Chapter Text
═══════「 ✦ New email ✦ 」
To: Ron From Accounting
From: Everett L. Harlow
Subject: Delivery Files
Hello Ron,
I expect you in my office once you're done with the paperwork. The files that you sent me seem unfinished. I'd like for you to review them once again.
Regards,
Dr. Harlow
═══════
The email has been left on open for at least the last 30 minutes. All Ron managed to do during this whole time was– well, not a lot. He spent most of the time spinning in his chair, getting up, walking up to the shelf with important folders, going through them once again and finding nothing interesting, going back to the chair, spinning once again, updating his mailbox, and going back to spinning. Today was one of those lucky days when he was finally done with the paperwork on time– all he had to do was crack the code, aka pretend you're still busy and can't accept any other tasks.
For the first time in these few months, the bunny finally managed to lessen his workload. It all started a long while ago– except he wouldn't be able to tell you when. It just started at one point, probably turned into something worse, and ended up turning into a chronic thing. Perhaps that little fever he had like a year ago was enough of an inflammation to cause this.
Ron wasn't sure how, but he ended up developing a chronic respiratory infection. He was too embarrassed to admit it, though; only one person knew. His dearest colleague he managed to bond with due to the amount of time– or, well, overworking– they spent together. His first good morning at the start of the day, his "I made two cups of mint tea", his constant reassurer.
They weren't together like... that. Just two coworkers who ended up being rather close. The ones who bonded over personal issues over a cup of tea– or, well, coffee in Ron's case– because they noticed when something was wrong about the other.
That's why Dr. Harlow was the first one to find out. What Ron had– he called it "Snuffles". Such an adorable name for a lifelong condition that paused his life every once in a while. Constant sneezing and blockage of his nose was one hell of a time– like a constant allergy season. His office trashcan was full of tissues, he kept those in his pockets, his jackets, his suitcase– it'd all be used.
Ron tilted his head back, pressing it against the chair. He could feel himself inhale normally for a second before the blockage started again. It's like it happened yesterday. He could still recall Dr. Harlow's worried expression, how he grabbed him by his waist and forced him to sit down, how he kneeled down in front of the bunny as he sobbed– not because of the tears but his sinuses were clearly blocked– while he tried comforting him.
"So when was the last time you ate?" Dr. Harlow asked, his gloved paws holding onto Ron's.
"I can't– Everett, I can't even eat, it bothers me–"
"Look, I'm going to need to send you home for now. I'll take you to the cafeteria, get you something to eat, then you go home and sleep it out. Then I'm going to inspect you tomorrow. Does that sound good?" Despite Dr. Harlow's mask still being on, Ron knew his lips were pressed together, just the tiny fangs pointing out.
"Uh– Sure... I apologise for– disturbing you like that..." Ron let out a long sigh. He knew his coworker was right.
Would he be able to sleep after this? Most likely not. His infection was the cause, but the way– the way this doctor eyed him– Ron felt desperate.
He could feel the butterflies in his stomach. Ever since Dr. Harlow started checking up on him, his condition got better. He wasn't fully healed, mostly because not even Everett fully knew what was wrong, but at least he could sleep at night and eat again. He fixed something in Ron, and that was enough to send a spark through his body.
It wasn't just the treatment or Dr. Harlow's thorough attention to him. It all started with the first injection the doctor tried giving– and it was a painful one for Ron. Everett didn't think of any better distraction other than– lean in and place a soft kiss on Ron's forehead. One thing led to another, and the pain was forgotten very easily.
The bunny's nose quivered, remembering how they refused to speak about it for a while. They didn't acknowledge that evening at all. They pulled away, pretending to be normal coworkers, but it happened again eventually. And again and again– they both just accepted it. Dr. Harlow suggested it'd be funny if they called themselves coworkers with benefits, but Ron didn't find it funny at all.
At least it wasn't funny to him because his heart felt so caged after laying dead for so many years.
The clock indicated that it was 6:30 PM. Ron could leave now, but he preferred to take his sweet time– they were only a few feet apart anyway. Plus, he disliked the idea of being too predictable for his coworker. That was an egoistic thing to think, but he wanted him to miss him in a way.
The bunny groaned, getting up from his seat. He stretched, closed some files, and finally packed up his suitcase before turning his PC off. He could feel his nose getting stuffed up all over again, so he had to blow it before leaving the office.
