Chapter Text
The first petals fell in front of Shinya's eyes, who blinked softly, tired. All his limbs ached as if he had been in an accident, but that was nothing new. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes in the process.
He had been asked to wait while his new doctor was called; he already knew the procedure by heart. In a few minutes he would see an older man, probably a department head, cross the threshold of the door and speak with him for a short time. He would then undergo some tests, stay in this hospital for a month at the most, and then be transferred to another hospital.
Why didn't they surrender? He had already more than assimilated that they wouldn't even be able to put a name to the symptoms, although at least that was a relief for his wallet, he wouldn't have to pay more than the bill.
His own comment made him let out a weak laugh. He wanted to fall asleep while trying to figure out what kind of doctor he would get this time. He had created a little system to categorize them by the way they treated patients. He had to have some fun.
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Guren was walking down the third floor hallway, his hands in his robes and his mind off to God knows where. He was anxious to go home, he swore that if he continued to take care of people for one more minute, he would end up being interned.
"Ichinose, I need to talk to you for a moment," that voice, he would recognize it even if he lost his hearing.
He took a deep breath as he turned on his heels to face his superior.
"Crowley, I've been on call for more hours than I'm getting paid for, what do you want now?" He sighed, dropping the respect he supposedly owed him.
"It's about... a new case," the grimace on his lips made the doctor frown.
In other words, the solution to the problem was far from simple, and it would probably be his responsibility to do it. Be talented and they will use you as much as they feel like it.
"What's this about?" He crossed his arms, waiting for an answer.
"He's a twenty-four year old boy, he's been to three hospitals already, but no one manages to find out what the problem is. Ferid wants you to take care of him, he's sure that if you're the one who treats him, at least we'll be able to find out what's wrong with him."
Guren was silent for a moment. He had to admit that he liked such people. Apart from the fact that he could gain more prestige by doing so, his professional side called him to commit himself to the impossible, to find a solution to the problem of desperate people. This time, however, exhaustion was whispering in his ear to go to his apartment to sleep.
"Just talk to him, okay? If you think you are qualified, accept, if not, Ferid and I will treat him. I'll give you a room to rest in instead of going home, how about that?"
Guren sighed, rubbing his temple. He would be lying incredibly well if he said he didn't feel at least a hint of curiosity.
"What room is it?" He could see the corners of his boss's mouth curl into a broad grin, and he walked over to pat him on the shoulder.
"The 406, his name is Shinya Hiragi. You have the report at the foot of the bed, good luck!" That was the last thing he said before he left, leaving a tired Guren standing in the middle of the corridor.
The black-haired man took another deep breath, turning on his heels to head for the elevator.
"I better like you, Shinya Hiragi, because 48 hours without proper rest and sleep is starting to affect my kindness," he murmured between his teeth and walked with quick steps.
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Someone was coming, Shinya had that feeling. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Some would call it intuition, he would simply say it was habit.
He fixed his eyes on the window, staring out at the treetops. They swayed violently in the wind that blew through the city that day. It was a good day to stay home and watch a series; he wondered if Mito and Goshi would do that.
The door opened after a few knocks, but Shinya didn't turn his head to look at the stranger, the butterfly on the edge of the window was more entertaining.
"Are you my new doctor? You're the fifth one to treat my case. Won't they give up yet? Even I'm getting tired of watching them martyr themselves."
Guren thought his voice was so soft and melodious that it could be compared to that of an angel when he sang. Oh, and how right he was. As soon as Shinya turned his head to look at him, the blue eyes met his own.
His hair was the color of purity, as white as the snow that covers the city at the beginning of December. The sea was insignificant compared to his eyes, how could someone who was hospitalized have such bright eyes? His eyelashes, the same color as his hair, caressed his cheeks, and his lips, slightly dry, bore a small smile.
Guren thought he was facing the reincarnation of the goddess of beauty. He had put his professionalism aside to lose himself in those enchanting eyes. He even ignored the tone in which he spoke to him.
"What's your name?" his patient spoke again, looking at him curiously.
"Guren, Guren Ichinose," he had to clear his throat to focus, moving a little closer to him, "yes, I'm your new doctor; no, we're not giving up yet," he gave him a smile that tried to comfort him, but he didn't see even a touch of hope on his face.
He closed the door to move toward the bed where the report was placed. He took it, beginning to quickly read the pages under the watchful eyes of his patient.
"It's kind of pointless for you to read that, it doesn't say anything interesting," he shrugged, settling down.
"It helps me to know what you don't have."
"Do you trust them to have tested well?" Purple orbs slid into blue ones.
"If I don't trust my coworkers, who am I going to trust?"
At that, Shinya laughed, "well... I guess that's one way of looking at it. Anyway, when do we start with the tests? I can't wait to see which hospital they send me to after this one.
Guren couldn't understand how someone in his situation could have such a mocking expression, treating his situation like a game.
"Don't you see me able to help you?"
"Dr. Ichinose, please don't misunderstand me, but after meeting hundreds of residents, attendings, department heads, and this being the fourth hospital I've visited, you'll understand... hope is the last thing I have left. I just want to get out and see if I can get through the rest of my life with peace of mind."
