Running Out Of Time - Whumptober Day 4
@whumptober2020
Clinic hours weren’t why Fao had joined the Army, but they were par for the course as a junior registrar. Theatre was where he wanted to be, naturally, but here he did feel like he was making a difference.
Outreach to the locals was rewarding, and whilst it wasn’t his favourite it was still a good learning experience. A chance to practice his sutures, work on his bedside manner, paeds practice. It was what you made it, and Fao wanted to make the most of his tours. So he threw himself into clinic, and he definitely learned from it.
Harrison had joined the army as an escape, as so many others did. He was never really sure what he wanted to do, torn between two many options and told he’d never be good at any of them.
He’d loved it at first, the days long and tiring, but for once filled with purpose. It gave his life some meaning, and even messing about with his colleagues was fun. Daft and sometimes stupid, yes, but he was still young.
Even during clinic hours, he’d mess around, often pushing the boundaries with what he was allowed to do. He’d been pulled up a few times for it, but somehow seemed to get away with it. Teasing the older juniors was the most fun, watching them get more infuriated with him before he’d cave and help out. It didn’t help that others were rather attractive and he wanted their attention, but that was just an added bonus.
Fao's consultant had left him somewhat in charge of the clinic that day, and he was already ridiculously busy. He'd not slept that well, typically, and now there was a stack of paperwork in front of him that needed doing.
He turned in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Harrison, are you done with bed three? I really need it.”
“Yeah, almost. I’m trying.”
“How much longer? I've got like four people who need to be seen.”
“How long is a piece of string?” He shrugged, gesturing with his hands. “I don’t know. They’ll be done when they’re done.”
“Not even a vague estimate?”
“Six years?”
Fao rolled his eyes. “Fine. Just find me when you've discharged.”
“I’m not trying to be a dick.” He softened. “Honestly. I’ll do my best.”
“Ah, I get it. Winding us seniors up gives you a kick. Just… Be quick. I've got so many people desperate to be seen.”
Harrison grinned as he left. “Nah, just you.”
“Twat.”
For once Harrison did as he was told, finishing his treatment and discharging within the half hour. He returned to Fao with a mischievous grin, loitering in the doorway.
Fao didn't even look up. “I know it's you, Harrison. And I know you're grinning like a Cheshire cat. Have you discharged?”
His grin widened. “Yes, your highness. All done.”
He stretched his hand out. “Paperwork?”
“Illegible, but done.” He passed it across, barely suppressing the urge to throw it. “Happy?”
Fao scanned over it - it was no worse than his. “More than.”
“Excellent. Anything else?”
“Keep treating, kid. There's people everywhere.”
“Shocking. It’s almost like we’re in a warzone.”
“Smartass.”
Harrison grinned again, almost laughed. “What would you do without me?”
Fao finally looked up at him, and leaned back in his chair. “Replace you with someone who talks less and works more.” He said, but his words were light and he was smirking.
“Hey, I work.” He joked back. “You wouldn’t have that paperwork if I didn’t.”
“I know, I know. God, I swear I'm losing my mind doing this paperwork. What's it like today? As hellish as it appears?”
“Worse.”
Fao sighed. “It's getting worse again.”
“Yeah, you’re telling me. I don’t understand it at all.”
“Me neither. People are going to get hurt.”
“We need to move on.”
“Like hell will we, though.” He muttered. “Just have to do our best for the people we can treat. Grab me if you need?”
"Of course. Shout if you need any help with the paperwork, though." He offered before adding. "Wouldn't want you getting a papercut."
“If I do, wouldn't trust you to put a plaster on it.”
"Ouch."
Harrison laughed as he left, shooting Fao a glance over his shoulder. He wasn’t much older than him, but he seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Not that he could blame Fao half the time, having to put up with him. At least he sometimes got a smile out of him.
Moments after Harrison left, Fao got a page from his CO. There'd been strikes in the area, they were expecting a load of critical patients and needed to clear the clinic to make space.
“Harrison!” He called down the hall after the younger man.
He rolled his eyes, arms filled with supplies for restocking. “What’s up, Wolfie?”
“I need everyone out. Now. Anyone who's not immediately at risk if they're not treated, out. Every bed cleared, everyone gone. Strikes, and we're the closest place for aid.”
“On it.” Fao seemed worried, and Harrison knew the last thing he needed was him being an ass. “Give me five minutes and we’ll be empty.”
“Here, give me all that.” Fao said, gesturing to the supplies Harrison held. “You go sort patients, let me deal with the admin shit.”
He passed it across. “It’ll be okay. You could run this shit in your sleep.”
He nodded. “Any patients who need to stay, stay, but try and move them to free up beds. We need-” Fao didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. The world shattered around them, too quickly to realise why.
Harrison couldn’t breathe. There was a searing pain down his spine and his head was too sluggish to think. It took too long to place where he was, and he slipped before he could do anything.
