Inbox: Pumpkin Hollow

[lovinglefthand]

An In-Character inbox for First Aid, chief clinician and surgeon at the Winterbottom clinic.

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[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris does move into First Aid's embrace, curling up close. They reach back to tug their hair out of the ponytail they pulled in into at the start of the crisis, using the now loose hair to hide behind even as they rest a cheek against First Aid's shoulder.

"Erik mentioned a cave-in. I didn't get all the details, but the earthquake must have brought the place down on her, wherever she was."

Chris takes a breath. "I had my assistant clean her arms, but that's all. I remembered about her file, so we focused on her leg. Erik's blood can heal, but her ankle was crushed. I had to open up her leg and find all the bone fragments before his blood would be of any use."

It's just the facts of what had to be done, but First Aid should know how hard it is for Chris to perform anything close to surgery. They've been quite open about the fact that they freeze up in the operating room and struggle to do even a routine procedure that they know all the steps to.

[lovinglefthand]

First Aid does know. He remembers, and his spark aches for what Chris must be feeling right now.

"You're so brave," he says quietly, "That was very, very brave of you, to help River even though you knew you'd be paying for it later. I'm so proud of you, and I'm so sorry that you had to do that."

This division of labor is untenable, he's starting to realize. He can't be the head surgeon and head first responder, not if it means leaving Chris with tasks they're not able to accomplish without pain. He's not sure how to fix it yet, but First Air resolves that he will do something about this. Something has to change.

For now though, he'll hold Chris close, petting their back and offering as much comfort as he has to give. This is his job now, until Chris feels better.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"It's not your fault. It's just the situation we were in." Chris hugs First Aid a little tighter, "I don't feel brave. I feel... lightheaded. And tired. Like I just ran across the beach. Twice, maybe."

Sometimes, especially when they've been emotionally thrown for a loop, Chris gets literal-minded. Just the facts. It's too much work to parse the layers that people might intend. It comes across to most folks as just another way that Chris Freeman is weird.

"Can I stay here for the night?"

[lovinglefthand]

But First Aid doesn't find it weird at all. Metaphors, social analogues -- those all take extra effort. And Chris has already done so much today, it makes sense that they don't have anymore to spare. First Aid would be more than happy to keep holding them through the night, keeping them safe and warm...But Chris isn't Cybertronian, and their body has needs of its own.

"I have a feeling," he says gently, "That you'll sleep better in your own bed. But I can carry you home, if you want. And I'll stay with you all night long, if it will help you sleep. How does that sound?"

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"...will you be okay sitting next to the bed? Because you wouldn't fit in it. But I would like if you could hold my hand when I sleep." Not quite a yes, but definitely not a no.

[lovinglefthand]

"Of course." First Aid pats Chris's hand gently. "I'll hold your hand all night long, you won't need to worry about a thing. Hup..." Scooping Chris into his arms, First Aid easily pushes himself to his feet.

Hm, feels like they're still a little underweight for their height.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Thank you, Aidie. You're a good brother." When First Aid cradles them in his arms, Chris cuddles close.

Another good thing is that Chris is still bundled in the sheet, meaning that First Aid will have his usual cover when they arrive at Chris's house. Though it's unavoidably cold in the house, thanks to no fire being lit earlier, Chris just slides out of First Aid's grasp and heads directly for the bed, only shedding their shoes when they are on the rug beside the bed instead of bare floor.

Chris crawls under the covers without bothering to undress more than that, and holds out a hand for First Aid to take. "I'm glad you're here. Right now, and just in general. You know that, right?"

[lovinglefthand]

"Oh good, so my efforts are working," First Aid jokes softly, holding Chris close and wrapping their coat and his own cloak around them both. When they reach Chris's house First Aid unwraps them gently, letting them kick their shoes off and slide into bed still fully dressed. Right now they're going to get everything they need.

"I know," First Aid responds, wrapping his own sheet around his shoulders and sitting down next to the bed. He takes Chris's hand and holds it gently, saying, "And you know I'm happy to be here, right? Thank you for letting me take care of you like this."

wrap?

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris lies on their side, face turned toward First Aid. Their expression is mostly blank, a side effect of needing to lock down their emotions to function, but there is a little spark of warmth in their gaze. They squeeze his hand gently, give a little sigh, and close their eyes.

Things feel much safer with Aidie here.