Tender Loving Care

warning: crack, casual innuendoes, possible loss of brain cells, random jargons, possible inaccuracies

 

 

Waking up before the crack of dawn and clocked in before the sun fully rises beyond the eastern horizon - that's how his days had always been, minus the occasional night shifts in between. By the time he got to his workplace, it's already bustling with people from far and near. Such is a normal thing in a major state hospital like this one. And as such, the ward is always filled to the brim.

Passing through to reach the locker room at the back of the ward he can see patients in various states of injuries; arm in casts, legs suspended by tractions - the orthopaedics ward is never short in cases.

The morning pass-over passed like a violent storm. A flurry of movements, words and piles of documents flies around as the nurses on night duty passed their jobs to the next one.

"Hey, Ryuga-" In the midst of the chaos, a familiar voice catches his attention. "-You heard?"

"What is it, Takeru?" He slightly turns to the side to face said man, hands still busy sorting today's patient documents.

"He's coming back."

"He?"

"Ah, you know..-" His eyebrows knits in confusion over his friend's cryptic message. "-That one surgeon." And finally, it clicks.

"Seriously?" Takeru furiously nods.

"Serious. Totally."

Damn. So that's what last night’s strangely foreboding dream was about (even if it has absolutely nothing to do with that).

No wonder today everyone seemed on edge. And that man coming back after a few years would mean he's back as a full-fledged orthopaedic surgeon. He can already feel the stress coming.

Sigh. The peace was temporary after all.

 

So, what's with this one you ask? Well the story goes like this..-

 

It was a quite peaceful day in the orthopaedics ward in the fourth floor of the hospital's main block. Well, as peaceful as this ward can get, which is quite good since the patients are all on strong analgesics so you don't really hear moans of pain.

There wasn't much things going on beyond the norm; moving from bed to bed, taking updates on each patient's conditions, making the beds before the matron came in for her routine check. It really was just that. Though only one thing is different today.

Today, supposedly, they will be receiving a new member - a master’s student from the associating university. It's been quite some time since the last they got one; probably close to two years. Regardless the only wish they collectively had is for the new member to be tolerable.

Hey, in a working environment such as this one, that's a rather important criterion. Infighting most definitely won't be good for the patients.

Little did he know the one coming would end up being his worst enemy.

It was a while after lunch time that they first come across each other. The ward is still in its normal state when the group of people stroll in. Nurses and fellow doctors alike put down their matters aside for a brief moment to greet their head of department (whom they honestly don't see that frequent).

"Ah, it's fine, you don't have to be so stiff. I'm just giving a simple tour to our newest member." The man in his fifties simply waves with a good-natured smile. "And as such, I would like to introduce you to said person." He said as he gestures towards the man standing to his right.

Tall, lean, a little wide around the shoulders, and a shock of silver-grey hair. An eyebrow shot straight up to the hairline.

Sharp, dark eyes scanned the people before him before somehow settling onto Ryuga. He had to force down the chill down his spine that instance. A smile followed after.

"Mikage Jinga. Pleased to be of acquaintance." The smile took an oddly wicked edge as the eyes remained onto him.

What the hell?

And that was the start of his suffering.

Sigh.

The man would literally go out of his way to harass him on daily basis. Ryuga would've decked that smug smirk clean off that man's face had they be elsewhere instead of the hospital. Hell, he would run that man over with his bike if he ever catches him crossing the road.

"What's wrong, Ryuga? You look really tired." Came the open concern from his closest superior. Tired, yeah, mentally. He can only sit at her table, pinching his forehead, trying to curb the growing headache.

"Nothing, it's just that..- sigh." He doesn't even have any energy left to complain, for god sake.

"Does it have anything to do with Dr Mikage?"

"Everything is about him."

"Well, I agree that he has an attitude issue. Him being exceptionally good at his job almost feels like a saving grace." The matron took a serious expression - something he only sees if there is a big enough issue. "At least we haven't heard any complaints from the patients yet."

Sure do hope there'd be none.

