Chapter Text
The first thing Henry heard when he woke up was the cries of seagulls.
He slowly opened his eyes halfway and felt a cool breeze that almost lulled him back to sleep, but he fought it and dazedly studied his surroundings.
The room he was in was small and medical equipment was neatly organized around him.
Henry’s vision blurred suddenly, but he blinked it away to see he was hooked up to several IVs and a heart monitor that was steadily beeping. His left arm had a strange gray cast all the way down and when he tried to move his fingers he couldn’t manage it.
Slowly moving his head he suddenly saw a blonde woman leaning over him, examining him through pink glasses.
Henry tried to move his arms and legs but his body felt too heavy and he couldn’t move. His heart monitor was the only thing that responded and was soon beeping rapidly as he began hyperventilating.
”Easy, easy…” the woman said gently, holding up her gloved hands. “I am here to help. You are safe here.”
Henry closed his eyes and began to breathe steadily and focus on the seagulls calling.
”There you go,” the woman said with a little smile, carefully draping a blanket over him. “You’re going to be alright. Just rest now.”
Henry let out a long sigh and accepted the drowsiness that was coming over him, the gentle breeze finally lulling him to sleep.
Henry woke to something cold on his chest; he opened his eyes to see the woman leaning over him wearing a stethoscope.
”Almost done,” she murmured, drawing back a minute later. “Heart and lungs are good. You were gone for a bit when I found you but I was able to bring you back to life.”
Henry swallowed and tried not to cough.
”Who are you?” he rasped.
”Call me Dr. Vin. Yourself?”
”…Henry.”
He looked around the room again as she took his blood pressure.
”How did you find me?” he asked.
”I was in area,” Dr. Vin said. “Just happy I could help.”
Henry tried to move his fingers again; his left ones didn’t move but he managed to move his right hand.
”Good,” Dr. Vin said with a nod. “That is good sign.”
”How long have I been here?”
”A week,” Dr Vin said. “You needed rest.”
”Did you see an airship?” Henry asked, clenching his fist.
Dr. Vin sighed and narrowed her eyes.
”You had run-in with Toppat Clan, Да? I have encountered them before.”
“Were you…”
”Not a member,” she interrupted. “Your recovery is going well. Soon I will take you off liquid nutrients. Are you in pain?”
Henry shook his head.
”I can’t move my left arm,” he said.
”It is also healing fine,” Dr. Vin said. “You need time to get strength back. Rest for now.”
Henry frowned, but closed his eyes, trying to relax and keep his breathing steady.
”Where are we?”
”Far from Wall now, and in international waters, so don’t worry,” Dr. Vin said. “We are safe, I promise.”
”Thank you…” Henry sighed as he drifted off again.
He woke suddenly in the dark, a chill creeping through him. His heart was pounding and he was soaked in a cold sweat.
The boat was rocking gently and all he could hear was the rush of waves.
Glancing at himself he saw that he was only connected to one IV. He tried to wiggle his toes and felt them move slightly, but his legs felt weak.
There was a knock at the door.
”Henry?”
Dr. Vin quietly walked into the room with a tray that had a glass of water and a plate of toast. Henry’s stomach growled loudly.
”Are you alright?” she asked, putting the tray on the bed and getting his bed into a reclining position.
”I need to catch up with the airship,” Henry muttered.
”You’re still healing,” Dr. Vin said firmly, crossing her arms. “I am not holding you hostage, but you’re in no condition to leave. So until you have sufficiently recovered, you are going nowhere.”
”But…” Henry protested, staring at her. “I…”
”End of discussion,” Dr. Vin said firmly, shaking her head. “I cannot let you leave in good conscience. You would not survive.”
Henry looked down and ate the toast slowly.
”Is that…what you wanted?” Dr. Vin asked, furrowing her brow.
Henry shook his head.
”…I don’t know.”
”Henry.”
Dr. Vin put a hand gently on his shoulder.
”Something terrible happened to you,” she murmured. “You need time to heal, and going after Toppats will never give you that.”
Henry’s throat suddenly felt tight; he put the piece of toast down and took a sip of water.
”I will help you get where you’d like to go,” Dr. Vin said. “But only when you’ve fully recovered.”
Henry felt his eyes burning and didn’t say anything. He grit his teeth as pain started to seep back into his body. His heart monitor started beeping quickly.
”It’s time for your next dose of pain medication.”
Henry nodded stiffly, feeling a burning pain in his hand. Dr. Vin took the tray and set it aside, then put his bed into a reclining position.
”I will stay until you fall asleep if you like.”
Henry nodded and Dr. Vin sat down.
“I don’t know if I can help apart from treating physical injuries,” she sighed, “but I will do my best.”
Henry tried to say something but he began to feel drowsy as the pain slowly dulled.
”You will be alright,” Dr. Vin said gently, “and I will be here when you wake up.”