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 Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:37 pm
Saturday morning had arrived finally and with it Liam herding Aloysius out the door and towards the others car, since he couldn’t drive, Aloysius would need to do the driving to Lorcan’s home where he had a clinic set up. “This is exactly what you wanted, even more private in fact. It’s not at an office but rather his home, it’s good that you have such a connection.” Even if the connection was because of him knowing Benitoite and that led to this connection, as well as the tie into the Evans family. It was all helpful for Aloysius right now.
“He’ll keep it all secret, I think he’s honestly concerned for you in some manner as well.” He didn’t know that it was more of Lorcan being curious, and wondering how Aloysius was still doing the things which he did. “It won’t be that bad and then I’ll treat you to a bakery full of sweets - I’ll pay.” He knew that typically worked with the other, as Aloysius had a sweet tooth, and it got him what he wanted with the other most of the time. Here though, with what it concerned, he wasn’t so sure but it was worth trying.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:38 pm
Aloysius was exhausted still, though that was in part from the stress and the fact he’d been nursing that last cigarette one puff at a time here and there. It hadn’t been enough and he’d been feeling the effects of not having that nicotine in his system in a very bad way. He was antsy as Liam herded him out the door and into the car. It had been a few days since the spar with Alexandre so things had moved pretty quickly which was just as good as it was bad.
“I know it is… if anything secrets are like currency with that family so you need to be more careful with what you say while we are there though. I will not outright lie while there but if I omit things please do not bring attention to it.” He knew that if Lorcan did a full physical they’d see all his scars. It was always something he liked to avoid having done, that awkward period where he would have to explain things he really didn’t want to dig back up.
Sighing as he buckled in, he reached over and cupped Liam’s face and rubbed his thumb over their bottom lip. “Not sweets, but maybe something a bit more relaxing after how stressful this week has been. Only if you are up to it though because I want you to lead again.” There was just a little bit of pleading in his voice before he turned back to face forward and get on the drive.
It wasn’t a terribly long one though, Lorcan’s home wasn’t as central to the city as Aloysius’s smaller home was so instead of the hour's drive it was more like thirty minutes with how early it was in the morning. Though it was exhausting being up this early on his day off, he’d normally be asleep at least until 8 am or 10 am if he was lucky and this week had been extra sleepless with everything that had happened.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:39 pm
Liam knew the other had been dragging out the inevitable end to the cigarette - the poor thing. He understood Aloysius and the smoking and the habit and why the habit - he got it. But Liam also knew it wasn’t healthy and so he’d been counting down each puff of that thing waiting till it was finally done, he would not be allowing for another pack to be bought.
As they were up early, and fed, the blond was happy for them to be heading for Lorcans so they could get this done - finally. He’d been fighting the other on this, in his own way, for weeks now and finally he was coming out victorious and they’d have answers! He wanted to know how to help the other, and how Aloysius could better help himself as well. It would help thing for them both.
At the others response to the offer of sweets liam could feel his cheeks warm even as he nodded his head. “I can do that. If you want to relax, perhaps slower as well.” He was getting used to certain wants the other had but that might not fit in if the other was looking to relax after the week he’d had, though the week had left quite the impression on him. “I’ll keep it in mind when talking to them and leave it to you and your sister if she’s ever around with them.” Aloysius made it sound like they were dangerous but how could they be? At least in this, where they were helping them both.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:40 pm
“That sounds… really nice to be honest.” Settling back into the seat as he parked where Lorcan had told him to. Trying to mentally prepare himself, he pulled that last sad little stub of cigarette out and looked at it before getting out of the car. Lighting the thing almost burnt his nose as he got what little he could from it. When it was gone he threw the butt of it back into the crumpled pack and put it back in his coat pocket before coming around to let Liam out.
“That would be better, there are a lot of things I know, that I have seen, that need to be kept private. I may be a bit more cautious than I need to be but… I have had enough things go badly to warrant it.” Patting Liam’s head slightly he sighed. “Right on time at least.” There was that antsy nervousness again as he spoke, knowing that he’d be cornered again. Waiting on the other, he walked up to the home and knocked once.
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Lorcan had been sitting at the small table he usually played chess at though this time the pieces were still packed away and he was watching the clock. At least the pair was right on time, he’d wondered if that sickly fellow would back out of things since they’d been reluctant to get checked on after the spat as well.
