Hypocrites: Jekyll and Hyde x Reader

Behind the Facade

You stared him down, observing, gauging whether his words held any truth or lie. He held your gaze, unfazed by your appraisal. The silence was long and tense, neither of you willing to stand down lest you admit defeat. Your head spun trying to think of any possibility where what he said could be false. You searched and searched in his eyes but they stayed unwavering.

Clear hazel irises stared into your dulled (e/c) ones.

His attention was never welcome as you saw different emotions flicker in his eyes. Resistance, determination, stubbornness, frustration... guilt, and the all too familiar tiredness as his barely concealed eyebags rested behind his glasses. Your heart beat slowly but loudly from the discomfort his gaze made you feel until you both finally relented and looked away with defeated sighs. His resolve was strong but neither of you seemed intent on keeping your eyes locked on each other any longer.

In many ways, it was all futile. The silent stare downs and attempted observations were useless when you could never correctly read or understand each other. Without turning back to you Jekyll continued to insist, "I apologize for mine and the staff's shortcomings that you have to go through such confusion. But I assure you, it is only you and I in this room and your "killer" is nowhere in sight."

You turned to look at him, the first honest look he gave you. Reassuring, as if he was genuinely sure that man was anywhere but here. Averting your gaze, you nod quietly. "I also admit that I have been less..." you struggled to articulate and keep up with his way of speaking, "focused. The nurse didn't do really good jabbing me with whatever it was. And I was injured too no less!" Waving your bandaged hand, it was your turn to attempt a lighter mood. 

Cold fingers touched your arm again and you pinched yourself to assure you wouldn't pull it away. It slowly slid down to your wrist as it began to tug and unravel the bandaging on your palm. You looked at the hand then at him, switching between the two until you spoke up again, "Well now, don't ruin her work just 'cos of a joke," a small smile cracked onto your lips both from your own humor and increasing worry.

"We need to change the wraps regularly lest you get an infection," he explained flatly as he continued to unfurl it. Silently allowing the bloodied cloth to fall to the floor, your palm felt cold from being exposed suddenly. It still somewhat stung but you didn't seem to mind as an ointment was applied around the various cuts, soothing whatever ache it felt. After he'd securely bandaged it all, silence fell between you two again.

In a lighter mood, you pushed yourself to pipe up, "I... am sorry." Utter disbelief and bafflement faced you and it only worked to lower your courage. "About the attack, and the way I handled yesterday. I am aware how defensive I get and I also admit that I am an incredibly reckless person when I'm emotional," you rubbed your arm, to comfort and ground yourself. Glancing at him, Jekyll could only quietly listen to, what you could say, the most sincerest you will allow yourself to be. It was only proper behavior but even then you couldn't be too honest.

"Truthfully, I think my arm has so many holes because you prick me with needles twice a day," you lied as you looked straight at him. No shame, no guilt, this was all you would admit.

Jekyll looked at you with an expression that said you were utter bullshit.

He slowly reached for you and your eyes shut in preparation of a hit. With not even a single brush, you peeked to see he had pulled out his notebook and began writing. Turning quickly, you saw his bag rested behind you. You cursed yourself for reacting while he spoke to you, "For a moment I thought we were having a breakthrough and you weren't about to say the biggest load of crap."

Courage and the will to speak immediately deflated as you both returned to square one. As if the moment earlier never happened, you returned to your usual habits. You could laugh, you could genuinely laugh if only you were pulling his leg. He finally stood from where he sat on the floor, continuing to jot down his observations. as you rested your arms on the mattress, sighing in frustration. The lie was no way realistic or witty but you had hoped he'd let it slide.

"Profanities, dear doctor, I do not think that is any way to speak to your patients or a lady," you mocked him, attempting to console yourself with needless banter.

He paused as you said that, you were unaware of it all as you tried to conjure up another way out of the coming questions. Once you'd realized that even the scratching of his pen had gone quiet, you turned to look at the sullen doctor. You snapped your fingers, unnerved by the silence now.

This seemed to bring him back, he gave you an offended look as he easily pulled you to your feet. "T-thank you Ms. (L/n), but I do not need the advice. Much less from someone much more crass," he said under his breath but you were almost certain he intended for you to hear it.

Sighing in defeated frustration, you pulled your arm back and sat in your bed. Covering your face, you said, "I'm really in no mood to start another argument with you, doctor."

"I have no intention of the same," he looked at you, puzzled by your sudden comment.

"Then why do you insist on pushing all my buttons."

He rolled his eyes, "Have you ever considered I simply retaliate because of your actions? I only wish to help, if you insist on staying stubborn and indulging in the most base urges, you're only killing-" he was beginning to scold you and what you had wished to avoid was about to begin.

"JUST-" You nearly scream in frustration, pulling your hands away from your face in anger. You were tired, tired of his voice, his nagging, his energy to keep up with your bad behaviors. Tired of sudden emotional episodes, of both his and yours, just to revert back to senseless arguing. Stares and unamused expectation met your tired look. Taking in a breath, your hands were cool as they returned to your cheeks, soothing the red hue that colored your lifeless skin. "It is clear that I'm dying, if not half-dead," Jekyll attempted to refute but you gave him no chance to make a sound.

"I've been sick, and I'm still sick, not to mention dirt poor. I can't exactly afford medical care, even less so having vices, however way you think I could attain them," with furrowed brows, you kept eye contact with him as you spoke. "So no, doctor, I'm not consuming any stimulants to impede my recovery. At this rate, my body just... doesn't- can't get any better than this. I cannot imagine why," you turned away, hoping to hide your wince from lying. "Regardless, the only reason I agreed to these tests and your bloodletting is because of Lucy..." you trailed off. Turning back to Jekyll, he had grown silent again, simply listening to you ramble on. Sighing, you continue your monologue, "If it isn't obvious, I hold no trust in you, nor your ability to actually succeed in this experiment of yours. I am simply allowing you to treat me as your lab rat until you give up or I croak. I'd hope you at least respect me enough to believe me."

And silence. What you had wished for finally came yet you felt more uncomfortable now than you did when you two were arguing. You exhausted your word limit for the day. Not even a sound escaped your lips as you grumbled at both your inability to keep a consistent conversation.

Jekyll finally piped up, clearing his throat before he begun. "I trust you. If not any of your previous lies, this I will wholeheartedly believe," he spoke honestly, his eyes showed that. Slowly putting away his notebook, he began readjusting his clothes as he continued, "I also apologize, for my quick judgements and all too rude insinuations. Although it was a passing comment, it clearly struck a nerve with you and was, regardless, unnecessary."

He did not seek forgiveness but he apologized all the same. Finally fixing his hair, he let out a relieved sigh. You stared up at the doctor who now looked as if nothing had happened. No attack, no argument, no apologies, just the usual doctor doing his duties. Without awaiting your response, he left with a simple farewell and quietly shut the door.

You exhaled, an amused smirk resting on your lips. In comparison to his perfect appearance, your disheveled hair remained a tangled mess as your sheets and clothes matched in its creases. None would think you two were both dying in this room moments ago. You kept your thoughts to yourself but his sudden shift reaffirmed something. This man was a living facade. Vulnerability and weakness did not exist to that man's presentation of himself. This instance had only been by chance and you doubt it could ever happen again.

Sighing, you begin to count the days until you have to live with this walking hypocrite.

A/N

HSUSBAUS it's done. This went through a hard edit and fillers you can't believe. It's also I feel longer than my other chaps so hope you like it I'm so sorry for the delays 😭😭