"From what I see, it's looks like he's only onto you." Rian says in between bites.

"Really? Seriously? Why?" Honestly, why though? He doesn't think he's that easy to manhandle. Or is that why? Is all this giving that man some sort of opportunity to exert some kind of dominance onto him?

He looks towards his long-time friend in utter ridiculousness. She simply shrugs in return.

"Who knows. Maybe he's trying to court you. I heard he just got out of a relationship. Men are strange creatures you know."

Courting, eh? Ridiculous at best.

"What? Are you doubting me, a clinical psychologist?" She put a hand on her chest in a mock display of hurt.

"Want me to run a background check on him?" A clean 10 minutes into their little meeting and finally Aguri chimes in after calmly sipping his coffee. Ryuga almost forgets he's there too.

"Would you?"

"Not a big deal." Well, he's not in forensics for nothing. Solving mysteries is his forte. "By the way, where's Takeru?"

"On a date. He took a leave today."

"Oh, so he hit it off after all. Good for him."

 

The thought followed him for the rest of the day; absentmindedly switching the patient's IV drip to a new bottle. It can't be.

"How are you today, mister?"

"I'm feeling much better today. More so being cared by you keeps the pain away." The middle-aged man replied with an obvious flirt. Ryuga can only responds in fond exasperation.

"Ah, can't have you flirting around with the nurse like that. You'll put him in a spot, mister." The low notes that came from behind him pulls him out of his stupor. He can swear he heard hints of possessiveness in them.

"Ah, doctor. Thank you for last time."

"It's nothing. I'm just carrying out my duties."

"You're strangely present today."

"Hm? Well, I need to check on my patients, don't I?"

"Just that?" The man leans in closer; hard chest pressing against his back.

"Why? Are you expecting something more?"

An abrupt cough from the side breaks the situation; both attentions snapped to the side facing the sister in charge eyeing them in suspicion. They reflexively separate, and Ryuga silently heaves a relieved sigh.

What is he supposed to do?

Though technically, that was the mildest instance.

And the issue went on for the whole year the man is there for practical training. It was a blessing that he transferred out by the start of the next. But he grudgingly has to agree with Rian - the man do harass only him.

 

Now he has to deal with it all over again.

 

*

 

"You..-"

"Miss me?"

 

*

 

Just like that, sparks flew once again, threatening to set the entire ward on metaphorical fire. Why did he decide to specializes in orthopaedics nursing?

(Though he did lowkey expects to never see the other man again, regardless of the possibility.)

"I see you're still here after some years. Didn't expect you to stay." The ever-present smug smile is back in his face and, oh, how he did not miss this.

"Didn't expect you to return, either."

"Why wouldn't I?" The man tilts his head slightly while keeping his eyes on Ryuga. Ryuga vaguely feels like he's being eyed by a predator.

"I'd rather you keep your eyes and your hands to yourself. This is the hospital - we treat sick people here."

"Hmm. But my office should be private enough..-"

What?

Before he could say anything more, the man vanished.

 

*

 

"A few years later and my point still stands." Rian made a point while waving her waffle around. "He's definitely trying to get into your pants."

Unfortunately, he is already beginning to forget the past. You know, forgive and forget. Some things you just have to let go. But some do haunt you back, he guesses.

A loud barking laugh follows from his right. "I mean, with a figure like that, I'd tap it too." Takeru leans back in his chair, sending him an appraising look. This one friend is a lost cause. And he desperately wishes Aguri is here with them.

"I doubt that, though. It feels more like he has a weird villain complex going on."

"Well he sure does likes antagonising you, likely because of how you react towards his attacks."

Like what - poking an angry bear? Is that his kink?

"If you want him to stop, you have to stop reacting to him." Definitely easier said than done. It's reflex; he can't help it.

Nevertheless, she's right (again). But he's never one to back off from a fight or taking hits without giving it back. Hardly a feasible suggestion to him.

