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]

"You've done so much for me already," Remus said, his eyes soft and affectionate. "You're one of the kindest people I've ever met. I wouldn't want to do anything that would hurt you."

[quitollis]

"You're not hurting me," Aaron assured him. "I mean, you're making me question the fabric of my being, but I suppose that is something I should have addressed a long time ago. It just wasn't... very pressing. Until now."

[mooningremus]

"I'm not sure whether to be flattered or horrified," Remus teased. "Well. For now why don't we just... take up where we left off. Get the sheets back out?"

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded. And then he thought they should go buy a spare bed tomorrow, so Remus would be more comfortable. And then he thought - by accident - that maybe they didn't need a spare bed because Remus could sleep in his. And then his thoughts went down a bit of a gutter and he realized he was thinking about getting a king sized bed.

"Yes," he said, and quickly went to make work of that.

[mooningremus]

Remus wondered if he should wait, before giving up his bed in transitional housing. But no, he shouldn't keep a bed empty when someone else could use it, and... well, he thought this was worth the risk.

He would, however, wait until tomorrow. He wanted to at least give Aaron an opportunity to sleep on it.

[quitollis]

Aaron came back with sheets and saw a flicker of something in Remus face. "Are you sure? I don't want you to feel you should accept the offer. I understand it if you prefer the transitional housing."

[mooningremus]

"I don't prefer it," Remus said quickly. "I just... I want you to sleep on it, at least. And if you're still feeling all right about the offer in the morning, I'll give up my spot and make someone else's day."

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded. He felt a bit disappointed, but perhaps he was coming on too strongly. They both needed time, probably.

"Yes, of course. Will you stay for another glass of wine, or...?"

[mooningremus]

Remus blinked at him. "Oh, I just meant... I though I should wait until I officially tell them they can give my bed to someone else. I just - thought you should sleep on it. I thought I could still stay here tonight. I mean, if that's okay - I also understand if you want some distance to think."

[quitollis]

"Oh, no!" Aaron said quickly. "No, I thought you changed your mind. I'd love it if you stayed - I mean..." Well, what did he mean except exactly what he said? "Yes. Stay."

[mooningremus]

“Well, we might as well drink the wine then,” said Remus with a little smile.

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded. "Wine is an excellent answer," he teased a little, smiling more assured now that he knew Remus would stay.

[mooningremus]

"Why don't we just pretend for a moment that we're two perfectly normal people with no problems at all," Remus said lightly as he refilled their glasses and then sat down on the couch. "I'll tell you some stories about my students. Like the rugby player who did a book report on Jane Eyre after his roommate told him that GI Jane was a film adaptation."

[quitollis]

That was an excellent idea.

Aaron laughed and sat down with him. "That must have been an interesting read."