m_findlow

Title: Mean green
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Ianto, Jack
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 780 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for m_findlow's prompt "Any, any, green hospital scrubs weren't very flattering" at fic_promptly
Summary: Jack's new wardrobe isn't winning any awards.

'I'm really, really, sorry,' Ianto apologised for the third or fourth time.

'It's really no problem,' Jack insisted. 'How are those meds?' he asked. 'Have they kicked in yet?'

Ianto slumped back against the pillows. 'I think so,' he replied, feeling the nausea starting to abate. That his stomach wasn't twisting in knots was definitely an improvement.

He still couldn't quite believe that he'd thrown up, let alone managed to do so all over Jack. He'd been groggy when he'd come out of surgery, the doctors having done their magic and removed the offending appendix which had been the source of so much trouble for the past few hours.

He sort of registered that Jack was there, sitting on the edge of the bed, but the anesthesia was still working its way out of his system. He must have dropped off to sleep a few times before properly waking up. Funny how he'd been through hell working for Torchwood and had suffered any number of injuries, but he'd never needed surgery, nor been put under a general anesthetic. It turned out his body didn't like it.

There was very little warning between waking up, sitting up, and knowing he was going to upend his stomach. By rights there wasn't much in it, but it didn't stop him from managing to bring up a decent amount of something unpleasant, which of course landed right in the waiting lap of his dearest friend and lover.

Jack had called a nurse over, concerned that something was wrong. She merely tutted, telling them that it was most likely a reaction to the sedation, and that she'd go speak to the doctor about giving him something to neutralise its effects. 'You can't stay sat in that,' she said, seeing the state of Jack's clothes.

'I didn't pack a spare set,' he replied, trying to be funny, hoping a damp towel might clean up the worse of it. Right now he was more worried about Ianto.

A doctor came around and checked a few things before giving Ianto something from a needle that he assured would help settle things down. Meanwhile the nurse had returned, shepherding Jack towards the toilets where he could change, handing him a set of green hospital scrubs and a bag to put his other clothes in.

'What do you think?' he said, giving her a twirl as he came back out.

'About as attractive on you as everyone else,' she said, leaving the pair of them alone.

'Doctor Harkness here to keep an eye on you,' he said, sitting back down and resuming his vigil at Ianto's bedside.

'You look terrible,' Ianto croaked. Green was most definitely not Jack's colour.

'You should take a look in the mirror, then,' Jack replied, gently running his fingers though Ianto's hair.

He had to admit, hospital scrubs weren't very flattering, even on him. Sure, they showed off his biceps nicely enough, and that mysterious tan that he always seemed to have despite the lack of sunshine, but they were baggy everywhere else. There was only a fabric tie keeping the bottom halves where they needed to be, clinging to his hips. They weren't particularly warm, either, just the one thin layer between his skin and the cool hospital air. His coat was still in the car, and he could feel the goosebumps forming on his arms. He still had his boots and socks to keep his feet warm but the rest of him was another matter entirely. He was sure the loose fabric was partly to do with comfort, since hospital staff worked long hours, but it was probably more to be accommodating to people's various body shapes and sizes, yet somehow fitting no one properly. They certainly weren't doing his physique any favours.

'I didn't mean to be such a bother,' Ianto said, apologising again.

'You burst your appendix. I don't think you had much say in the matter. Besides, it's no bother. Sometimes you've go just gotta let us look after you for a change.'

'Didn't mean I had to go and throw up all over you.'

'Not the first time,' Jack said. 'Probably not the last time, either. I've got all of eternity for people to throw up on me. Better get used to it.' He tugged at the collar of his bright green top. 'These however, I don't think I'll ever get used to.'

'They're really not you,' Ianto agreed. 'They don't look warm at all. The nurse should have found you a jumper or something.'

'Doesn't matter,' Jack said, pulling up the blanket from the bottom of Ianto's bed. 'I can just cuddle up next to you for warmth.'