inhotwater | BORDERLANDS AU 1

[And that? Yeah. That hurts like a bitch. The nerves are adjusting. It's the process, the process just fucking hurts.]

Ahh--!

[well well well if it isn't the consequences of his actions]

[hhhh great no, this is terrible actually--but he is immediately releasing him.]

Edward--

[but before he can get any further than that, here's Lee, coming in and just seeing all of...this]

"Oswald--? What happened?"

Some genius decided he was going to go ahead and attach his new arm himself! [snapped, as he just...gestures at all of Edward lmao]

"He what--?" [that sure is a noise of exasperation, and she's turning to lean out of the doorway, calling for painkillers to be brought over before making her way to the bed, pulling over a chair] "Hold still, Edward."

[He wants to insist, immediately, that he's fine. He handled it, he knows how to do this, he doesn't need people making a goddamn fuss over him, that's exactly what he didn't want. He wants to comment something to Oswald, about how yes, he is a genius, thank you for noticing.

He doesn't manage any of that. Instead, the second Lee's getting close his mouth just moves on its own, as his heart races, and he's backing up and away from her.]

Don't touch me--

[It's... panicked. And suddenly he feels very detached from himself. Ah... was he this panicked...? He hadn't realized...]

[she pauses at that, in her chair, assessing]

"--Edward. Take some deep breaths. I won't touch you, but it's best if you don't move."

My... my breathing is perfectly fine--

[Never mind that he finds himself instinctively searching for exit routes, even though he's frozen up. He's not getting up, but at the same time he wants to be anywhere but here. And now they really have something to look at, huh...? Good job, Edward. Made a scene trying to avoid one...]

I-I had this perfectly under control...

[Until Oswald just had to come in. Of all times...]

"And you still have it under control." [her voice is gentle, but firm] "And you're probably correct that your breathing is fine, but as your doctor, I need you to check it for me, please. Make sure it's four counts in and eight counts out."

[...he's not getting out of this, huh.]

...Fine.

Since you're so insistent.

[He's usually a little more polite to Lee. It's still Edward, sure, but he's been nice enough to her. This is a little more... impatient. He'll... focus on his breathing, at least.]

Edited 2022-06-07 20:30 (UTC)

"I appreciate it."

[and she'll just let him get on with it, until a nurse comes in with some painkillers and a cup of water--which she'll take from them, before sending them off]

"How's the breathing coming?"

...It's fine.

[He's immediately eyeing those painkillers. After how long he's been in here, he knows them when he sees them, after all.]

...

I don't need those.

"Of course not." [and she'll set them on the side table along with the water] "They're just there if you want them."

Well, I don't.

[They do help with the pain, definitely, but... he hates how numb he feels with them. Or... maybe not exactly that.

...]

I'm managing. I installed it correctly, so. There's no damage.

"I'm sure it's fine, yes."

[she's pushing to her feet]

"Oswald, why don't I walk you out."

[Edward... doesn't say more, for now, but as Lee says as much, he just carefully glances Oswald's way. Almost timid, now, despite how hostile he can be.]

[Oswald's hand is white-knuckled on his cane, and looks like he's somewhere between making a biting comment and throwing a fit. Except he's also pretty pale, even though his face is scrunched up in those two between emotions]

....right. Yes. Best come back later. [his voice is...very tight]

"When the matter's resolved." [again, that gentle but firm tone of voice, because she knows him well enough to know that whatever reaction is brewing is Not Good and would probably not be good to happen in this hospital right now lmao] "I'll send you an update as soon as possible." [and she's going to take his arm and lead him out]

[Edward's just switched to staring at the floor. The adrenaline's gone and now he just feels... bad? Bad. It's a vague sort of feeling, where he can't quite place the emotional cocktail going on right now. Just that he does not care for it.]

[yeah it's not the best of situations

So Edward gets to be alone in that room for a bit while Lee takes Oswald out of the hospital.

She'll be back as soon as he's out, though, but for now he's got a minute or two of peace and quiet]

[...he looks, for a moment, at those painkillers. It would help. And it would make him feel less of... all of this, probably.

...

No. Better not. He'll just... wait for a bit, for when Lee returns. Give his arm a little more time to adjust.]

[Right, she'll be back, then, after a bit, moving to sit down again in that rolling chair of hers, though she doesn't move it closer. she doesn't glance at the painkillers--not yet. Not until she's sure he's not making his way towards a panic attack any more]

[He's not... looking at her. But he seems less panicked now, at least. It's passed, mostly.]

...I really did have it under control.

"I'm sure you did. But I'm sure you are aware that I'm going to have to make sure, now?"

I did it correctly. I'm not an idiot.

[He sounds annoyed, now, but. It's the normal amount of annoyed he gets. Probably a good sign.]

...But fine.

[Well that's something.]

"I'll also have to make sure you didn't disturb any of your remaining stitches or your still-healing ribs." [all business-like about it, simply practical]

They're both fine.

[He's pretty sure, anyway... He didn't feel any tearing. And he'd be a mess if he fucked up his ribs.]

...but if there is a problem, it's only because Oswald startled me. For the record.

"Mmhm." [mildly] "I'll be sure to include that in my doctors notes."

"Is it alright to touch you?"

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