Cease the Suffering - Etrian Odyssey II (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 9

AN: Well, I would have had this chapter up sooner, but because I had somehow hurt my knee, I’ve been rushed in and out of hospital and doctors for the past week. Something is blocking the pulse in my leg and it is extremely painful. At least it gives me an excuse to sit on my ass in front of the computer all day.

Anyway, yay, another filler chapter. Thanks so much to TaintedBloodLily for so faithfully reviewing! I really appreciate it. Enjoy!

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Chapter 9:

The sun was starting to set when Lynus staggered home, exhausted and hungry. He was feeling fulfilled and satisfied, though. It was something he hadn’t felt in such a long time. When he was forced to heal Taksony, he was left with a sense of bitterness, his hands numb and cold.

But it was different now. His hands felt warm, although slightly tingly. The people that he had helped today really needed it and were grateful for any and every healing they had received.

“I’m back,” Lynus said as he walked back into their rented room.

“Lynus!” Lirit greeted from his bed where he had been practicing with his lute. He was the only one inside the room surprisingly. “Welcome back. You were gone for a while.”

“Um, yeah, sorry about that,” Lynus said as he shifted his medical bag from his shoulder and dropped it unceremoniously onto the foot of his bed. “I managed to get a job at the hospital straight away.”

“You’ve been working ever since?” Lirit questioned, tilting his head cutely to the side, slightly surprised.

“There was a ship-wreck just off the coast of here,” Lynus enlightened as he placed his hand on his shoulder, rolling it to ease out the cramps. “So not only did they have injured explorers, but travellers, too.”

Lirit winced in sympathy. “Tough first day.”

“It’s fine,” Lynus said as he gave a half chuckle. A busy day was better than a slow one. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. How about you? Did you have fun looking around town?”

“Yeah, I did, actually,” Lirit said, his expression brightening. “There’s a few strange people, but they seem nice enough.”

That shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Explorers were notorious for being quirky. “That’s good to hear.”

“I found a place where I can sing,” Lirit told him happily, seemingly pleased that he could contribute to their new fresh start. “The owner said it was alright to keep the patrons entertained. That way, you won’t have to work so hard.”

Lynus smiled softly. It was touching that Lirit was worried about him. But it was more reassuring that Lirit was relishing in their newfound freedom and hadn’t been scarred about singing again. Out of the four of them, Lirit had only been under Taksony’s control for a very short time, so it was no surprise that he was able to adapt so easily.

Still, it was good to see.

“Have you’ve eaten anything?” Lynus asked, changing the subject.

“Not yet. I mean, I’ve eaten during the day,” Lirit was quick to justify when Lynus turned to give him a slight look of parental disapproval. It was ok for Lynus to skip meals during the day, but he refused to let anyone else do the same.

“Supper is starting soon, though.”

Good. He was starving.

“Let’s go get something to eat then,” Lynus said as he headed toward the door, indicating for Lirit to follow him. But before that, he better check on Binah and Becky. Hopefully the young girl’s fever would have dissipated by now.