Work Text:
"Basically, I took a motorcycle to the pussy."
Luuk looked down at Rover, who was awfully cheery for someone who had just experienced such an impact in a sensitive area. Good to know that she was just as strange, and apparently just as difficult to knock down as he knew her to be. He narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin, scanning the exposed skin of her upper thighs. From what he could tell, she had escaped surprisingly unscathed, as if her standing wasn’t enough of a telltale sign itself.
"For someone who had just experienced a collision with a motor vehicle, you sure are most lively," Luuk noted, putting the scope of the situation very lightly.
Even Lynae was noticeably baffled, perhaps even wondering why they were there in the first place when Rover, quite literally, walked it off.
"It’s still a little sore," Rover said, "so best that I get it checked out. Lynae insisted that she bring me anyways."
"...Maybe you’re fine after all," she said.
"No no, I appreciate your insistence. Can’t let it go unnoticed if it is a problem."
Luuk nodded his head in agreement. "A most wise decision. That is why I’m always here to help, so you’re always feeling your very best.”
Lynae could not believe what was unfolding before her. He was actually humoring Rover? The charming glimmer in his eyes and the smug grin on Rover’s face sent secondhand embarrassment searing through her body. It would be rude to leave her (presumably) injured friend at the doctors and never look back, but at the same time, the scene unfolding before her was a bit much.
"Right around here, miss," Luuk said, directing her into the infirmary, "so that I may conduct a thorough check up."
"Thorough you say?" Rover asked.
She’s way too far gone, Lynae thought. "Alright, I’ll just wait out here."
"If she is in as pristine shape as she appears to be, then I do not believe we will take very long," Luuk said.
"Oh please, take as much time as you need," Rover said.
"Haha, not an uncommon request from the students here," he said, putting his shoulder on her back as he guided her out of sight.
Man, what have I done, Lynae quietly lamented.
On a freshy made hospital bed, Luuk gestured for her to sit down. Politely, Rover sat down at the edge of the bed.
"Spread your legs, please," he requested.
Orders that Rover was far too happy to oblige too, especially when they were given with such a welcoming smile from Luuk. He felt around her thighs with his hands, applying gentle pressure to feel every muscle and vessel.
"Are you feeling any pain?" he inquired.
"Nope. Just a little soreness further up."
"I see you have traces of bruising further up, but if it is not causing you any discomfort, I’d say the overall damage was...surprisingly minimal."
"I can let you look closer if need be," Rover offered.
"We're quite fine as it is, plus I believe it would be most improper of me to undress a lady in a populated room," he said, glancing around him at the few patients that rest in the ward. "Though I am most curious, what events unfolded that led to a motorcycle impacting you in your crotch?"
"Ehhh...fell out of the sky. Lynae was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Rover said. "No big deal."
"Haha, no big deal? If it were anyone other than you, I fear that it would be a very big deal.”
"Don’t lie. I know you brought me back here because you were worried."
"Of course, worrying is part of my job description," Luuk said, reaching out his hand to help pull her up. He opened up her palm and handed her a small bottle of pills. "If along the way the pain should return, take one of these and come see me again."
"Thank you," she said, accepting his offering.
"I’d say you’re quite lucky to have gotten out so unscathed, but if you can survive that no problem, then perhaps the fault lies with me for underestimating a Resonator of your caliber.”
"It really was no big deal."
"That line again. I look forward to seeing you later, then."
"See you later? Are you counting on me getting hurt again?"
"Knowing your luck, I wouldn’t doubt it happening again. Regardless, do be most careful. Unless..."
Luuk leaned into Rover’s ear.
"...you want to see me that bad again, darling."
"No promises either way," Rover said, a devious shine reflecting in her golden eyes.
Acting as if he wasn’t just a mere breath away from her neck, Luuk gave her a cheerful wave as she walked out of the back infirmary. Lynae was sitting on the ground in a daze, mindlessly scrolling through videos on her phone. It wasn’t until Rover tapped her foot on the ground that she looked up.
"That quick?" Lynae said.
"In. And out," Rover said.
"...In and out, huh."
"Something wrong with that?"
"...Nothing. L-let’s just get going. I’m late enough to class as it is.”
✚˚⚕˚✚
"A knife, lodged into your leg."
"Yup."
"And you walked here all by yourself?"
"Yuppers."
"Did you at least seek the assistance of someone for a ride here?"
"Nope."
