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Herbert slammed the infirmary door behind him, the sound making Archimedes flinch.
“Fuck,” he hissed, ripping his gloves off. He sat on the edge of his operating table, pulling at his hair. “Fuck.”
Why did he have to open his stupid mouth in the first place? He’d known it was Aurelein the second he saw him. Aurelein didn’t know it was him, and it would have been better if Herbert stayed quiet.
Tears were beginning to well in his eyes, but he did nothing to stop them. He shouldn’t have even spoken to him. Archimedes hopped over, cooing up at him.
“I made a mistake,” Herbert said, voice cracking slightly. “He knows now, and it’s all my fault.”
He wiped at his eyes, hands shaking. “And I just left after.” Tears fell and hit the fabric of his trousers, leaving speckled stains. “Just like I did when we were young.”
He hiccuped a sob, shoulders trembling. “I’m so fucking stupid,” he choked out, pressing his palms over his eyes.
Coward.
Herbert drew in a breath, his sobs slowly fading into manic giggles as he curled into himself.
Liar.
Herbert tucked his knees up to his chest, still laughing as he wrapped his arms around himself.
Murderer.