Doctors Visit #2 - pt 1
It was Thursday. And it was 14:20. Just like last time. So.
It was still a bit surreal to stand in front of Raphael’s clinic again. An angels clinic. Because Raphael said he should come back for treatment. Not what kind of treatment, but for treatment.
No African bird this time, only rushing water, swooshing trees and a blue songbird that constantly changes names. Pleasant sounds, in general.
After a breath he walked into the house he was thrown out of not too long ago.
„Hel-lo Amurel” Asmodeus grinned at the angel in charge of the counter, leaned on it while she sorted the papers in front of her.
Then she looked up and smiled pleasantly: “Hello. hottest divine embodiment of the darker kind in existence. I suppose you wish to have an appointment with Raphael?”
“Oh, so what a greeting. And that from such a lovely specimen as yourself. I see you changed your hair?”
They put a hand to their head, flattening the second stand with more ‘character than the others.
Their perfect smile twitched, just a second, and they answered: “… maybe. Maybe they react a bit more to my mood than anticipated”
“Well, it certainly suits you,” because it did. Angels were in need of some character.
They glanced sideways at Asmodeus, then at the file in front of them, shook their head and smirked. Smirking angels. What a sight.
“Thank you. But if you’d please follow me to the doctor’s office? He’ll see you momentarily,” they were already on the way, indicating the right way with their hand, clutching his file with the other. … he wondered what was written on there. Maybe also the ‘diagnostic findings’. Admittedly, he was a bit curious.
Maybe next time. For now, he said: “I’d follow you wherever you want me to” and did exactly that, resuming the position he had last time, kicking his legs over the armrest and grabbing the nearest pillow.
At least he was certain that the slight air current definitely was Raphael’s doing. If consciously or subconsciously was up for debate, but the currents were different in each room. It was not natural.
Click.
The door closed behind the angel and he padded – still barefoot – over to the armchair Asmodeus was lounging in.
“Welcome again to the clinic, thanks for showing up,” he said, seating himself and flipping open Asmodeus’ file. He didn’t read in it, but clicked a pen to be ready.
“Well, after the little show from last week, I just had to – fantastic wings, by the way,” he smiled at the ‘doctor’
And said doctor tilted his head and scribbled down a few words in the file. He still answered in an amused voice: “Thank you. They are rather new”
“Their status is still marvellous, if this is what you do when you are stressed. I understand the stress to work with that many people. And being responsible for them. But I have my own way of dealing with that. Maybe you could need some company next time you need to… blow off some steam?” Asmodeus raised both his brows.
Raphael pecked the notepad with his pen, slight frown in place,then finally said: “I think sparring with you would seriously break rules. And I can not argue that as neglible, at all. Wouldn’t you say so as well?“
Asmodeus laughed. It breaks out of him, not much he could do. Then said: “Aww, sweetheart... You think I mean sparring...”
Another scribbling on the pad, while he saidapparently genuinely curious: “Are you suggesting something else towards your doctor?“
“Well, I would hope so. Which do you think would be more controversial? Inviting you to bed or to fight?”
Raphael tapped the pen to his lip and seemed to give it serios thought, staring at the ceiling, then concluded: “Bed. Due to the stipulation of the fight being nonlethal and Rage not being your sin. Inviting me to bed – with assumptions - would directly correspond and it would count as... well, a temptation,” he nodded, apparently happy, then added: “Also: I can fix us both after a fight. No consequences“
“Ahh, see, a temptation. That might be a spot of fun for me... but no good for you, is it? Then I suppose a fight’s all we’ve got. Unless, of course, you wanted to invite me to bed?” There was always a chance.
But Raphael didn’t even flinch: „A doctor never invites a patient to bed if they have any respect for their own craft. Or accepts such an offer, naturally. 'Misplaced trust' is what you call it, I believe?“
Asmodeus shrugged: “Naturally. But my trust would be quite securely placed if you were to, say, whoop my ass in the desert platonically, yes?” Sometimes, angels were absurd.
'Yes. Since rules can be implemented quite easily. As an angel, I would definitely adhere to them. And nothing should influ-,' Raphael stopped talking. And his eyes went wide. He scribbled on the notepad, striking out several things, apparently, and then said: „And here I forgot that I do know some of your history. And I apologise. No desert fights – no fights, actually - with the archangel Raphael. I will not bring it up again“
“Aw, Raphael. You’re too good for your own... good. For what it’s worth, you’re welcome to fight me in the desert whenever you like, or anywhere else, for that matter. But I don’t think you would really hurt me, even if I got down on my knees and begged you to.”
His eyes snapped up when he said that, brows slightly drawn: "Naturally, I would not try to harm you. My way of incapacitating someone does not include harm. It's against my very being, but you obviously figured that already” The angel took a breath, then continued: “But… as for your… request? There is a distinction between harm and hurt. I think I hurt a lot more people than most. So, ah, do you want me to hurt you? I certainly can. But would you actually want me to?"
Still amused, he stared at Raphael, only a moment of thought here, then said: “Can you, now? And how do you think you would do that? Pop a rib head back in for me? Reset an old broken bone?”
"Oh. Everyone has slight imperfections. No exceptions. And healing those will hurt, if it needs to be done fast or on a schedule even more so. I would need to figure out if -and how much - harmed you were. And you would need to tell me how much you want to be hurt… if this is… what you want.” He didn’t look particularly happy. But confident in this. Body language sure. Huh.
If he grabbed his pillow a little tighter, it certainly could not be seen. Asmodeus said:“Come now, Raphael, is it really hurting if you’re helping? I’m not so sure it would have the same effect.”
Now Raphael tilted his head again and made another note. It ended with: "It would have the effect of fixing a few problems your body has. Plus pain. How much... is still up to you. It won't feel like I help at the moment I treat you. So… maybe that would produce the desired effect? I can only assume what that effect actually is. If you wish to explore the possibility, you know where to find me“
The angel sat up straight and smiled: „Until then... How are you?"