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Todd waited patiently as Varian unhide the books from their desk, he was hoping to get started on the next draft of the plans but also wanted some other story book he noticed in the library but wasn't able to grab due to guards patrolling. Varian was much more of the "stealthier" one between the two so he usually relied on him to do the scavenging while he looked out on guard.
He watches however as Varian tampers with the book covers, seeming to be rereading them in confusion and worry.
"Are you sure you grabbed the right ones I needed?" Todd asked, a bit humored by Varian's sudden worry.
"No- I- I swear i grabbed the right ones, I double checked to..." Varian said as he once again rereads the covers and checks the side binds for reassurance, but sadly it seemed he grabbed the wrong code number for the label. He turns to Todd in sorrow and guilt "I'm not sure… I mean I was sure but- I’m sorry"
oh maybe this isn't good Todd thought as he cut him off, "Hey, don't worry! It’s fine, we’ll find them" he tried to say reassuringly, he didn't want Varian to think he was actually upset or something, the job could wait later.
"-maybe" he said as he reached for Varian's glasses, seeing the amount of dust on them from the sunlight out the window. "You couldn’t just see the right books because of how dirty your glasses are or something" he attempts to joke, but simultaneously wipes the debris off with his uniform, they were very unkempt.
“We’ll just try again tonight-”
“Are you sure?” Varian cuts off- “Maybe it’s not too late to go back, I can always check if she’s still there-” Todd smiles at his rambling, he appreciates the effort dearly but..
“-she could be still asleep, that guard isn’t there to help for-” It Varian's turn to be cut off as Todd gives a small kiss to cut him short. “Like I said, we get it again tonight, we can always take a day off and do it tomorrow, we deserve it” he smiles, he really didn’t want to risk getting caught in daylight.
“You really need to start taking care of these though.” he says as he hands the glasses back, watching Varian look at them negatively. “I refuse, I don’t even need them that badly.” which was a lie.
=-=-=-=-=
Todd felt his sides starting to get sore from laying in the same position, it was rather inconvenient he could only lay on his left side to avoid his bruises and not crush his broken wing. To help this issue he resorts to laying himself up and laying against the wall in an attempt to somewhat move his body. He knew how much it was gonna affect him to not move his legs later on but that’s a problem for future him.
Todd shifted around till he was comfortable when he remembered the other night. Moving his hand up he looked to see how his wound was doing, he forgot about it after passing out again from that doctor’s last visit. He only remembered how firm they were with his wing, which was a horrible feeling that left him nauseous. Though it just got too much that he blacked out again.
He looked over at his hand, and to his surprise it was cleaned, white, and fresh compared to the other bandages on his body. Quite odd he had to say, but he was glad to see it was better, hopefully.
He took notice of the other new bandages though, his wings felt more tighter and constricted as he saw the red and the band around the top of his wing. He wasn’t going to bother testing it, he could still feel a blood pulse through the wound if he focused on it and would rather not disturb it more.
Suddenly Todd felt a presence, turning to see a man in the doorway. He was oddly just…staring. Todd wasn’t sure how to respond, he looked similar to the other doctor yesterday, was he one too?
The new figure realized he was caught as he quickly gave a cough as an excuse.
“Sorry, still wrapping my head around the situation-” he said giving a nervous laugh
“You may not remember me but I was the one who treated you when you first came, I believe you met with Dr. Whitlock yesterday. They told me they treated your wings but I'm the doctor who can treat your bodily wounds, do you mind if I took a look to see how they are healing so far? “
Oh… so he was one then. While Todd didn’t say anything to show refusal, he did show his defeat and acceptance by staying quiet, not giving hard glares or anything. And again, he’s not a fool to not realize he needs help, however reluctantly he may not want it. He felt as if he had no choice but to let the guy do his thing.
“I'll try to be as gentle as I can, and only do as much as you want me to at the moment.” the doctor said as he walked into the room, holding with him a heavy brown bag.
“Let’s get you in a more comfortable position for the examination, ok?
=-=-=-=-=
After getting settled on the bed Todd watched as the doctor took his time to unwrap his hand while sitting on his stool, and bit by bit he could see the fresh wound being revealed.
“We’ll start with your simpler wounds, just to see signs of infection”
He wasn’t expecting the white things on it, was that holding it closed? Maybe that was why it reopened that night, he thought; he must’ve stretched his hand too far against the wall to make it bleed like that. He took a mental note to try and be more aware of that.
