Burdens [Furry BxB]

Chapter 120 - Visitor

The sun had already begun its descent and there was not a single sign of Hunter or the fox's parents. He knew that his parents were busy, but he figured that they would at least take the time off to see him.

Lunch had come and gone. The gecko had brought him his lunch and departed with the tray when he was done.

His life ended up being a meal and the bathroom, as well as lying in bed and staring at the television. It was not really such an enjoyable life as he thought being lazy might have been. He was starting to get sore from lying in bed for so long.

The weasel had arrived back on shift just before dusk had arrived. He still had that warm smile and flamboyant nature, and Roger realized that he had missed it when an alternative had been presented. He felt better when someone at least pretended to care about his condition.

It was about the time when the sun had gone that there was a knock on the door. Perhaps it was dinner, or another examination, or even some more medicine.

Instead, he saw a familiar face. Hunter had gotten to the hospital somehow, it seemed, still holding onto a sports bag, which he assumed housed his dirty laundry. He was wearing casual, loose-fitting clothes that he often saw him in. He did not have very much clothing as it was.

Roger's face lit up, and he could feel his own tail thumping against the bed. His eyes began to well up. He did not realize just how badly he had wanted to see the wolf until he finally saw him. It felt to him like a dam had burst, all the bottled up emotions he had. He began to cry.

Hunter quickly walked over, dropping his bag to the side, and then very carefully, grabbed his paw. He knelt down and put his muzzle to it, nuzzling it affectionately. "I'm so glad you're okay," the wolf told him. Even his voice sounded choked.

"Me too," Roger said between sobs. He brought both paws to the wolf's head and held it, slowly petting him.

"I don't know what I would have done if I lost you," Hunter said. His eyes betrayed the worry he had been feeling. "I just... I just...."

"Shh," the fox said to him. He kept petting him gently, wiping away a tear. "I'm still here."

Hunter pulled a chair over so he could sit next to Roger. He dried his eyes and kept an eye on the fox.

Roger could hear Hunter's tail wagging behind him, threatening to knock something over. Roger sighed happily. Just his presence made him feel immensely better.

Roger took a paw and rubbed the wolf's chest. He felt his muscles through the shirt and fur, and he traced his paw across them. "Did you take a shower after practice?"

The wolf folded his ears. "Ah, well, I rinsed off, but I didn't do a full shower. I wanted to come here as soon as I could. I'm sorry if I smell bad."

The fox shook his head slowly. "No, no. Just wondering. He continued to rub the wolf's chest. It was incredibly warm to the touch, the muscle still hot from the practice. He could feel himself blush a little for being so bold.

He heard the door open again after a knock. Hunter stood up, worried, although there was no real reason to worry.

A nurse walked in. "How are you doing, sweetie?" the weasel had asked upon entering.

He noticed Hunter, and then stammered, "O-oh, you... you must be h-his f-friend." He was caught off guard, and yet he took a submissive pose, playing with his paws out of anxiety, not really looking directly at the wolf for more than half a second. "I-I'm his... nurse."

Hunter walked forward, understanding what he had said as meaning that he was taking care of the fox. He offered a paw to shake, to which the weasel gingerly took. It was a firm grip to one that seemed almost fragile.

Roger could tell that the weasel was smitten, and it irked him a little, but it happened so often he did not need to get so upset. He knew where Hunter's loyalties were.

"I'm Hunter," the wolf told him.

"M-Mike. Nice to meet you," the weasel stammered. Even Roger could tell how hard he had been blushing. He knew how that felt.

Hunter returned to his bedside and sat down in the chair. The weasel walked to the side that the wolf was not on and gently grabbed the fox's arm.

"I'm going to check your vitals really quick, dear," he said, his composure regained. He strapped a cuff to the fox's arm, checked his pulse and blood pressure, and then a few other things. It was the same routine they did every few hours.

After he was done, he checked the time on his watch, then told the fox, "I'll be back with your supper in a few minutes, okay? You just rest up until then."

He got up and gave a warm smile, and then glanced at Hunter. He grew embarrassed and awkwardly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"You sure have an effect on everyone, it seems," Roger commented.

"What do you mean?" Hunter asked, genuinely oblivious to what had happened.

"That nurse liked you," the fox explained.

The wolf tilted his head. "Is that bad? I mean, I like him, too. He was really nice to you. I think he'd make a good friend."

Roger shook his head. "I mean, he, you know. He likes you, kind of... like how I like you. He's interested in you. I don't blame him, you're a really handsome guy."

The wolf folded his ears back bashfully and his tail waved behind him. "You're nice to say so."

Roger took the wolf's paw and brought it to his muzzle. He gave it a soft lick and then rubbed it against his face gently. "You know I mean it."

Hunter laid his head on the fox's chest but held most of the weight on his own so he was careful not to crush him. He did not know just how much he could do before it would injure him.

A few minutes passed and there came a knock at the door, and then it opened. Hunter had stood up again, prepared to destroy anything that threatened the fox in his time of need.

The weasel carried a tray of food with him. Small portions of fish and string beans and potatoes were on it, as well as a soup and some water. He gave a soft smile when he made eye contact with the two of them, though still averting his gaze when he saw that the wolf was looking at him.

He placed the tray off to the side for the time being, and then said, "You're going to have to sit up for the soup. Please just relax, sweetie."

There was a control to the side of the bed that Roger had not noticed. Upon pressing it, the bed began to morph and slowly, it elevated his torso so that he was seated upright, albeit his legs extended for the most part. The weasel then put the tray down in front of him.

A growl came from the wolf's stomach amidst the silence. Roger looked at him and said, "Do you want to share my food?"

The wolf shook his head. "You need that to get better. I'll be okay."

"There's a cafeteria d-downstairs if you like," the weasel told Hunter. "I can... I can show you where it is."

Roger reached for his wallet, sniffed it carefully, and then took out what money he had left. It seemed like it had survived its ordeal unscathed. He handed the money to Hunter. "Go on, you need to eat, as well. I'm not going anywhere. Just come back after."

The wolf hesitated, looked between the weasel and fox, and then slowly accepted the money, pocketing it. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

Roger ate his food quietly as he watched them depart. He almost felt like he had given the weasel Hunter, but he knew that was just a silly notion. He knew his worries were unfounded.

The dinner was bland, but it was hospital food. Still, it tasted a lot better than if he had not had a visitor.