For some reason, his manner of speaking caused the doctor to stare at him for longer than necessary. His heart skipped a beat, was it the caffeine affecting his body or was it Shinya's personality?
He didn't know what to answer him, that was a detail Shinya noticed, so he took advantage of that silence to take a better look at him. His hair was slightly disheveled, indicating that he had been tending to patients for several hours. His eyes were a unique shade, he had never seen anyone with that color before, although of course the dark circles under his eyes stole the show.
He was attractive, very attractive. Shinya thought he was the kind of guy he'd like to run into at a bar, at midnight, with a couple of drinks in him, and end up having an impromptu date. Oh, how wonderful it would have been to meet him in a different context.
"Do you think the gown fits me? At least it's not snot green like the one at the other hospital. I have to admit that this one is much better, I can already imagine what the bill will cost me," his sudden comment made Guren blink, and come to.
"Well... it doesn't look bad on you. When you stand up, I'll give you a more detailed opinion, how about it?" He smiled as he heard his laugh.
Shinya had a beautiful laugh, Guren was beginning to wonder if there was something about him that wasn't incredibly divine.
"I think it's great. I trust the judgment of such a handsome man, although you look a bit young, how old are you?"
When thirty-two left the doctor's lips, Shinya's expression changed to one of horror, "then I take it back, you look older than you really are."
"Excuse me?" He let out a laugh, raising an eyebrow, "at least I'm in a hospital on a permanent form."
After listening to him, Shinya half-opened his lips with an indignant expression before bursting into laughter.
He's not used to laughing like that, or at least he can't laugh like he used to, was Guren's thought as his laugh was replaced by a raspy cough. He tried to sit up in bed so he could breathe normally.
A few minutes at his new patient's bedside had made him realize how different he was from the other people he had dealt with before. He was glad to have cheered him up, and his eyes lit up considerably when he heard the joke.
He moved to his side, sliding his palm along his back to soothe his cough, and managed to get him a glass of water.
"All right, Hiragi, enough chitchat, I'm going to call the lab to make your tests a priority. So while I'm getting some sleep, you're going to have a CT scan, blood work, and some MRIs. Is that okay with you, or is there something you want to tell me?"
"Don't call me Hiragi, I prefer Shinya," he replied and handed him the glass of water he had drunk, "that's all I have to say," he gave him a smile and slowly tried to get to his feet.
Guren surrounded his waist and helped him so that he could walk without difficulty.
"Can you give me priority in the lab? You're the first one to do it," he said curiously, looking at him sideways.
Guren had taken out his cell phone to text one of his female colleagues, asking her to come over immediately.
"We don't know what's wrong with you and your condition isn't good, I don't want to risk making you worse," he explained, putting the phone away, "so yes, I can do it, and I'll do it more times if I have to."
"Wow, that sounded really hot. I've never been treated with such importance before," he whistled flirtatiously, causing Guren to roll his eyes as they walked out into the hallway.
"You're unique, did they tell you that?"
"That depends on how you interpret the word," he laughed, raising his eyes to him, "but I'm flattered that you would say that, having had so many patients."
Before Guren could answer, a woman's voice calling his name caught his attention. He turned his head to see his friend, approaching them with the chair Guren had asked for so that Shinya could go more comfortably.
"Shinya, this is Sayuri Hanayori, she's an excellent doctor and friend, believe me, you'll be in good hands until I return. Whatever you feel or want to ask her, do it without embarrassment, but I can see that it's not a problem..."
Shinya laughed and took a seat, tilting his head to greet the girl.
"Sayuri, I'm going to sleep for a while. If anything happens, call me and I'll be with you in no time, okay?"
"Yes, chief, don't worry," she nodded exuberantly, "you can rest easy."
"Oh, and one more thing..." Sayuri knew he was about to ask her for a favor, "I'd like to focus on this, could you and Shigure take care of my other patients for the rest of the week? I'll talk to Crowley about assigning me overtime in return."
"Hey Guren, it's Tuesday, that's too cruel for them," Shinya hesitated, a smirk dancing on his lips.
Guren gave him one full of falsehood, kneeling down to be at his level, "You're going to give me a lot of trouble, aren't you?"
It wasn't even a question, he had said it with absolute certainty, making Shinya laugh again. It had been a long time since he had laughed so much in a single day, or even in such a short period of time.
"Maybe," he answered him as one who hums a tune. Guren sighed, shaking his head whlie he sat up.
"Is that okay with you then?"
"Yes, don't worry, leave it in our hands. Now go to sleep, you need it."
The black-haired man agreed, but stayed where he was until they turned the corner. It was then that he allowed himself to let out a long sigh and looked down at the report he held tightly in his hands.
"I guess a vacation after this doesn't sound so bad..." he whispered, making his way to the room where he usually slept on days like this while he called Crowley to discuss the situation.
To tell the truth, Guren had the feeling that the experience with his new patient was one of those that feels unique and it is impossible to find one like it, or even similar.