Black Rose

Chapter 28

Gulf looked around the room, hospital, again. He definitely hated waking up in one, it just brought him bad memories. Now why was he here? He tried to focus, his mind was still a little groggy. Then like a flood the memories came crashing back, Chopper, the snake, the cliff collapsing, Mew's panicked face. He wrinkled his nose at the last one.

"Ah glad to see you awake, how are you feeling"said the nurse while checking his vitals

"Slight headache" he touched gingerly the bandage on his head " can you tell me where Chopper is?" He asked her " I need to see him"

"Okay let me find him for you" said the nurse walking away before he could tell her he was a dog.

He closed his eyes, he felt a little dizzy.

"How can it be that the first thing you ask for is to see a dog and not your brother??" Mild asked when he stepped into the room.

Gulf smiled keeping his eyes closed "This is exactly why Mild. Chopper can't complain" he chuckled wincing at the pain the small laugh radiated on his head.

Mild sighed "Well are you going to see him or not since you were begging for him apparently" that prompted Gulf to open his eyes to find Chopper staring at him from Mews arms, who was standing beside Gulfs bed. Gulf lifted his eyes to meet Mews and he could see how guilty he felt.

"I'm fine" he said while still looking at Mew and then turned to Mild who had thought he got away with silently crying on the other side of him. "Would you stop crying, I'm a robot remember, just buy new pieces" he teased.

Chopper whimpered and Gulf looked back at them. Mew gently placed him down on the bed and he pawed his way to Gulfs chest, looking at him as if questioning his "I'm fine" statement. Gulf couldn't help but laugh at his big doe eyes, it reminded him of Mews own expression, he reached out and rubbed his ear "I'm so happy you're okay" he told Chopper gently earning him licks to his face.

"The fact that you are giving that dog more love than I have received is flabbergasting " Mild teased, Gulf looked at him and reached for his hand.

"I really am fine, some bruises and cuts but I'm fine okay?" Mild nodded fighting the tears he felt.

"You really really scared me, don't you ever do that again, I thought I lost you..." he whined.

"Uh why is there a dog in here?" Asked the doctor walking in, interrupting the moment, Mew quickly grabbed him.

"Sorry he's my service dog, I suffer anxiety" Gulf answered without a second thought, both Mew and Mild were taken aback by how real that statement had sounded. The doctor eyed the 2 visitors.

"Anyway, Mr.Kanawut, you have a fractured ankle, it's not completely broken but the bone did splinter. You will have some discomfort and will need to wear a brace for a bit. Now for the head concussion, I would recommend you stay here over night to make sure everything is okay" he took a pause and looked at his chart " the plates in your head didn't receive any major damage and we found no internal bleeding, you will definitely be bruised for some days and I wouldn't be surprised if your whole body aches for the next couple of weeks"

Mew's palms begun to sweat, was Gulf okay with him being there right now, he was a stranger to him still. He glanced at him but he had his cold, distant and unbothered face on, a complete contrast to the caring one he had shown a moment ago to Mild and Chopper.

"You May suffer from mild headaches for some weeks due to some slight swelling caused by the concussion, I would recommend you don't stay alone for at least the next 3 days."

Gulf frowned and Mew caught it before his unbothered look was back on.

"So do you want to stay here for the night? It is your choice but I do recommend it"

"Yes! " Mild answered for him "we will stay"

"No" Gulf said without looking at Mild he knew he would throw a fit but he hated hospitals and didn't need to extend his stay here if he could go home

"Kan-" Gulf looked at Mild silencing him, he knew better than to call him that in front of outsiders.

The doctor looked between them and sighed "okay I'll tell them to get the discharge papers ready and I will subscribe you some pain meds, as well as some sleeping pills so you can rest, don't drink the sleeping pills today wait 3 days okay?" Gulf nodded and the doctor stepped out.

Silence filled the room.

"I'll leave you guys alone" Mew said watching how tense they both were, and walked out, his curiosity got the better of him and he stood close by to hear.

"Seriously Gulf, what just happened to you is not a minor thing, you should stay here at least for one night " said Mild angrily

Gulf breathed in and  looked at him, softening his eyes "Mild, if I stay here, one, I can guarantee you I will have an episode, I'm already anxious enough by just being here" he paused watching it register in Mild's mind " two if you're not okay with me being alone just stay with me , or I'll stay with you okay? But don't force me to stay in a place that brings me so many awful memories "

"Kana..." Mild took a deep breath "okay but you're staying with me! And if you feel anything weird whatsoever you tell me right away!! You got it??" Gulf smiled and nodded, he laid down and closed his eyes since he still felt a little dizzy.

Mild glanced to the doorway and saw the tip of Mew's shoe peaking through, he smiled to himself, maybe he could pay Gulf back for risking his life for his dog.

"I'll be right back" Gulf just hummed in response.

Mew started to walk away quickly "Mew" ah fuck , he turned with a sheepish smile " I didn't mean to eavesdrop I was just-"

"You need to repay Gulf for saving his life" Mild said while directing his gaze at Chopper. "He's gonna need someone to help him, I suggest you offer a helping hand" Mew looked at Mild shocked, why on earth would Gulf let him help??

"If you feel guilty, he'll oblige" Mild said smiling ear to ear. Mew got it, if he told Gulf he felt guilty than he would budge, he looked down at Chopper "plus if we added that Chopper missed him he would feel like he had no choice" Mild finished.

Okay then Mew thought I'll take all the opportunities I can get "Let's do it"