TW: abandonment (reader is abandoned by her parents)
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"This is y/n, she has been here since eleven."
You hear the voice of a nurse introducing yourself to someone outside the door when you woke up. The sound of footsteps got closer as the curtains opened, revealing the nurse who has always nursed you. Beside her was a young man you've never met before, yet he was in a white coat like a doctor.
Is he the intern they were talking about last week?
It was about time for your next check-up, so the nurse guided the young man beside your bed. Without further ado, he picked up the necessary tools and did as instructed. You were so used to this process until you didn't feel anything anymore when he poked the needle into your skin.
"Do you feel any discomfort, Miss y/n?" The young man queried as he placed the tools onto a tray, ready to discard it later.
"No," your answer remained the same as any other days.
The nurse gave a pat on his back and complimented him, "You did a great job for your first time."
They left you in your room soon after, a sigh leaving your lips.
When will you be released from this, you thought to yourself. Hospitalized since the age of eleven isn't something to boast about. Your parents left you because they think you were too troublesome to take care of. You didn't understand that time, but now you know the reason.
The hospital fees are indeed pricey, it's no doubt they would abandon you--
However, your thoughts were interrupted by the voice of your neighbour.
"Say, girl, do you miss your parents?"
He was an old man has been here long before you came; someone who witnessed your abandonment.
"Grandpa, it's no use missing someone who doesn't care."
You waited for his response but was greeted by silence. Assuming he had fallen asleep, you laid your head on your pillow, preparing to take a nap too. Just when you were about to shut your eyelids close, the young man from before entered the room.
"Greetings, doctor," your gaze met his as he approached you. "I believe there's nothing scheduled at this time?"
He grabbed a chair nearby and sat by your bed, placing a notepad and a pen on the small table nearby.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself," the young man sat up straight and cleared his throat before speaking again. "I am Albedo, an intern hired in this hospital. Though, I was tasked for a job other than what most interns do the moment the head doctor acknowledged me."
Your eyelids were getting heavier as he went on.
"I was told about your incurable illness, so here I am, figuring out a medicine that could cure that illness of yours."
You were tired. Tired of spending your life in this hospital. You thought you will be released from this after a year or two, yet they hired someone to cure your illness that not even the head doctor could?
You couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's stated as an 'incurable illness' for a reason, what are you gonna do about that?"
A faint voice answered your question before Albedo opened his mouth, "Girl, that boy may be young, but do not underestimate his talent when you have yet to witness it yourself."
Guilt filled your heart the next moment. You peeked a glance at Albedo before letting out an apology.
"Please do not worry too much, I will keep you alive," was what you got from him.
The thought of being alive any longer has long since left your mind. You were ready to leave the world anytime now, but he just had to interrupt.
What's that notepad for anyway? Is he going to ask questions?
You weren't sure what else information of yourself does he need that the hospital did not have records on, though. So you decided to pay more attention to him when he spoke again.
However, the questions never came.
"I will be attending to you starting from today until my internship ends," Albedo said as he handed you a cup of water when he noticed your slight cough.
"And how long will that be?" You questioned after taking a sip of water.
"A year."
A sigh escaped your lips unconsciously.
So he's going to make a medicine for my illness within a year? When he doesn't have the slightest clue on it?
Various thoughts ran through your head, but you cared it no mind. After all, you would most likely be on your death bed by then and his efforts will go to waste.
Despite that, you couldn't help but smile and thanked the young man.
Someone cared, someone finally cared for you. It doesn't matter if he only did it for his job; he cared to put this time on you. What did your parents do when they found out about your illness?
"We aren't financially rich, you know."
"You're being a burden to us."
Dark and painful memories flashed in your head, but you paid no mind to it. After all, this person in front of you right now was the one who cared to cure your illness; to heal you.
However, you wondered if you've met him somewhere before.
"Your face looks familiar. Have we met?"
Albedo's eyes lit up from hearing your words.
"You... remember my face?"
"Kind of...?"
A smile tugged on his lips, "Yes, we went to the same high school. I was your senior back then."
"Oh!" You exclaimed out of a sudden as if a lightbulb just went off in your head, "The one who tended to me when I went to the infirmary!"
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Time passed by. From days to weeks, weeks to months and before you knew it, it was already the fourth month of Albedo's internship.
"Miss y/n, it's time," Albedo called out to you who was playing with the children in the garden.
"Coming," you waved to him, indicating that you've heard him. "Alright, children. I'll see you another time."