It took Fao a while to realise what was going on. His ears were ringing, the air was thick with dust. His eyes finally focused on the rubble around him, and realised he was pinned. He couldn’t move, but he could breathe. Just about, it was hard.
Harrison next woke coughing, almost retching against the air. He blinked slowly, trying to clear his vision. It wasn't his eyes, he realised eventually, the ringing in his ears almost deafening. He tried shouting, calling to see if anyone was there, if anyone was still alive.
It was muffled, but Fao could hear a shout. Close, too. Even through the ringing of his ears, he could hear. Harrison? It had to be, he was the only one close to him before.
“Harrison?!” He called hoarsely.
"Fao? Fao!"
He broke off coughing. “You ‘kay?”
"I'm alive." He shouted back, voice rough. "You alright? You hurt?"
“Think ‘m ‘kay.” He called. “Where are you?”
"Not far from you, I think. I can't fucking see anything."
“Trapped? Think I am.”
Harrison swore. "I think I can get out."
“Careful.”
He snorted. "When am I ever?"
“Careful.” He repeated, trying to be firm.
Harrison rolled his eyes (a bad decision only making the dizziness worse) and started trying to move. Something sharp stabbed him in the back and he cried out, fingers coming back red.
It wasn't too deep, the metal pole able to be moved with a shove. He made it to his knees before he started retching again, the room spinning again.
“Tomcat?!” Fao called, panicked at his cry.
"'m fine." He groaned. "I'm comin'."
“You ‘kay?”
"Just peachy."
“Sure?”
"Yeah, yeah. You know the one that's been dropped? All bruised and battered and nobody wants it?" He muttered, mainly to himself. "Just like that."
Fao couldn’t quite hear, just groaned and struggled to move. “This is heavy.”
"I know, Wolfie, I'm trying. Can you move at all?"
“I think so?”
"Can you move your legs? Arms? You bleeding anywhere?"
Fao spent a few moments focused on his body. “Don’t think I’m bleeding. Everything moves, jus’... covered in shite. Ribs are killer.”
"Yeah, I bet. Glad you're moving though." He groaned. "I'm nearly there. My flashlight is shite."
“Yeah, ‘m ‘kay.” It was hard to focus on Harrison, now other people were crying out. The air was thick, and Fao was sure something was on fire.
"Do me a favour, Wolfie. Keep talking to me, whatever bullshit you usually sprout."
Fao sighed, though it quickly turned into a coughing fit. “Think we deserve a drink when we get back.”
"Just one? I'll take the case."
“God, absolutely.”
It was hard to see through the dust, and it was only growing harder to breathe. Fao was a welcome sight though, even covered in debris and dirt.
“I’ve got you. I’m here.”
Fao looked up at him, struggling. “Get this shit off of me? Don’t think it’s crushing anything major.”
Harrison tried a laugh. “Nothing major? Guess you’ve not got much down there.”
“Fuck you!”
“With what?” He quipped back, testing the weight of it. “Any chance you could help me give it a shove? I’m not sure I can do it all. But I promise - I promise - I’ll get you out of here.”
“Yeah, help me sit? My arm’s stuck.”
“Yeah, ‘course. What do you want me to do?”
Fao was busy trying to keep moving his fingers. “Try and move it? Then I can sit and help.”
“Sure, sure. You ready? On three.” He gave Fao a countdown before shoving it, putting his weight behind it.
It took a few attempts, but it finally shifted, Harrison slipping with it as it moved. He gave it another shove for good measure, his feet struggling to get grip and not getting any further.
Fao groaned as the weight of the rubble was replaced with the weight of Harrison. “What're you doin’, Tomcat?”
“Trying to free your sorry ass. I slipped.”
“You ‘kay?”
“Course.” He grumbled. “Are you?”
“Yeah. Can help when you move.”
He moved slowly, feeling the grate of his ribs with every movement. "Better?"
“Mm.” Fao said, and slowly managed to sit up. His eyes had started to adjust to the low light now, and he struggled to move the rubble that was over his legs. His chest burned and the dust just made it harder to breathe, but he was so nearly free.
With Fao more free, Harrison swept the light over him. "Where are you hurt?"
“‘M fine, just bruised. Help me get this shit off.”
"Are you sure? I don't want you to bleed out on me as soon as I move it."
“Not gonna.”
He gave Fao a short smile. "You better fucking not."
“I won’t. Feel fine.”
“Like fuck do you.” He scoffed. “C’mon, hold onto me, I’ll drag you the rest of the way.”
“Not even dizzy.” Fao protested, but gripped onto Harrison.
Harrison winced. “Not there, move your hands slightly.”
“Oh.” Fao said, and shifted his grip.
“Much better.” He muttered through gritted teeth. “Ready?”
“Yeah, go on.”
Harrison nodded, gripping onto Fao’s clothing as he pulled. He groaned with effort, the pain only worsening and proving to make it more difficult.
“You’re such a lump.”
