People Like Us Part III [MxFxM]

06

Rosserie Says: Hi guys! So, there's some pretty graphic surgical and medical stuff going on in this chapter. If that's not your thing, this is your warning. Happy reading!

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Nathan wasn't sure if he was more anxious about the surgery, or his role in keeping River unconscious throughout at least part of it before they wouldn't need to worry about him potentially waking up in the middle of everything. It was probably a combination of the two, he figured. No one wanted their children to go through surgery, it was uncomfortable and there was usually blood everywhere, and the need for surgery indicated that there was a problem. Parents didn't want their kids to have problems, they wanted them to be happy and healthy all the time. Having to use Soul was worrying because it wasn't something Nathan used a whole lot. It was only ever if he needed to, and he wasn't entirely sure if he'd be able to handle using it on River and making it through whatever it was he was going to wind up feeling. The whole thing was going to be exhausting for everyone.

Another thing Nathan wished he had more time to get into was Varian's response to Dr. Nhik when they were talking about what Nathan would feel. Varian's expression was somewhere between surprise, anger, and being upset, and him suddenly tearing up was concerning. Unfortunately at the time, Nathan couldn't see what the problem was. He was forced to wait until later, but Varian seemed to get his composure back relatively fast. On the plus side, Nathan didn't have to worry about Adrian being around. Unlike where Varian's mind apparently went for why Adrian wouldn't be great to have around, Nathan was more concerned with the Arche's personality during such an intense time. Adrian being himself, there was a large possibility that he wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut throughout the operation, and they didn't need to deal with his probable running commentary.

Given all the work Varian had done with him, Nathan wasn't thinking about Adrian potentially moving things with his ability. He hadn't done that in a while, now that Nathan thought about it. He hadn't even moved anything when Nathan came into the house and punched him at dinner. So, on that front, there was a lot of progress. Still though, considering Adrian's attachment to River, there was a possibility that he wouldn't handle the surgery well and instruments would end up flying everywhere. Varian had enough to deal with as it was, Nathan figured, and he didn't need to control Adrian's ability for him on top of it. Something that Nathan couldn't help but find odd though, even if he didn't comment on it was Nhik's use of his first name. Ever since the other doctor came to the hospital, they'd both used last names, minus one instance. His sudden use of Nathan's first again was slightly uncomfortable. Using last names kept the pretense of a professional relationship, but first names felt just a bit too personal for Nathan to be okay with.

It was another thing he didn't have time to worry about though, and he could think about it later once the surgery was finished and they could find out how to proceed. For the time being, everyone was busy changing into the scrubs and caps they'd gotten, Dr. Warren and Dr. Nhik doing the same as they pulled on masks and gloves, too. Varian, once everyone was changed, was relocated to a chair next to River's bed, by all the blood they'd brought into the room, and the female doctor pushed a needle into his right arm, letting the blood flow through a tube to a stopping switch. The other end of the line was connected to River, and another needle was inserted into Varian's left arm, connected to a fluid line to keep him hydrated. Varian didn't so much as blink when the needles entered his skin, keeping his eyes on River instead. Nathan struggled not to wince when the needles were pushed into his mate, not really liking the sight despite how necessary he knew it was.

From where they seated Varian though, if Nathan placed himself right, he'd be right in Nathan's line of vision and would block whatever the doctors were doing to River's abdomen. That was either a coincidental placement or intentional, on someone's part, and if it was intentional Nathan really appreciated it. It was bad enough he'd be watching Varian giving so much blood and getting weaker, if he had to watch River get cut open he probably wouldn't be able to make himself stay in the room. Varian hadn't been wrong when he said River and Nathan were the most squeamish.