[ He accepts the vial, staring down at it as he rolls it between two fingers. It's a change in subject, but he doesn't budge. ]
You're not going to stay fine running around without rest, you know.
[ How many people had Nehan treated today? Practically everyone, with more on the way. They don't have a convenient swamp here, just a hospital that's only good for its supplies. ]
And I'm not going to be of any help if you end up collapsing too.
And you almost got it, Nehan. Aventurine watches as he microdoses, his own vial still held between his fingers, and a small smile finally makes its way onto his face. ]
I'll be your personal assistant. Bring you your meals and teas, ferry your messages, feed your pigeon, so on and so forth.
[ He doesn't take much of whatever he's drinking, stoppering it back up with the cork and a sigh. ]
That's obviously not what I...
[ He doesn't even bother finishing the thought, HE'S SO STUBBORN!!!!! He pockets the phial away and pinches Aventurine's chin between his forefinger and his thumb. Like he's lecturing a misbehaving truant. ]
It goes both ways. If you end up overworking yourself into a stupor, I won't be able to handle this by myself.
[ He definitely had to have Aventurine pick up Ichiban and put him in a proper bed and such. ]
I need you healthy. [ And safe. ] We can... take shifts again.
[ They really want to be in a stalemate at any moment in time. Aventurine sighs quietly, like he can't believe anyone would believe him to be capable of self-destruction, lmao. ]
Fine, but I'm taking the first shift.
[ The tone of his voice indicates that there will be no room for discussion, and he wraps his fingers around the wrist of the hand holding his chin. Still, it's nice to have mutual looking after. He can admit this to himself. ]
If I find out you wandered into the greenhouse or did anything but rest, I'm going to yank the fur out of your ears.
[ Aventurine your self-awareness? He rolls his eye, but is ultimately forced to accept this compromise, because otherwise they'll be arguing all night. At some point, their stupid back and forth has hit the strange equilibrium of a partnership.
But his ears flatten automatically at the threat. One is already a little fucked up because Boothill is a little bitch. Leave them alone. ]
I can't sleep after I've dosed myself, idiot.
[ the way the drugs he makes are so wildly potent actually ]
Who are you to make threats anyway? I'm the doctor here. You're my patient.
[ He says this like he wasn't complaining about being an ailing patient just days ago.
Anyway, he pushes Nehan's hand off of his chin, then leans forward to start patting his hand against the holster he saw the vial disappear into. The blue one that he'd been given remains untouched. ]
[ They are just going to annoy each other into healthy sleep schedules. ]
Would I lie to you?
[ Asked dryly. Then, more frankly, ]
It'd be a good short-term solution. But if I did that, you wouldn't trust me next time I have to make some ridiculous negotiation for you to consider your health.
[ Ultimately, Aventurine will only get his confirmation if he drinks it. ]
[ After a moment's pause, Aventurine lets out a quiet sigh. ]
You're lucky your handsome face is so persuasive.
[ That, and some other reasons he can't bring himself to voice out loud. Without further hesitation, he uncorks the vial, and downs its contents. All or nothing, right?
Once he's done, he places the cork back in the vial, and holds it out for Nehan to take. And I look at you like you're about to tell me that Aventurine dies on the spot. ]
[ He doesn't even react, this is so far from the most embarrassing thing that Aventurine's said by now. Part of him is a little surprised that Aventurine drinks it at all, considering he really could knock him out right now, but it's fine. ]
Bold of you to say, considering you never listen to me.
[ But yeah, it kills him instantly. No, it actually does help take the edge off, quickly. It's good stuff. Nehan watches him, making sure he doesn't have any adverse reactions. ]
...You had some sort of migraine after treating Aqua, right? [ the painshare. ] It should help.
[ Oh, the near instant relief is nice. He's suddenly wondering why he put up the fight at all. ]
It wasn't that bad. [ It was bad. ] And it wasn't actually a migraine. I just told her that so I wouldn't be adding guilt on top of everything else she was going through.
[ So don't you worry your pretty little head about it, Nehan. Now that that's done, Aventurine goes back to leaning against him. ]
[ The tone and timbre of his voice doesn't fluctuate much, but there is a certain wryness to it when he's not being serious. It's better than before, when he was occupied with thoughts of their dead teen and dozen injured.
Still, he can't outrun the day forever, trying not to lean too hard in return, but sagging into it a little anyway. It's not even comfortable. They're in a cemetery. He shuts his eye and rests his head against the tombstone or whatever they're braced up against. ]
At this rate we're just going to end up being awake together instead.
Strange that he's starting to recognize the inflections in Nehan's tone, and while the backdrop of the cemetery doesn't make for the best ambiance, the still calm at just the two of them sitting here is a stark contrast from the chaotic day that they've had. ]
Consider me blameless with how many times I've told you to leave.
[ They really argued back and forth and for what. ]
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no subject
You're not going to stay fine running around without rest, you know.