"Where is big sister going?" One of them whined.
"Hehe, a secret~" You replied with a chuckle.
It took some time convincing the little girl hugging your thighs to let go. Albedo noticed your struggle and quickly came to your aid.
"Big sister over here has something important to do, so do you, right?" Albedo spoke in a calm manner and the children became docile. It was right at the time their nurses came to call them to their room, which they simply nodded and left.
For someone who stayed here as long as yourself, the scene was shocking and surprising to you. Never once a nurse or doctor here could convince the children to go for their daily check-up. It has always been your role and they would thank you afterwards.
Once Albedo was done, the nurse supervising him gave him a little talk before leaving the room. You opened your mouth to start a conversation before he turned his back.
"You're quite good with children, Doctor Albedo." Your words made the young man stop in his track to look at you. "Well, I do have a little sister to take care of," he says, a slight smile tugging his lips.
Little sister? "How old is she?"
"Twelve."
That's 8 years apart from yourself, you thought. It's not often you meet siblings with a large age gap such as this, but that doesn't mean there's none, either.
"Why don't you bring her here sometimes?" You suggested. "She should be on holiday by now, right? I'm sure she would be delighted to play with other children here."
Glancing at the date on the digital clock hanging on the wall, Albedo went into deep thought.
"You're right. She can be quite a handful, but I guess I'll manage."
Excitement stirred in your stomach the moment he agreed to your suggestion. Playing with children in your free time has always been your hobby, knowing that you didn't have much time left.
With that, the conversation ended as Albedo left the room. The neighbouring Granpa overheard everything as he let out a little laugh.
"You sure know how to convince the young man to bring you another child to play with, girl."
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A few weeks later, it was Christmas. Patients who were cured on time went home happily to celebrate the season with their family, whilst you just stayed in bed, looking out the window watching the falling snow.
"Such a shame, for a young girl like you unable to enjoy this wonderful day," The grandpa's voice was weak and slow and you knew it was almost time for him to be released from this world.
"I--" Just when you were about to give a reply, your words were cut off by the sound of the door creaking open.
"Big sister!" A young girl exclaimed excitedly as she hopped onto your tummy, causing you to grunt.
"Klee, for the last time, do not talk so loudly in the hospital, you're disturbing the patients."
You lifted your head to look at the owner of the voice, a warm smile forming on your lips. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," he echoed and instructed the young girl to do the same.
Klee has been very fond of you from the day Albedo brought her along with him. You kept her company so she wouldn't interrupt her brother's work. Although you felt bad for them to not be able to spend this day at home, Albedo just shrugged it off saying their mother still had to work as a police officer.
Albeit an intern, Albedo's main job is to observe your condition. He had every detail written down in that notepad of his for reference.
"Big sister, let's play!" Klee shook your hand lightly with sparkles in her eyes. You had planned to take a nap for the day, but who could resist this child when she asks like that?
A sigh escaped your lips as you stood up from the bed, holding Klee's hand in yours. Albedo told her to let you rest, but you just waved to him with a smile, saying you're fine. Despite that, he insisted on following the both of you to make sure Klee won't be too rough with you while playing in the snow.
Without further ado, you slipped on a jacket onto your frail body and headed for the garden just outside the building. Albedo adjusted the fluffy scarf on Klee's neck so she won't catch a cold later.
"Snowball fight!" The child exclaimed as she rolled a pile of snow into a ball with her gloved hands. She then threw it towards your direction which you barely dodged due to your fatigue acting up as time went by.
Both of your laughter filled the area as you had fun, your illness was completely forgotten until you felt a sudden pain in your head. Albedo was quick enough to notice your lack of energy and came to your aid instantly.
"Are you alright?" Concerned, he helped you up from your squatting position causing the snow in your palms to fall, "Let's get you back to your room, you need some rest." Nodding your head, he called for Klee who was about to toss another snowball to you.
Under the supervision of the usual nurse, Albedo did the process instructed as you laid on the bed. Klee was well entertained in the waiting room by an off-duty nurse who willingly volunteered to take on the task.
"Sorry for the trouble, even though I'm only an intern..."
"Please do not apologize. We do everything we can to make Miss y/n spend her time here happily until the end. It's only right for your sister to accompany her--"
"Please do not make it sound like she doesn't have long to live," Albedo's voice became stern.
"But--"
"I will keep her alive, that's what I'm here for."
