Strawberry Banana #11, Milk Chocolate #25
Author: winebabe
Title: Miscalculation
Story: The Gemini Occurrence
Rating: PG-13
Flavor(s): Strawberry Banana #11: a test; Milk Chocolate #25: worry
Word Count: 1427
Summary: 2025; Devyn goes in for the procedure.
Notes: Devyn Lively, Douglas Hammond, Anton Wegner. (Oh look, actual plot!)
Devyn decides he's not going to tell Mack. If he does, Mack's going to want to come along, which is bad enough, or he'll try to stop him, which is worse. His mind is made up, and has been since he sent in his application online. No matter what, he's committed himself to having the procedure. Nothing could possibly make him change his mind.
They send him to a private hospital, which calms Devyn's nerves a little bit. He'd almost been expecting some top-secret lab facility, or something a lot less sterile, so he considers this a good sign as he walks through the automatic doors. He checks in at the front desk, waits a few minutes in a hard, plastic chair, and then follows a young, pretty, smiling nurse to the elevators.
"Have you met Dr. Wegner?" she asks, and Devyn shakes his head. The smile doesn't falter from her face as she tells him, "Oh, he's the best. He's the absolute best."
"The best at what?" he can't stop himself from asking. The best at performing experimental brain procedures? The best at cutting open skulls?
The nurse turns to him, still smiling, and says, "Oh, just the best. Like, in general. He's awesome."
"Oh," Devyn says, but isn't exactly comforted by that revelation.
His mind reels the entire rest of the elevator ride, and there are a million questions he'd like to ask the nurse. He only manages to keep quiet because he doesn't think he can trust her to answer them, considering the response she'd just given him.
The hospital is busy, and as they rise up and up through the building, Devyn can hear the beeping of machines above the chatter of nurses, doctors, patients and visitors. It strikes him as odd, suddenly, that he's there voluntarily and isn't the least bit panicked by his circumstances. His anxiety has already kicked in--he's shifting his weight back and forth, almost bouncing at this point--but it's not enough to make him change his mind and leave. There's something thrilling about it to him. Finally, he's doing something controversial in the name of science again.
Who cares, really, if this screws him over? He's spent the better part of his life making rash decisions with generally-horrific outcomes. It hasn't killed him yet and, to be honest, he doesn't care that someday it might. The worst possible outcome still potentially leaves him memorialized forever in textbooks, as the first man who risked his life to discover the nature of the soulmate phenomenon.
It's all the scientific community has talked about for nearly 30 years. First recognized over a century ago, referenced in medical journals at the time as a "twin soul" connection, it was immediately thrown into the realm of psychology, because the whole phenomenon worked under the basis of feelings. Those claiming to experience it could offer no concrete proof beyond how they felt. Over the years, though, the phenomenon never seemed to fade, and any efforts to treat it like a psychiatric condition failed. It wasn't until a study started 30 years prior and published, just before the heart devices were first launched, under the title "The Gemini Occurrence," that the discovery of a physiological element was made.
From there, the phenomenon moved on to the realm of the biological sciences, where Devyn first became interested in it. He would have been lying if he'd said, as an angsty teenager, he didn't hope soulmates were a real thing. It seemed like the greatest thing, to have someone out there who would love you no matter what. That's all a weird, lonely, relatively disliked kid could want in life. Of course, he grew up and realized that having a soulmate didn't mean having someone who loved you no matter what. In fact, having a soulmate wasn't necessarily similar with every person. The only constant was the physiological reaction every person experienced in the presence of their soulmate.
The why and the how are the really important questions, though, and what Devyn is hoping to get to the bottom of. The thrill of seeing his name in print somewhere, of becoming a notable person in the science community, is just too much for him to walk away from. Even if he dies in the process.
"Are you ready?" the nurse asks, and it's only then that Devyn realizes he's been so wrapped up in his own mind that he hasn't noticed the elevator doors open.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he replies, and she fixes him with her eternal grin and leads the way out of the elevator.
Devyn steps into the room near-manic, shaking and jittery, already bursting with questions. There are a lot of people dressed in scrubs, which surprises him still, and two men who appear to be in charge talking amongst themselves. The nurse goes over and interrupts them, and they quiet down abruptly, turning their attention instead to Devyn.
He lifts his hand in a weak wave and says, "Hey," before immediately regretting it.
"Mr. Lively?" one of the men says, and takes a few steps toward him.
"Yes! Oh, uh, it's Dr. actually, just so you know. It's nice to meet you!" Devyn sticks his hand out, but the man makes no move to shake it.
"I won't be touching you, Dr. Lively," he says, "I've been sterilized for the procedure already. However, it's nice to meet you as well. I'm Dr. Anton Wegner, and this is my colleague, Dr. Douglas Hammond."
The other man, Dr. Hammond, nods in acknowledgment, and Devyn only offers a quick hello in response.
