"Welcome to Hertz Clinic!" The voice calls from the loft above the medical suite. "Show me where it-" Quick, thundering footsteps slow then stop as she comes into view. Immediately upon recognition, eyes dilate — pupils nearly eclipse her umber irises. Enjin has returned. "You're back!" Neela trills, springing back into motion. In a few buoyant strides, she stops just short of colliding with the cleaner. Arms fly out, ready for an embrace. Wait! He could be hurt! That's usually why people come here, is it not? Neela's mirth is extinguished at the thought. Lips start to tremble. "Are you okay?" asks the nurse, her voice distant as if it came from the very back of her throat. (from Neela to Enjin, because our talks got me thinkin (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖) )
Shame on him for sneaking out of the celebratory feast and rushing here, no change of clothes, no shower, all scrapes and small, scattered but admittedly nasty-looking acid burns, his forethought leading him to the threshold of the clinic, to the moment she'd greet him, but not a second further. But where her enthusiasm falters, his only grows, smile turning into a grin, open arms being more than enough invitation for him to bury her in a hug, despite knowing he smells of rot and tar and all sorts of nastiness. Only then can he properly calm down, shoulders relaxing, chin resting close to her neck, her hair in his eyes, tickling his nose and mouth, a blessing to his nerves.
He hears her, and the last thing he'd want is to cause her concern when there's no need for any, but for a moment longer, he just can't bring himself to answer. To move at all, to risk breaking the spell which allowed him this; of all the risks he took today, some arguably unnecessary, this one was the one he was hesitant about. She was never not accommodating, not inviting, not the sweetest, sure, but what if she changes her mind at last, decides enough's enough, wants to have nothing to do with him, rightfully so?
Breathe in. She smells of cleanliness, of peace, of home.
Breathe out, be an adult, Enjin, answer the question.
"Never been better!" he moves away just so their eyes can meet, and she can see he means it, despite all the small signs pointing to the contrary in terms of what kinda day he was having. "But with all the running around and uh, bleeding, I realised I never asked for yours." A pause and a slow blink as he hears himself. Wow, how eloquent! Way to go, Enjin, wonder why your ass is still single. "Not in a psycho way! Ha. Just a drop." Okay, no. Breathe in, breathe out. One hand leaves her side to reach to his neck, unlock his choker, and offer it up. Innocent enough, except for the slightly dodgy blood ritual aspect of it. If she wouldn't mind his yapping near her ear when he's not physically there. And maybe, just maybe, he'd get to hear her voice once in a while, for any reason, outside the clinic. No biggie, and yet, his smile falters, turning almost sheepish.
"Yanno, just in case?"
