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“So?”
Kalego leaned against his palm, the cheap plastic waiting chair he was seated on creaked obnoxiously loud each time his body shifted in the very uncomfortable seat, which didn't help his already shitty mood.
The Don had insisted he get in for a checkup after a few other members of the family had unexpectedly come down with some illness, which left them far too ill to do pretty much anything, and he of course wouldn’t listen when Kalego explained countless times that he felt perfectly fine and this appointment would be entirely unnecessary and just waste his time, and the time of everyone else involved.
“...so?”
Balam tilted his head, the singular eye and only real facial feature that could be discerned on the doctor's face, squinted as he repeated the question. Kalego groaned in annoyance, something he did quite frequently while in the presence of the physician, which in return sparked irritation within him as well.
“So??? Tell me I’m fine so I can get out of this rat-trap you call a clinic and get back to my job.”
Kalego always made it a point to insult the doctor's workplace whenever possible, which of course did nothing but piss the man off. Balam scrunched his eye, his mouth undoubtedly forming a scowl under the surgical mask that concealed it, even with half his face obscured, the hatred he emanated towards Kalego could be felt clear as day.
“Well I don’t know, are you fine?”
Balam asked, his voice cold and bitter, lacking any real concern despite the question. He turned from the treasurer, mostly so he wouldn’t have to look at the shiteating grin plastered on his idiotic face, but also so he could continue sterilizing the equipment he had been cleaning before he’d been rudely interrupted.
“Obviously, That's what I’ve been saying, were you even listening?”
Kalego grumbled, folding his arms. He leaned back into the chair, which responded with yet another squeak as it struggled to remain intact, he half feared the damn thing would snap underneath him.
“No, not really.”
Balam replied, paying no mind to the searing gaze he could feel burning into his back. He finished rinsing the blood from a very worn out scalpel, placing it in a fabric case with many other surgical tools, which also look far below standard for any kind of surgery, before finally returning his attention to the fuming man behind him.
“Wow, thanks.” Kalego spat in a very sarcastic tone, shoving the chair out from under him as he stood. “Well, I showed up like the Don said, and I’m going to tell him you performed a check up, Like he said, and afterwards discovered that I , like I said, was completely healthy…”
He furrowed his brow, lowering his voice as he stepped closer to the doctor.
“Which is what you’re going to say if he asks, right?” Though he phrased it as a question, it was more of a demand (And threat).
Balam cocked his head, rolling his eyes as he turned to a different section of his clinic. “No way.”
Kalego froze, gritting his teeth at the bold defiance. “What!?”
“I ain’t lying to the Don, especially not for you.” Balam replied whilst digging around in a container, Kalego couldn’t see for what exactly, until he turned back around.
A large thin needle glistened under the fluorescent lights. Kalego stared at it silently, a shudder running down his spine as his body unconsciously tensed at the sight. He watched Balam fill the syringe with some kind of liquid medicine from a small vial. Kalego clenched his fists, backing away as the doctor turned to face him once more.
“....No.”
“Yes.”
Kalego almost decided then to just bolt for the door, but he knew not to underestimate shichiro, For such a large guy he sure can run fast.
“What for??? I’m not sick-!?”
“Yeah you might not be at this moment, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get sick.” he spoke, checking that he got the right dose before placing the medicine away.
“I’ve tested the other members already, they all have Influenza, nothing serious, but it still won’t be good for the Family if you catch it.” He tapped the side of the needle, once he was satisfied with it he slowly moved towards the other, who stepped back in sync with each step he took forward.
“It’s for your own good, don’t run.”
He was being genuine, he really didn’t want to chase Kalego, which it looked like he might have to do as Kalego was still backing away from him. Shichiro froze, Kalego did as well.
They stared at each other, Kalego poised to make a mad dash for the door as soon as Balam got too close, much to the Doctor's displeasure. Shichiro sighed, this time he was the one to back away.
“Fine.” He spoke, turning back to the counter. Kalego watched him place the syringe down, and move away from it, which eased him to drop his ready-to-flee posture.
“Thank yo-”
Kalego couldn’t get out the rest of the word as Balam whipped around, grabbing him by the wrists far quicker than he’s ever seen him move before. He pulled the smaller man back away from the door, slamming his back against the wall closest to the counter, damn near knocking the wind out of him with the force of the action.
“I really didn’t want to have to do this Kalego, but if you’re going to insist on being so damn stubborn, then you leave me no choice.”
Balam spoke, struggling slightly to pin Kalego to the wall before fixing his position to be able to hold his wrists in place with just one hand, the other moving to the needle still placed on the counter.
Kalego’s eyes went wide, His entire body stiffened for a moment, before his fight or flight instinct kicked in, and as he was in no position to flee, he opted to fight.
