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

[mooningremus]

"So you try to give that to people?" said Remus. "Hope? Does it work?"

[quitollis]

"I've always tried that... it hasn't always worked. I'm hopeful it might, here," Aaron said and couldn't help a little sadness shine through.

[mooningremus]

"Well, I don't know about God, but I find you very comforting," Remus said.

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled. "Thank you," he said, honestly grateful. "Good to hear, really. But my hope fof you is genuine. Life seems to have been particularly hard on you."

[mooningremus]

"On the bright side, I don't think it can get substantially worse," Remus said with a small smile. "And hey, a lovely man bought me lunch, that's a step up."

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled kindly and wanted to think nothing of being called lovely. But he was quite touched to be called it by such a sweet man.

"I'm glad you accepted the meal," he said instead. Now he wanted to offer more.

[mooningremus]

"Thank you again," Remus said. "I'm feeling much better already. And it's not too cold tonight so I'm sure I can find a spot in a shelter for the night."

[quitollis]

"Why don't you stay at my place tonight?" The words were out of his mouth and he couldn't take them back. "I mean, you shouldn't be out there tonight. You're still recovering."

[mooningremus]

Remus blinked at him. "Why... why would you do that? You don't even know me."

[quitollis]

"Well, if I still had my church, I'd offer you a room in the parish, but right now I only have my own flat to offer. The Chapel is a public space and open all night, so you can't stay there."

[mooningremus]

"That didn't answer my question," Remus pointed out.

[quitollis]

"Christ told us to help our fellow man, especially those in need," Aaron said, mostly to find a save in religion.

[mooningremus]

"Ah," said Remus. "Right."

He wasn't sure if he'd been hoping for some other answer. But this one made sense.

"Well," he finally said, "as I said, I am past any pride allowing me to turn down charity. Thank you." He'd probably be fine at a shelter, but he was worried that the problems that brought him in today might not have completely resolved.

[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."