distractions
wc : 3.3k
summary : when it comes to the hospital jack is very private about his life outside of it, however what happens when you - his ex - comes in, asking to talk to him.
notes : swearing, this was like a random idea i had in my head a week ago so this might be poorly executed, maybe ooc jack, ex!reader, readers in a complicated relationship, boyfriends called Eddie, we lowk villainise Eddie for the plot, cut short (sorry guys i'm really busy irl with exams so i don't have as much time to write as i usually do) , not proofread ♡
Jack was going to kill you, you knew he was. Even while the two of you were dating he had one specific rule : No visits during work. You got injured? well there was a hospital closer to your apartment than PTMC and it was good enough for Jack to trust, He forgot his lunch? scold him later, There's somehow information that is way too important to wait until he gets home? Text him.
Its not that he didn’t love you around, never that , it was just because he knew that even if you were here for a second it would for sure mess one of you up. Either he gets distracted or you see something you cant forget, he just can’t afford that, and so the solution is simple - no visits during work.
But even if he didn't have a rule you were still sure he'd kill you, i mean, you weren't even sure if he wanted to see you right now. Not after last week, when you saw him during a walk and decided to say 'hi' not knowing that wouldn't be enough for Eddie to practically loose it. It wasn’t like Eddie and Jack liked each other before, but even you were shocked by how bad it seemed to have affected him.
So as you stride into the semi packed hospital - with achingly bright lights and a heavy scent of hand sanitizer and antiseptics wipes- you couldn’t shake that feeling of doom creeping up on you, even if the two of you had been seperated for probably a year now.
After all the years you’ve known him, All you really knew about Jacks work was that he was an attending physician that did the night shift , hence why you chose to come much later in the day to catch him, though you didn’t really know what to say or where to go to actually find him.
The first person you focused on amongst the mild chaos was a woman who was by the nurses station: She stood, leaning her weight against one leg as she packed up her stuff, letting loose strands of blonde hair that was plucked out of her clawclip-bun from stress fall against her cheeks.
She seemed pretty busy but compared to the others the least, so you decided to head over to her, rubbing your nails against your palms as you do so.
“Hey, um,” you glance down at the badge that hung against her navy scrubs, “Dana?”
The ladys brows quickly furrowed as stone-blue eyes with edges crinkled from age flickered up to meets yours.
“Hey sweets, you looking for somebody?,” she hums, dimming her voice to the type of tone that you’d use with your patients.
“Yeah, actually,” you lean against the counter a little bit , “is there a Dr.Abbot here..? He should’ve clocked in around now?”
She managed to compose herself quickly though you were still able to catch her brows flick up in suprise, “Dr Abbot? Think he’s in trauma one, might take a while though”
The older woman raises her chin to see out of the frames that hung loosely on her nose, “You need me to pass on a message?”
“No, no i uh..i just really need to talk to him”
At that a short pause fell between the two fo you, though you couldn’t really call it silence as the sounds of metal beds, distant groans and badges and keys slapping against scrubs pooled in to fill it, even as it started to transition to night shift the place didn’t seem any less busy.
It all really reminds you why you’d always worry about Jack in the first place, especially during the way-too-early mornings when you were together where he’d slump into bed in silence, almost rigid from tension. You would try talk about it, bring it up in bed even as his back was basically facing you, though all he’d do is say he’s fine , leaving you to just hope he wouldn’t say the same at therapy.
“Dr Abbots never mentioned any girls before, you a friend of his?,” Dana questions as she sends out a message. Already, you found yourself admiring her. I mean, you hadn’t even been here for that long and all the overlapping voices calling out around you was already getting to you, Still she seemed so calm.
“Ex girlfriend ,” you purse your lips as you look away, you rather would than be faced with that now familar look of subtle shock in response.
“Oh,” She manages though before the older woman before you could add much more the sound of heavy footsteps alongside a clear voice that calls “Dana?,” quickly interrupts.