Opening the door he motioned for the pair to come inside. “I hope the drive wasn’t too long. Come this way and if you need anything to drink Liam let me know. Nothing for you yet Aloysius, just to make sure nothing affects the tests. You understand of course?” Walking with them down the hall he motioned for Aloysius to sit up on the raised examination table. “You can sit over there Liam.” Motioning towards a set of chairs along the wall.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:40 pm
“Thank you for seeing us both, I brought the xrays of my arm for you to look over later.” Once he was done with Aloysius, who was far more important than he was, but he knew the other would need the xrays and he had told him he’d bring them. Now his focus was back on Aloysius as he took a seat, the manilla envelope with his xrays inside was placed to the side.
“Thank you, I’m good right now. If I need a drink I’ll let you know.” For now he was keen on seeing what was going to happen and what the other would conclude was going on with his partner. He was just hoping Aloysius wouldn’t holdback anything which the other would ask…no keeping secrets when it might pertain to his health, as he doubted Lorcan would go asking personal things for no reason, Liam was of the mind that anything which was asked had a purpose and should be answered. He wouldn’t get involved though.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:41 pm
Pulling his coat and scarf off, he laid them down on the seat next to Liam before getting up on the table. “The drive was alright, there was barely any traffic because of the time.” Fiddling with his hands he avoided looking at either Lorcan or Liam. “If I need to remove anything else let me know but I would prefer not to.” Thinking about it though, he took his vest off and laid it behind himself. “Okay, now I think I am ready.”
At least it was as ready as he could be considering things. He still had his tie ribbon tightly holding his collar closed and his long-sleeved shirt but he already felt a lot less comfortable.
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“That will be fine, if need be I can reach under with my stethoscope to listen. First I have a few questions while I get everything set up. Just standard procedure even though this is about a specific issue. You can fill this in.” Offering a clipboard and pen to them, he turned back and started pulling things from the cabinets and washed his hands before putting a fresh set of gloves on. “I know you smoke, or at least were smoking for a period of time. How often would you say you suffered from respiratory illnesses?”
He knew it was something that went hand in hand with smokers and even now he could already hear just the smallest whistle of a wheeze coming from the other as they worked through the clipboard. Moving around them he started with checking their blood pressure and going through all the basic things as well, including temperature and height. He’d get their weight later on after he figured more things out.
As he went he could already tell things weren’t great, between their blood pressure and heart rate both being elevated. “Maybe loosen your tie a bit, it may be causing some of my readings to be a bit off.”
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Aloysius filled out the form quickly and neatly as they worked through their tests. He had to think for a moment though about the question they had asked aloud. “I... I am not really sure actually. I never went in for anything before but I have been indisposed before due to coughing fits or fatigue from my breathing.” It had happened a lot over the past few years, especially in winter or when he got caught out in the weather. The clipboard was done though, he set it down by his leg as they mentioned his tie.
“Okay.” Working slowly he pulled it loose and let his collar fall open to show that thin long scar across his throat. It was faded more now than it had been but he still was very conscious of its appearance. It was better to say nothing though, even if his uncomfortableness of it being visible was apparent.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:42 pm
Knowing Aloysius' opinion of his throat, and of people seeing it, he sought the others' eyes with his own. Catching the others gaze he mouthed something to him, words of encouragement, he wanted to give Aloysius whatever support he could. This was a step in the right direction and he wouldn’t have the experience bad for the other, he didn’t want him to avoid a doctor again especially for so long. As Lorcan went over everything in the most professional way possible, which he expected, Liam wasn’t surprised by things so far. Hopefully with it all being normal, and even mundane and boring, Aloysius might be able to relax a bit and find some comfort in things. He looked too tense right now.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:43 pm
“So it is possible you’ve been getting sick and just never got it checked out, I have some experience with that, and thank you.” Rechecking their blood pressure and heart rate, it was still elevated and he moved around to their back to check their lungs. He noticed the scar, one he hadn’t seen on a living person before. It looked old, older than the ones he had seen on Alexandre so it meant it must have been before the Negaverse.
