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Two Time groans as they attempt to turn in bed. Fingers twitching as they bring their hand up and hold their head, wrapped up in bandages and covered in a blanket, they can’t fully recall ever being here.
They turn their head slightly, ignoring the sudden jolt of pain in their neck as they see a glass of water on the bedside table. A small vase of pretty purple flowers they’ve never seen before, along with a few accessories they tend to wear scattered across the table.
The door opens and one of their group’s healers comes through, one they’ve never seen before, though it’s easy to distinguish him with the small spawn symbol with wings adorning their shirt.
Two Time attempts to say a simple ‘hello’ before whimpering at the pain in their head. The healer notices and gasps, swiftly approaching their bed.
“Don’t move too much now,” he says. A voice so sweet and soft Two Time can almost melt at the sudden tone. “Lay down for me will you? You need to get your rest in.”
They try to listen, closing their eyes as the healer runs his hands through their messy hair, humming a tune they’ve heard on the shows their group aired for children. A soothing sound that makes their eyes lids feel heavy, but it’s ruined as the door opens, heavy footsteps approaching their bed. The soft hand petting their head leaves and Two Time’s nose twitches in annoyance at the disruption.
“Are they alright?” Two Time recognizes the voice of their teacher, Amarah. “I didn’t expect a fall like that to put them out for this long.”
There’s a short silence, though Two Time keeps their eyes closed and breathing steady to pretend to be asleep. Anything to not have to talk to their mentor while dealing with a burning headache.
“They came in very banged up Amarah, you need to give them some rest.”
“It’s not normal for anyone to still be under.” Amarah’s tone grows impatient, wooden floor boards creaking underneath as he shifts around. “My student is a top priority, why is that our amazing doctor has assigned his little student to take care of someone of such importance? It’s clear you’re not as capable as he thinks you are.”
Two Time’s fingers still suddenly, fist clenching in anger. They were about to open their eyes and hopefully save this kind person from Amarah’s unnecessary wrath, before said person kindly held their hand with both of his own. Gently clasping them, before they realize he were preventing Amarah from realizing they were awake. Their hand relaxes in his warmth, something they haven’t experienced in a while.
“You shouldn’t be so touchy with my student.”
“I’m the one who’s in charge here, I was specifically assigned to take care of them, Amarah.” He hisses out his name as though it were a sin to speak of it. “I will be as touchy as I want to make sure they’re in proper shape and care. If you so desire to have a word with my teacher who gave me this task, then I ask you to kindly leave and find him.”
Another uncomfortable silence, Two Time feels his hands shake around their own, gently rubbing a thumb over the palm of his hand to help calm him down. They’re met with a soft squeeze.
“Fine, but don’t think because you’re a nurse now gives you any authority to speak to me that way.” Amarah turns and walks away, “I’ll be sure to have them assign a different person to care for them for any future injuries.”
The door shuts silently, as surprising as it is for someone as quick to anger as Amarah, he seemingly still has enough brains to not slam a door in the infirmary.
Two Time opens their eyes, quickly looking over at the healer who has tears streaming down his face. Despite the pain in their head, and neck, and arm…and back, they take their hand back and sit up. Turning to face their specially assigned nurse sitting in a chair next to them.
“You should lay back down,” he sniffles out. “You’re still in pain no?”
Two Time extends their hand to them, attempting to give him the same comfort that was given to them. Wiping away his tears, it seems as though he finally realized he was crying. Quickly, yet gently, pushing Two Time away as he wiped his face with his sleeve.
“I apologize…this is quite unprofessional of me-“
“Thank you.” Their voice is a bit raspy, but their eyes soften as the nurse looks up at them surprised. “I’m grateful for your help, truly.” They fix their posture, leaning in a bit to get closer to their nurse who places his hand on their chest to stop them from falling over. “If I had known he would make you cry, I would’ve woken up right then and there.”
“Well, to be fair I hadn’t expected it either.” He doesn’t remove his hand, Two Time can’t help but relish in his touch. “My own teacher tells me about how hardheaded and annoying he is. I figured it was better for me to take his anger than you.” He removes his hand, moving it over to their shoulder before gently pushing back. “I am serious about you resting, so please lay down for me.”
“Can I have some water first?” He doesn’t say anything, just grabs their glass and helps them with drinking. Putting their hand under their chin seemed a little unnecessary, but Two Time enjoyed the care.
Truthfully, they would’ve grabbed the glass themself, but they wanted to be helped. And they knew he wouldn’t deny them.
“May I have your name?” They lay back on their pillow, “feel like that’s important if I’m yours.”
He blushes, Two Time doesn’t know why exactly.
