nothing, He just been weird since I tripped, is all."
"Mmmhmmm," Parker hummed. "I can bet."
"Jesse checked me out and, speak of the devil..."
Jesse nodded at the group, smiling slowly as he took in the scene, mischief making his own blue eyes twinkle. "Hey, Frank, ready to get out of here?" Frank's mouth fell open in surprise but he quickly recovered, while Shen and Parker stared at Jesse, who was all long limbs and effortlessly casual under Jack's sharp, assessing glare.
"Yeah, sure. Give me two minutes, I need to grab my stuff."
"No problem, take out from that corner on Wilson? I'll order now?"
"Uh..sure...usual is fine..."
"Cool." Jesse didn't smile. "I'll chill here. Oh, I didn't take the bike today; we're taking your car. What's up, Whitaker?"
Frank looked over his shoulder to see a deadly silent Whitaker watching with a clenched jaw, arms crossed over his chest. "Yeah," Frank nodded. "I'm just gonna-" He walked away.
"What the fuck his happening?" Shen looked around with actual surprise.
"I...I don't know.." Parker admitted. "And I'm kind of scared...."
Shen nodded.
Jack was continuing to glare at Jesse when Robby walked over, looking down at the hand Parker shot out infront of him. "Yes?"
"I..."
"Hey," Frank greeted the group.
Jesse smiled now, "Ready? Frank nodded in affirmation, his cheeks going red when Jesse slung an arm casually over his shoulder. "See you tomorrow." He gave a lazy wave to the group, falling in step with Frank.
He pulled his arm away from Frank the moment they were out of the doors, chuckling at Frank's expression. "What the fuck was that, Jesse?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it. But seriously, can you give me a ride? I walked."