It was not as deep as Todd thought it would be too, he remembers the knife vividly and was sure it was gonna cut his palm in half. “Well look at that, it's doing nicely, I was worried about how you were out there like that.” the doctor said, giving a soft smile. “Though I was told at the last checkup they found it reopened?”
Todd looked up to be greeted with a more serious but earnest look from the man, catching him off guard a little bit. “You need to tell us if that happens again please. We just wish to help you, I promise we won’t do harm.”
The doctor resumed looking closely at the hand but kept on speaking. “It can be hard to trust us right now and that’s okay, but please don’t be scared to ask to help.” Todd wasn’t sure how to react, nor how to reply. He just thought it was best to stay quiet, not that he had much of a choice. It was nice to know the truth of why it was cleaned though.
When they were done reviewing the Hand the Doctor quickly stood up, “Before we go any further though I’ll ask Nero if can get me clean water-” he smiled as he started making his way to the door. He caught notice of the plate of food that was hardly touched as he turned around.
He stood to look for only a second as he went on his way.
“I’ll be back, you wait here.”
=-=-=-=-=
After a couple hours of reviewing, cleaning and bandaging (as well the doctor doing mindless talking to himself to avoid silence), Todd was back in bed “comfortably” and waited. He wasn’t waiting for anything in particular but for time to pass. He couldn’t help but to think about what could be going on at home. He knew surely by now Solaris would be looking for him. at least he was hoping so. She would realize he was gone right? Surely…
It would be their session turn to practice right about now, which always ended up with her kicking his ass and forcing him to try again. It was a rough process of failing and trying until he learned her technique that she only demonstrated three times at the beginning of the session. Unless she was feeling gracious she’d yell tips for him to try. As much as he hated it sometimes, he really wished he was there right now, rather than in this bed and not being able to even use his own wings.
Footsteps were creaking on the floor, which became a new sign for Todd that people were coming. He could sometimes hear the talking that was downstairs if they spoke loud enough, but the floor where he was was specific sounding from the wood’s imperfections.
He didn’t want to deal with them, he didn’t have the energy to. So instead he opted to just stay still, stay looking towards the wall. When he heard the person mumble “my bad” he immediately knew it was the shorter women he saw yesterday. She seemed rather… more relaxed.
He heard the sounds of her walking close but stopping suddenly, then a series of clanks and clinks before she walked away, the fading footsteps and creaks telling him she went downstairs.
He was sure she did something with the plate of food, maybe swapped it or something but he wasn’t bothered with it, he wasn’t hungry.
=-=-=-=-=
“He’s not eating still.” Aria said while she went to sit on the stairs, watching as Nero did the dishes and Rosimar welcomed herself into the room.
“Yea, probably.” Nero replied, a hint of sarcasm hidden into it. “The doctor said he expected it and shouldn’t try to force him, so what can we do?”
Aria sighs, “I’m just worried, he’s not really looking great and his wounds won’t heal right like this… I don’t think he’ll let us that close enough to help him.”
Nero knew his sister was caring, too caring sometimes though. He looked to see her look more defeated that there was only so much they could do for the guy.
“... I’ll take him the rest of the meal.” he smiled.
=-=-=-=-=
The rest of the meal really was just the garlic bread he made to go with the spaghetti, setting the smaller plate beside the bigger plate of spaghetti Aria swapped for the last meal with the rice and chicken. It wasn’t even touched so Nero just decided to save it for later for leftovers. He took a look at the man though.
He could tell he was awake.
“You know at the rate you're going with your wounds and all, you're only killing yourself being malnourished like this, your body is gonna give up on you.”
Todd stayed quiet.
Nero wasn’t really sure if this was the right approach, but he was good at being blunt. He would rather get a harsh truth than some pity words, and he thought that’s what the guy needed. He can’t be like this forever.
“I’ll get you some more water, but try to stomach something down please.” Nero said as he started to leave the room. “We’ll check on you soon to see if you need anything.”.
And with that he was gone, leaving Todd to himself. He wouldn’t lie, he was slightly annoyed at the man’s comment. He could take care of himself, he just didn’t feel like eating.
But as the hours passed and taking multiple naps to pass the time, when the true feeling of drowsiness started to hit him it was harder to pass out than he thought it would. Not much in his favour for when he wasn’t asleep he was thinking. But there was just too much for Todd to think about that he would rather not. Like firstly where the hell was he, why was he here, how is he gonna get out?
