Hearing the first groaning alarm clock of what he figured was going to be a consistent thing for the next few nights, George forced sleep from his eyes with a few good rubs at them, then stood up and walked around to the side where David was still sleeping fitfully.

"Hey David, wake up," he said as he reached down, shaking his shoulder enough to get the guy to begin coming around. He looked like he hadn't gotten a single minute of sleep, let alone the four hours that have passed since he fell asleep. When David seemed to finally be coherent George walked to his bathroom and filled a small paper cup with water, then returned to hand it to David. Thankfully he'd gotten the guy propped up on some pillows, knowing that he would have to give him medicine several times in bed.

When he was sure David had a firm grasp on the cup and wouldn't dump it by accident, George grabbed the bottle of medicine and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. "Alright, looks like you can have another pill since it's been four hours and you only took one after leaving the hospital. I'm going to assume that you want it?" He checked, looking down at David to see the man nodding.

"Alright, here. Once you take the pill drink the rest of the water."

David whimpered as his response, then took the medicine and shakily chugged the remainder of the water before holding the cup up. George realized the silent request without needing words and quickly got the cup refilled. David went through two more cups of water before he finally set it down on the nightstand and leaned back against the pillows with a wince. Since he didn't say anything, George figured he would just wait for the meds to kick in, then pass out again, but as he began to make his way back to the other side of his bed to get a few more hours of sleep before the next 'alarm' sounded, he heard David gasp out a few words.

"Need... t-to pee."

Biting back a sigh, George walked back around and carefully got his arms under David. He understood that he would eventually have to go bathroom, so he couldn't really be annoyed. At least he didn't wake me up just to pee. "Alright, lifting you on three. One, two, three." Unintentionally, the abrupt shift of his body knocked his burned leg against the other, making David give a pretty damn impressive scream.

Shit, that's probably going to wake up Orion and his kid.

He had no doubt that Orion might think he was going after David, either. The guy knew he had a short fuse and wasn't beyond beating people who deserved it. But David doesn't deserve it. His ex, on the other hand... I wouldn't mind getting my hands on him again. "Sorry, just take deep breaths," George said as he got David situated on one foot by the toilet.

"You got it from here? I'll hold you up, but I draw the line at the obvious."

Feeling a faint chuckle from the other guy, George looked away as David relieved himself, then fastened his pants back up. "Thanks, just need to wash my hands." George grunted and carefully got David in front of the sink where he washed, then dried his hands on a small towel sitting on the edge. Picking the guy back up afterward, George carried him back to the bed, then moved to his leg and looked up. "Do you want me to check the medicine he put on your burns? Does it feel like it's getting worse?"

When he got a jerky nod in response George carefully began unwrapping the bandages, trying to be as gentle as possible... which was a bit hard considering his large hands. He seemed to manage decently-well at least, only getting a few grunts and one groan before he had the bandages undone. At that exact moment Orion walked in. He was only wearing a pair of black silk boxers but George didn't let his current outfit play into how he reacted. Orion visibly looked worried, his brow creased and body tense.

"I picked him up so that he could go bathroom and his bad leg hit his other one. He's fine and after I get his leg remedicated we're both going to go back to sleep until his pain meds wear off again."

Orion stared at him for a second longer than George was comfortable with, earning a glare. "What? Do you want him or something? Take him if you want."

When Orion took a step forward, likely to accept the offer and remove David, the guy actually shook his head. "Please, dear god, don't move me again."

George rolled his eyes and shoved the medicine into Orion's hand. "You can do that if you're so worried. I'm going back to sleep."

Without waiting for a response George walked over to his side of the bed and slid in on top of the blanket and closed his eyes with a yawn.

Definitely George. Orion bit back a retort and instead got busy rubbing the cream from the container he'd been handed. Whatever medicine David had been given seemed to be kicking in, because the guy was floating in and out of consciousness each time Orion chanced a look up at him. The poor guy was as white as a sheet and panting shallowly, but he wasn't screaming and only gave a grunt every once in awhile. It was a relief, especially considering they used to be in a relationship. Short or not, Orion and Dav had remained friends and seeing the guy in this condition really boiled his blood. He wasn't an aggressive person, not even to his subs if they asked for it, but if he saw Dom again, the guy was going to have to run... fast.