Their voices were soft while conversing but you heard everything clearly. You still couldn't believe someone was willing to spend their time figuring a way for you to continue living. Yet here he was, an ex-senior and you barely even knew each other.
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How many months has it been?
You glanced at the date displayed on the digital clock before landing your gaze on the bed next to you. The grandpa passed away on New Year, saying he has lived enough as his last words. Since then, no one has ever talked to you when you woke up, nor tease you for talking too much with the young intern. Albedo has always been the one to bid you goodnight before you head off to the land of nod and you were grateful for that.
Your body was getting weaker day by day. You stopped going out to meet the children and asked Albedo to not let Klee come to visit anymore since you didn't want to frighten her in your current state, to which he obliged your request.
"This is my last month here," Albedo said after your daily check-up routine.
You hummed, knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to make a medicine for you by the time he leaves ever since the beginning--
"Once this sample is checked by the school, I will return and work as an official doctor in this hospital."
Your eyes widened in amusement when the words came out of his mouth. The nurse did mention he was a genius, but this was the first time you witnessed it. "Please, stay alive by then," Albedo added. "It won't take long, I promise. I will come back as soon as possible."
A smile crept up your face unknowingly as you nodded your head, "Hm! I shall wait."
Albedo stepped closer and brought your body closer to him, wrapping his arms around you. You flinched a little at his sudden action but relaxed when you realised it was just a hug.
"Be a good girl a keep your promise, okay? I don't want to return to see your corpse."
"Hehe, promise!"
A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he released you from his arms. His next sentence, however, was more shocking than the sudden hug he gave you before.
"Once I cure you, you will marry me."
Silence enveloped the room as you felt your cheeks heat up.
How could he say such a thing with that expressionless face of his? No, that's not the point... Did he notice your feelings towards him? For how long? And he felt the same way towards you too?
Your mind couldn't process the words that just came out of his mouth. Once you've calmed down, you gave him a reply.
"How bold of you, demanding my hand in marriage when you don't even know if your feelings were reciprocated," you turned your face to the opposite direction to hide that slight blush.
"I will make you," Albedo said with a sly smile before leaving you flustered in your room.
What was he thinking?!
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You kept yourself alive as told and waited for his return until your body couldn't take it anymore. You panted heavily and coughed non-stop until you felt like your heart was going to come out from your mouth. The nurses came on time and brought you to the emergency room while you laid on the bed lifelessly as the noise around you got softer.
Before you knew it, a familiar face came into sight but you couldn't catch his words properly.
"I... on time..." was all you heard before losing consciousness completely.
How long has it been? Am I dead? I made a promise... what was it... who was it...?
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The first thing you saw when you opened your eyes was a nurse; the nurse who had been with you since eleven. She was more than happy to see you alive. Without delay, she left the room and came back with a young man in a long, white coat. His eyes widened at the sight of your awaken and rushed to your side.
"I'm sorry for making you wait so long. Are you well? Any discomfort?"
He was familiar; someone you've waited for months; the person whom you made a promise with, "Doctor Albedo."
You shook your head in response to his questions, to which he sighed in relief. "That's great. I'm glad..." He held onto your hand. "I'm glad my efforts weren't wasted."
You hummed, a smile tugging at your lips.
"Thank you for curing my illness."
"Now then, you will need to stay here for a week or so before you're completely healed. Please don't go overboard when you play with the children."
You nodded your head as he left the room, leaving you and the nurse alone. She hugged you, face full of worry.
"You really gave me a scare, just like back then."
"Hehe," you laughed cheekily and returned the hug. "But I am all better now, look!"
"Yes, you have no idea how happy I was to meet Doctor Albedo again. He was the one who called me to pick you 'home' when you fainted in school."
Ah yes, the memories.
You were around sixteen back then and Albedo was eighteen. He was your school doctor's assistant so he could be found in the infirmary most of the time. You've never actually interacted with him until that unfateful day when you fainted in your best friend Amber's arms on the way to the canteen.
"Your medication record is quite concerning. I suggest you head home for a rest."
That was the first sentence you heard the moment you woke up. There was a sketchbook on the table with his name written on it to which you presumed he's an art student, but you couldn't care less.
"I contacted your guardian, she should be here anytime--" Just when he was about to finish his sentence, the door creaked open, revealing a woman in a nurse outfit.
"You're Albedo, I assume? The one on the phone?"
"Ah, yes. Your, uh..." He glanced at you, unsure of what to refer you as.