“Thanks.” Fao said, kicking to get free. The rubble was heavy but he seemed unharmed, aside from his ribs and a few scratches. Breathing heavily (and painfully) he struggled to his knees.
Harrison extended an arm. "You alright? You good?"
Fao nodded, a hand wrapped around his ribs. It was a struggle to get his breath back, it was agony, but he eventually managed. “Yeah. Let me get a look at you.”
“I’m fine. Let’s just get you out and then I’ll see who else is in there.”
“No, let me make sure you're okay.”
“I’m fine, Wolfie. I wasn’t the one trapped.”
“I hurt you when I grabbed you.” Fao said, narrowing his eyes. “Give me your light.”
“It hurt because you grabbed me. We both got blown up. It’s no big deal.”
“Light. Now.” Fao said, trying his best to be authoritative.
“Piss off.” Harrison turned away, hiding his face. “Can you walk out of here?”
“Harrison, let me see.”
“No. I’ve said I’m fine.” He snapped. “Now, are you walking or am I going to have to drag your ass out of here too?”
“I'll walk. Waiting for the feeling to get back in my legs properly.”
“Yeah, yeah. Take your time. Put your arm around me, I’ll help you.”
Fao looked up at him, trying to ignore the pain in his ribs. “Sure.”
“C’mon, let’s get you out.”
Fao struggled to his feet, refusing to use Harrison for help. He'd be fine, he just had to go slow.
“Hey, come here.” Harrison wrapped his arm around Fao’s waist. “Let me help.”
“‘m fine.”
“Then stop bein a dick.”
The world span as Fao finally stood, but he managed to stay upright and looked over at Harrison. “‘m up.”
“Yeah, good job.” He gave Fao a genuine smile. “You’re doing good.”
“Out? I wanna get a look at you.”
“Yeah, we can get out.”
“Unless you give me your torch.”
He narrowed his eyes. “We’re getting you out.”
“Fine.”
Mainly supporting Fao, Harrison started walking, stumbling over the uneven ground. Each jolt sent a shock of pain through him, only serving to make his dizziness worse. He had to get Fao out, he was the main priority. They could deal with him later.
Fao could tell he wasn't right. He was fine to walk, just slow, it was Harrison who was stumbling. “Hey, you alright?” He asked. “Lean on me a bit?”
He laughed quietly. “It’s meant to be you leaning on me.”
“Keep trippin’ and you'll pull me over anyway. Lemme help.”
“No, no. I’ll be better.”
“Come on, I can take you a bit.”
"Is that an offer?"
“Piss off.”
"What would you do with-without me?"
“Told you - find someone who works more and talks less.” He joked weakly.
"Yeah. Hell, you'd be better off without me."
“Nah, you're a good one.”
"Sure, sure." It was growing harder for Harrison to see straight, his vision darkening as he walked. He just had to get Fao out, get him safe, that was all.
Fao gripped him tightly. He was getting heavier, and he was worried. He tried his best, struggling over the rubble.
Harrison stumbled, reaching out to grab at the wall. “‘m okay.”
“Careful.”
“I just tripped.” He grumbled, trying to brush it off. “But I’m gonna be sick.”
“Oh.” Fao mumbled, pulling back.
He managed an apology before turning away, immediately throwing up. He took a moment to compose himself, dragged the back of his hand across his mouth and then returned to Fao's side.
"Sorry."
“Let's get out.” Fao said firmly, and managed to get them both out into the natural light. They still had cover, but it seemed whoever had destroyed the building was long gone.
“We need help, there’ll be people still in there.”
“Yeah, I've got no comms or anything on me. Was all in the office.”
“I’ll head back in, see what I can grab.”
“No, let me look at you first.”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
Fao reached out for him, but realised his hands were already somewhat bloody and frowned. “Are you bleeding?”
“A tiny bit. It’s nothing.” He shrugged, stepping away. “Just a scratch.”
“Let me see.”
“Why’re you so obsessed with me?”
“Because I think you're more hurt than you say you are.”
“You always say you want me to say less.”
“It's a joke, kid.” Fao said, moving closer.
Harrison nodded. “Yeah.”
“Let me look?”
“Nothin’ to see.”
“Sure, I'll be the judge of that.”
“You’ll be wrong.” Fao was having trouble staying in focus and Harrison frowned. “Will you just stand still?”
Fao’s brows knitted together. “I am stood still.”
“You look like a worm.”
“Why don't we sit, hmm?” Fao said, a hand on his shoulder.
“You want me on my knees?” Harrison tried joking, shrugging Fao’s hand off.
“Funny. Come on, worried you're gonna pass out on me.”
“What would I go and do that for?”
“To be wholly inconvenient.”
Harrison cracked a smile. “Jus’ returning the favour.”
His knees gave out first, eyes rolling as he collapsed. The pain and dizziness disappeared as his world bled into darkness.
“Oh, for fucks sake.”