Keeping Him Loved

Chapter 25

        "Run the simulation again, Dynamo," Add told his companion.

        "Of course, Master Add." The results were different just as before. Another failed attempt.

        Add sighed in defeat. "See, there it is again," (y/n) spoke as she entered the room for the second time that day. The sun was already trying to make its way back underneath the horizon, yet Add hadn't made any progress on his most recent experimental treatment. "I didn't want to bother you but you missed your afternoon break, so I came to bring you a snack."
Cookies to satisfy his sweet tooth. He could never turn down anything with chocolate no matter how much his intellect advised against eating sugar filled treats.

        "Any sign of Raven? He should have been back by now."

        "No, but it wouldn't be the first time he's been late. He'll be back sooner or later." (Y/n) smiled at him. "You're worried about him, aren't you."

        "Hmph, as if. That old man is probably just losing his senses and got lost."

        "He's only eight years older than you," (y/n) pointed out. Add didn't care what his age was. He was simply getting payback because of Raven's old habit of calling him a kid knowing full well that it annoyed him. "Huh...isn't this for his treatment? You've been working on it all day?"

        There was no use hiding it now that she had seen it. "It's for the overheat effect that his arm is causing. It's getting worse, and he refuses to stop taking advantage of the power it provides." Add swiped the screen aside. "This is actually what I've been doing all day. It's a report on the visitations that we've been making to a group of nobles and their households. I have to compile this data into a form that their simple minds can understand so that I can increase my influence and get an influx of new test subje- uhh patients." Add rested his head against his desk. "But I'm sure you were already aware since you've been helping," he muttered.

        "Master Add lost interest and asked me to assist in creating a more effective treatment for Mr. Nasod Arm," Dynamo informed. "The results are raising his blood pressure."

        "Alright then, say no more. Time to rest, Add. Come on," (y/n) lightly pat his back. "Dynamo, please take over his duties while he rests. And Add, if you're up for it, I can brush your hair for you."

        That was an offer that he wouldn't refuse. (Y/n) slipped her arm into his as he stood up. Add led them back to his room to find the brush that (y/n) used for him more than he did for himself. He wordlessly passed it to her and sat on the edge of his bed. (Y/n) climbed onto the sheets behind him and began to get to work.

        Add enjoyed it when they shared moments like this one. He was the most genuine when he became quiet. The silence would remain long enough for Add to completely drop his daily facade, and then he'd spill his innermost thoughts to (y/n). It became a habit for him. If there ever came a day when he had to hide his feelings or thoughts from her, he would truly be alone in the world. No one would understand him. He refused to let that happen. He did not fear it, but he would rather there be someone he could always be genuine with no matter what.

        "Have I done something to upset you, (y/n)?" He felt a little doubtful as he asked that question and hoped that there was nothing creeping up between them. (Y/n) stopped in the middle of a brush stroke. "Or is there something that I haven't done enough of?"

        Add had asked these questions many times before. It was a check-up of sorts for their relationship where he always made sure that (y/n) wasn't harboring any ill will against him. He took health seriously in both mental and physical aspects which included their growth as a couple. To be strong in all areas was the form of ultimate power that he sought.

        "Of course not, my love," she replied in elvish. Those words, among a few other phrases, were ones that Add understood well. It sent a shiver down his spine to hear them, for he adored it when (y/n) spoke to him in her native tongue.

        "Good." The tension in his shoulders began to fade upon hearing that. "I want you to sleep in my room with me tonight." Again, (y/n) stopped brushing his hair for a moment.

        "What are you up to?" she half accused.

        "I just want you here. It's easier to sleep when you're around." The tips of his slightly pointed ears began to burn nearly red. "It's a temporary solution to help you stay well rested during the night. You won't have to go so far to check if I'm still breathing. I'd be right there." Add shook his head to clear it of any sidetracked thoughts. "I'll find a better solution soon enough so just...just stick with this one for now. If your mental state is suffering because of your concern for me, then I will eradicate the root of those worries."

        "You go to sleep so early. Wouldn't I be waking you if I slept in your room?"

        "It doesn't matter if you wake me up or not. Until I find a better treatment, this is the best option. I'd rather not try aromatherapy, and you don't need any medication of any sort." He began to get lost in thought. "Maybe you are feeling homesick? Well no, that wouldn't be the word for it. Maybe I should take you on a quiet walk by a creek. If I find the perfect one, it might help."

        (Y/n) set the brush aside and slipped her arms around him. "You have a very important meeting tomorrow. Save these thoughts for another time. I'm okay, I promise."

        "I know you're lying," Add quietly responded. (Y/n) made no attempt to deny it before he spoke again. "You just told me earlier that you were scared. I don't care if I miss the meeting entirely if it means putting you first, so don't say things like that." He smiled to himself at the thought of spending the rest of his day like this in her hold. If he had his way, it would be the other way around, and he'd get (y/n) back for always joking around with him. To hear her laughter would provide him with a medicine that only he wanted access to. No one else. "Let me take care of you. Let me spoil you. Let me be the center of your attention. I'm more than capable enough to do so." He felt her relaxing her weight against his back as she laid against him. Although she hadn't meant to, her shifting caused some of his hair to brush against his neck. It immediately sent a jolt though him.

        "I'm sorry," (y/n) immediately retreated away from him. "Did I hurt you?"

        "No, of course not." That accursed scar around his neck. Every now and then, Add would remember that it was still there. It was covered by his high collard shirt, but he knew of its presence. He was always aware, and he wanted it gone. "There's nothing to be concerned about." That was all in the past now. The scar would be gone soon enough too. He had been figuring out ways to get rid of it entirely.

        (Y/n) picked up the brush again and played with his hair a bit more. "After your meeting tomorrow, can we really go on that walk by a creek?"

        "Yes," he blurted out. The hopeful tone in her voice had him answering all too quickly. "Wait, no. Not quite yet. We can, but there are still some urgent matters that I have to attend to. As much as I'd like to throw them aside for later, I have to deal with them as soon as possible."

        "That's alright. I know how busy you are." Add didn't think it was okay though. For how much longer did he need to keep playing the role of benevolent doctor? It was starting to annoy him how much the role kept him so occupied. The sound of the front door opening caught both their attention soon afterwards. "Looks like Raven is back."

        "Took him long enough," Add grumbled. "I need to check on his condition. I'm absolutely positive that he's only managed to worsen the overload effect yet again." His break was over now that his mind had gotten back on things dealing with work. (Y/n) let him stand and watched him pull a few strands of hair back behind his ear. "We have an extensive schedule to follow tomorrow and much to finish today." Add thought about it for a moment. "I will take you out again, I promise. To the creek or a nice quiet place." With those words, his break was over. He headed off to deal with their local hard headed mercenary.
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Add's fourth job path is the only one where he isn't yelling all the time when calling out his skills in-game. I found that kind of funny. Until next time you spectacular readers!