"Daughter. I treat her as my daughter."
"Your daughter..." Albedo sounded hesitant but continued anyway, "I suggest you bring her to a clinic for a check-up, though, I presume you know what to do providing you're wearing a... nurse outfit..."
Your beloved nurse blinked a few times before glancing at herself in the mirror nearby, realizing what he meant.
"Oh dear, I was rushing so I did not notice. Anyways, thank you for looking after her."
No, no. Now isn't the time to dwell on the past.
You snapped yourself back to reality, eyes landing upon the nurse sobbing into your arms. No, at this moment, this woman is not any ordinary nurse; she's the woman who treated you like her daughter-- your mother, albeit not blood-related.
You couldn't help but appreciate the unlimited kindness and unconditional love she has bestowed upon you all these years. She paid for all your hospital fees, saying it's only natural to do so as a close friend of your biological mother's. You can't tell if she's ever mad at your parents for treating you badly, but she knew you were still holding a grudge against them so she refrained from mentioning their names in front of you.
It did not take long for the woman to realize she still had a lot of patients to tend to.
"I'm sorry, dear. We still have a lot of patients in the queue," she said, releasing you from her arms. "I promise to visit you again once my shift is over, okay?"
You nodded with a smile, reassuring her you'll be fine by yourself now that you're healthier than before.
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One week went by faster than you thought. You were having fun with the children in the garden as usual until Albedo appeared behind your back.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" You stated before he could talk.
"You remembered?"
"Why wouldn't I? I was looking forward to it," you finally stood up from your position, now facing the doctor who invented a medicine from nothing and released you from that supposedly incurable illness.
The innocent smile you gave him made the young man blush. Sure, he did gather up quite some courage before making that proposal a year ago, but he did not expect you to bring it up again before he did.
The children had already returned to their rooms for their usual check-ups, so it was the best time for Albedo to say it again. He let out his hand in front of you, corners of his lips turning up, forming a warm and loving smile.
"Will you care to be my partner and accompany me throughout my life?"
You gladly accepted his hand, feeling like you were the happiest woman in the world.
"Yes, of course."
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"I was contemplating between art and science until I met her. She looked so fragile like she would break any time if not cared for. That was when I made up my mind to become a doctor and cure her illness."
"He worked so hard day and night, observing my every move and jotting down every single detail. Sometimes I worry he might overwork and strain his own body, but who am I to teach a doctor his ways of working?"
"Seeing her body getting weaker day by day made me push myself to work harder. This medicine was completed earlier than I thought and I know it was none other than my wife who pushed me to my limits."
"I did mention to him to take a break for a while, but he refused, saying the medicine has to be done as soon as possible."
"Seeing her smile made me not wanting to give up. If I had dropped the job back then, I wouldn't be able to see her smiling in front of me every day like this."
"As the saying goes, 'behind every successful man, there stands a woman,' and I am more than happy to be the said woman."
After the interview, you headed home with Albedo; to the home Albedo prepared for the both of you to live in. Albedo was a busy man, so it was you who maintained the cleanliness of the house. You didn't mind, though, considering he was a doctor who works at the emergency section.
He apologized to you every day before heading off to work and you just shrugged it off every time, telling him it was fine. You love him despite him not always being by your side, but you know he loves you just as much too. You're willing to do anything for him, even if it means to carry his child in your womb.
"I'll try to take a day off tomorrow," Albedo said to you one morning when you were sending him off to work as usual.
"Eh? Then who will be taking your place?"
"I will switch with another doctor," he said as he casually gave a quick peck on your lips before entering the car.
You simply hum in response, thinking it's impossible for him to just take a leave like that, considering he's in-charged in emergencies. However, you thought wrong. That night, Albedo came home with a smile tugging at his lips, telling you he's free on the next day. You immediately brought him into a hug as tears of happiness began rolling down your cheeks.
"Thank you," was all you could muffle in that state. Albedo buried his head in the crook of your neck, with one hand around your waist and the other on your head, patting your silky hair.
"I'm more than willing to do anything if it meant spending more time with you, my dear y/n."
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A/N:
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed <3
As for the ending, it is totally up to you if you ended up pregnant or not hehe~
I do have another Albedo serialized book: Doctor Albedo (Albedo x OC), please check out my profile! I only put it OC because I wanted to write the story in third person POV, but it is totally up to you to interpret the heroine to y/n!
I apologize for the slow update, school is starting soon so I have to get everything together.