"Have you made all necessary arrangements, Dr. Lively?" Dr. Wegner asks. "Notified friends and family, taken time off of work, found someone to feed your animals, et cetera. You realize this will require a significant stay in the hospital. This is, in effect, brain surgery."
Devyn can't believe the man actually says et cetera and almost laughs, but manages to hold it in. "Yep, everything is taken care of." As far as everyone knows, he's on vacation, and there are no pets or house plants that need to be cared for. No one asked any questions, because it apparently was common knowledge that Devyn Lively was severely in need of a vacation in the first place, but he's preparing for backlash when he comes back with a buzz cut and absolutely no tan to speak of. "Anything else you need from me, Doc?"
Dr. Wegner raises an eyebrow and takes a long, judgmental pause before he finally says, "You'll need to put a gown on."
There is a point, in spite of all the anesthesia, where Devyn feels as though something inside of him has opened up. Violently, painfully, and wholly.
"There is so much noise inside my head, dude," Devyn says when he comes to, vaguely aware of the presence of someone else, though he's not sure if that's real or imagined.
From beside his bed, Dr. Wegner chuckles. "It's actually outside of your head, Dr. Lively. You've awakened a few times already, and snapped about the lack of 'punk rock' in the room. The nurse finally gave in and played something she called 'Bad Religion.' You from an hour ago seemed to enjoy it. I had to stop you from headbanging in your bed."
"Shit," Devyn laughs. "Okay, well, maybe turn it off? Just for now. Jesus."
Dr. Wegner complies and picks Devyn's phone up from the beside table, tapping the pause button with his thumb. "So, Dr. Lively, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, you know," Devyn says, "except for the fact that my skull was cut into, or whatever. I don't actually know what happened, thanks to drugs and all."
"Would you like me to tell you exactly what we did?" Dr. Wegner asks, and Devyn cringes.
"Maybe later. I think I might puke if I know the specifics."
Dr. Wegner smiles and tells him, "Well, we have plenty of time for that. You'll be coming in regularly for testing, so perhaps I can explain it at one of those visits?"
Devyn sighs heavily. "That sounds good. Let's do it then."
Dr. Wegner leaves him alone to rest, after checking his vitals and scribbling in his chart, and Devyn sits in his hospital bed in relative silence. It's unsettling how normal he feels, besides the effects of whatever strong painkillers they have him on. There should be something more, he thinks. Instead, he's left with an aching emptiness, something akin to discouragement in the wake of the operation.
Title: Miscalculation
Story: The Gemini Occurrence
Rating: PG-13
Flavor(s): Strawberry Banana #11: a test; Milk Chocolate #25: worry
Word Count: 1427
Summary: 2025; Devyn goes in for the procedure.
Notes: Devyn Lively, Douglas Hammond, Anton Wegner. (Oh look, actual plot!)
Devyn decides he's not going to tell Mack. If he does, Mack's going to want to come along, which is bad enough, or he'll try to stop him, which is worse. His mind is made up, and has been since he sent in his application online. No matter what, he's committed himself to having the procedure. Nothing could possibly make him change his mind.
They send him to a private hospital, which calms Devyn's nerves a little bit. He'd almost been expecting some top-secret lab facility, or something a lot less sterile, so he considers this a good sign as he walks through the automatic doors. He checks in at the front desk, waits a few minutes in a hard, plastic chair, and then follows a young, pretty, smiling nurse to the elevators.
"Have you met Dr. Wegner?" she asks, and Devyn shakes his head. The smile doesn't falter from her face as she tells him, "Oh, he's the best. He's the absolute best."
"The best at what?" he can't stop himself from asking. The best at performing experimental brain procedures? The best at cutting open skulls?
The nurse turns to him, still smiling, and says, "Oh, just the best. Like, in general. He's awesome."
"Oh," Devyn says, but isn't exactly comforted by that revelation.
His mind reels the entire rest of the elevator ride, and there are a million questions he'd like to ask the nurse. He only manages to keep quiet because he doesn't think he can trust her to answer them, considering the response she'd just given him.
The hospital is busy, and as they rise up and up through the building, Devyn can hear the beeping of machines above the chatter of nurses, doctors, patients and visitors. It strikes him as odd, suddenly, that he's there voluntarily and isn't the least bit panicked by his circumstances. His anxiety has already kicked in--he's shifting his weight back and forth, almost bouncing at this point--but it's not enough to make him change his mind and leave. There's something thrilling about it to him. Finally, he's doing something controversial in the name of science again.
Who cares, really, if this screws him over? He's spent the better part of his life making rash decisions with generally-horrific outcomes. It hasn't killed him yet and, to be honest, he doesn't care that someday it might. The worst possible outcome still potentially leaves him memorialized forever in textbooks, as the first man who risked his life to discover the nature of the soulmate phenomenon.
