The doctor is another alien that I haven't met. She's tall and willowy, with dark green skin and long, thin limbs. She has large, oval-shaped eyes, and no hair, but instead a series of feathery antennae on her head. She wears a white robe, and carries a tablet-like device.
She examines me, and asks me questions, and pokes and prods me with various instruments. She's gentle, and efficient, and speaks in a soft, soothing voice.
"You're lucky, Sarah." She says, after she's done. "He didn't damage your vocal cords, or your windpipe. You have some bruises and swelling, but they will heal in a few days. You just need to rest your voice, and drink plenty of fluids."
I nod, and she gives me a small smile.
"I'll give you some medicine to help with the pain and the inflammation." She says, and turns to the cabinet behind her. "It's a mild sedative, so you might feel a bit sleepy. That's normal. Just relax, and let it do its work."
She hands me a small glass of purple liquid, and I take it, sniffing it. It smells like... lavender, and mint. I drink it, and it tastes sweet, and cool. It makes my throat feel better instantly.
"Thank you." I say, and she nods.
"You're welcome. Now, rest. You're not injured enough to require monitoring, but I'd like to see how you handle this medicine, if that's alright." She says, and I agree.
Llywelyn is standing by the door, watching me. His eyes flicker to the doctor, and then back to me. He doesn't look as angry as he did before, but his veins are still glowing a faint blue.
"Sarah will be resting now. Please don't disturb her." The doctor tells him, and he frowns.
"I'm not going to disturb her. I'm just... staying." He says, and crosses his arms. "She's my roommate. I have a right to be here."
The doctor raises an eyebrow, but doesn't argue. "Very well. Just make sure she doesn't strain her voice, or move around too much. No bickering with her."
"I-don't!" He protests, and she shakes her head.
"I've seen you two. I know how you are." She says, and walks to the door. "I'll be back in an hour. Call me if you need anything."
She leaves, and closes the door behind her. Llywelyn looks at me, and sighs. "I can't even turn my back on you for a second without you getting into trouble."
"Hey, I didn't do anything. He was the one who... "
"Doctor's orders, hetchki. No talking." He walks over to me, and sits on the edge of my bed. "You're a magnet for trouble, you know that? It's like you seek it out. Or it seeks you out. I don't know which is worse."
I huff, and glare at him. "I don't seek it out. Just don't run from it."
"Have you considered running's pretty effective when you face something twice your size?" He asks, dryly.
"I mean, I ran from some things. When I needed to." I protest.
"Responsibility and common sense?" He offers. His lip quirked up in a very small smile.
My eyes narrow.
He's teasing me. In his own way. It's irritating.
But it's also... nice.
Not that I'll ever admit that.
"You've got no room to talk about responsibility."
His hand sets over mine. "Silence, human. The doctor said so."
I glare at him, but he just looks back at me. His eyes are golden and bright, and his veins are a soft blue. He's... really close.
My heart skips a beat.
"Uhm-" I start, and he squeezes my hand.
"No. Don't make any noise. Or I'll have to gag you." He warns me, his collar glowing pink. "And I doubt you'd like that."
My face heats up, and I look away from him. I'm pretty sure he's joking. But there's a part of me that wonders...
For a moment, Alistair flashes through my mind.
That stupid-
When I'd been in a hospital bed before, his stupid gag comments and...
My eyes clench shut. No. No, I don't need to think about that.
I don't-
I...
My heart aches. Is he at home right now? Did he make it home? Is he thinking of me and...
Will I-
Why am I... getting swept up and-
"Hey." Llywelyn's voice is gentle. "Don't. It's okay." His thumb brushes over my knuckles. "I'm here. Relax."
I open my eyes, and look at him. He's smiling, a small, soft smile that I've never seen on him before. It makes him look... kind.
It's a weird look on his face.
His hand reaches up suddenly and I jolt. His thumb brushes tears I hadn't felt away from my face. I hadn't realized I was crying.
I didn't realize it hurt this much.
"Are you okay-"
"No. No, I'm not okay." I can't help but say, and his hand drops.
"I know." He says, quietly. "I'm sorry."
I shake my head. "It's not your fault."
He's quiet for a long moment and I... don't have the strength to say anything because. Because I don't know what will happen if I do. If I push through, if I look up at the gentle expression of my roommate.
I should...
Curl up and hide. I shouldn't be friends with these people. I should be back with Alistair and Hestia and Mom and-
"You..." His voice is soft, and he stares down at the ground. His chest pulses softly with color. "You. Didn't deserve it."
"Wha-" I blink and turn my gaze back to him, frowning. "Of course I didn't. I didn't start it. I didn't do anythi-"
"You're a stubborn, stupid, infuriating, idiot human." He insists. "And you exist to make my life more unbearable than it already was before I met you." He glances over at me. "But. You. Don't deserve. To be enslaved."
I... don't know what to say to that. He's... looking at me with such intensity, and his hand is still holding mine, and I can feel his warmth, and his sincerity.
I open my mouth and then close it. I don't - where did this...? T-this is not the time for this-and anyway, why would he even say it just because that stupid creep-
He sighs aggressively, ears flicking repeatedly. "A stupid subsapient once said that to me. And I-"
He cuts himself off and his throat bobs. His chest pulses vibrant colors, three times.
"Well, anyway. Just thought I'd say that. Since that qvi'gni couldn't tell." He stands up abruptly and lets go of my hand, turning toward the door. "I'll leave you alone. Rest."
I stare at him, as he walks away, and I feel... something. Something I can't name.
I want to call him back.
I want to stare at him until I figure it out.
I want...
I just want.
To have him sit near me and talk a little longer.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
He's gone a moment longer, and I...
Roll over in the bed and curl my knees up toward my chest.
I don't know why. I don't know why I'm crying. Because I'm going to escape. I'm not so injured I can't make the trip, so I'm going to go to the Galactic Center, and then I'm going to run away. I'll steal a ship and go home and I'll...
Hestia.
Home.
Alistair.
I'm going to...
So I don't know why I can't stop crying.