 

"You seemed to be far away today." Familiar deep notes cuts above the occasional beeping of the machines. His attention momentarily snapped towards the other, catching said man's gaze. He tried to shrug off the feeling creeping up his spine. A curt request came from the assisting surgeon standing next to him.

"I have a lot on my mind too." Reflexively handing over the piece of equipment to the person, he picks up the conversation without missing a beat.

"Don't push too hard, I can't repair broken brain." His eyes follow the sure movements of the other's hands, somewhat fascinated.

"I'd rather not be treated by you in any way. You don't feel safe." He pulls his eyes away for a split second to take a look at the patient's vitals.

"Oh, but you don't know yet how good I can make you feel." He almost choked on his own saliva at the comeback and a loud clatter followed soon as the doctor next to him accidentally drops the forceps his holding. He turns around in time to catch the other lightly scolding the poor doctor for his mistake, not missing the obvious redness of his ear tips. Does this man have no shame at all?

Somehow the coldness of the operation theatre is not enough; the scrub suit feels stuffier than usual today.

 

The sun has already set by the time he got out of the hospital - faint orange streaks tinted the western horizon with stars beginning to show themselves further away. His exhale came out in a cloud of white mist. Today felt oddly longer than it actually is, probably because he spent most of it stuck inside the OT with that man. He pulls his jacket closer against the cold air.

"Didn't know you wear leather." The sudden remark jolted him. Spinning towards the source, he is faced with the same man leaning against the wall next to the exit, looking right his way.

"How long has you been there?"

A shrug. "Long enough."

"Are you stalking me?"

"Maybe." Ryuga's eye twitched in response.

"What I wear outside of work has nothing to do with you."

"True enough. Though I'd rather say that your customary uniform did not do you justice." Isn't that the point? That being said, the other man's silhouette appeared sharper without the white coat, outlined by the light spilling through the glass doors of the exit way.

"By the way, care for a dinner?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"Why not?" He doesn't get this man at all.

So to say he doesn't really get himself either for going along with it. And the one after that. And another one not so long after.

By now, the man's routine harassments are so much a part of his normal day-to-day occurrence that it feels off without it.

What's happening to him?

"Ryuga-san, are you and Mr Mikage dating?" He almost drops the folder his holding from the question. There was no sign of malice or teasing in it, only pure curiosity from the young intern.

"..-What makes you think that?"

"I don't know, you two seemed really close, but not in like friends way." No, of course not. They're fellow enemies.

(Yeah, but enemies don't kiss each other, do they?)

The voice of his conscious mind suspiciously sounds like Takeru, complete with his red/black leather jacket.

It's just that one night the man suddenly pushed him against the nearest wall and decided to do that. Can't help wondering why he returned it with the same fervour.

(Surging up against the assault, his hands went up to grab the man's coat lapels, tugging in closer. He vaguely registers the feeling of hands on his hip, gripping hard. He remembers seeing faint bruises on the same part the day after, and he remembers the feeling that remained on his lips for the rest of the week.)

It can't be --

(A half-lidded stare levelled onto him; dark, consuming.

 

"..-Ryuga -")

 

*

 

A sigh escapes him as he deflates in his seat. Another day at work, another day of dealing with whatever issue he's having as of late. Nevertheless, it is still about that man.

It's been a while since that incident and he has to admit that he had been low key avoiding the other. Is he scared? Threatened? Not really. Even if he is, it's probably more because of himself, of how he might react. He feigned a casual front all day, hoping it won't be too obvious. Still, he can feel those eyes on him the entire time. All of these brought one question to his mind - what actually happened within the past few years?

To say that they have an amiable relationship prior to the man's transfer is laughable at best. They would drive the seniors to the ground every time they're in the same room.

(He still remembers being summoned by the head of department regarding the issue. In his defence, he was not the one who started it. It was purely self-defence.)

He can somewhat recall the words of one of the old ladies living in his neighbourhood - those who fight all the time might end up getting together at the end. Naturally, he didn't agree with it. Like, why would you live with your personal enemy?

Utter bullshit.

 

(Y'know what, the sooner you accept it the better it'll be for you.)