He immediately began to thrash in the other's hold, kicking at his legs and attempting to pry his hands away. Balam only held him tighter as he quickly brought the needle over, tugging his mask down to hold it between his teeth, not something he wanted to do, but given the circumstances it was necessary. He pulled Kalego's arms down, he had to practically press himself into the other to keep him in place as he pushed the man's suit sleeve up on one of his arms, whilst being relentlessly kicked and screamed at in the process. He removed the syringe from his mouth, his other hand still holding his arms as He’d pressed his knee into Kalego's stomach, a very uncomfortable position but he was just one man and he needed a free hand. He attempted to line the syringe with his inner elbow, and hopefully get a vein, although with how much he was moving it was extremely difficult. He tightened his hold on Kalego's wrist and pressed his knee harder into his stomach, pulling his arms out as he began to press the needle against the skin.
“NononononnonoNONO-NO STOP-”
Kalego’s voice was shaky, an unusual tone for the usually stern man. The sudden tone shift caused Balam to glance up, meeting Kalego's face. His eyes shifted as soon as he took in the others' expression.
Kalego was … crying?
This sudden display of genuine fear that, as far as Balam was concerned, never even came close to being something the man had ever expressed, and the tears that streaked down the treasurer's face, temporarily caught him off guard, enough so that his grip loosened.
Kalego immediately used this as an opportunity to shove the other with as much force as he could muster, sending the doctor stumbling back, The syringe slipping from his hand as he caught himself on the edge of the counter. He grunted in pain when he hit the edge, disoriented as he attempted to regain his balance.
Balam gritted his teeth. ‘That fucking prick-’ He was about to yell at him, maybe even hit him back, but as he turned his gaze, all he saw was a petrified man, shrunk into the corner, breathing heavily as he clutched his arms around himself.
‘What the hell?’
Balam straightened himself, staring at the other, before looking down at the syringe, which had shattered against the tiled floor. He was about to take a step forward, barely moving his foot, before Kalego spoke again.
“S-STAY AWAY... Don’t come near me, I swear I’ll…” His voice was still shaky as he brought a gloved hand to wipe the tears from his eyes. “I-I’ll fucking kill you.”
Shichiro eyed the man, Kalego moved a hand to his side, hovering over where he kept his concealed handgun. He was serious.
Balam sighed as he moved his foot back, his shoulders fell as he calmed himself.
“Kalego.”
His voice was soft… a gentle tone he never used for anyone, let alone Kalego of all people.
“I’m… sorry.” He spoke the apology through gritted teeth, pulling his mask back up over his scarred mouth. “You’re really scared, huh?”
Kalego stood, silent. “...No.” He wouldn’t admit it.
“Yes you are, No one reacts that way to a needle unless they’re scared.”
“I’m NOT scared.” Kalego growled, wrapping his arms back around his chest.
Shichiro sighed, pulling a chair over to sit, Kalego watched his every move like a hawk.
“A fear like that can be very easily exploited and used against you, I’m surprised it hadn’t been already.”
He folded his own arms, glaring at Kalego with a raised brow.
“How is someone like you, A man who can sit through the most gruesome torture with a straight face, so scared of a tiny needle?”
Kalego frowned, averting his eyes in shame. His composure shifted as he loosened his arms.
“I don’t know.” He grumbled.
“Well something needs to be done about this before the Don, or worse, rival families find out.”
Balam leaned an arm against the counter, still eyeing Kalego as he shifted anxiously in the corner he was still huddled in. “I can help you.”
Kalego’s eyes shot back up, his brows furrowed. “HELL no, You’re insane! I’m not letting you anywhere near me.”
Shichiro grumbled, turning away “Look, I only did that because I thought you were just being a stubborn asshole on purpose. If I had known you were that afraid I wouldn’t have gone about it like that…”
Ugh trying to sound nice was disgusting, but he meant it, even if he hated(?) Kalego he wouldn’t do something like that to him intentionally. “I mean it, I want to help you, Something like this could get you killed.”
…
The two sat in silence for a while, Kalego looked at balam, then towards the shattered needle, then back to balam. He swallowed, taking a deep breath, before nodding.
“Fine, you’re right.”
‘Of course I am.’ Balam didn’t say this outloud, he decided it’d be best to refrain from snarky comments, lest Kalego decide to change his mind. He stood slowly, turning to lead the other to one of the hospital beds.
Kalego sat at the edge, pulling the sheets into closed fists as he watched Balam go about retrieving a new syringe, and filling it with medicine, much like how he did earlier. He pulled a chair to sit beside the bed, sitting so his height (somewhat) matched Kalegos.
“Let me see your arm please, whenever you’re ready.” His voice was quiet, soft, it was so unlike him. Kalego clenched his jaw, he felt his body shudder as he stared at the needle held before him.
