Aftermath

Ch 13: Promise

A/N: I'm not in the medical profession, so forgive any errors I've made in that respect. I did do research, but sometimes research will only get you so far.

Kota

Sean followed the group to the door, only to hold the door wide as a hospital worker delivered a tray. "Kota! Your breakfast is here!" he said cheerfully. "Thank you, Miss Aleta."

Aleta was an older, heavyset woman whose big smile was outlined with bright red lipstick. "Why, it's always a pleasure! Dr. Green, I didn't know I'd see you this morning or I would have put together a treat! You're practically skin and bones; you're working way too much these days."

"Maybe so, but not today. Today I'm here to take care of my brother. You're just in time with his breakfast; this hospital would fall apart without people like you," Sean answered. "Besides, you know just seeing you is treat enough for me."

Somehow, even with his back to me, I knew Sean had winked at her. Such a flirt.

"Now, you stop that!" The older woman put the tray on the counter as she laughed.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing it would hurt. I closed them instead, trying to tune them out. The woman seemed nice, but she was too loud for me to handle.

They talked a little more. I couldn't help but hear what they were saying. Aleta promised to set aside a few pieces of cherry pie, which Sean declared was his new favorite.

Since when?

"You change your favorite like some people change socks!" she laughed again. "I thought apple was your favorite!"

Yeah, you and the rest of the planet.

"Now, that's not completely true. Just with pie. I love pie, and it's all good. How can I possibly pick one favorite? But I've had a lot of apple pie lately, and sometimes a change is good." Sean said. A thump sounded in front of me, probably the contents of the tray being laid out for me.

I felt eyes on me. I opened them to see Aleta glancing in at me. She smiled broadly. "So he's your brother. I heard about you, young man. I'm sorry you got hurt, but I'm certainly glad you're one of ours."

"I am too, ma'am," Sean agreed.

I stayed quiet, though I couldn't help but wonder what she had heard. Even the hospital dietary staff knew more than I did.

They said their goodbyes, and after Sean pushed the table toward me, he followed her out. "I'll be right back, Kota."

I let out a painful cough, hugging the not-Sang pillow to my chest. The pillow smelled like Sang, but it wasn't her. I wished she was here. But my brain-to-mouth filter was gone, and I was lashing out at everyone, so it had been better for her to go before I accidentally said something I would regret. My brothers understood, at least on some level, but Sang, sweet Sang. . . I hoped she didn't think of me as a complete ogre. Maybe we needed to talk.

But before I could do anything, I needed to eat. I would have an easier time convincing them to let me go if I did. Besides, it was what was expected, and that was what I did, wasn't it? Not being respectful,  not doing the polite, courteous thing—like when I had snapped at Sean earlier—resulted in a room of surprised looks and expressions. The fact that it came from me was the most surprising.  Had it been North, or Gabriel—or even Victor, for that matter—my team wouldn't have looked so shocked.

Sean walked back in, closing the door most of the way. "Feeling hungry?" he asked.

"No. But I'm not not hungry," I said. Then I looked at the tray and rethought my stance on hunger. My breakfast was comprised of a variety of juices, a fruit cup, and pulverized, over-processed mush. I hadn't eaten since sometime yesterday, but this wasn't helping.