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

[sweet_alwyn]

"That's really sweet of you," Alwyn said softly. "Truly."

[petty_dabbler]

"It makes them happy," he shrugged. "There's some that've been there for some time, or they keep coming back. I have to think up new tricks for those ones."

He tucked into his salad and decided it really wasn't that bad.

[sweet_alwyn]

"I don't tend to get invested in patients, I know it's a bad idea to get attached- But I still don't think I could work with children. It would be too hard. I did a rotation there, and it was... I nearly left," he admitted.

[petty_dabbler]

"The little ones are the hardest," John nodded in understanding. "You made it through, though. And now you're here."

[sweet_alwyn]

"True," Alwyn agreed with a slight nod.

[petty_dabbler]

John slipped his hand into his pocket to check on the kit. He was sure it was sleeping in the warm little nest in there.

"I got a new prop. I'll show you at home," he said.

[sweet_alwyn]

"A magic trick?" Alwyn asked, looking interested.

[petty_dabbler]

"Mmm-hmm," he nodded. "The little girls loved it."

He smiled at the thought of one in particular.

"It's honestly the best part of the job, getting to entertain people. It's not just the kids, but the kids are the best."

[sweet_alwyn]

"You should see if they'll let you do it weekly, the new director might consider it," Alwyn pointed out.

[petty_dabbler]

"Do you think? I've heard he's got some innovative ideas..." he replied.

[sweet_alwyn]

"He seems more casual than the last director," Alwyn replied. "Perhaps easier to speak with."

[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."