Dearest

Chapter 18

Chapter 17

I didn't expect that my inhome patient would be Levi- more like Rivaille. I was closing the clinic when this half-drunk shady Alpha came towards me and offered a great sum to help his nephew.

The money didn't matter to me but the sense of urgency the drunk Alpha portray had me running to the man's old apartment. And there, in one of the rooms, Rivaille laid motionless with labored breathing.

"Is he dead?" the old Alpha hiccuped.

"No, but he's in pain." Getting on my knees, I checked for possible cause. I expected a fever, seeing how pale he was but the injuries he had in his back caught me off guard. But as a doctor, I fixed him up and set aside my questions.

By the time I was done, the man who claimed to be his uncle was alseep and snoring with his mouth open.

Grabbing the nearest stool, I sat and observed my patient. He's breathing was normal and the drugs helped him greatly. While I busied myself taking down notes and additional prescription, Rivaille stirred from his sleep.

"Ummm!" he groaned, his hand reached out to rubbed his face. "I feel like shit."

I closed my notes and watched him wake up. "How are you feeling, Sir?"

"Like I said," he growled as he attempted to sat up. "Like shit!"

He snapped at me and the moment he saw my face, the scowl he wore faded into shock.

"Eren?" he gaped at me then he gasped at the pain in his back.

"No, don't move," I instructed, and gently pushed him back down at the bed.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes wide at me.

"You're uncle," I glanced at the sleeping drunk Alpha. "He came to me and asked for help."

"Kenny," Rivaille gritted his teeth.

"I know it's none of my business but what happened?"

"Pfft, you already know what happened," the raven chuckled, covering his eyes with his arm. "Just leave already," his voice shook.

I hesitated but then again I've already done my part. We're not even friends to begin with. Leaving his prescription on the stool, I took my leave.

The door creaked when it closed behind me. I stood there in the hallway, staring blanking at the faded wallpaper. Deep inside I wanted to help but after how I tried to help Levi, things didn't go to well. This just proved that I'm still a coward after all these years.

A loud thug followed by a surprised yelp came from the other side of the door.

"What were you thinking?!" Rivaille's voice prieced through the thin walls.

"What the fuck brat?!" the man shouted back. "I fucking saved your life and this is how you thank me?!"

"You could have left me to die than call Eren!"

I took a deep breath, I made my way down stairs and out of the building. Stepping into the quiet street, I stared up in the sky. Only a few stars were out, the lights from the street lights overpowered some of the celestial bodies. I recalled when I was young, the sky was full of twinkling stars. I remembered visitng Levi when we were both young. I remembered how I used him for my own gain. I'm no better than Rivaille who I figured- sells his own body.

The door opened behind me, revealing a tear-stained face Rivaille. He was looking down at the steps and pulling his jacket around him while wincing.

"What are you doing out of bed?" I asked without thinking.

Rivaille froze when he noticed me. He quickly recovered and struggled straightening his back. It's obvious that he didn't expect that I'm still here. "Why would you care?"

"Because I'm your doctor," I shot back sternly.

Rivaille huffed and wipe his face. "I just want some fresh air..."

"Hmmm," I nodded. "Some fresh air and alcohol will do you good."

"What?"

"Come with me, I knew a good tavern," I walked down the streets and noticed that Rivaille silently followed me. I know that I'll regret doing this but this was much better than doing nothing.

---

Five bottles down and Rivaille was giggling and swaying happily on his seat. But he could hold his alcohol like me, it only made him more honest with our conversation. I learned that that old Alpha- Kenny, was his uncle and that he fed his cat before leaving the apartment. The rest of the conversation was about his cat and his complain about how dirty Paris was.

I studied him all throughout the night and I could feel my chest pains with guilt. But I had to remind myself that this person was not Levi and would never be.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You know what happened," he giggled at me. "Work is work."

"You're a hooker."

"No, I only hold into that if needed," Rivaille shrugged, taking a sip from his cup.

"Then what do you do for a living?"

"None of your business and letting others fuck me is not one of it."

"But you allowed it."

"If needed, why not?" He smirked at me. "Say, doc. I know you are aware that sex can be really nice."

"Sex is the best excersise," I nodded and turned at the staff. They're starting to clean up. "Let's go they're closing soon. Can you stand up?"

"Yeah, the fresh air and alcohol did help," Rivaille hummed as we left the bar.

But I didn't expect that he'll sit right there near the door. "What are you doing?"

"I might kill Kenny if I see his face."

"You're not going home?"

"To that old apartment?" he scoffed. "The streets are far better. Goodnight, Eren."

I watched him pulled his knees to his chest and rested his head on his knees. He may be a Beta but any horny thugs won't think twice of taking advantage a half-drunk good-looking guy that slept on the street. Rivaille won't be able to protect himself with his injuries.

"Hey," I nudged him with my boot.

"Hmmm?" Cracking an eye open, he looked up at me with a pout.

"As your doctor, I won't allow you sleep here in the open. Come with me." I started walking home, knowing that Rivaille would follow me.

"Thank you," he whispered behind me.

I'm not even sure of my own decisions anymore.

----

edited 03/25/21