Ron couldn't help but wonder if hearing all that rustling of tissues also made him predictable in a way. Could one hear him coming because of it? Or were his sneezes so loud that his coworkers could tell he was still there and working, all locked up in his office? Well, despite his public image, he liked moving a lot. Like, for example, from his office all the way to Dr. Harlow's, and then they'd head to the main hospital wing just to get locked up one-on-one with each other. All for research purposes, obviously.
The bunny wasn't sure how, but his feet brought him up to the deer's office already. He stood there, shifting from one paw to another. Something about him... was fascinating. In a scary way, really. After a quick glance at his watch, Ron summoned all of his courage to knock on the door twice in his usual manner. While waiting for that velvety voice to reply, he quickly ran his paw through his hair, making sure it looked spotless– and while he was on it, he fixed his glasses and rolled his sleeves.
"Come in," A voice replied, loud enough for Ron to pick up on.
Ron grabbed the door handle, opening it. He walked in and closed it behind him, his back pressed against the door.
He couldn't help it. Ron naturally wanted to look attractive– not for the sake of getting laid but just... to get some sort of respect. That he was worth the treatment. That dismissing him would be a mistake.
"You were unsatisfied with my work, Doc?" The bunny asked, a flirty tone in his voice. His paws were behind his back, pressed against the door.
The doctor's eyes darted from Ron's face back to the computer screen. He could visibly see Dr. Harlow swallow hard.
"It's, uh. We'll talk about that later. Not that necessary." The deer replied, clearing his throat.
"Why so?" Something in Ron's voice was sassy. He took a few steps towards Dr. Harlow. "Everett, is something wrong?"
"Really, confidential matters only. Don't read into it too much, Ron." Dr. Harlow's fake smile confused Ron even more. That was until he got up, standing behind a smaller figure and placing his paws on his shoulders.
Ron's heart sank. He didn't even see the creature in the first place. He stood there like a cheap whore at Everett's door and–
"I shall introduce you to Ratthew, our new pathologist. He's currently in a trial period of 2 weeks." Dr. Harlow gave both of Ratthew's shoulders a pat. "This was a rather spontaneous thing, but he was curious about different patients we had. I hope you don't mind if I introduce your case to him?"
"Ah–" The bunny cleared his throat, his paw holding onto his neck uncomfortably. He just nodded, giving Ratthew a polite nod. "Yes, sure. Of course."
"Great! Thank you." The doctor walked up to Ron, giving his back a pat before leading the two outside to one of the free rooms.
The walk was absurdly quiet. The hospital was known for being one busy and chaotic place, but tonight seemed to be one of the slow nights. The rain was accompanying the buzzing silence of fluorescent lights in the hall, water droplets banging against the glass doors. The nurses were speaking calmly to some remaining patients in such a quiet manner it was hard to pick up on the subject.
Ron knew the routine. Although he was stuck in his thoughts, he just followed the regular ways they did it. First and foremost was the consultation– Ron would be asked to sit on the edge of the bed, Everett would ask him about his symptoms and whether there were any changes, and then he'd check his blood pressure. The bunny wasn't even sure what all those tests were for, but he knew he should trust doctors because they know what they do.
"Alright– Ratthew, we have a routine for this. I usually just run a few tests, like blood pressure or oxygen levels, and then, depending on the current symptoms, I try to find a fitting solution. Symptomatic management works... for now." Dr. Harlow closed the door behind them. He walked up to Ron, turning to Ratthew. "Come closer and watch for now."
The rat in a white coat obediently followed. Ron had to admit it looked silly– or, well, somewhat unsettling. Ratthew's fur was fully black, and this white coat just made the contrast funnier– as if he was a shadow. But his eyes were truly unsettling– it's like he wasn't blinking at all. Not that Ron cared about getting stared at, but this new pathologist should've at least blinked once in a while.
Ron's gaze dropped to the floor, feeling Dr. Harlow's paws around his arm. It was now wrapped and all prepped up for the blood pressure measuring. Despite being less sensitive when it came to feeling his own blood pressure rise, he could feel it extremely now. Was it because he was being watched by a stranger? Did he know? Or did he sense something? Ron's behaviour was provocative in that moment anyway, so he'd understand it was his fault.
But it genuinely annoyed the bunny. He expected to have Everett's attention to be on him alone. It was supposed to be one of those rule-breaking nights when they kissed, bodies pressed against his massive table in the middle of the room, papers shoved away while they chuckled between the kisses. He was pent up, and he felt like only Everett could solve this issue for now. And somehow, he ended up being observed like a damn object for science. Only one question occupied his mind–
When will this end?