“Don’t look at it.” Balam placed a hand beneath Kalego's chin, gently nudging him to turn his gaze up. “It's better to not look, and to try and not think about it, it’ll help.” Kalego felt his body stiffen again, staring at Shichiro's face, and how unusually kind his eyes looked, it made Kalego feel warm. His face shifted to that of disgust at the unfamiliar feeling (or was it embarrassment?)
“Don’t treat me like a child.” Kalego pulled his head away, though his eyes lingered for a moment longer. He had trouble figuring out where to look, he couldn’t look down, and he was not going to stare at Shichiro’s cute STUPID face, so he settled on the ceiling.
“Sorry.” Balam mumbled, double checking the needle while he waited for Kalego.
Kalego huffed, taking a few more more moments, before lifting his arm, pushing it forward. Balam took hold of the limb gently, a stark contrast to how roughly he’d grabbed him earlier, it was strange.
He felt a cold sensation on the inner part of his elbow, his eyes shot down seemingly on their own, Balam had placed a small cotton pad against the skin, the liquid that it spread smelled strong, the undoubted scent of rubbing alcohol.
“I told you not to look.” Balam spoke, not looking away from the pad as he finished applying the alcohol. Kalego's gaze froze, then he craned his head back to look at the ceiling again. “Sorry.. Just tell me when you’re gonna do it, okay?”
Balam hummed in response, thinking for a moment before properly responding. “Here, hold my hand.”
Kalego, again, turned to look down at Shichiro.
“What-?”
“You can squeeze my hand, Squeezing something will help distract from the pain, though there shouldn’t be too much if you don’t move around.” He explained, extending his free hand. Kalego stared at it, that same warmness bubbling inside him. He took the hand.
“Now stop looking.” Balam reprimanded as he squeezed his hand firmly. Kalego grumbled, but turned his head back up.
“Stop dragging this out.” He complained, his thumb absentmindedly brushing across the doctor's gloved palm.
“Right, I’ll do it on the count of three, alright?” Balam spoke whilst he pressed his other thumb to the man's skin, feeling around until he found a vein. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Kalego promptly responded, grumbling impatiently.
“Ok.” Shichiro pulled the arm closer, lining the needle up, careful to get the angle right.
“1.” Kalego stiffened up, drawing in a deep breath, holding it.
“2.” The grip on Balam's hand tightened, Kalgeo shut his eyes, gritting his teeth while he mentally prepared himself.
“3.”
…
It was over almost as quickly as it happened.
Kalego almost cut off the blood flow with how hard he was holding Balam's hand, but the pain subsided almost immediately.
“There.”
Balam quickly pulled the needle out, placing a small bandage over the tiny wound, soaking up the small amount of blood that dribbled from it, before discarding the needle into a designated biowaste bin.
“That wasn’t so bad was it? Don’t you feel silly overreacting so much?”
Kalego opened his eyes, glaring at the doctor with a scowl. He was right though, it really wasn’t that bad, but he didn’t have to be an ass about it.
“Shut it, You better not tell anyone about this.” Kalego spoke, looking down as he noticed he was still holding Balam's hand, which he withdrew upon realization.
Balam nodded, leaning back to give the other space to get up.
“I won’t, Do you feel any better about needles now?” He questioned as Kalego stood up, his legs a bit weak still from how stiff his body was.
“...A bit.” he mumbled, standing in place in front of the doctor. Balam hummed, looking up at Kalego from where he sat.
“That's fine, It’s progress. I can keep helping you get over it if you’d like?”
Kalego looked unsure, his body shifted, but he remained in place. Balam’s eyes were locked with his, but after a few moments of silence they drifted down, and without thinking really, he slid a hand up the side of Kalego's thigh, resting it near his hip.
Returning his gaze, he was met with wide eyes. ‘Ah, that was weird to do, why did he do that?’ Kalego simply stared at him, his mouth parted as if to speak, but he promptly shut it before anything came out. He shuffled again, mumbling something as he placed his own hand onto Shichiro's.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” He finally responded, meeting Balam's eyes again.
The two stared at each other, the silence teetering on being uncomfortable, until Kalego spoke again.
“Thank you, but if that's all I really need to get back to work.” He pushed the hand away, withdrawing his own as he moved.
“Right.” Balam pulled his hand back as it was being pushed, bringing it to rest in his lap. “Yeah that’s it, Just try and take it easy, the vaccine might make you drowsy, but it should help.” Kalego nodded, sliding his sleeve back into place, as he turned to the door.
Kalego held the doorhandle, stopping for a moment to turn back to the doctor.
“Do NOT tell anyone about today, I’m serious, I will kill you.”
That was a lie, not that he wouldn’t kill him if he could, but he’d most definitely be killed as soon as the family found out, so there wasn’t much to the threat. Balam nodded, reinstating that he wouldn’t tell a soul. Satisfied with the response, Kalego finally turned to leave.
…
And yet, Kalego ended up getting sick with the flu a week later.