John and Alwyn

[petty_dabbler]

John had taken half the day off from cleaning to go to the children's ward to put on a magic show. He had his rings and handkerchiefs and disappearing balls and coins. Best of all, though, he had a tiny white bunny that was quite content in his pocket.

He started in the common room, then went from room to room to the kids that couldn't get out of bed.

"We appreciate you doing this, John," the head nurse told him.

"Don't mention it," he replied.

He was heading out to go home when he thought Alwyn might still be on the floor so he made a pass through neurology before catching the train.

Comments

[petty_dabbler]

"Maybe I'll ask him," he nodded.

He picked at his salad, eating the bits he liked, but pushing away the tomatoes.

[sweet_alwyn]

"It would be a lot of extra work and planning though," Alwyn noted.

[petty_dabbler]

"Maybe for the hospital. I've got ideas out the ass for things I'd do if I had more time with them," he said, choosing a cucumber bit.

He was sure Mills would say no, but it was nice to think about.

[sweet_alwyn]

Alwyn shrugged, since he thought if John wanted to do it, he should.

[petty_dabbler]

"How was your day?" he asked then. "Tiring, I'm guessing."

[sweet_alwyn]

"Just long," Alwyn said. "We're slightly short staffed, and I keep picking up extra shifts to help out."

[petty_dabbler]

"You're going to burn out if you keep going like this, love," he said with soft concern.

[sweet_alwyn]

"Perhaps, but I haven't yet," Alwyn replied. "I'll know when I near my limits."

[petty_dabbler]

"And then what do you do?" John asked.

[sweet_alwyn]

"I take a sick day and just sleep," Alwyn shrugged.

[petty_dabbler]

"A sick day? A single sick day? Love, you need a holiday," John said gently.

[sweet_alwyn]

"No time, and definitely not enough staff," Alwyn said, shaking his head. "One day. Then I get back to it."

[petty_dabbler]

"Maybe I should ask Mills for more staff instead of permission to be a clown," he said. "I hate seeing you like this, love. All you do is work and sleep. That's no life."

[sweet_alwyn]

"Mills can't do anything, it's too near graduation. The hope is to move students right into the departments. I'm pretty sure we have to have some vacancies to accommodate incoming staff. Hopefully it'll be better this summer- Though with our head leaving not many students chose us for rotation."

[petty_dabbler]

John shook his head slowly.

"I'm just worried about you," he said softly. "You work too hard."

[sweet_alwyn]

"It's part of being a doctor. One day I wont be a Jr. anymore and I'll rest then," Alwyn shrugged.

He was silent a beat, then dared to ask something he hadn't before.

"Does it bother you that I don't have much time to spare?" he asked awkwardly. "...For you, um, I mean."

[petty_dabbler]

"I wish I got to see you more...but I understand doctor's hours," he said. "I'll take every minute I can get with you."

[sweet_alwyn]

Alwyn nodded, thankful that John understood.

"Maybe one day, when it's less hectic, we can take a small vacation together?"

[petty_dabbler]

"I'd like that a lot," he smiled. "Maybe to the shore?"

[sweet_alwyn]

"Yes, a beach might be nice," Alwyn agreed with a small smile. "I'd enjoy that, I think."

[petty_dabbler]

"We could get an airb&b," he suggested. He'd seen those online and they looked so much nicer than a shitty hotel. Alwyn deserved something much nicer.

[sweet_alwyn]

"Isn't that expensive?" Alwyn asked, not sure he could afford that.

[petty_dabbler]

"I can work it out. Don't worry," he assured him. "We need to be more concerned with when."

[sweet_alwyn]

"Hopefully in a month or so?" Alwyn offered. "I'll let you know as soon as I know."

[petty_dabbler]

"Leave it to me, then," he grinned.

He picked at his salad a little more, picking out the good bits. Then he selected a carrot and snuck it into his pocket.