rozenblitz | What a romantic adventure

[ Better ways, huh? ]

Hold it. Let's say I stop getting hurt all time... what better ways do you have in mind?

[ he looks extremely curious now, folding his arms loosely across his chest, waiting to hear what the doctor has to say. He's pretty sure that Aether didn't think that remark through at all, anyway, but time to find out! ]

I'm a very man when it comes to bargaining.

[But why does he have to bargain with his private life?]

...You do realize that I'm not in the hospital all the time, right?

[Because he's not, but he refuses to be more specific. Aether turns away, blush starting to creep on his cheeks.]

Anyway, that's not an option. So please, just take care of yourself. I'm sure there are people out there who worry about you, too.

[He hopes... No family has shown so far though, but surely there has to be someone?]

[ ... because Childe's bargaining with his own private life?? this is 100% fair. ]

Hmph, then why did you mention it in the first place? But whatever you say, Doc'.

[ fair, but not successful, apparently. if Childe notices the blush, he doesn't say anything, instead sighing heavily in disappointment before shriveling himself down into a lying position. putting his hands behind his head, he proceeds to stare up at the ceiling. This is going to be a long couple of... days? ]

... How long do I have be here again?

[ he says nothing about there being anyone to worry about him out there. it's not worth it when his job is actually vital to their survival, anyway. ]

Because... [The young doctor starts, then trails off, clearly unable to justify why he even mentioned it in the first place.] Y-you could run into me at the store or other normal places... you never know!

[He's going to pretend that he never meant anything else with it. Aether nervously runs a hand through his hair then looks down at his notes.]

...Two days at least.

[It sounds like it will be two long days for Childe.]

If you need anything, I'll tell the nurse to get it for you.

[ ugh. Childe makes an uh huh at Aether's attempt to cover himself but otherwise doesn't push it. Instead he sneers in clear disdain for the announced time frame. Unfortunately, he knows he can't do anything about it. ]

Great... [ so he doesn't even get to spend the two days with Aether, but he'll be stuck with nurses. Not surprising, but also very much not what Childe wants. Without looking at Aether, he immediately responds to needing something. ]

I need to call my boss. [ not his family or his friends to let them know... no, just his boss. ]

Also ... I don't want any visitors. If someone shows up asking for me, just kick them out. If they keep insisting, call the cops.

[The boss, huh? Aether gives the other a narrowed look, but worry is still overtaking it. Everything about this man is suspicious. No family ever showing up, no record about jobs, no reports on how he even got hurt in the first place.

...Maybe it really is for the best that they only ever meet in the hospital and yet the doctor can't help his own curiosity.]

I'll get you a phone so you can make a call... And I'll let the nurses know that you don't wish to see anyone.

[He notes something down, before sighing to himself. Aether then approaches his patient and gently presses a hand to his forehead. No fever and he seems to look well, despite the wound and the blood he lost.]

I get you some food and make sure you get a lot of rest, okay?

[ Childe is terribly stubborn and doesn't acknowledge Aether's replies to him—at least, not until he feels the doctor's gentle touch on his forehead. He knows the other is just checking his temperature and that's all, but he still seems slightly appeased by the gesture and Aether's words.

He speaks gently for the first time since they've been doctor and patient, sounding a little reluctant but overall resigned to the situation. ]

...All right. I will.

[Aether's touch lingers perhaps a little too long and there's a gentle smile forming on his face when he looks down on his patient. Childe really acts a little like a child - stubborn, but it's not impossible to convince him to be good.

The young doctor feels some kind of warmth over his heart, then blinks and somewhat awkwardly moves away. Again, he needs to remind himself not to get too involved with Childe. It's getting more and more difficult.]

I'll be right back with your meal.

[An excuse to leave and sort out your thoughts. Aether takes it right away.

Once he leaves the room a deep sigh escapes him. His heart is beating too fast.]

[ the smile he gives Aether is charming and grateful. ]

Thanks.

[ As soon as Aether is gone, though, Childe's mask cracks. He grimaces from the ache that has been burdening him but not as a result of his wounds. It's that godawful tug— and, yes, he knows exactly that it's the red strings gripping him tighter as he continues to deny them any acknowledgment even in his own mind when around that he is in the present if his soulmate. It's downright painful at times, but he's sure it's nothing compared to what would be felt if something happened to Aether because Childe was careless. How could this have happened? Of all the people, why couldn't it had been someone he didn't like? Someone who wasn't so innocent? Why did it have to be a gentle and nurturing individual that, from the looks of things, would be everything he could ever ask for and more? Someone to care about him, someone to hold and be held by, someone to cherish even in the most mundane and idle of times, someone that he could actually believe if they ever said they loved him.