“Take deep breaths, in and out as I let you know.” First, he tried through their shirt but it was a bit hard to hear since the fabric was fairly thick so he lifted a bit of the back of their shirt and pressed the stethoscope to their back. More scars, just as old if not older than the first one he had seen and they weren't clean either. They didn't even look like they had even attempted to get stitched up. It was worse than Alexandre and he felt bad for the poor fellow even as he heard that familiar crackle and wheeze in their lungs. There was a lot of tension as well in their chest so once he had heard enough he came back around. “Good news and some bad news.”
Moving back over to take off his gloves and clean his hands again, he pulled a key out and accessed the small medicine cabinet that was hidden inside another cabinet above the sink. “You have waking pneumonia currently, I would assume you’ve been coughing pretty excessively for the past month or two? Additionally, your heart rate and blood pressure are pretty high but that could be if you smoked recently. The good news is otherwise your lungs sound alright but as a doctor, I would recommend you stop smoking because it can leave you susceptible to respiratory infections which it seems you may have a history of. For now, I can start you on a steroid and some antibiotics to help clear that last bit out. I have a sample start for a week of both so you can take them when you get home after you eat.”
Handing the pill packets to Liam he looked over Aloysius a bit more. “You also have some extra tension right around that shoulder of yours, I think that block you did against my cousin may have pulled something slightly so I would recommend going easy with that shoulder. Other than that I can do a follow-up with you here in a week if that works for you both. Just to make sure there are no lingering symptoms. You can hop down when you're ready.” That done he busied himself with looking over the clipboard and mentally cataloging the answers. He still had questions but he could feel the tension radiating off Aloysius and if he was going to make sure that they actually got looked at then he would have to refrain from spooking them off.
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Aloysius was uncomfortable the whole time and just focused on Liam as best he could, even when he knew Lorcan could see the scars on his back. He wanted to crawl out of his skin being seen like this. He listened though and followed their instructions to make sure this was over with as soon as possible so he could curl up in bed again. As soon as Lorcan’s hands came away from him he started fixing his clothing and covering back up as quickly as he could.
“That sounds about right, usually it is like this for a few months at a time with coughing and exhaustion, and yes… I smoked the last cigarette I had right before coming here.” It still hurt that that had been it because he knew Liam wouldn’t let him buy more. “I should be fine to continue to follow-up on the weekend if that works for you, I really appreciate your availability then. I would not be able to make it over otherwise due to my work schedule.” Sliding off of the table, he took the seat next to Liam as he pulled his vest and tie back on. He felt a bit better with more layers on, especially with his collar pulled shut again. He tapped his knee against Liam’s slightly as he settled into the chair.
“I will watch my shoulder, I did notice that after the spar but I have had worse so I did not worry much about it.” It had really only been a bother when he laid on that side or coughed, otherwise it had been a mild annoyance at most.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:45 pm
“I’ll handle the scheduling?” Liam offered from where he was seated, having watched everything up till now silently, since he was working on keeping the others' schedule and trying to clear as much time for Aloysius as possible. It was something he was working on, because the other needed time to himself, but he thought he was doing well on arranging things so Aloysius could sleep better and have time to himself and not overwork himself. It had meant a lot of moving about of things but it seemed ok?
“We do appreciate you taking your time to see us.” Though he suspected he’d be next but there wouldn’t be much to say really - he had a broken arm. It was an obvious thing but he had his own files tucked into the folder with the xrays, files which were from the orphanage on his health and all while growing up. He’d been a healthy child for the most part, a few colds here and there but that was due to children passing colds about so easily, nothing really odd about how he’d grown up.
He was glad for the medication Aloysius would be getting, and knowing just what was going on with him, because now it could be addressed and handled. The sooner the better so the other didn’t need to continue to suffer. Why anyone would want that, especially when there were medications for it, was beyond him. But now they had that solution for the current issue and anything else would be figured out once he was over this.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:46 pm
“Either way works, as long as you both are on time. I’ll look over your X-rays now though.” Taking the folder from Liam, he sat on his stool and started flipping through things. The history looked normal, pretty healthy even with no serious illnesses or any surgeries. It was nice getting a whole history as well since it meant they were regularly going to the doctor. “Everything looks good so far, the break looks as stable as it could have been considering how it came about. I would say maybe 5 more weeks should be alright enough and you can follow up with me or the other hospital. I think my clinic can squeeze in another regular for a yearly physical, you aren’t opposed to showing up at my clinic instead of my home like he is correct?” Pointing his pen at Aloysius, his mouth went flat for a moment but otherwise, he kept that usual bedside manner he needed for work.