Luuk looked at her most curiously. Rover was...certainly a fascinating entity, simply put. First walking off a wheel to the crotch, and now standing in front of him with a blade lodged in her leg. The smile on her face seemed quite proud, but her eyes practically begged him to take her back to be examined.
Regardless of the reasoning behind her strange ways, Luuk ushered her to the back once again.
"You really missed me that badly?" he asked as he held her leg out straight and elevated it with some pillows.
"Well, yes and no. I sort of had a bad run in with a gang of bandits, and one of them was kind enough to leave me a present for the road.”
"At least you were smart enough to not pull the knife out, though knowing what you’ve survived, it probably wouldn’t have even phased you."
"Thought about it," she admitted, "but why not just make you do it?"
"It’s for the best.”
As Luuk was prepping his equipment, Rover glanced at the knife sticking out of her leg. She already had Luuk’s attention, so perhaps…she could help him out a bit. A little knife in the leg is nothing compared to the punch that Rinascita’s Threnodian packed. Seeing as how Luuk’s back was currently turned to her, Rover leaned forward and reached out for the handle.
When her fingertips could just barely touch the handle, Luuk grabbed onto her wrist. His hold was firm, though not enough to squeeze her veins, and it was more than enough to cause her to freeze on the spot. Luuk looked at her and narrowed his eyes, as if he were about to say something, but he merely smiled and nudged her hand back.
Though the knife remained lodged in place, blood still seeped out from the wound and down her leg. Luuk cleaned the area thoroughly, then held her leg down with his hand as he tied it off and restricted the blood flow.
"It shouldn’t hurt, though it may feel a bit weird as I extract it,” Luuk said, numbing the area around the wound. "Try not to move too much, it might get a bit messy."
"Messy? I don’t mind messy."
"Quite handy to know, dear," Luuk said with a smile, bandit knife in hand and blood rolling down the blade to stain his white gloves.
✚˚⚕˚✚
"Well, it’s a relief to know that you’re not bleeding or bruised anywhere this time."
"I still can’t move my arm"
"Did you get hit by any motorbikes or recently?"
"No, surprisingly. But it’s been stiff all day."
"Hmm, come back with me, I’ll take a look."
Rover tried to lift her arm up, but her shoulder remained firmly locked in place. Luuk started prying around her upper arm, getting a feel for the joint and muscles. He was able to discern the issue rather quickly. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he rolled his palm around the joint.
"You’ve dislocated your shoulder," he said, very matter-of-factly. "Are you sure that no major trauma has been inflicted upon it?”
"Uh, no. It’s been like this all day, so unless I was fighting Tacet Discords in my sleep, I highly doubt it."
"Ah, I believe it is a matter of a poor sleeping position. Perhaps the dorm beds have proved to be uncomfortable for you?"
With a jerk of his hand, a loud snap popped Rover’s shoulder back into place. She winced in pain for a moment, but he rubbed his fingers upon her skin gently to massage away the soreness. Rover lifted her arm up and moved it.
"I don’t know. Maybe? This is only my first morning waking up like this."
"I’d suggest cushioning your body with some pillows to prevent further problems in the future. And I would start doing it sooner rather than later, so I don’t have to personally make your bed for you.”
"If you keep insisting like that, it may just be easier for me to crawl into bed with you.”
"Haha, don’t tempt me, because I might just allow for that if it gets you to feel better."
✚˚⚕˚✚
"What brings you in today?"
"...You said that you can tend to mental aliments, right?”
"Physical or mental, feel free to seek my hands for both."
"Then, do you have a few moments to talk? Or something?"
"Of course, that’s why I’m here. I’ll take you back, that way no nosy ears can pry.”
Luuk sitting in front of her with a clipboard and his legs crossed felt strangely personal. Not to mention, the look in his eyes was kind and welcoming…too kind, for her liking. The silence between them and the unaware patients and staff outside only made her more nervous to look the doctor in the eyes. He was more than likely capable of dissecting her with a few simple words, but it was help she was willing to take, even if he was the problem in question Luuk tapped his pen against the clipboard he held, patiently waiting for her to speak.
"So," Rover started.
Luuk gestured his pen upwards. "You should sit up. Bending forward isn’t good for your back.
"Right," she said, straightening her back. "So anyways, there’s something that has been bothering me. Or more like… someone. But it’s not really the person myself…more like how I feel towards them.”
Luuk tapped his pen against the corner of his mouth. "Feelings that are difficult to convey to the other person, no?"
