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“I CANNOT believe I agreed to this” Rocket groaned. “What was I thinking?! I don’t even get sick all that often!”
Rocket took off his jacket in preparation for the shot. While he continued to grumble about the situation, Medkit began gathering all the required medical instruments needed for the procedure as he ignored the boy’s many complaints.
The two were in the clinic for a flu shot. Well, just Rocket now, since Medkit already got his vaccine days prior. He always came prepared. Rocket, however, needed a lot of convincing. While having Medkit as his partner has been nothing but a dream come true for him, the only thing that drove the rocketeer up the walls was how health conscious the medic was. It drove Rocket crazy how Medkit would constantly remind him to eat breakfast, drink water, or wash his hands. He couldn’t get too mad though, in the end Rocket knew it was because Medkit cared for him and wanted him to live healthier.
Medkit advised his boyfriend to start getting his flu shots annually. Not only was Medkit more vulnerable due to his line of work, but now that the two lived in one of the busiest areas of Crossroads, they were more at risk of getting sick due to the many passerbys visiting from the surrounding factions. It didn’t help that working with all sorts of people was a crucial part of both of their jobs. Despite Rocket’s grumblings though, he did agree it would be best for him to start taking his shots annually. The last thing he wanted was to serve at the Weapons shop sick, or even worse, infect potential customers. The last time Rocket fell ill, he was bed-bound and poor Medkit had to work overtime just to make sure his boyfriend recovered fast and comfortably.
“Do we even HAVE to do it here?”
“You know all the equipment I need is in the clinic”
“Yeaaaah, but c’mon! Couldn’t you have just taken them home or something? This whole thing would’ve been less scary for me!”
“Scary?”
This was news to Medkit. Rocket didn’t seem like the type of person to be afraid of needles, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense as to why getting his needles done took a lot of convincing.
Rocket realized his blunder too late and attempted to backpedal his statement, realizing he still had a tough guy appearance to maintain. “I mean- Tedious!”
Medkit laughs at his boyfriend’s poor attempt to cover up his tracks. “Aren’t you 22, Rocket?”
“Y-yeah?! And???”
“Most Inphernals your age would have outgrown the fear of needles by now” The medic teased.
“Wha-! Hey! I’m not afraid of them!”
“Good. So this should be quick” Medkit readies the needle but was interrupted by a very nervous Rocket before he could do anything else.
“H-Hey! Wait- Hold on!”
This was going to be more challenging than the doctor thought, but he worried that there was something else that his boyfriend wasn’t telling him. “What’s the matter, Rocket?”
Rocket turns away and huffs. “Maybe you’re right in the fact that I don’t… Actually like needles” he confessed.
“I figured” Medkit sighed knowingly. “But there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“It’s just- they’re so- I hate how- Aagh!” Rocket struggled to get his words out and it almost angered him to tears. He could feel the corners of his eyes well up from being overwhelmed. He wanted to cry, but he couldn’t. Not in front of his boyfriend. He had an image to maintain!
Medkit didn’t realize how overwhelming the procedure was for him, and so set everything aside for the time being.
“You don’t have to explain anything to me, love” Medkit reassured. He could sense how stressed the rocketeer was and so places a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. Rocket can only give him a nervous smile in response. He was too focused on trying not to break down.
“Take your time. I don’t mean to rush you at all” Medkit whispered. He brushes a hand against Rocket’s cheek, making sure the Inphernal felt loved and reassured. Rocket loved feeling his warmth and his touch, and it almost made him feel better. He finally lets his tears flow and wipes them with the back of his hand. Almost instantly, Medkit offers him tissues.
“I didn’t know you were such a softie, Medkit” Rocket laughed. He took some tissues and wiped his eyes. He then looks up at his boyfriend and was greeted by gentle teal eyes meeting his own. He blushed upon eye contact, his heart now beating for the doctor instead of fear. Medkit always had a calming effect on him. Rocket didn’t know how he did it, but it helped that he found the medic’s voice and touch soothing.
“Hey, Medkit…?” Rocket sniffled.
“Yes, love?”
“When you…Stab me… Can you do it when I’m not looking?”
“Of course, Rocket. I can do that” Medkit nodded. He poured some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and swabs Rocket’s arm in preparation.
“And when we’re done, can you give me a-”
Before the boy could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a short and sudden jab of a flu shot. By the time he looked though, it appeared Medkit was already done.
“What the-?! Ow!” Rocket yelped.
“All done. Wasn’t so bad, hm?” Medkit laughed. Rocket pouted as Medkit patches up the small wound with a bandage.
“Hmph! You’re lucky that you’re so attractive!” Rocket scoffed. “I would’ve summoned my gear and blasted your face off otherwise, you know?!”
“Love you too, Rocket” Medkit responds lovingly. He was glad to have his boyfriend back.
Rocket blushes and puts his jacket back on while Medkit discarded the used needle and placed the other medical instruments away. Rocket was soon filled with relief, realizing he didn’t have to worry about the damn needle anymore. He felt free as all the anxiety left his body.
“Sooo… can I get a lollipop and a kiss too?” Rocket winked, finally able to be playful.
Medkit sighed in response as he continued to tidy up the room. “Rocket, I can barely afford groceries. Buy them yourself.”
“Aww, what? Even the kiss costs extra?”
Rocket rolled his eyes while Medkit showed him the way out. While Medkit was completely serious, he did genuinely consider buying a pack of cheap lollipops for this examination room. He didn’t want to admit it, but the boy did make him soft.
Before sending him off home, Medkit gives Rocket a surprise peck on the cheek, catching the boy off guard and causing him to turn a bright red.
“This one’s free, because you were so brave today.”
“Oh, shut up!”
The rocketeer finally stomps out of the clinic in sheer embarrassment. He acted like he hated Medkit’s display of surprise affection, but deep down it made his heart pound. Medkit knew that, though. Of course he did, he loves the guy after all.