“But unless you have any questions, you’re good to go for now as well. Just continue resting and don’t stick anything down in the cast to scratch at your arm. You can send a text to the number on this card and I can answer it when able, also if he continues to have breathing trouble I can send in an order for an inhaler.” Handing over a smaller business card, it had his personal number on it with his home address. It was easier to talk with Liam over this at least, he was forming the opinion that Aloysius, much like Alexandre, was one to hide things away and avoid getting help. It was obnoxious and he couldn’t really get why people who had money would let things go.
“Well have a good rest of your day then, I hope you don’t mind that I would prefer if you don’t linger. I have a few things to do today with my cousins.” With that, he ushered them both out and closed the door behind them.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:46 pm
“No, I don’t mind showing up at the clinic. The orphanage brought a doctor in every year, and whenever anyone was sick, so we never went anywhere but I don’t mind it.” Not since he was an adult and he was living outside of that place now. He now had a better life, a whole lot better than he’d ever imagined or planned on. Who could have predicted he’d wind up where he was now? Because he certainly hadn’t expected all this.
“Ohhh….I had been doing that - the itching has been really bad. Any suggestions for the itching?” If he wasn’t supposed to itch that way than how did he stop it? He’d tried to ignore it - it hadn’t worked. It might drive him crazy if he had to ignore it…because he couldn’t. It was insistent.
Once he and Aloysius were outside, and with a card in hand, he turned to the other. “That wasn’t that bad…right?” He asked, staring up at the other.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:47 pm
Well he hadn’t expected it to end so quickly but at least it was over and they were both back outside. He waited until they were back at the car to respond though, leaning into the seat and taking a few deep breaths first before looking over at Liam. “I think that went as well as it could have, he didn’t ask about what he obviously saw. I wonder if Alexandre warned him, or did you?” It had gone smoother than he had expected, even if things were a bit less than good with his health. He’d been feeling run down for a long time, though not as badly since Liam had been making sure he ate every day. If anything he had been more worried about his scars than his weight this time around which had him feeling better in a way.
“When we get home I can cook and then I will take my first dose of both medications. Then I would like to just lay down for a bit longer or maybe a bath. I want to stay home with you today in case I react to what he gave me.” Reaching over he ran his fingers through their hair. “No more coat hangers in your cast, I believe you can tap at the thing to cause it to rub against your skin. At least that is what one of my students had to do when they broke their wrist.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:48 pm
“I didn’t warn him, but you mentioned secrets. So maybe he’s respecting what is obviously a secret for you?” He assumed that someone who kept secrets themselves would understand and possibly respect others of the same mentality. It makes sense to him anyway, also if it didn’t have to do with his job it seemed like something he wouldn’t touch on. “I’m just glad we found an answer for the problem right now, and it’s easy to fix. Once you’ve finished the medication we can find out if there is anything else you’re suffering from.” And go from there, it was a relief of sorts for him especially since Aloysius would come back to see Lorcan.
“I’d like that, if you want to cook you can but I’ll help. A bath after and then bed, you could use the rest and I wouldn’t mind either, we were up a bit earlier than usual.” And he wouldn’t mind a bit more sleep to be fair. “I’ll keep that in mind, though damn it if it doesn’t itch so bad sometimes.” It was frustrating and a good reason to not get hurt like this again in the future.
“After some rest we can do what you wanted to do…” Trailing off as he pecked the other on the cheek as he leaned into the other's touch.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:48 pm
It had to have been Alexandre then, or maybe this cousin was more straight-laced when it came to work. “That bodes well at least, I hope that it continues but we will see at the next appointment.” Tracing that scar on his throat for a moment as he trailed off, he nodded. “It could have been so much worse…” He’d been expecting it, to be honest, just one more twist of the knife.
“Yes, I want to cook today, just something from my family that should leave enough leftovers for the next few mornings.” He also did miss the food made from his family recipes, it was mainly what he cooked and had them all memorized. He also wanted something familiar with how antsy and exhausted he was feeling.
“It will get better, trust me I know how itchy it can get. I never had a cast but I have had to tape and splint things before and it was terrible.” Leaning into the kiss, he blushed a bit and nodded. “After a bath and some rest, I look forward to it.” With that all decided he turned back and turned the keys in the ignition and started driving back home.
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