“It’s Azure…” he pulls his braids and tries to readjust his hair to cover his face. “Azurewrath, but Azure is preferred.”
“Thank you Azure. Are you feeling sick too? I hope you haven’t been neglecting your health for my own.”
“No! Perfectly fine, just a bit embarrassed.” Azure pats down his apron, “I’ll be back soon, I need to check in and see if Amarah actually tried to say something.”
He gets up, Two Time can’t recall ever seeing him before. Neither his face nor the back of his head look familiar. Before closing the door, he looks back up at Two Time who quickly shifts their gaze away.
“Please, I’m very serious when I say get some rest. It makes me worry.”
He closes the door, soft steps going down the hall that they listen to intently, they strain their ears further until there’s nothing left to hear.
Two Time closes their eyes again, hoping to get in a quick nap and pray that their headache disappears by the time they wake up again.
That, and they surely don’t want to make their nurse worry anymore.
⊹ ࣪ ˖
By the time they wake up again, the room is illuminated by a dimly lit lantern. The sky outside is dark, littered with the same stars that have been there since birth, oh how lovely it would be to see a different sky.
Two Time’s headache is gone, there’s still a numbing pain on their side but overall they feel much better than before. But why are the lights on…ah.
Azure.
The lantern sits idle on the desk, a low light that’s being covered by some books to turn away any light that might’ve woken up Two Time. Azure sits on a chair, head down and presumably asleep. That position would be terrible for his back.
Two Time gets out of bed, pushing the sheets to the side and walking over to Azure. They stop and sway for a moment, having moved too suddenly. When was the last time they ate? They haven’t got a clue, they don’t even remember how long they were out.
Like a creep, they hover over Azure as the latter softly snores. A pen has fallen from his hand, a half empty glass of water and a few slices of apples off to the side. Hastily, they grab an apple slice, chewing quietly to not awaken the tired nurse.
Well, it wouldn’t have mattered, as Two Time wraps their arm around Azure’s waist and under his knees, lifting him up slowly. The chair makes a harsh noise as it slides across the floor, they cringe and look down at Azure who was still sound asleep. Damn, heavy sleeper. Walking over to the infirmary bed, they put Azure down, putting him on the side closer to the wall before tucking him in. Azure brings his hands closer to his face, curling up. Two Time would be lying if they said that wasn’t cute.
Leaving their nurse in bed they sneak out to the kitchen, passing by other rooms with patients of different conditions. It should be frowned upon to steal food from an infirmary, but they’re a hungry patient. Perhaps they’ll let it slide?
Of course there’s no real snacks. Two Time remembers seeing things such as ‘chips’ when they were younger, given to them and other children by an older member who came back to their compound after trying to recruit members from the town nearby. They tasted weird, nothing like the things grown in their group’s garden. Still though, they find themselves thinking about it from time to time. How convenient it would be to still have those.
Well they do, and Two Time’s aware they have much more ‘outside’ food hidden around. Those items are held onto by the group leaders and elders however, and there’s no point spending so much energy sneaking into their main building just to grab something like that. Again. Pizza is something they would like to try again.
The most they grab are a couple oranges and a few napkins before making their way back to their room. Azure is still sound asleep.
Two Time takes this opportunity to sit where Azure sat, eating their oranges and Azure’s apples as they skimmed through the papers Azure was working on. Nothing much, but Two Time does learn about what happened.
They fell. And pretty fucking hard too. Apparently on a hunting trip with Amarah they got attacked by a cougar. Typically those animals don’t come near humans, but they and their mentor had gotten much too close to her and her cubs, causing her to become quickly aggressive and jump on them. It was just bad luck, Two Time was too close to the edge of the trail they were on and slipped when she had appeared. Falling down a small slope, but hitting their head hard on the way down.
That’s basically the jist of it, Amarah’s report only indicating Two Time getting hurt and having to drag them back to their compound over the course of a few hours. They smile at that, no matter how rude and cold Amarah can be, he always seems to be very caring when nobody’s around to actually see it.
That and maybe Amarah thinks that since he’s put so much into training Two Time, that falling down ten feet and hitting their head is a lame way to die, and not worthy of respawning.
That's most definitely the correct answer.
They finish up their fruit and wipe their hands. Finding another paper that was written by Azure, and another one with a bunch of doodles.
Art is something Two Time has done a lot of, but only when they were younger. Most of it involved various animals, or simply being asked to paint the spawn symbol and then write about how great the spawn is underneath.
Yet, Azure’s little doodles are cute. They mostly consist of flowers, and some weird little…humanoid baby things…They look like people with big heads and eyes, all pretty cute. Two Time can’t judge, the best they can do is a couple stick figures.
