章 61: An apple a day, keeps the doctor away
A small whine of protest left his mouth. "Come on..." He pouted slightly, poking Raphael's cheek. He wanted an answer, and he wanted it now. He was injured, dammit. He was allowed to be bratty. "Tell meee..."
Raphael gently placed the other on the bed, his warm smile brightening when he felt the poke on his cheek. To be honest, he had no idea why it felt wrong to even think of putting Elias in the guest room. He sat on the bed beside him and gently combed through the blonde hair with his fingers. He could feel the other's impatience as his fingers were promptly swatted away, the pout on the doctor's face intensifying.
"Tell me, ugh..." Elias repeated, his tone completely whiny now.
Raphael chuckled and raised his hands in a surrendering motion, conceding to the pouts and whines. "Fine, fine. No need to pull the big guns out. It's simple, really." He tucked a lock of hair behind Elias's ear, his touch lingering just a bit more than necessary. Honestly, he was just making excuses at this point. And he was pretty sure Elias knew it too.
"I carried you here because you're staying here. In my room. What if something happens during the night? You're injured. So listen to me—it's for your own safety. So ungrateful."
A light flush spread across Elias's face upon hearing Raphael's reasoning. Damn this man... always so smooth with his words. Lawyers really are devils in suits, huh? And this one just happened to be a very attractive, smooth-talking, and caring devil who managed to fluster him with every damn thing he did.
The argument Elias had against the flimsy excuse never left his throat. He just nodded, albeit begrudgingly, unable to resist the temptation of burying his head back into Raphael's warm shoulder. "Yeah... Yeah, fine. Whatever."
A warm feeling spread through Raphael's heart as he felt the other bury his head on his shoulder, as if seeking comfort and affection like a touch-starved puppy. It was adorable- and it made him feel happy. Content. As if he could stay like this forever, as long as he had Elias with him.
He leaned over and spoke quietly, "Now, don't sleep yet. You need to eat something first."
Elias huffed out a tired, annoyed grumble. He was already sleepy, and the thought of trying to stay awake for a few extra minutes wasn't appealing. He just wanted to cling to Raphael and sleep.
"I'm not hungry... I want to sleep," he mumbled quietly, with a slight huff.
Raphael laughed at the response. Honestly, Elias was acting like a damn kid—and a cute one at that. He raised an eyebrow, an amused smile on his face. "Too bad. You're eating first before you go to sleep. You haven't eaten since this morning. Don't think I wouldn't notice."
He seemed to already know Elias's argument and countered before the doctor could even speak. "If you don't want something heavy, I'll cut up some fruit. At least eat that," his tone grew slightly desperate at the end. He couldn't bear the thought of Elias sleeping and taking pills on an empty stomach.
Elias groaned and pouted, tempted to pull the blanket over himself and sulk, but hearing the desperation in Raphael's tone, he decided against it. With a grumble, he mumbled, his voice slightly muffled thanks to his tiredness and the painkillers, "Fine... But I want grapes. No apples."
Raphael gently ruffled Elias's hair, an amused smile on his face as he spoke, "Alright, Your Highness. If you want grapes, you'll get grapes. What have you got against apples, hm?"
Elias huffed and rolled his eyes. Damn painkillers were making his filter vanish into thin air. Normally, he wouldn't be this bitchy or act like this, but he was so sleepy and tired that he wasn't in the mood to keep up his usual "stubborn prick who hates everyone" act. He explained, "They're sour. And sticky. And they're such a generic sick-person fruit. Do you know how many of those I see in the hospital daily? Way too many, I'd say."
The doctor looked so grumpy that Raphael found him even cuter. He enjoyed seeing Elias like this—adorable and bratty. Running his fingers through Elias's hair again, Raphael couldn't resist teasing him further. "I don't think that's it, though," he smirked, leaning in to whisper in Elias's ear, his voice a low, lazy drawl. "I think you're just saying that because apples keep people away from you. Bad for your business, you know? A doctor's mortal enemy—'An apple a day keeps the doctor away.'"
Elias gave Raphael a "Really? This is your humor now?" look, followed by a very unimpressed glare. "...You—ugh. If that was a joke, it was a lame one." He buried his face in the pillow, pulling the blanket over himself. "Don't want to talk to you now," he mumbled sourly.
Raphael laughed loudly, seeing the other glare at him before hiding his face in the pillow. "Oh, come on. Don't be like that. I was just kidding, sweetheart," he said in a soothing tone, gently patting Elias's blanket-covered form.
When there was no reply, he shook his head helplessly. "Fine, fine. I'm getting you your grapes." He stood up, walking to the kitchen.
Elias mumbled a quiet "hmph" when Raphael patted his head. He stayed buried under the blanket, grumbling a little—until a thought hit him. Suddenly, he called out in a small voice, "Hey, wait!"
Raphael stopped in his tracks upon hearing Elias. "What is it?" he asked, slightly curious.
Elias peeked his head out a little, his slender, pale fingers clutching the edge of the blanket. He mumbled quietly, a yawn escaping his lips, "I want black grapes. No green ones."
Raphael, slightly alarmed at the sudden shout, burst into a disbelieving chuckle. Normally, he wouldn't entertain demands, but... if it was Elias making them, there was nothing he wouldn't do. The blonde had him wrapped around his little finger—and he didn't even know it.
"Alright, Your Highness. This lowly servant shall adhere to your demands," he said in an exaggerated accent, giving an equally exaggerated bow.
Elias let out a small grumble, burying himself back into the covers. After a few moments, he peeked his head out again, glancing in the direction Raphael had walked off. He stayed in the same position, wrapped up like a burrito. Slowly, his eyes began to close, a pout on his face as he silently wished Raphael would come back quicker—not that he'd ever admit it, of course.
He snuggled closer under the blanket, which carried a warm, familiar scent. It made him feel safe and cozy. His eyes widened in realization. It was... Raphael's scent. And Elias found it comforting, no matter how much he tried to deny it.
He... liked Raphael. No, it was definitely more than like. And he couldn't pass it off as "just" physical attraction anymore. Because he could lie to everyone, but not to himself. If all he felt for Raphael was lust, why would he be lying here, in his bed, his heart beating faster than ever in his chest when there was nothing sexual involved?
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