Your gaze quickly snaps towards the source and as expected, you see him, Jack. He hadn’t changed a bit, not that you haven't seen him in a while, far from that, but a part of you still expects him too every time you see him.
It didn’t take long until his own brown orbs clashed with yours, and his jaw and brows seemed to subtly slacken, He didn't seem as angry as yesterday although you learned not to take that as a sign with Jack.
He slows for a brief moment before quickening again, already peeling his hands from his pockets, “Hey, what are you doing here?,” He speaks softly, The same way he would when he’d return home after a gruelling shift way back when.
A sigh slips from your lips as you look away, catching sight of others ,that seemed to fit the description Jack would give you of the ‘residents, stealing brief glances over, “We need to talk,” you murmur though your words only bring out a deeper sigh from him.
“Then text me, c’mon,” he speaks, already guiding his hands to hover around you - letting the scent of musk and the faint mens perfume you got him for christmas engulf you - It was his way of saying ‘you need to leave, now’
That earns a frown from you, “No, Jack, i’m serious”.
And honestly if he could sigh harder he would, sure you were always stubborn but when it came to the hospital you’d usually let him be, you knew how important it was compared to anything you would want after all. For a moment he doesn't respond, he simply takes his time to search your gaze before patting your side in defeat and letting his own trail back over to Dana , who was packing oddly slows, form.
“Able to cover for me for a minute or two?”
Dana gives a small nod and wave, watching as Jack already guides you towards the exit, “Always”
It wasn't until the automatic doors opened, inviting a gust of wind to push against the pair of you did Jack eventually push his hands back into his pockets.
"Okay," he huffs as he comes to a stop before you, giving off a little shrug as if nothing had happened, "what's up? why're you here?"
still you don't let that stop you, nor the hitch in your breath as you look him in the eyes , "i wanted to apologise..about yesterday"
"yeah , well, it was just a small hiccup, no? it's all good," he quickly sucks in.
"Jack."
"[name]"
Your frown deepens as you give him a look, its become a habit when you'd talk to Jack nowadays, though you pretty much avoided even thinking about it like the plague.
"You almost tore each others fucking heads off," you press, almost whispering the words, "You know how i don't want you two to fight."
Jack almost snorts at that, not even hiding the smirk of disbelief that tugs at his lips, "I don't think it's possible to not 'fight' with Eddie," he hums already glancing back at the hospital doors as if it were about to runaway.
It was frustrating, it was always frustrating to talk to such an emotionally stumped man (though even from very few encounters he seemed way better than robby), but it was even worse when you'd try settle things between you. The breakup was hardly a conversation let alone anything to do with Eddie, so you don't even bother to try ease your points in and instead choose to subtly shuffle on your feet and huff, "Well, Are you okay?
“ ‘m fine, practically running on clouds,” he shrugs , relaxing his shoulders with a grunt, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” you realise after the words slip out that you echoed his own words, and you notice how despite himself Jacks lips quirk just a tiny bit, “don't really believe you though.. you seemed pretty upset"
a small but humourless chuckle bubbles from him as he crosses his arms, letting the sleeves of his scrubs tug against his rounded arms, it only made you frown more, "again, you say this like we're not talking about Eddie"
"I say this because i'm worried about you"
He quickly shoots back as the automatic door slide open again since somebody walked to close to it, "Well I'm not your boyfriend, [name]"
"Well, your still my friend"
And for some reason, that word still made your lips curl and your chest grow hollow. Even when you'd say it to yourself - during those late Tuesday nights after you'd find your mind trailing back to the times where he'd be beside you instead, humming along to your playlist that played from your phone that rested a little too close to the edge of the counter, with a toothbrush stuffed in his mouth - you'd regret it immediately. It just felt weird, off. No amount of time apart would change that, not with how long you and Jack were together.