Takeru, please, don't make me strangle you in my head.

 

Pinching his forehead; looks like he'd have to deal with a headache again today. Feels rather frequent these days. He should really stop mulling over this thing. And this meeting is taking too long.

In an attempt to shift his mind elsewhere, he accidentally caught the other man watching him from his seat across the table.

"-!!"

A slow growing smile follows, and the man had the audacity to add a wink afterwards.

 

Bastard.

 

*

 

"I see you've been avoiding me lately." Just his luck being stuck inside the changing room with this man of all people, and right after he straight up refused scrubbing in for the operation the man is conducting too. He should pay Takeru back for going in his stead.

"So, what? It's not like my schedule lines up with yours that much anyways." The atmosphere feels heavy, more so within the small space of the room.

"Don't tell me you're scared."

"Of you? You have to be joking." No, he is not scared.

"Then why?" The words sound much closer than before. Ryuga reflexively turns around only to come face-to-face with the man now standing only an arm's length away. An arm went up to rest against the locker, caging him in. He looks up; the man's eyes look even darker now than they normally are.

Because I don't know why I'm feeling this way. 

"I needed to clear my head up a bit."

Those eyes narrow by a fraction. "Really?" A hand slides up his left flank, and the room's temperature instantly went up.

"Yes." A low humming replies. A heavy pause follows. The sound of their breathing fills up the tight space in between.

 

"You know, I couldn't forget you."

"Eh?"

"For the past few years, I didn't understand why. It wasn't supposed to be something significant." The hand moves higher; across his chest, around his left shoulder. "I had to come back here and find it out."

"Even if there's a possibility that I might not be here anymore?"

"Yet here you are, right where I left you." Rough palm brushed up his neck, long fingers curling around the nape. "Don't you think it's fate?"

Fate, eh? Maybe.

"And did you find out why?" He looked off over the other's shoulder, staring ahead and away from what's - who's - in front of him. Maybe it is after all. And he was just denying the truth all this time.

"Why do you ask?"

Breaking off, he went back to look the other right in the eyes, holding his gaze.

 

"Because I think I found mine."

 

 

---

 

*bonus*

 

The young intern casually walks into the operating theatre to get ready for the next operation. The moment he steps into the threshold, he sees his two friends huddling behind the changing room door seemingly peeking through the crack of the wooden piece.

“Hey, what are you doing outside?” To which his friend furiously shushes him while the other one stopped him from going inside.

“Dude, wait, we can’t go in yet!” He’s getting even more confused over the apparent panic.

“Why?” Said friend pulled him over to the same spot.

“It’s too dangerous right now.”

“Ah, it’s Ryuga-san and Mr Mikage. Isn’t that how they always are?” It’s nothing new at this point. “They might as well just do it and get it over with.” His words had his two friends snapping their heads towards him with a shocked expression.

“We clearly had underestimated you.”

 

---

 

*epilogue?*

 

“Wait, what are you doing?”

“Whatever I feel like doing” In which in this exact moment it seems to translates to him.

“People would know!” This is definitely, absolutely a bad idea. Why did he allow this man to get to him like this?

“Let them know. Then maybe they’d stop trying to get close to you.” Then for a split second, something crossed his mind. “On second thought, maybe no. There’s a possibility for an opposite reaction. They might get turned on even more.” They what-? “But that could be good too.” I do not want to know what you’re thinking right this moment.

“Put me down, bastard.” He can walk perfectly fine. And he can kick very well too.

“No~.” This bastard, I swear-

 He can see very clearly where this is going and he is stuck. This won’t end good for him.

“Stop, we still have work tomorrow damn it.”

“Ah, about that, I’ve requested a leave for both of us. So, there’s no worries.”

“You what-?!”

“What? Everyone needs one once in a while. Also, don’t worry, I’ll give you the release that you sorely need.”

“I do not-“

“Oh, so you’re into that kind of thing? Fine by me. I’m well versed in the limits and capabilities of the human body.”

 

Ah, this’ll be one hell of a break.