It'll Take Your Breath Away
Chapter. 5
"Hey, Gordon?” Bate finally speaks after a rather quiet evening of reading to himself. It’s late in the night, and the kids have been sent off to bed some time ago. Being much older than they are, he and Gordon would always stay up a few more hours before turning in as well. This night, in particular, something has been sitting heavy on Bate’s mind, and he couldn’t keep silent about it any longer. “I’m getting worried."
“About Meta?” Gordon looks up, and Bate could tell by his expression that he’s been waiting all night for him to finally talk about it.
It’s been less than a week since the incident in the attic. Being as health sensitive as Bate, his recovery has been going quite well, except for a few hiccups here and there. All in all, if one knows Bate as well as someone like Gordon, everything its as good as it should be. Though, that does not apply one of their new house guests. One in particular; the neediest and clingiest of the group- Meta.
Sweet Nova. Meta.
“I can’t help but feel like he’s fretting over every little thing I do." His troubled features cast down at the old wooden floor under him. He takes off his glasses, and reaches over to pinch the bridge of his nose as he recalls the last few days.
The first few days were minor inconveniences. Small things like Meta constantly worrying anytime he stifles a cough. Okay, that's fine. The child has the right to worry about his caretaker. Its natural, worrisome behavior. It’ll pass- he’ll get over it, eventually.
But Meta constantly waking him up to make sure he’s okay? That one…hasn’t been Bate’s favorite. If anyone knows Bate, they know he loves to sleep. A lot. It’s been ingrained in his system to get as much sleep as possible, and having his peaceful rest disturbed time and time again couldn’t help but start to urk the old warrior. Even small naps throughout the day has been disrupted by prods and pokes from the child. Bate gets mildly irritated at times, but even so- having his sleep disrupted is nothing compared to his latest shenanigan.
Bate still has to block out the roaring laughter of Ramset when he first witnessed it. Dangling like little chimes on his talons, Meta thought tying small pieces of papers to warn others to stay away from him if they were smoking was a brilliant idea. He even got Arthur in on a few of them. Needless to say, those barely lasted a few hours before Bate sheltered himself for the rest of the evening.
It’s been tiring, to say the least. His boys are near and dear to him, but even he isn’t sure how much more he can take before he flies off for a months long vacation in South Nova.
Gordon reaches over and places a comforting hand on his shoulder. Bate looks up and sees a warm smile on his comrades face. Bate can’t help but return it.
“I know the past few days have been stressful on you. I was hoping the issue would go away on its own, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. “
“It seems that way....” He gives a tired sigh. "I’ll be honest, I’m starting to feel slightly uncomfortable from all the added attention. You already know how I feel about others worrying about my health. I feel like I can’t do anything without having Meta flock to my side.” Though, part of him is just happy the other two mellowed out. Gordon has thankfully eased Nonsurat's concerns to the point where he’s not worried like before. And while Arthur still shows concern from time to time, he’s learned to trust in his and Gordon’s words.
“Hey, we could ask Alba once she returns from her trip to Klamar.” Gordon suggests. “Though, that won’t be for another week."
Gordon pauses for a moment before recommending another he had in mind. But he has a sinking feeling Bate won’t be as accepting towards this particular individual.
"You…could ask Mends?”
And Bate shoots him a harsh glare. Gordon had expected that.
“I’m already in enough hot water with him as it is. Don’t even bring him up.” He bites.
“I…know, but…” He gives him a weary smile. “Who else knows better than your doctor.”
“Yeah, a doctor who wouldn’t stop yelling and hitting me with his clipboard once I entered the clinic.” Bate huffed.
It was bad enough Alba wasn’t there to help him, she isn’t as nearly as rough as Mends. Right when he entered the ward, he was greeted by Mends shouting and assaulting him. Assaulting is a bit of a stretch- Bate’s thick wings could barely feel the constant swings of his clipboard when it made contact. But that’s besides the point- like anyone wants to be yelled and insulted in the midst of a really bad asthma attack. Bate had Mends buzzing about like an annoying fly his entire stay- Gordon and several nurses had to literally pull the disgruntled doctor away from him, he was so furious. Needless to say, Bate is not in the mood to be in his presence for quite some time.
