Chapter Text
It had been several weeks, and Rosa still felt no closer to the end of this case. Every new turn she took lead to a dead end and while usually it didn’t frustrate her to this degree she couldn’t help but feel a lot rode on this. Even the Beautiful Gladiolus that Dr. Richter had given her were looking sad and frustrated—she hadn’t changed the water nearly enough as she had been too busy. It was a shame that the petals were wilting and gathering around the bottom of the Vase. It was an on the nose metaphor for how she felt right now, wilting and gathered around the bottom of this case.
She was about to delve back into the pits of her notes, when her phone buzzed on the table next to her. It was Dr. Richter—almost as if he knew she was thinking about him. For a moment, she considered not answer; he would know she wasn’t sleep well pretty immediately, but her desire to be honest won out in the end. There wasn’t a point to hiding anything from her and she did want to speak to him. It had been a handful of Saturdays since they last had tea together and she….missed him very dearly. With a sigh, she tried to put on her cheeriest tone as she answered; knowing that it wouldn’t fool him in the slightest.
“Hello? Dr. Richter?” Rosa answered in the same polite tone she always used, but she could practically hear him frowning on the other end of the—oh no caught already. She couldn’t help but wonder if maybe on some level she wanted to be found out because she knew he would want to take care of her. Despite all of her good intentions—there were times where she was just a little bit selfish.
“Rosa,” There was a pause on the other end. “Are you feeling well?” He didn’t even bother to say hello much to her dismay; she really wasn’t good at hiding her lack of sleep and her emotional turmoil from him. “You have not been over working yourself, have you?” It was a rhetorical question, she could tell he didn’t need an answer. There was concern mixed with dissatisfaction in his voice. This is what she wanted to avoid by not contacting him as much lately—but she was a little relieved that she could have someone to talk to now. Even her boss had been mostly shut out while she worked—this was a case for her to do and she wanted to prove herself.
“No point in lying is there?” A soft laugh, one that wasn’t echoed from her...friend. “I may have been skipping a few hours, and focusing only on this case, yes.” A pause. “I’m sorry Dr. Richter.” For what she was apologizing for, she wasn’t sure but it seemed necessary. Maybe for his concern? Or all of the Tea time she had missed? Maybe the lack of calling and texting. Maybe for all of it. “It’s just...this case is very important for me, my client is very upset and I know she didn’t do it; but the further I dig the harder it is to piece everything together.” She knew she was right, but she was starting to doubt her capabilities—not a path she usually traveled mentally but it was just difficult.
There was a long silence on the other end, before Dr. Richter spoke up. “Perhaps, I could come and help you sort through your thoughts.” It was less of a question and more of a statement, he was inviting himself over as politely as he could, and Rosa wasn’t someone who would refuse company of her closest companion. She wasn’t sure when they had fallen into this sort of closeness, but there was nothing she minded less. Instead she hummed her approval, checking the time. It was only 3pm and she was already exhausted. Maybe a distraction would be for the best. They both hung up, and Rosa made for the bathroom to make herself look less exhausted.
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It was about a half an hour before Dr. Richter arrived with and odd assortment of things; Fresh Gladiolus, Madeleines and tea to brew. Rosa couldn’t stop herself from smiling just a little as she answered the door—though it was obvious she had fallen asleep and only woke as he tapped on the door. “I still have the last Gladiolus you brought me.” Rosa stood off to the side allowing him to enter and set his things on the kitchen counter—immediately turning to change out the water and flowers from the vase that sat on the counter near her things.
“I made the assumption that if you were not sleeping well you would not be changing out the water.” It wasn’t chastisement of any kind, it was a gentle plea to accept his help. “I also had hopes that fresh Flowers would temporarily brighten your mood so that you might be able to allow yourself rest.” Vyn had turned to Rosa, frowning ever so slightly—he didn’t like seeing her this way; tired and at the end of her rope, and to a degree he felt helpless. There was a number of things he could do for her clinically but he didn’t want to help her in such a sterile fashion, he wanted her to depend on him in a more intimate way but he also knew he couldn’t force it.
Vyn watched Rosa sit down and look at her notes again, her brow furrowing; she already looked close to forgetting he was here at all and normally he wouldn’t mind but that would defeat the purpose of his visit. He was here to soothe and distract. Swallowing his formalities and manners, he reached across the counter and rested his hand atop hers, which immediately on the page. “Rosa, please take a rest; you can not do much for your client if you work yourself past a reasonable limit and I am sure whoever they may be that they would agree.” His tone was soft, tender teetering on the edge of loving.
He was right of course, this was no way to do this. “I know you’re right but….” The but was the end of the sentence, there was no argument she could have back—especially not with his hand on hers...it was so warm. Not a callus to be found anywhere, her heart was racing. Perhaps for his sake, she could rest. Rosa relented, but left her hand under his. “Alright, you’re the Psychiatrist, you would know better.” Still she didn’t close her notebook, she didn’t want to lose his touch just yet.
“Thank you.” To Vyn, it was clear what she meant by not removing her hand. His heart flipped and he gave a light squeeze. He was a little glad he had won out against her insistence to keep going. A relief, he wouldn’t have to worry just yet—not more than he already was. “I brought Chamomile with me this time because it has relaxing properties and I also brought more of the madeleines we liked.” They had eaten those a month ago, but now they had been incorporated in several of their visits. Her wanted to do anything to bring Rosa comfort. “If after we take a break together,” He removed his hand to turn towards her cabinets to find a tea pot, “You feel you need to keep going I will talk through it with you. Sometimes a second mind can help one sort facts and emotions. Especially a third party with no prior opinions.” Vyn found what he was looking for and quickly filled the pot with water.
“That sounds good to me Dr. Richter…” Rosa closed her notes and pushed them off to the side, eyes turning towards the fresh Gladiolus in the pot. Yes her mood was already improving. “Thank you, for everything. I would like some help talking through this, there are a few things I’m a little hung up on, but for now we take a break.” Her gaze turned to Dr. Richter's back—the sunlight filtering in through the windows casting a halo glow around his silver hair. Every so often, she was reminded of how breath taking he was, not that she was willing to voice that to him—but he was. The glow of his hair, the tenderness of his voice, the deep pools of summer golden eyes. Ethereal wouldn’t be too far off, but that was a little embarrassing. Her eyes were growing heavy accompanied by thoughts of Doctors and Halos. She was far more tired than she realized, and now that work had been removed from her sight, her almost reckless schedule was catching up.
“I would like nothing more than to help you walk through your case, and perhaps you can have a full rest after.” Vyn gave all of his attention to the pot, not realizing Rosa has slumped and started dozing. It was several moments later when the tea was made that he turned around realizing she had fallen asleep on him. Vyn didn’t mind—in fact he was relieved, she must have needed the sleep if she napped with company. Another, deeper part of him felt pleased that he was deemed safe enough to sleep near. Setting the cups to the side, he walked around the counter and rested his jacket over her shoulders carefully, not wanting to disturb her. With a pat on her head, he wandered back to the sink—he would tidy up to keep himself occupied while she slept even if it took all night.