BREAK FREE [TPN X Male!OC]

Guilt

"Don't worry, you'll be alright."

Zan tended to his patients who were still under recovery from the hunt a week ago. He had more coming from yesterday and some are only injured a bit but made sure they are alright.

"Brother? Are my siblings alright..?" Asked his patient. Zan gave him his most reassuring smile, "They are waiting for you outside. Don't worry, their injuries are properly given medical treatment. Let's heal up quickly okay? They missed you." He caressed his patient's cheek. The little child felt the comfort he never thought he would receive in this twisted place.

"I'll be back in a day or so, stay put and heal okay? That way, you can go back to your siblings' arms again." The kid nodded and was left to rest. The 10 year old medic looked at his checklist of patients, and it seems like he's done checking all of them. Though, it's not over yet. He'll be spending the night in the other room where another batch of patients are healing. Well, who knows when they are in pain again. Then, in the morning, he'll check up on them again.

On his way to the next room, he met up with Zack. "Oh, you're still awake?"

"You're awake."

"Well, I am always awake at this time. I need to check up on the injured." Zan explained, this might be the first time he saw Zack during this time. "Are your wounds okay? Did I tighten them up just fine?"

"And here you're always scolding me to be careful when you aren't even taking care of yourself. Get some sleep, Zan." Zack's hand landed on top of his head. "You're young. I'm the oldest here, so it's fine. I'm on the relief aid team, I can take things from here." He insisted as he turned Zan's body around to push him towards his room. He resisted, "No, Zack. I can't just sit still and do nothing."

"How can a medic work properly when you're not even in a good state? Look at those bags under your eyes, it's getting darker every time I see you." Zack huffed at Zan's persistent behavior. He was silent for a while, which got Zack worried. "Zan?"

"Zack, I still feel- utterly guilty." Now, he remembered the first time they met. He had heard of his story and that he's really guilty for being trapped here and couldn't even save his siblings. He let go of his shoulders, "This is the only way I could feel better- by helping those in need of medical attention. Please understand, Zack." Zan lowered his head as he tried to reason out with him. He took the papers from his hands, "Alright, let me go with you. I want to help as much as I can." -and held his hand.

"But aren't you tired?" Worriedly, he looked at him with sad eyes. "I'll be fine. If anything happens, you're there, right?" Zack grinned before he ruffled his brown locks. The gesture made Zan feel brand new, a sensation in which he hasn't felt yet. To be cared for.

On their way to the next room, Zack slowly opened the door to not wake up the resting patients. The two went to a table with three chairs available and sat down there. Zan continued to do his work by writing down what treatment should be given to each patient. Zack did him a favor to shut up and not disturb him. He tasked himself to look over the sleeping kids.

After an hour, a kid woke up from his sleep. "Zan, a kid's awake."

"Who?" He turned around to see a familiar child. "Oh, hi." Zan stood up from his seat and went to tend to the kid's needs. Zack watched the two's interaction and smiled. He knew he excelled best in this field. It's just that, to the point he tires himself. He saw the kid laying back down to sleep as Zan grabbed a chair to sit beside the younger one's bed. He placed a hand on top of his small ones as he then closed his eyes. Zack was surprised he hummed a lullaby for the child to sleep. It wasn't long till the kid's breathing got deep and Zan took that as a sign to get up and leave him to sleep.