There’s a flower drawn over and over again, different angles and different compositions. Seems like that’s Azure’s favorite flower, seems so familiar. Oh wait!
Two Time turns back, bringing the paper up and looking between the two.
It’s the same flower on the nightstand. How nice, seems like Azure likes to decorate his patient’s room a little. Maybe to feel more homely?
They put the doodles on the side, eyeing the next file. It’s mainly Azure’s report on them. Yikes, have they really been out for two days?
No broken bones, no deep wounds, just an unlucky fall.
Looking through the rest, there’s nothing much of interest. Though there is a mention that Azure had to change Two Time into their patient clothing when they came in, it was a bit embarrassing for someone so cute to see them naked. But not much to worry, Azure has probably had to change tons of clothes.
They turn the lantern down, putting the papers back neatly and in order. Walking to their bed, they get in slowly despite knowing Azure wouldn’t wake to it. Just trying to be cautious!
What they do next is a bit bold, lifting the covers as they cover themself. Scooting closer to Azure and brushing his hair away from his face.
Yes, very cute indeed.
⊹ ࣪ ˖
“Azure, sleeping in a patient’s bed is incredibly unprofessional and dangerous.”
“…Huh?”
Azure gets up, rubbing his eyes before looking around. He’s met with a very strange sight.
Two Time has already woken up, in fact being the one to shake Azure awake in the first place. They face him, a bit of pink on their cheeks as they give him a soft smile.
He’s on the bed, against his patient and the window.
Azure freaks out.
“I’m-I’m so terribly sorry!” He crawls over Two Time and almost face plants on the floor before being grabbed by the back of his uniform like a mother cat holding her kitten. He grabs the night stand and stands up straight, putting his hands together and lowering his head. “Please forgive me! I must’ve been so tired I slept in your bed oh please forgive me! I had no intentions to do so I’m so sorry!”
The head doctor lets out a sigh, “There’s no excuse Azure. First, a problem with Amarah and now his student.”
“Oh it’s fine.” Two Time speaks up. “Lift your head my friend, no need for an apology.” Azure looks up, big eyes that make them blush a bit more. “It was me who put him in bed, he dozed off at his desk and I didn’t want him to wake up with a sore back.”
”Ah-you did? Why would you-“
“Silence now.” The doctor, Azure’s teacher, commands. “I’ll have a more stern talk with you later, though I’d appreciate it if you went to bed instead of working late into the night. This cannot keep happening.” He takes his leave, stopping at the door for a quick second. “Please tend to your other patients, try not to focus on this one too much.”
“Yes doctor…”
“And Two Time, Amarah expects you to be out by today. Whether you’re fully recovered or not.“ he puts his hand up as an apology, “sorry, but that man can’t stand being told no.”
He closes the door, leaving the two alone for a few seconds before Azure takes a few steps back.
“Truly, I apologize for sleeping in your room.” He sighs. “It’s true, I overwork too much…”
“You don’t need to apologize, really. I appreciate the effort you took to help me.” Two Time fidgets with the blanket. “I should be the one to apologize, I did make you sleep in the bed with me.”
Azure lowers his head again, face obscured by his hair. Two Time looks away, embarrassed.
“I…quite enjoyed it actually. It was the best sleep I’ve had in a while.” Azure turns away, hand on the door handle. “I must care for my other patients now, but I’ll be back with your breakfast and then we’ll get you out.”
He leaves.
Two Time hardly ever goes to the infirmary, so they never realized the nurses wore those long dresses.
It suits Azure.
⊹ ࣪ ˖
Breakfast is simple, Azure hands them a plate of toast and eggs, fresh vegetables on the side along with apples and grapes.
“Sorry sorry, I usually try and get some oranges but we seemed to be running…low…” Azure returns to the desk, picking up the plate with two neatly opened orange peels. “Oh, never mind then.”
He leaves again, the door is left slightly ajar as he fails to close it.
They don’t pay any mind to it, not believing anyone would just roam in. Though they do watch Azure go into another room adjacent to Two Time’s.
He comes out, a small boy in tow with an arm in a cast. Poor kid. His assumed mother stands next to him, patting his hair while speaking to Azure.
Azure kneels down, petting the kid on his head as he giggles.
“Try not to do anything like that again, ok? If you do, you won’t be able to play with the others until you heal again. Don’t want that, do you?”
“No sir!” He smiles cheekily, contagious enough to make Two Time smile as well. “I’ll make sure to be more careful next time. You promise to play with us next time?”