Since David was asleep by the time Orion had finished rubbing the medicine on his burns, he decided to forgo the bandages and let the guy get as much sleep as he could until the pain woke him up again. After glancing over at George, he noted that he, too, was out cold, and decided to just leave and return in the morning. The urge to hug David welled up in his chest but he knew it would likely wake him, so he just set the medicine container down on the nightstand and let himself out.

The next morning Zachary had to go in early to help Xena get everything ready since she hadn't worked in the kitchen for awhile and luck would have it, her part-time cook was sick. Since he was already awake, Orion hopped in the shower after Zach left and then got dressed and headed upstairs to check on David. What he found when he stepped inside George's small room, however, was definitely not something he ever expected. David was still on his back, but George wasn't. Since David's leg was now bandaged, he figured that he'd also been redosed with medication. It didn't explain why George was partially hugging him though as he rested on his belly, one arm slung over David's chest.

What might, though, were David's red eyes that Orion noticed when he turned on the small lamp on the nightstand. If it's one thing George doesn't like besides having to do emotional stuff, it's dealing with crying people. That was likely why he relented slightly and half hugged the guy.

Can't pass up this opportunity.

Grinning like the fool that he knew he was for even considering what he was about to do, Orion grabbed his phone from his pocket and snapped a picture.

Unfortunately for Orion, George hadn't been asleep. How the hell could he be when it was so uncomfortable to have his arm slung over someone else? It was practically numb and beginning to ache! He sat up slowly, shaking out his arm as his eyes narrowed on Orion. The guy was wise and quickly deleted the photo he'd taken, knowing that he was going down if he didn't.

"Go get us some breakfast, Orion. His stomach's been growling for an hour now and since you're here, you might as well do it."

When Orion just sighed and turned to leave, George knew he had won. Well, not really since he still had to deal with David, but at least he didn't have go make breakfast and deliver it like some butler.

"Hey... George?"

Darn it. You're supposed to be knocked out for at least a couple more hours.

Grumbling under his breath, George turned around to see David staring up at him with a tired smile. "I know that look. What do you want?" He asked, not bothering to beat around the bush.

"Can I try to bribe you into helping me take a bath?"

George narrowed his eyes and sat down on the edge of his bed next to David. "Ask Orion, I'm sure he'd love to help."

That made the guy shift awkwardly, his eyes downcast on his lap as he tried to keep himself in a semi-sitting position. "What is it now?" George grumbled, making David flinch. Well too bad, he didn't like waking up every couple of hours on his one day off that week. He was going to be a grumpy ass and David was just going to have to deal with it.

"I-I'll cook you dinner?"

"You usually do anyways, remember? I eat the leftover stuff half the time."

David hunched and sniffed once. "Um, I'll cook whatever you want? I-I just want to get clean and asking Orion..."

Bah. He knew they'd been together at one short, short point and it was probably awkward, but he was not a damn caregiver! However... and fuck me for even considering this. "I want a cherry vanilla cake."

"Deal!" David shouted as his head snapped up, a relieved smile taking over his exhausted face. "No take backs!" He added a moment later, making George's face deadpan.

"Really? How old are you?" He asked with a huff, even as he got up and carefully began getting David into his arms. "This Earth has been graced with my awesome self for thirty years. I know, it's hard to believe it's still here, but I'm going easy on it."

Unintentionally, George let a quiet chuckle slip out. He cut it off almost immediately, but considering the smile growing on David's face, the guy had caught it. Whatever. Setting him down in the tub, he carefully held up his injured leg by his foot, which was barely burned thanks to his shoe, and put a folded towel beneath it. Judging from the hiss David let out when George set his foot down on it, it didn't help completely, but at least it did what it needed to and kept his bad leg elevated so that he could start getting the bath underway.

"Get your clothing off, then I'll start the water."

When David just looked at him George frowned. "What?"

The guy lifted his shirt off and tossed it aside, but then glanced down at his pants, then back up at George with a raised brow. Dammit. I forgot that the doctor had to cut his pant leg off. Of course he won't be pulling them off himself.

Grumbling something about never getting another pet for as long as he lived, George got up and walked back into his room, returning with a pair of scissors a moment later. Instead of bothering with any commands, he leaned over the tub and began cutting away at David's jeans. When he got up to his waist he very quickly noticed that the guy wasn't wearing any underwear, making George look up at him with a slight grin. He was going to poke fun at him, but when he saw the look on David's face, he forced himself to keep his mouth shut and just finished carefully cutting away his pants.

"There."