“Like I need that old grouch scolding me again…” He murmurs. “He makes it seems like I intentionally caused those tower of boxes to fall. He doesn’t even know the full story of what happened that day.” His voice as a hint of annoyance.
“I suppose he doesn’t.” Gordon idly sips his tea as he diverts his eyes away from him. “I’m just glad he was able to help you in time before it got any worse."
And Bate picks up on the sound of his voice. His hiked wings lower, and his tense posture beings to relax. Gordon, always so mindful, always so worried despite their long history together.
"I...don't think I ever thanked you for helping me that day." Bate's voice is calm, and doesn't have the bite it did a few moments ago. "So thank you, and...I'm sorry if I worried you. I know how distressed you get whenever I fall ill."
And Gordon perks up. His features not on edge like before. Eventually a small smile grace his features.
"Hey, don't worry about it. You're okay, and that's all that matters." Gordon placed a hand on his shoulder " I know we've been trying to lighten the issue in front of the kids, but it's always scary seeing you like that, despite how long I've known you."
"The last thing I want is for Meta to feel the same." He softly sighs, and takes a sip of his tea. "Having him constantly fret about my health isn't something I particularly want."
"I think Meta and the others will always worry about you to some degree. Just not as severe like these past few days."
“Hm, you're right." He gives long breath, and leans back to stare at the ceiling. "I suppose I can see if Mends could help. What else do I have to lose at this point?"
"Not much, but I suppose it didn't matter if you wanted to or not- seeing as you /do/ have an appointment with him tomorrow. Unless you forgot." His says in a teasing manner.
Bate resists the urge to slap him with his wing after hearing that. So whether he wanted to or not, he was going to see him tomorrow regardless. Apparently, Gordon just wanted him to say it for himself.
"Yeah, great." Bate does little to hide the sarcasm in his voice before looking up. “You think it’s too late to travel where Alba’s staying and bring her back before the checkup?”
Gordon playfully laughs, and extents a hand to help him up so they can head off to bed. "Afraid not, my friend. First thing tomorrow, don't forget."
Bate takes it, and the pair make their way to their rooms.
"Between you and Meta, how could I?"
“About Meta?” Gordon looks up, and Bate could tell by his expression that he’s been waiting all night for him to finally talk about it.
It’s been less than a week since the incident in the attic. Being as health sensitive as Bate, his recovery has been going quite well, except for a few hiccups here and there. All in all, if one knows Bate as well as someone like Gordon, everything its as good as it should be. Though, that does not apply one of their new house guests. One in particular; the neediest and clingiest of the group- Meta.
Sweet Nova. Meta.
“I can’t help but feel like he’s fretting over every little thing I do." His troubled features cast down at the old wooden floor under him. He takes off his glasses, and reaches over to pinch the bridge of his nose as he recalls the last few days.
The first few days were minor inconveniences. Small things like Meta constantly worrying anytime he stifles a cough. Okay, that's fine. The child has the right to worry about his caretaker. Its natural, worrisome behavior. It’ll pass- he’ll get over it, eventually.
But Meta constantly waking him up to make sure he’s okay? That one…hasn’t been Bate’s favorite. If anyone knows Bate, they know he loves to sleep. A lot. It’s been ingrained in his system to get as much sleep as possible, and having his peaceful rest disturbed time and time again couldn’t help but start to urk the old warrior. Even small naps throughout the day has been disrupted by prods and pokes from the child. Bate gets mildly irritated at times, but even so- having his sleep disrupted is nothing compared to his latest shenanigan.
Bate still has to block out the roaring laughter of Ramset when he first witnessed it. Dangling like little chimes on his talons, Meta thought tying small pieces of papers to warn others to stay away from him if they were smoking was a brilliant idea. He even got Arthur in on a few of them. Needless to say, those barely lasted a few hours before Bate sheltered himself for the rest of the evening.
It’s been tiring, to say the least. His boys are near and dear to him, but even he isn’t sure how much more he can take before he flies off for a months long vacation in South Nova.
