Hepatica [OPEN]

[eighthmelody]

Characters: Ness and probably all of the Winding Way
Content: After being MIA for a week, the shota doctor returns. Yes it's a day early, stfu
Setting: The Winding Way
Time: Morning
Warnings: Probably lots of sappiness. And beatings. Of love.

Comments

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Ness Lakehaven, you better be glad I can't walk!"

Rikku had wheeled up on deck and spotted Ness. Had she been able to walk, she would have run over to the medic and given him what for. As it was, she settled for rolling over and swatting his hat off with the screwdriver in her hand.

[eighthmelody]

Someway, somehow, Rikku was scarier in the wheelchair than she was on her own two feet. Ness didn't know if it was her current mood or if the contraption somehow made her seem more ominous, but he backed off a little when she wheeled over to him.

He let his hat fall to the floor, glad that she targeted it rather than his face and considered it a blessing that she didn't run over it.

Or his foot.

"H-hi, Rikku," he greeted meekly.

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"You're lucky I don't run over your feet to keep you from running away again!" she mumbled.

[eighthmelody]

Even if she had run over his foot, Ness doubted she would do much damage to it. And even if she did damage it, he could easily mend whatever it was.

But it was best not to bring that up.

"...yes, Rikku," he replied.

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Is that all you're gonna say? Yes and hi? Geez!" Playing mad was hard!

Rikku was able to keep up the facade a little longer before wrapping her arms around Ness' waist. "I missed you, you dummy."

[eighthmelody]

Ness smiled and hugged her back. He knew she wasn't really mad at him.

But damn, she could be scary.

"I know," he answered. "And I really am sorry for leaving."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

Reaching up to pop Ness in the back of the head, Rikku smiled. "You missed the fair! We coulda used you to get money, y'know? Singing and all that!"

[eighthmelody]

Ness rubbed the back of his head. That one hurt. Then he frowned.

"I'm not that good," he protested. "And I'm sure you made enough without me."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Yes you are! And I'unno if we did or not," admited the blonde. "Harry hasn't told us yet."

[eighthmelody]

Public singing was not Ness' thing. He had a bit of stage fright when it came to things like that.

"Harry? Was he put in charge of the fair?"

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Well, we were all giving him the money earlier, so I'm assuming he's the one taking count of the dough now." Rikku bent down and picked up Ness' hat.

"So, why'd ya leave?"

[eighthmelody]

"...my Nightmare," Ness answered. If Rikku wanted more details, she was going to have to press for them. "...he was getting out of control."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

Rikku nodded, taking Ness' hand and squeezing it. "I thought so. But, uh, what did you do to him?"

[eighthmelody]

Ness was still unwilling to share details. "...I fought him."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Ness Lakehaven." That was the second time Rikku had used his full name. "What did you do that we couldn't help out with? Details, mister!"

[eighthmelody]

It was times like this Ness was happy he didn't have a middle name.

"It's a long story," he said. "But there wasn't much you could have done, and I left to keep you all out of this."