Just... why?

He's not sure if Aether is aware of the connection, but he has an inkling that he does at least on some level. The doctor is incredibly kind and surely gives his patients the same loving care and attention... but not with that kind of smile that he just showed Childe.

Shit, this is bad. He's already well aware the other would never agree to seeing him like that because they're doctor and patient, but that doesn't mean anything beyond the two of them suffering without each other. It doesn't protect Aether, and Childe can't guarantee someone doesn't have information. There are people in the underground that specialize in analyzing the red strings to identify yours or someone else's soulmate. The Mafia uses them for two reasons: the first is so members are aware of who they are and what they look like to avoid meeting them; the second is to exploit that very information gathered on their enemies and use it against them. He's lost count of the different people he's killed that were targeted this way. The only way they were ever not used is if they had never met the one they were connected to.

Childe can't stay here. He knows this. They always search hospitals for the injured. If they have information on Aether and even see him somewhere in the building, things could going to get ugly fast. A frustrated growl escapes him, at a loss off the best way to damage control this situation before he rolls over to one side and curls up in fetal position. ]

[The further he gets away from Childe, the more he feels the mysterious tug at his heart. It's not a strong sensation, so Aether tries to reason with himself that he's only imagining it. "Soulmates" are things of myths and urban legends. He's studied medicine, he knows your soul can't be connect to someone else's, not when it comes to scientific evidence.

He puts a hand over his chest. There's still warmth there, stubborn and unwavering, trying to tell him that he should brush all rules aside and just be with the person that his heart has chosen. And then he smiles, trying to laugh it off.

It's not possible. He can't, he shouldn't, it's not appropriate.

He attempts to clear his mind and heads to the hospital kitchen, asking for the meal for his patient. Once he gets something, he makes his way back to Childe's room. He promised. That's the only reason he's doing it - he's a doctor, he promised, he needs to take care of someone who will be recovering for a while.

Aether opens the door.]

I'm back with your meal...

[And he trails off, taking faster steps closer to the bed. He then places the plate with food aside and looks the other over, surprised by the way he's curled.]

Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?

[ He tenses momentarily at hearing the other announce his return and the quickening of footsteps beoming louder with each step. Ah, he lost track of time &mdash? No, Childe honestly didn't think he would be coming back personally with food and he could shoo a nurse away pretty easily.

Inhaling sharply, Childe glances up to look at Aether, blinking before offering a bit of a forced smile. ]

Ah ha, no... sorry, it's not my injury. I just... got a really bad stomach cramp. Wasn't expecting it.

[ What a pathetic attempt at an excuse, but he doubts anything else is going to be much better , and he doesn't want to pretend it's his injury when it's really not.

Rolling back over onto his back as if to show the doctor he's really okay, he even scoots him up into a sitting position. No problems, see? Everything is good relatively speaking! ]

Didn't mean to worry you. Sooo.... what's on the menu ?

[Aether looks him over again, unsure what to make of this. He's pretty sure it's not cramps, but what else besides the injury could be making Childe hurt?]

...If it's cramps then it's good that I brought you some porridge.

[It may not be the most wonderful meal in the world but it's good for someone who's healing. There are even some fruit added to it.]

Since you're saying you're okay now, I guess I don't need to help you eat it.

[He laughs, hoping the joke will help make the atmosphere less tense.

...But then he realizes how inappropriate the joke was and he turn his head to the side, coughing a little. There's a blush on his cheeks.]

[ Childe blinks, a little surprised (admittedly delighted to hear it, even as a joke) but when he notices Aether look off to the side with a blush he chuckles gently, hoping to make the other feel like his joke wasn't taken the wrong way or viewed as a bad thing (because it's really not.) ]

Ah, and here I thought only nurses did that, looks like I messed up my opportunity. [ he sighs a little dramatically, but smiles again before glancing to the porridge especially so he can hope to give Aether a bit of time to recover himself if he needs it without Childe starting at him. ]

I can't remember the last time I ate something like porridge, actually. What do you think of the food here? Can I get my hopes up?

[It looks like the joke was taken well! Aether looks at Childe again, laughing softly at how dramatic he is about this.]

You really think it's a missed opportunity? I don't do that often so I would actually make a mess of it. Probably

[In fact he doesn't do that at all in the hospital, because Childe is right - only nurses do it. And yet, for some reason, he wouldn't mind helping Childe with the meal.

Another thing he would do for him, he realizes.]

The food... well, it's not a restaurant. The meals here are supposed to be nutritious first and foremost, as for the taste... [He makes a face like he's not sure what to answer.] I think they're a bit... bland.

What a romantic adventure

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