Aaron (hospital AU)

[mooningremus]

Remus woke up laying in a bed in the emergency room. "Where... am I?" he asked, his voice a croak.

"Ah, welcome back," said a woman standing by his bed. She was wearing a nurse's uniform. "You're in the hospital. A helpful bystander found you passed out on the sidewalk. You don't have any ID on you. What's your name?"

"Remus Lupin." He rubbed his head, and realized he was connected to an IV.

"It's saline," the nurse said. "You're severely dehydrated. Malnourished too from the looks of it though we're waiting for more bloodwork. Any medical conditions we should know about?"

"I'm HIV positive," Remus said with a sigh. "I... I'm so sorry about all this trouble. I'm fine, I probably just... haven't been taking care of myself..." Or more accurately, couldn't afford food.

"Well you should feel better once you're hydrated, and I'll send a doctor in to do a workup," the nurse said. "Rest."

Remus nodded, feeling like a complete idiot. Or maybe burden to society. Or something. And a few hours later he had a diagnosis of nothing worse than what the nurse had said. Though at least confirmation that his HIV status hadn't transformed into something worse. Sometimes he had trouble with food when the shelters were full, but he went to the HIV clinic to get his meds.

The nurse also kindly brought him some fresh clothes. He did feel better as he prepared to leave.

Comments

[quitollis]

Well, if wasn't what Aaron wanted to say, but there it was. True enough. "You're welcome, truly."

He took a bite from his food. "May I ask what happened? Why did you end up in hospital today?"

[mooningremus]

“I passed out,” Remus sighed. “Dehydration. Malnourishment, maybe. It’s my own fault. I haven’t been taking good enough care of myself, haven’t had a good shelter in a bit.”

[quitollis]

"Is it difficult to find a good place?" Aaron genuinely wondered.

[mooningremus]

"They can get filled up," Remus said. "Worse when the economy's on a downturn, and in the winter. I was in a place for a while and uh - " He felt embarrassed confessing this, like he was trying to sound like a good person or something. "I gave up my spot for a woman with a kid. I'm usually fine. It's just a rough patch. And like I said, end of the month at the latest, I've been on the list for transitional housing for a couple of months."

[quitollis]

Aaron watched him as he spoke and was struck by two beautiful eyes, full of emotion, full of...goodness. "That was very kind of you."

[mooningremus]

Remus looked down. "I mean, a baby would be in much worse shape than me. I just need to be more careful." He offered a little smile. "But if this makes you feel better about taking me in, I'm okay with that."

[quitollis]

"My offer isn't conditional, but it's good to see kindness in people," Aaron said kindly. "What do you mean when you say you should be more careful?"

[mooningremus]

"Oh, I just..." Remus still wasn't quite meeting his eyes. "I should take better care of myself. Or care more, I guess."

[quitollis]

"Are you forgetful? Or just... reluctant to care for yourself?" Aaron asked gently.

[mooningremus]

Remus hesitated visibly. "I think it's more that sometimes I get... depressed." he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't think it's chemical, just. Well, it's been rough."

[quitollis]

"It's understandable, chemical or otherwise. How long has it been rough for you?"He asked, always gentle.

[mooningremus]

"I mean, I've been HIV positive since I was eleven," Remus mumbled. But then he just sighed and said, "It comes and goes. It's okay. Things aren't always as bad as they are right now."

[quitollis]

"Eleven? That's very young for such a fateful disease," Aaron observed.

[mooningremus]

"Yes, um, it was... a mistake, a blood transfusion after..." He didn't finish that, he already felt like he was just dumping a sob story onto him. "Like I said, maybe I'm just unlucky."

[quitollis]

Aaron didn't press, since clearly Remus didn't want to talk about it. "I'm sorry about my interrogation. It's a role I slip into all too easily."

[mooningremus]

"It's all right," Remus said. "I mean, I'm used to people assuming that my HIV status must mean I'm a slut, or I'm not careful... Not that there's anything to judge for people who are unlikely in other ways, but it's still hard to deal with."

[quitollis]

"He who is without sin..." Aaron said. "I try not to judge anyone. I'm merely so used to hearing people's life stories and asking them about thinfs... But you're not at confession and didn't ask to be questioned. So, I apologise and I will stop."

[mooningremus]

"It's all right," said Remus gently. "I would happily tell you my life story in exchange for your kindness, if you wanted it."

[quitollis]

"Well, whatever you tell me I'll treat confidentially and with great care," Aaron assured. He did want to hear more. He found he rather liked Remus talking. He gad a rather lovely voice.

[mooningremus]

"Yes, I imagine you would," said Remus. There was something terribly trustworthy about him.

He realized that he had completely cleaned his plate. "And I am feeling better already."

[quitollis]

"Good good," Aaron - who loved good food - said, pleased. "Do you want seconds?" He asked.

It was funny, but he felt quite free talking to Remus. The man didn't expect...priestly things from him. It was refreshing.

[mooningremus]

"Oh, I think I'm okay," said Remus. Then added politely, "Thank you." Honestly if it weren't for the collar Remus would have already forgotten he was a priest. He seemed neither interested in judging nor converting.

[quitollis]

"Whenever you're ready then, we can go to my flat," Aaron said.

[mooningremus]

There were only so many times Remus could thank him, so he only nodded. "I travel light," he said, nodding down to a clean but slightly ragged backpack he had with him.

[quitollis]

"That's quite alright," Aaron said. "I have extra supplies, so if you need anything... I'm sure we can find it." He stood and took his tray. "Let's go."