Chapter Text
Victor knows something is wrong when he’s not allowed to bring Wick into his local Walmart. He knows emotional support animals aren't considered service animals, but he never thought that Wick would be denied entry. He reluctantly ties Wick to the bike rack outside and pats her head for good measure. He slowly makes his way to the pharmacy section looking at all the things Walmart has to offer. He’s 10 minutes early to his appointment and is in no rush.
His mind drifts to this morning, specifically right when he woke up. He vaguely remembers a bad dream. Silver hair and yellow roses come to mind and leave just as soon as they arrive.
He reaches the pharmacy after a 7-minute detour in the pet aisle- Wick needs more kibble. He quickly writes down a note to remember to buy some after his Covid-19 shot.
After a bit of deliberation, he decides to go up to the counter and ask about his appointment. He flashes his health card and goes into the small room adjacent to the front corner. Inside, he meets a handsome looking man with silver hair and silver eyes. He wonders if his hair is natural or not. He’s never seen someone so young with silver hair before.
Somehow, this man unnerves him.
They sort of stare at each other for awhile, both seemingly disturbed by the presence of each other. Victor remembers to be polite after a couple of seconds and signs his name in hopes of easing the tension they've seemed to accumulate. Surprisingly, the man signs back, and they both learn each other's names. The man’s name is Aesop, and he’s the nurse responsible for his vaccination.
Victor watches as Aesop prepares the vaccine, and suddenly, the breath is knocked out of him. He can’t breathe and he’s shaking, his hearing has gone muffled. and everything feels out of place. He needs Wick. He all but collapses into one of the chairs fit into the small room, and cradles his head in his hands. He feels a tap on his shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Aesop asks, with a look of genuine concern on his face.
Victor looks up at him and signs “Yes,” with a simple nod of his hand. Not really, he thinks.
“Good.” Aesop pauses, a look of contemplation engraved across his face. “Are you ready to continue?”
Victor does a quick internal check-up. He still feels moderately shaky, but he’s unable to back out now. It would be impolite, he thinks. He meets Aesop’s eyes, downturned eyes full of worry reaching his own. Victor signs back, “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m not usually this affected by needles.”
Aesop stares back at Victor with a contemplative expression. “It’s quite alright.” He pauses. “Don’t worry, I’m a registered nurse.”
What an odd thing for a registered nurse to say, Victor thinks. He registers the thought in his mind. A normal nurse wouldn't feel the need to reassure a frightened patient that they are a nurse, he muses. Yet he decides to mark it off as regular nurse behaviour before turning to respond.
He brings his hands up again to sign, “Thank you. I’m ready to continue.” On the contrary, Victor wasn't indeed, ready to continue. He was still peculiarly unnerved from seeing Aesop hold the needle.
Why, he thinks, whatever was the reason for his impolite behaviour? He booked this appointment and had thought he was ready. His thoughts trail off and he realizes he hasn't rolled his sleeve up to actually show he was ready to continue. He was simply sitting there lost in his thoughts.
Upon this realization, Victor rolls up his sleeve and shimmies closer to Aesop. He watches as Aesop picks up the needle, and he shimmies away from Aesop.
Silence permeates the small room. They share a long look with each other, neither of them moving or acting.
"Are you sure you're ready to continue?" Aesop asks again, voice full of incredulousness
The delivery is sort of deadpan and Victor immediately feels embarrassed. He resolves himself to actually bury his mysterious yet sudden fear of needles, and also himself as soon as the appointment is over, thank you very much.
He profusely apologizes and tells Aesop that he's ready and thinks the third time’s the charm and shimmies closer to him again.
Aesop nods at him, sensing his resolve and approaches closer.
He holds his breath as he watches Aesop disinfect his shoulder and flick the needle, before pushing some of the liquid out. "Do you want me to count down?" He asks.
Victor thinks it over quickly, and decides no, not really, and informs Aesop of such.
"Okay," He responds. Victor turns his head and resolutely stares at the Covid infographic on the door.
Suddenly, Victor feels a pinch on his arm, causing him to tense up. He holds his breath — or maybe he doesn't — maybe he just can’t breathe. He keeps aimlessly looking at the Covid infographic. Oh, he thinks, that font is very pretty
Not a second later the pinch is gone and he feels soft cotton being pressed to his shoulder, then secured with medical tape. And then everything is fine.
Until it isn't.
And then Victor slowly crumples to the ground.