[ How many people had Nehan treated today? Practically everyone, with more on the way. They don't have a convenient swamp here, just a hospital that's only good for its supplies. ]
And I'm not going to be of any help if you end up collapsing too.
no subject
You're stubborn.
[ Said without venom. He uncorks and sips from his vial. Microdosing. ]
I'm not that careless. More importantly, you know I don't do anything for free. If I rest for you, what are you going to do for me?
[ Stay up sleeplessly at the cemetery? Fret some more? Work tirelessly through the night on some distraction? ]
no subject
And you almost got it, Nehan. Aventurine watches as he microdoses, his own vial still held between his fingers, and a small smile finally makes its way onto his face. ]
I'll be your personal assistant. Bring you your meals and teas, ferry your messages, feed your pigeon, so on and so forth.
no subject
That's obviously not what I...
[ He doesn't even bother finishing the thought, HE'S SO STUBBORN!!!!! He pockets the phial away and pinches Aventurine's chin between his forefinger and his thumb. Like he's lecturing a misbehaving truant. ]
It goes both ways. If you end up overworking yourself into a stupor, I won't be able to handle this by myself.
[ He definitely had to have Aventurine pick up Ichiban and put him in a proper bed and such. ]
I need you healthy. [ And safe. ] We can... take shifts again.
no subject
Fine, but I'm taking the first shift.
[ The tone of his voice indicates that there will be no room for discussion, and he wraps his fingers around the wrist of the hand holding his chin. Still, it's nice to have mutual looking after. He can admit this to himself. ]
If I find out you wandered into the greenhouse or did anything but rest, I'm going to yank the fur out of your ears.
[ And that is a PROMISE. ]
no subject
But his ears flatten automatically at the threat. One is already a little fucked up because Boothill is a little bitch. Leave them alone. ]
I can't sleep after I've dosed myself, idiot.
[ the way the drugs he makes are so wildly potent actually ]
Who are you to make threats anyway? I'm the doctor here. You're my patient.
no subject
[ He says this like he wasn't complaining about being an ailing patient just days ago.
Anyway, he pushes Nehan's hand off of his chin, then leans forward to start patting his hand against the holster he saw the vial disappear into. The blue one that he'd been given remains untouched. ]
Give me some of that too, then.
no subject
Stop pawing at me and take what I prescribe you.
[ The vial he gave Aventurine is perfectly nice and safe. ]
I told you to rest tonight, this isn't for that.
no subject
[ He backs off for now, taking a moment to look down at the vial in his hand with a small frown. ]
How do I know this isn't going to knock me out? What if you're planning on staying up all night despite agreeing to alternating shifts?
[ Aventurine internally thinking that's what he'd do if their positions were reversed. ]
no subject
Would I lie to you?
[ Asked dryly. Then, more frankly, ]
It'd be a good short-term solution. But if I did that, you wouldn't trust me next time I have to make some ridiculous negotiation for you to consider your health.
[ Ultimately, Aventurine will only get his confirmation if he drinks it. ]
no subject
You're lucky your handsome face is so persuasive.
[ That, and some other reasons he can't bring himself to voice out loud. Without further hesitation, he uncorks the vial, and downs its contents. All or nothing, right?
Once he's done, he places the cork back in the vial, and holds it out for Nehan to take. And I look at you like you're about to tell me that Aventurine dies on the spot. ]
no subject
Bold of you to say, considering you never listen to me.
[ But yeah, it kills him instantly. No, it actually does help take the edge off, quickly. It's good stuff. Nehan watches him, making sure he doesn't have any adverse reactions. ]
...You had some sort of migraine after treating Aqua, right? [ the painshare. ] It should help.
no subject
It wasn't that bad. [ It was bad. ] And it wasn't actually a migraine. I just told her that so I wouldn't be adding guilt on top of everything else she was going through.
[ So don't you worry your pretty little head about it, Nehan. Now that that's done, Aventurine goes back to leaning against him. ]
But thanks. I feel better.
no subject
Ah. So you're just a liar.
[ The tone and timbre of his voice doesn't fluctuate much, but there is a certain wryness to it when he's not being serious. It's better than before, when he was occupied with thoughts of their dead teen and dozen injured.
Still, he can't outrun the day forever, trying not to lean too hard in return, but sagging into it a little anyway. It's not even comfortable. They're in a cemetery. He shuts his eye and rests his head against the tombstone or whatever they're braced up against. ]
At this rate we're just going to end up being awake together instead.
no subject
Strange that he's starting to recognize the inflections in Nehan's tone, and while the backdrop of the cemetery doesn't make for the best ambiance, the still calm at just the two of them sitting here is a stark contrast from the chaotic day that they've had. ]
Consider me blameless with how many times I've told you to leave.
[ They really argued back and forth and for what. ]
But... I wouldn't mind that.