The Chess Piece ( Nakahara Chuuya x OC)

[ 29 ] Tranquility

 

"Are you done trying already?"

The woman drawled, observing the brunette not standing too far from her.

" I- Ilaria-san ! Don't speak so loudly."

Ilaria stared at her in an unimpressed manner as Lauretta continued to try and hush her.
The infirmary was cool and silent except for their occasional whispering. In other words, it was peaceful.

" And how exactly are you supposed to do that with your left hand?"

Ilaria inquired, completely ignoring Lauretta's attempts to silence her.

"Come here. Don't make me say it again, brat."

Her voice quietened a little but it was still stern.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she gestured to the other to come closer.

Lauretta's hesitation was very clear before she finally gave in and walked towards the bed where the other was sitting. She wasn't even supposed to be there for multiple reasons. Her eyes lingered on the cuffs on the woman's wrists for a moment. She was sure the other would have gotten up and dragged her there if it weren't for those chains restraining her.

" You're so stubborn…"

Lauretta didn't respond to that comment as she sat down, placing a first aid box on the bed.

"Don't you have a nurse at the agency? Why didn't you go to her?"

Lauretta still didn't answer and continued staring at the purple head as she began to take out the contents of the first aid box.

It was way too early in the morning. None of the agency's staff was still at the office including Yosano Akiko. But it wasn't like Lauretta would have gone to her for something so trivial.

A detective's work came with a lot of risks. That is why Yosano was such an important member of the agency. Her ability was powerful enough to bring back someone from the edge of death. Lauretta wasn't going to ask her for help when she only had a cut across her arm.

In fact, it was nothing considering all the other pain she had felt in her life. It really was trivial.
And yet here she was sitting quietly as Ilaria continued to dress the wound with a roll of fresh bandage. She had tried to do it herself but it was nearly impossible with her non-dominant hand. And of course, it hurt more trying to bend her injured arm in a certain way.

I'm not even supposed to be here. Da-chan… he told me so many times.

Lauretta moved closer to the older woman, giving Ilaria more access to her arm. Her pink eyes couldn't help but notice the amount of concentration Ilaria had. Wrapping the gauze around the cleaned wound delicately and firmly.

She didn't understand why the purple head offered to help in the first place. She had already been scolded quite a few times by different members of the agency for getting so close to what they call a dangerous criminal. She had even seen the concern and worry in Dazai's eyes as he continuously told her to stay away from Ilaria.

And this is the second time she has sneaked inside the infirmary. True, she actually needed medical attention but that could have been taken care of in many other ways.

The uncertainty didn't leave her but she couldn't bring herself to leave the infirmary either. She knew the person treating her wound wielded a strong ability. She never saw it, nor did she have any idea how it worked but there was no doubt that Lauretta could be harmed or even be killed pretty easily thinking how close she was sitting to Ilaria.

This feeling of comfort was weird and unreal. Almost frightening.

" Thanks. "

Lauretta's voice was small and quiet. Even though there was no one there, she was still worried about someone hearing or witnessing the strange interaction between them.