Complete

05: Treatment

Gulf walked into the office where he asked Mew to wait for him while he gathered the results.

"Gulf, how are the results?" Mew tapped the table anxiously.

"After studying the radiograph (X-ray), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)," Gulf looked at Mew, a smile breaking across his face, "you don't have to worry. Chopper doesn't require surgery."

"That is great!" Mew exclaimed, relief, happiness and joy soared into his heart.

Gulf sat in front of Mew at his desk, placing the results on his desk. Pushing up his rimless glasses, Gulf logged into his computer. From a few diagrams shown on his computer, he briefed Mew on Chopper's treatment.

"As you know, Chopper's injury is a joint subluxation. A joint luxation is a dislocation or complete separation between the bones that normally articulate to form a joint. Subluxation is the term referring to a partial separation of the joint. The most commonly subluxated joints in dogs include the hip and elbow, although any joint can be affected.

Trauma, such as an automobile accident, is the most common cause of sudden or acute joint subluxations."

Mew clenched his fists, knuckles turning white.

"To treat Chopper, Chopper is going to undergo Closed Reduction treatment. The joint can be returned to its original location through closed reduction, which does not require surgically opening the area around the joint. This is a non-invasive procedure but requires general anaesthesia to relax the muscles. Following reduction, a radiograph confirms that the joint is in the correct position.

I plan to carry out blood work. There are two types of blood tests. Routine tests and Special tests. In Chopper's case, I will be carrying out a routine test as this is part of the anaesthesia evaluation.

However, to carry out this blood work, Chopper would have to undergo gentle fasting, not eating for 6 hours. Fasting helps to clear the blood of lipemia, fat droplets that appear after eating. Lipemia can interfere with some blood tests and make the results difficult to interpret.

Therefore..." Gulf trailed off.

He coughed, straightening his back. Focussing on the computer, Gulf averted his eyes away from Mew.

"I was wondering if you wanted to stay here.

We would have to wait for 6 hours for Chopper to be ready for the blood work. Now is 4am. 6 hours later is 10am. By then, the clinic would be opened. You would also be saving the trouble of making another trip here."

"Then what should we do for 6 hours?"

"You can just take a nap here. You haven't slept for the whole night. I have a bed here which I use when I stay in the office. You can use it."

"Hmm. Then what about you?"

Studying Gulf's facial features, Mew could see that he was tired. Though subtle, his eyebags can be seen. Moreover, he has been yawning a lot.

"I can just sleep on the couch." Gulf shrugged his shoulders, getting a pillow and blanket from his cupboard.

"I would have slept upstairs where there is a sleeping area which we can use when one of us have to work overtime. But I don't want to wake up the others who are resting there.

So there is only the bed and couch.

The couch is too small for you. You have too many muscles. Useless muscles." Gulf poked Mew's bicep, laughing.

"I am smaller than you. I can sleep on the couch." Gulf brought his blanket up to his chin, burrowing into the side of the couch.

Seeing Gulf settle on the couch, drowning in his baby blue blanket, Mew simpered.

Even when Gulf is tired, he still puts others first. Just like how he didn't hold a grudge against Mew for pushing him and put Chopper's treatment first.

Getting up from his seat, Mew carried Gulf from the couch, bridal-style.

Gulf was about to fall asleep he felt himself lifted into the air.

"What-What are you doing?! Put me down!" Startled, he clutched Mew's shirt tightly, wondering what the hell was happening.

Placing Gulf gently on the bed, Mew hovered over Gulf, caging Gulf in between his arms to prevent him from escaping.

"Just sleep here. You are tired. Even if you are smaller, the couch is still too small for you to have a comfortable sleep."

Gulf frowned.

He was about to open his mouth to protest but Mew was quick to counter.

"The bed is big enough for both of us to sleep anyway. And I don't move around much in my sleep. So don't worry too much and just sleep."

Knowing that Mew won't give up, Gulf just nodded, laying on the bed in defeat.

Once certain that Gulf won't protest, Mew couldn't help but smile. It was like seeing a tiger cub curled up, sulking in a corner.

Getting the blanket and pillow from the couch, he walked back to the bed. Only to see Gulf already fast asleep.

This boy... protesting yet out like a light.

Gently tucking Gulf in, he placed his pillow above Gulf's head so that Gulf's head doesn't knock on the headboard in his sleep.

Mew laid on the bed, using his right arm as his pillow while he rested his left arm along his side, facing Gulf whose back is turned towards him.

"Mmpmh..."

Gulf turned around, making Mew wonder if Gulf needed something. Seeing that Gulf's eyes were still closed shut, he figured that Gulf was just moving in his sleep.

What he didn't expect was Gulf moving into his embrace, huddling close against his chest.

Mew's breath hitched. He was about to move further away but he was stopped. His shirt was fisted tightly in Gulf's hands.

Peering down at the small fists, Mew couldn't help but smile.

He is so cute.

Staring at the tiger cub curled against him, Mew whispered softly, smiling.

"Goodnight Gulf."