You prime your lips, reading to blurt out an awkward apology before he beats you to it, "friend", he echoes. It's stupid, he knows, but even at his age he couldn't help himself.
You swallow thick as your gaze immediately darts to anywhere else, "Look, i just want to be sure your okay, okay? and your not just lying to get the conversation over with"
Though instead of shooting another 'I'm fine' or a smart comeback, he simply pauses, and your not sure what frightens you more.
"Just text me next time, alright?", he sighs, treading back inside before you could even stop him.
And honestly? you don't bother to anyway, you just watch him go.
When Jack said a visit alone was enough to distract him, he meant it, because now, for the fifth time, he found himself staring into space as if the fact that he was leaning against the counter, hand on mouse, was just to seem busy rather than to actually get work done. It annoyed him, more than he could put into words. One minute his mind was on a patient then the next it drifted back to you, with your soft pout and furrowed brows when you were mad, or the way the rays of sunlight - although gloomy in this part of Pittsburgh - still managed to run over your features just right.
And then his mind would drift to Eddie, fucking Eddie. He didn't understand what the hell you even saw in him, how you could go from Jack to somebody so.. disorganised. Not that Jack thought he was the 'dream man' , As much as he didn't like to admit it to you he understood that his own stupid choices played a part in why there was an empty space in his bed. But he was still aware of how much worse Eddie was, the thought alone made calloused hands tighten around the uncomfortably small mouse the hospitals had for the computers. It was only a matter of time until somebody noticed.
"You doing okay, Doc?"
Almost immediately, Jacks gaze snaps up to find Robby. He stood as if he was walking and the sight of an agitated Jack was so disturbing he had to bring himself to a halt. With a large black bag slung over his shoulder, bunching up small clusters of the fabric of his aegan-blue hoodie by the shoulders, furrowed brows and a bearded chin angled so low it almost touches his neck, he stares back at Jack.
He was concerned, not worried, Robby doesn't get 'worried' when it comes to Jack because he's one of the few people Robby that trusts can keep their shit together.
" I'm fine," Abbot clears his throat as he pushing his weight off of the countertop , gaze glued to the screen as if it as everywhere but there for the past 15 minutes "Aren't i supposed to be the one who asks that question?"
"oh ha ha very funny but i'm actually trying to check up on my friend to make sure they won't let the hospital burn down while i'm gone"
Friend.
Hearing the word alone makes him release an involuntary grunt, only making Robby all more curious.
A pause passes before Jack huffs in defeat, rolling his shoulders as he shuffles on his feet a little, " It's [name], she came by"
And just like Robby does, he hums in a tone that would seem mostly unreadable and somewhat surprised to Jack if they didn't know each other for so long, "Oh!"
It wouldn't be until the amused murmur that followed up, that his thoughts would be obvious, "Girl drama"
"Sorry, wasn't I the guy that was nothing but a kind friend when you went all googly-eyed over Collin's ?"
"No - no of course", Robby hums back, though he couldn't get rid of the smug smile that tugged aggressively at his lips, even if he was now the one avoiding Jacks gaze. He looked like a fucking quokka.
"I just.. didn't expect this to be-" He was barely able to contain himself under Jacks glare, one that would've probably been enough for a resident to stop talking, one that he took from you.
"I mean what happened? Did she block you on myspace?"
"Fuck you"
"No! I'm serious, I'm intrigued now," Robby chuckles as he leans against the counter himself, "do tell"
And now all that could run through Jacks head was regret, because it was like the more and more he spoke, the more amused Robby seemed. Seriously, he was having a field day listening to this. And when Jack came to an end he almost seemed dissapointed.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. I don't need this right now"
"Your not going to talk to her?"
"And what, listen to her talk about 'Eddie' " "Jesus christ," Robby breathes in disbelief, "Well it's clearly affecting you"
"Oh really?," At this point Jack had shifted his focus back on the computer before him, typing aggressively and letting his other hand grip the mouse tightly.