It's all the scientific community has talked about for nearly 30 years. First recognized over a century ago, referenced in medical journals at the time as a "twin soul" connection, it was immediately thrown into the realm of psychology, because the whole phenomenon worked under the basis of feelings. Those claiming to experience it could offer no concrete proof beyond how they felt. Over the years, though, the phenomenon never seemed to fade, and any efforts to treat it like a psychiatric condition failed. It wasn't until a study started 30 years prior and published, just before the heart devices were first launched, under the title "The Gemini Occurrence," that the discovery of a physiological element was made.
From there, the phenomenon moved on to the realm of the biological sciences, where Devyn first became interested in it. He would have been lying if he'd said, as an angsty teenager, he didn't hope soulmates were a real thing. It seemed like the greatest thing, to have someone out there who would love you no matter what. That's all a weird, lonely, relatively disliked kid could want in life. Of course, he grew up and realized that having a soulmate didn't mean having someone who loved you no matter what. In fact, having a soulmate wasn't necessarily similar with every person. The only constant was the physiological reaction every person experienced in the presence of their soulmate.
The why and the how are the really important questions, though, and what Devyn is hoping to get to the bottom of. The thrill of seeing his name in print somewhere, of becoming a notable person in the science community, is just too much for him to walk away from. Even if he dies in the process.
"Are you ready?" the nurse asks, and it's only then that Devyn realizes he's been so wrapped up in his own mind that he hasn't noticed the elevator doors open.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he replies, and she fixes him with her eternal grin and leads the way out of the elevator.
Devyn steps into the room near-manic, shaking and jittery, already bursting with questions. There are a lot of people dressed in scrubs, which surprises him still, and two men who appear to be in charge talking amongst themselves. The nurse goes over and interrupts them, and they quiet down abruptly, turning their attention instead to Devyn.
He lifts his hand in a weak wave and says, "Hey," before immediately regretting it.
"Mr. Lively?" one of the men says, and takes a few steps toward him.
"Yes! Oh, uh, it's Dr. actually, just so you know. It's nice to meet you!" Devyn sticks his hand out, but the man makes no move to shake it.
"I won't be touching you, Dr. Lively," he says, "I've been sterilized for the procedure already. However, it's nice to meet you as well. I'm Dr. Anton Wegner, and this is my colleague, Dr. Douglas Hammond."
The other man, Dr. Hammond, nods in acknowledgment, and Devyn only offers a quick hello in response.
"Have you made all necessary arrangements, Dr. Lively?" Dr. Wegner asks. "Notified friends and family, taken time off of work, found someone to feed your animals, et cetera. You realize this will require a significant stay in the hospital. This is, in effect, brain surgery."
Devyn can't believe the man actually says et cetera and almost laughs, but manages to hold it in. "Yep, everything is taken care of." As far as everyone knows, he's on vacation, and there are no pets or house plants that need to be cared for. No one asked any questions, because it apparently was common knowledge that Devyn Lively was severely in need of a vacation in the first place, but he's preparing for backlash when he comes back with a buzz cut and absolutely no tan to speak of. "Anything else you need from me, Doc?"
Dr. Wegner raises an eyebrow and takes a long, judgmental pause before he finally says, "You'll need to put a gown on."
There is a point, in spite of all the anesthesia, where Devyn feels as though something inside of him has opened up. Violently, painfully, and wholly.
"There is so much noise inside my head, dude," Devyn says when he comes to, vaguely aware of the presence of someone else, though he's not sure if that's real or imagined.
From beside his bed, Dr. Wegner chuckles. "It's actually outside of your head, Dr. Lively. You've awakened a few times already, and snapped about the lack of 'punk rock' in the room. The nurse finally gave in and played something she called 'Bad Religion.' You from an hour ago seemed to enjoy it. I had to stop you from headbanging in your bed."
"Shit," Devyn laughs. "Okay, well, maybe turn it off? Just for now. Jesus."
Dr. Wegner complies and picks Devyn's phone up from the beside table, tapping the pause button with his thumb. "So, Dr. Lively, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, you know," Devyn says, "except for the fact that my skull was cut into, or whatever. I don't actually know what happened, thanks to drugs and all."
"Would you like me to tell you exactly what we did?" Dr. Wegner asks, and Devyn cringes.
"Maybe later. I think I might puke if I know the specifics."
Dr. Wegner smiles and tells him, "Well, we have plenty of time for that. You'll be coming in regularly for testing, so perhaps I can explain it at one of those visits?"
Devyn sighs heavily. "That sounds good. Let's do it then."
Dr. Wegner leaves him alone to rest, after checking his vitals and scribbling in his chart, and Devyn sits in his hospital bed in relative silence. It's unsettling how normal he feels, besides the effects of whatever strong painkillers they have him on. There should be something more, he thinks. Instead, he's left with an aching emptiness, something akin to discouragement in the wake of the operation.