He tried his best not to look, but there was no helping it as he tried to cover the glances up with getting the water going and washcloths soapy. There were cuts and ligature marks everywhere. Literally every-fucking where. I'll kill him if I see him again. There's a huge difference between being a dominant to a submissive and being abusive.

"Here," he said quietly, handing David the washcloth before getting up and walking back into his bedroom. He needed a minute to cool off or he would go off on the guy, and that wouldn't help either of them. Well, it would make him feel better, but David feel worse. So, not a good idea at the moment. Instead, he did a few quick laps of his small room, then took the breakfast Orion delivered after a knock at the door. Not wanting to deal with someone else however, George quickly sent him away after telling him that David was taking a bath and was fine.

I doubt Orion would be able to just walk away if he knew about the marks.

It wasn't the man's business though. And hell, it wasn't his either, that's why he kept them to himself and closed the door behind Orion after he left. By then George felt cooled-down enough to walk back to David, glad to see that he was slowly managing to get the washcloth over his marred skin. Something was nagging at his mind still though, and being who he was, he decided to get it out.

"I made your ex throw up outside before I brought you in here yesterday."

Leaving that bait in the air, he grabbed a paper cup from his counter and set it on the edge of the tub for when David wanted to wash the soap off. His hand had stopped however, just like George had figured it would when he spoke.

"He... he's my boyfriend." David replied in a hushed whisper, fear in his wide eyes.

"No, he's not." George stated flatly.

His blatant disagreement seemed to catch David off-guard, making the guy drop the washcloth into the water that came up to his waist. "What? O-of course he is. I-I'll apologize a-and he'll take me back, just like last t-time!"

Last time?

"What happened last time?" George asked, unable to keep the question from leaving his mouth.

David frowned and looked down at his naked lap, then shrugged. "I-I mentioned Orion..." His head jerked up quickly, worry etched in the creases beside his eyes. "It was my fault! I'd promised the time before that I-I wouldn't talk about him at all. I-I deserved to get punished for it!"

"Bullshit!"

The scream wasn't supposed to happen, but holy hell! How blind can someone be?

"Nearly choking you to death is a punishment?" George snarled, making David flinch.

"H-he didn't mean to make it so tight! It was just supposed to hurt!" He tried shouting back, but barely managed to get above a gruff whisper as his voice cracked with worry.

"Alright then. So I'll just call him to come get you then?" George asked, a sneer on his face as he saw the reaction he knew was coming. David's face paled and his breath caught, making him cough after a moment of terror.

"See? You're fucking terrified of that asshole! So why the hell are you staying with him? You can do better, you idiot!"

He probably shouldn't have added the idiot part, but dammit! He was pissed! And David was acting like a complete idiot!

The answer he got was nothing like what he thought he might. George figured David would just whimper another pathetic excuse about how he was in the wrong and Domino had punished him appropriately, but he surprised him when he spoke harshly.

"Well? Do you know anyone who would want to touch someone who looks like this? I know you're disgusted by the marks, too, so don't you dare lie about it! At least Domino pays attention to me! He might not love me, but I need something! And he's the only one who will want me now that I look like this..."

His words died down near the end, drifting off into a mumble as his body sagged with exhaustion. Not being a man of words, and having already said way more than he normally did within a full day, George just decided to show instead of tell. He walked over to the tub and knelt down, then leaned over to begin rubbing his hands all over the scars and marks on David's skin.

"You know what?" He said after a few minutes of silence. His hands were still moving but slowing so that he could concentrate on speaking. When David didn't reply George decided to just finish what he wanted to say, his eyes moving up to meet his. "I think Domino did all of this to you because he was so insecure about himself. I think that he marked you so badly in the hopes that you wouldn't think someone else might be able to see past the scars, but you know what, David?"

This time he got a response. A barely-there, cried, "...What?"

Reaching over and leaning up, George placed a firm hand on David's soft hair and pressed his forehead against his. "I can see straight through those little scratches to see how awesome you really are, and I know that other people will be able to as well. And for those who can't. They don't deserve you."

He felt the guy give a broken sob, then reach up and wrap his arms around his neck to nuzzle his nose in the crook. Awkwardly, George reached around and hugged him, being careful not to move him too much and jar his bad leg. "Do you understand?" He asked quietly as he began starting to rub his back, ignoring the scarred ridges he felt with the action. It took David a few minutes to pull himself together enough to speak, but when he did, George knew he would eventually be okay.

"Y-yeah. I-I'm just too awesome f-for m-most people now."