But as he looked at the empty space beside him it always led back to Varian.
There were so many questions but the major one was simply: why would he do that?
Him.
Out of all people.
Why did he look so malicious?
Why was it towards him?
Slowly Todd slipped to sleep, feeling alone, isolated. Lost.
He didn’t like being awake.
=-=-=-=-=
Todd was awake again, seeing the world around him blank but it was home. Though he was focused on himself as he glanced to see something on his hand. He swore he felt something there.
Feeling something homely and familiar he turned to see him, a weird wave of relief washed over him as he greeted his love by his nickname. He didn't’ pay mind to it though as he continued forward to meet with him, he surely had a lot to say. They just got what they’ve wanted: a chance. With Varian with the higher ups this could be their chance to get their dream..
“Where have you been, V? I haven’t heard from you yet with the progress, did it go well? Did we do it? “ Todd asks eagerly, only to be replied with silence.
Todd slows down a little bit, a bit wary of how.. stiff Varian is acting.
He doesn’t realize his wings were unfurled which caught him off guard as he looks at them, he doesn’t remember letting them out…?
He turned back to Varian, seeing a whole new scene, Varain dressed in the Royal attire-
And that person, from the other day.
“Varian?” Todd asked a bit more bluntly but with urgency, he’s seeing how the person is bleeding out on the ground, he needs help.
“Hey. What is this-”
Todd had no time to react as he felt himself being suddenly dragged down, slamming into the ground and being held down somehow. It was hard, rocky, he felt his chest and arms sting and dripping with blood, the right side of his face burning. He looked up to finally see Varian.
He couldn’t see the hands that were holding him down or none of the faces or bodies they belonged to.
But he could see Varian.
He could see his eyes.
His anger.
His sheer look of distaste and disgust,
But also murder.
He wanted him dead.
and he proved it as he saw him step closer, keeping direct eye contact as he used his foot to press down on Todd's throat, increasing the pressure and the pain.
Todd put in efforts to struggle but it was worthless as he felt he was sinking deep, but the pressure never let up, He couldn’t breath, it hurt.
Why wont it let up.
Why was he doing this?
What did-
=-=-=-=-=
Todd inhaled a breath when he jolted awake as if his life depended on it. He couldn’t breath like this though, hastily trying to get up while putting his hand on his throat, making sure nothing was really there.
“What the hell was that.” he thought to himself, trying without success to catch his breath. He felt as if the world was crushing him, he could feel himself starting to get nauseous,
He started to hear the creaking again, meaning someone was coming.
He didn’t want that. He wanted to leave.
The creaks started to speed up, making Todd’s mind rush at the sudden pace. He needed to leave.
He quickly sat himself upright, getting to the edge of the bed, a bad move when his vision absolutely 180, making him dizzy as he tried to regain himself. He just couldn’t focus, it just wouldn’t.
Just LEAVE.
He felt himself starting to lose his breath again, stronger than last time somehow. What was happening, why is this hurting.
Todd leaned over to try to focus, to get out of here, to do anything. /Anything/ but this.
JUST MOVE.
With his attempt to stand he only fell, he couldn’t. He simply couldn’t. They were coming, he could only stop one. They’re going to get-++
The familiar creak of the door made Todd freeze, immediately pushing himself up to face whatever was next, leaning against the bed for support.
He wasn’t expecting a large
cat???
It seemed the feeling was mutual as the brown kitty immediately hissed at the intruder, angry that they were here in her spot without any notice to her.
Her anger quickly subsided as she saw the plate on the nightstand, ignoring the man on the ground to go do what she needed.
Todd huffed in confusion, what the hell-
Finally taking a look at his surroundings, he saw the room in the dark light, the mirror, the boxes, the big plant thing.
He was here.
He quickly realized the situation, it was just some nightmare.
Todd sighed in relief mixed with shame- He wasn’t even the one who- what the hell.
He looked over to see the cat again, hovering over the plate helping itself to something, when it realized Todd was staring at her she quickly took what she wanted and jumped down, walking away with a trot.
“…it wanted food?” Todd thought as he looked back to the plates, he realized the water was refilled as that guy said.
That guy…
Maybe he overreacted because of hunger?
Or was that guy right about his body..
Todd silently considered his options while considering what he just experienced.
Damn it.
If..
If an animal eats it, then surely it’s okay…