"Yeah, and i don't think anybody here needs their attending to barely be sane right now"
For a brief moment , the taller man simply watches, he wasn't the best when it came to comforting, not as good as Dana, but now he sure as hell felt he had to try even if it wasn't through soft words and hugs.
Robby tuts as he slips his bag off and onto the little space on the counter, "Go call her, I'll cover for you- then I need your head in the game."
"Robby-"
"Go, you can come back and be a nightcrawler - or whatever you call it- before you know it"
That gets Jack to smile, though it was little. So, as Robby basically orders, he heads back outside, phone in hand.
You were slumped on your couch, letting a random show absently hum in the background as you scrolled, lazily, through old pictures stuffed deep in your camera roll. Some were of you, yours friends, random mirror pics during times where you felt pretty, and some , if you scrolled far enough, were of you and Jack nearing the start of your relationship taking silly pictures at god knows what time of the day, after all his work schedule unironically worked well with how late you fell asleep those days.
You missed those times, you weren't scared to admit it. The two of you could spend hours on end talking if your lives let you, Now it was all different. Now he wasn't here at all, taking away any excuse you used to fuck up your sleep schedule. Nowadays you'd just lay restlessly tossing and turning while Eddie would be god knows where.
Right on queue, your phone faded black before the words 'Jack.' plastered itself over your screen with a green button and a red button at the bottom.
It didn't take long for you to click on the green one, waiting for a familiar voice to pool in.
And it did, "Hey"
"Hi." You pause, "You.. okay?"
"Always." If you listened close enough you might catch onto the distant ambience of the hospital , "Look," he sighs, you could practically picture him running a hand through his hair , "I'm sorry, i was being a pain, a big one, i shouldn't have done that to you..i was just stressed out"
Your eyes flutter shut as you sink deeper into the couch. A part of you wished he didn't apologise and just left without a word ,maybe then it would be easier to get him out of your head in the first place, "It's okay, trust me, i get it. I'm sorry if...i was too much, i was just worried about you, i still care about you you know"
care, yeah, that felt better than 'friend'
“yeah,” Jack hums back, leaving an unsure silence to follow, and honestly it only made him realise how spontaneous this was, maybe next time he should plan what to say.
“i’m suprised you anybody let you have a break”
“Yeah,” he snorts, “Robby did, said its to avoid me lettign the hospital brun down while hes gone.”
You laugh, it was sweet, bubbly.
“i’ll take it..,” you trail to which he hums in response.
Once more, that same tense but not awkward silence threatens to spill back in, but Jack forces himself to quickly fill it, even if he knew what was really playing on his mind was wrong.
"Are you busy?.. maybe we could talk in person..?"
It was random, he was sure of that as a small noise slips from you as if you had been stunned for a second too long to stop a millions thoughts from rushing through you mind.
Like Jacks said, he isn't the dream man and he wasn't your boyfriend, not anymore, and sure that means he really shouldn't be asking this, especially since, to his surprise to this day, it wasn't like you hated Eddie.
But God did he know how badly those few words nudged at him every time he saw you, ever since the day you left and he realised he didn't want you to go.
Nevertheless, maybe stupidly, he pushed on, "There's some cafe not far from the hospital, i could pick you up after my shift"
A soft sigh slips from your parted lips at that , "that could be in the next 3 years"
If you weren't talking over the phone you would've caught the lazy smirk that tugs at his lips and his gaze fall to the pebble ground as if he was a school boy, "well would you wait for me?"
And if he were with you he'd probably eel less embarrassed about it as he'd catch a similar smile tug at your own lips , "Yeah"
"Then i'll see you then"
He hangs up at that , slipping his phone back into the pocket of his scrubs before sauntering back inside, feeling a little less annoyed about being distracted by you.
xtra note : hope you guys enjoyed!! make sure to request any reccs you have so i can start building the pitt masterlist for you guys <3 love ya