Still Alive

Day 3

It was early in the morning when the two awoke. Both had acknowledged the other's presence before entering a comfortable silence. They had been existing together like that for a while before Chris broke the fragile silence with a gentle, "How are you doing Piers?"

The shorter man appeared to be thinking carefully about his reply before settling on a,"I really don't know, nothing has actually settled in yet for me." he paused before adding, "I think I heard one of the doctors mention I'll probably be in shock for a little while more."

Silence fell back on the pair, albeit a little less comfortable for one Chris Redfield. Not long passed before a third and fourth joined the pair: a doctor with a nurse at his side pushing a cart full of different objects both sharp and unassuming. All of which would be invading Piers quiet morning in a matter of minutes. As expected the doctor had tried to usher Chris out due to patient privacy reasons, but the stubborn man wouldn't budge. The doctor only gave up when Piers asked the doctor to allow Chris to stay with him, even promising on Chris' behalf that "you won't even know he's here!" The doctor and nurse were however both very aware of Chris and the stare he shot their way. His mind was consumed with worry that they would deliver bad news or hurt Piers' currently fragile body.

They had started off by drawing Piers' blood, they would use the many vials to check his blood cell levels and see if the vaccines worked. This is followed by checking his remaining good eye, making sure it dilated properly, had proper motion, and its usual good vision. Next they gave him more shots of vaccine boosters and paint killers. They would end off this visit by changing any and all of his unclean bandages that lay across almost his entire body. This part embarrassed Piers the most both because he felt all his wounds showed the mistakes he had made on the field, and because he couldn't help but feel a little coy given the state of undress he had to enter in order for all of his bandages to be changed. Chris pretended to be occupied with a wall during this part after noticing the light blush that danced across Piers' cheeks. As the nurse left to go dispose of the now used needles and old bandages the doctor remained in the room. She told Piers that although he was nowhere near done with the recovery process, he's currently on the right track. Upon hearing this Chris let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and approached Piers' bedside as the doctor departed it.

"You gonna be okay as a pincushion these next couple of months?" Chris asked in a slightly teasing tone.

"I think I'm going to have to be with the state I'm in." Piers replied light heartedly. He stared off into the distance for a moment before adding, "I just want to be okay again."

After hearing this Chris grabbed Piers' hand and told him, "You will be. You're Piers Nivans - the man who spent six months looking for me even though I didn't deserve it, the man who, after finding me stuck by my side even when my head was so far up my ass I lost track of what matter, the man who almost died just so I would get a chance to live. You will be okay."

Chris kept Piers' much smaller hand in his own and held on longer than he felt should've, but still not as long as he really wanted. Piers wished Chris hadn't let go just yet as it turned out to be the very thing he needed to hear. In that moment for the first time since everything went down he really did feel like it was going to work out for him. That his new losses wouldn't hold him back for long and he would go on to not just survive but to also really truly thrive. Piers smiled a genuine smile at Chris and told him,

"Thank you captain. You've already done more for me than I deserve. Please go, take a hot bath, and sleep on a real bed." he chuckled. "You deserve to be taken care of too." Chris would never admit it but those words meant more to him than anything else. Piers was such a good man through, and through and Chris wanted to do nothing more than stay and protect him in that moment. He however knew that the younger man was right. Chris hadn't slept properly in far too long, even by his standards. He wished Piers a good night and dialed an all too familiar number in his phone as he exited the hospital.

"Hey Claire, could I stay with you for a bit?" Chris asked even though he didn't need to, his key ring contained his car key, his own house key, key to his locker in the BSAA and the key to his dear sister's home.

"Of course!" she eagerly said back, "You know I'm not much of a cook but, for you I'll make an exception and bring out my grilling skills." He could practically hear the cheeky smirk he knew she was making.

"Yeah suure, your amazing grilling skills." Chris sarcastically said before adding, "I'm gonna use your shower too by the way."

"Do I have a say in you using my shower or-"

"No you definitely do not. You have way better water pressure than any locker room or bathroom I've been to, so I'm taking advantage of that." Chris declared before saying his goodbyes and heading over to his sister's place. Chris knew that when he showed up he would be having the best burgers he'd ever eat (though he'd never tell Claire that they're his favorite) and a well earned shower finished off on a rest on a couch that felt better than his bed.

Claire spent the moments before Chris' arrival grilling burgers and making her couch into a welcome spot for rest, she finished off by pulling out the shampoo and conditioner she knew he liked (though she'd never tell him she buys it for him) and setting them by her tub. She made her table set for two and sat on the porch awaiting his arrival.