Gordon reaches over and places a comforting hand on his shoulder. Bate looks up and sees a warm smile on his comrades face. Bate can’t help but return it.
“I know the past few days have been stressful on you. I was hoping the issue would go away on its own, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. “
“It seems that way....” He gives a tired sigh. "I’ll be honest, I’m starting to feel slightly uncomfortable from all the added attention. You already know how I feel about others worrying about my health. I feel like I can’t do anything without having Meta flock to my side.” Though, part of him is just happy the other two mellowed out. Gordon has thankfully eased Nonsurat's concerns to the point where he’s not worried like before. And while Arthur still shows concern from time to time, he’s learned to trust in his and Gordon’s words.
“Hey, we could ask Alba once she returns from her trip to Klamar.” Gordon suggests. “Though, that won’t be for another week."
Gordon pauses for a moment before recommending another he had in mind. But he has a sinking feeling Bate won’t be as accepting towards this particular individual.
"You…could ask Mends?”
And Bate shoots him a harsh glare. Gordon had expected that.
“I’m already in enough hot water with him as it is. Don’t even bring him up.” He bites.
“I…know, but…” He gives him a weary smile. “Who else knows better than your doctor.”
“Yeah, a doctor who wouldn’t stop yelling and hitting me with his clipboard once I entered the clinic.” Bate huffed.
It was bad enough Alba wasn’t there to help him, she isn’t as nearly as rough as Mends. Right when he entered the ward, he was greeted by Mends shouting and assaulting him. Assaulting is a bit of a stretch- Bate’s thick wings could barely feel the constant swings of his clipboard when it made contact. But that’s besides the point- like anyone wants to be yelled and insulted in the midst of a really bad asthma attack. Bate had Mends buzzing about like an annoying fly his entire stay- Gordon and several nurses had to literally pull the disgruntled doctor away from him, he was so furious. Needless to say, Bate is not in the mood to be in his presence for quite some time.
“Like I need that old grouch scolding me again…” He murmurs. “He makes it seems like I intentionally caused those tower of boxes to fall. He doesn’t even know the full story of what happened that day.” His voice as a hint of annoyance.
“I suppose he doesn’t.” Gordon idly sips his tea as he diverts his eyes away from him. “I’m just glad he was able to help you in time before it got any worse."
And Bate picks up on the sound of his voice. His hiked wings lower, and his tense posture beings to relax. Gordon, always so mindful, always so worried despite their long history together.
"I...don't think I ever thanked you for helping me that day." Bate's voice is calm, and doesn't have the bite it did a few moments ago. "So thank you, and...I'm sorry if I worried you. I know how distressed you get whenever I fall ill."
And Gordon perks up. His features not on edge like before. Eventually a small smile grace his features.
"Hey, don't worry about it. You're okay, and that's all that matters." Gordon placed a hand on his shoulder " I know we've been trying to lighten the issue in front of the kids, but it's always scary seeing you like that, despite how long I've known you."
"The last thing I want is for Meta to feel the same." He softly sighs, and takes a sip of his tea. "Having him constantly fret about my health isn't something I particularly want."
"I think Meta and the others will always worry about you to some degree. Just not as severe like these past few days."
“Hm, you're right." He gives long breath, and leans back to stare at the ceiling. "I suppose I can see if Mends could help. What else do I have to lose at this point?"
"Not much, but I suppose it didn't matter if you wanted to or not- seeing as you /do/ have an appointment with him tomorrow. Unless you forgot." His says in a teasing manner.
Bate resists the urge to slap him with his wing after hearing that. So whether he wanted to or not, he was going to see him tomorrow regardless. Apparently, Gordon just wanted him to say it for himself.
"Yeah, great." Bate does little to hide the sarcasm in his voice before looking up. “You think it’s too late to travel where Alba’s staying and bring her back before the checkup?”
Gordon playfully laughs, and extents a hand to help him up so they can head off to bed. "Afraid not, my friend. First thing tomorrow, don't forget."
Bate takes it, and the pair make their way to their rooms.
"Between you and Meta, how could I?"
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Artist Comment:
Date: N/A
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Date: N/A
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Species © Nintendo/ HAL Laboratory
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