Rover’s eyes went wide. All it took was one mere admission and those ruby red eyes of his saw right through her soul. Or perhaps her nervous gestures were far too obvious. Not to mention, as she was speaking, her back leaned forward once more.
Rover sat back up. "Something’s there. It weighs on my chest and makes me feel…pleasantly sick?"
"A pleasant sickness, hmm? Does your heart race, or perhaps your palms feel sweaty in their vicinity?"
"A little," Rover said, wiping her palms on her legs.
This entire time, Luuk had not written anything down on his clipboard. It was glaringly obvious to him what she was sickened by, or to be more specific, what she was feeling. Obvious symptoms aside, he has no excuse for misdiagnosis given how he had been feeling the exact same himself.
"So, who is it?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"Who’s the lucky guy that has your attention?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Luuk narrowed his eyes. Regardless of what her words may claim, he knew the extent of what had been weighing upon her mind. Despite her futile attempts of denial, attempting to pry too deep into her thoughts would backfire, and ultimately turn her away from his help. Not only did Luuk quietly dread never crossing paths with her again, but with the way that girl lived, he didn’t want her running free with knives lodged in her leg.
Rather than making the playful suggestion of the target in question being himself, he merely smiled.
"Haha, I merely jest,” he said. “You don’t have to tell me who it is."
"I guess I don’t know what I was thinking trying to beat around the bush with you.”
"It’ll take far more than a nervous young lady to wear at my patience considering some of the…characters I’ve assisted in the past. Nonetheless, whoever he is, I hope he has been treating you well.
“And if not,” he said, his eyes narrowing with a blood-red shimmer, “well, you know where to find me.”
"D-don’t worry, he’s been treating me well,” Rover said, a drop of sweat rolling down her face. “Though, I am a little worried that he’s going to get sick of me. I seek out his help so much, it’s practically a weekly ritual at this point."
Luuk’s smile softened. "I have a feeling you’ll be fine."
✚˚⚕˚✚
"It’s always a pleasure to see you, but I am a little concerned about how often you find yourself in a predicament.”
"Keeping you in business."
"Considering how the students around here act, I don’t think you have to worry about that very much."
"There’s nobody in here at all today."
"Which I’d argue, is a relief. Everyone is staying out of trouble, and it’s more quiet time to be spared for you.”
"Ah...I don’t think you’ll really need me for long today."
Rover turned her head to the side to show the cut across her cheek. It wasn’t even very deep, and hardly seemed to bleed, if at all.
"Take a seat," Luuk instructed. "I’ll clean it for you."
"It’s just a little cut. You don’t have to do all of that."
"I wouldn’t be that good of a doctor if I didn’t give my patients the best possible care."
"Yeah but like, you could slap a band aid on me and send me on my way.”
Luuk shook his head and gestured towards the bed, so Rover took a seat. He dampened a wipe in what appeared to be peroxide and grabbed a considerably sized band aid enough to cover the cut. Steadying her chin with his hand, he lifted her face up slightly, their gazes briefly locking with each other. Rover began to fluster, her breathing quickening and her cheeks turning red, but Luuk seemingly derived some sort of twisted pleasure from seeing her in such a state. Regardless of what thoughts were kept in the back of his mind, he held her steady and wiped the cut on her face before putting a bandage on it.
Rover reached up and touched the covered wound lightly. She recoiled slightly, as the peroxide still stung the clean-cut wound.
"Don’t do that, dear," he advised. "It will sting for a little until it heals."
Rover sighed heavily in understanding.
Luuk looked to his side, peering outside of the infirmary and checking that the coast was clear before leaning in to whisper, "Why the dreary sigh? Did you want me to kiss it better too?"
Rover was taken aback by his sudden bold suggestion. And he spoke with such confidence that she couldn’t refuse his offer even if she wanted to.
"It could help," she said.
Luuk nudged her closer, and gave her a gentle kiss atop her bandaged wound. The stinging pain still lingered, but she hardly acknowledged it. It was a miracle cure, one could assume, but Rover’s mind had been frozen solid and rendered unable to process even an open wound on her face.
When Luuk pulled away, she grabbed onto his hand before he could free her from his grasp and rested her head in his palm.
"...You’re not supposed to give me more reasons to keep coming back," Rover said.
"Apologies for such an oversight on my part, but I suppose you won’t mind our next meeting being over a lunch in between obligations?”
"Works for me."
“That way, you can stop finding new and interesting methods to ‘accidentally’ hurt yourself just so I can treat you.”
“Hey! A knife wasn’t lodged into my leg for fun, you know!”