Azure giggles, Two Time thinks he sounds heavenly. “I promise I’ll join you and your friends next time. Here.” He extends his pinky out, the kid doing the same. “Pinky promise.”
The kid laughs and nods along, his mother smiling.
“Now, what do we say?”
“Thank you Mr. Azure for helping me get better!” Azure stands up, the child’s mother patting him on the shoulder. “Oh! And thank you Spawn for a swift recovery!” He puts his hands together and prays, both Azure and the mother doing the same before they walk down the hallway.
Two Time is now left, truly alone as the hallway becomes empty. Playing with the vegetables on their plate, already full and dreading having to leave with Amarah.
Huh? That’s strange, Two Time is normally so excited to learn with their teacher…so why?
The answer appears before them, Azure with a file in one hand as he closes the door.
“Finished?”
“Yes.” He takes his tray away, putting it on the desk. “May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.” He writes something down, Two Time doesn’t pry.
“I’ve lived here all my life and have never met you, did you join recently?”
Azure stops writing, looking over at them. They maintain eye contact for a brief period before looking away.
“I joined…four…maybe five years ago?” He closes his eyes, contemplating for just a moment. “Yes, five years ago. I had just turned eighteen and had visited the town nearby.”
He continues writing, Two Time doesn’t say much anymore, but Azure begins again.
“I was very lost at that time, I had left my parents as we had very different ideas for my future. I wanted to explore, and they wanted me to become a doctor just like them.” He taps his pen hard, as if angry. “At the end, I became what they wanted me to be…”
“You sound upset.”
Azure glares at them from the corner of his eyes, before they soften.
“My parents won’t see me get to help people, isn’t that a shame?”
Azure is, respectfully, upset at their question. They scratch their neck awkwardly.
“I see, apologies. I’m sure they’d be happy if they had the opportunity to see all the people you’ve helped.” Two Time threw their legs over the bed. “I, for one, am very pleased with your help. I feel much better than even before I got injured.”
Azure shifts in his seat, doing what he had done the day before and moving his hair to cover his face.
“Thank you, though I really didn’t do much.”
“Your teacher said you focused on me more, is that true?”
“You-“ Shuffling again, this time with his back to them. “I feel as though you try to embarrass me on purpose!” Two Time laughs, genuine for the first time in a long while. It feels nice.
“Well, is it?” Azure groans as they push further. “I am very curious.”
“I did nothing more than change your clothes, clean your wounds, and watch over you. Just as any nurse should!”
The nurse taps his foot on the floor, impatient and nervous. Embarrassed? Either way, Two Time is studying his every move.
No one has ever been so interesting to them.
There’s a knock at the door and Two Time’s smile fades. Azure puts his work down and opens it for the guest.
Amarah.
“I assume you’re doing better?” No introductions or any worry, just straight to the point as he walks up to them. “I need to do a few things that I require your help with.”
“I’m doing much better.” They get up, still in their gown. “Though I do ask if I can head to the bathhouse first?”
“Go ahead, I’ll meet you by my cabin afterwards.” He goes to leave, “don’t take long now. Just got you back.”
And like that gone.
Azure stands there, not caring for the fact Amarah disregarded his entire existence.
Two Time approaches them, reveling in the height difference between the two. Azure’s head reaches the bottom of Two Time’s chin, forcing him to look up at the taller as they get closer.
Azure doesn’t know what he expects, and frankly Two Time isn’t aware of what they’re doing either. But they grab Azure’s hand and kneel down, kissing the top of his hand. It twitches in their grasp in shock, but Azure doesn’t move away.
They look up at him, eyes locking as Azure locks down at them, face fully red as he tries to figure out what happened. Two Time takes advantage of their surprise and gets up, pushing Azure’s hair behind his long pointy ears, then smiles.
“When I was younger, I once saw a prince kiss a princess on her hand as thanks.” Azure’s mouth opens to say something, but nothing comes out. “I’m aware we’re not royalty, but I felt it was appropriate for someone as lovely as you.”
They walk away, trying to ignore their own face heating up. They don’t turn around once halfway out the door, instead looking down the hall and at the exit door.
“They got married at the end, hopefully that’ll be us.”
They rush down the hall, bare feet against the wooden floor boards. There’s a set of footsteps rapidly coming up from behind them. Maybe they can make it out before-
Azure grabs their arm, despite his fast pace it’s still gentle enough that Two Time only registered it because Azure proceeded to yank him around with a strength they did not expect from someone like him.
“You-!” Azure shakes his head around, no longer hiding his blushing face, forcing himself up on the tips of his toes to get face to face with Two Time.
Two Time is very happy to have Azure so close.
“That is not how you ask someone on a date!”