Summary: Doctor Hafiza waits for someone to come and pick up Fenrys Moonbeam, dreading where the day will go. It turns out better than she expected.
Ao3
Part of my ToG Comfortember 2020 fics.
xxx
There were times when being a doctor was a wonderful thing and there were times it left a heavy feeling in your soul. Hafiza wondered which one this would be.
Doctor Hafiza had been at Torre Cesme hospital since she was an intern. Now as chief of surgery for twenty years and near retirement, she had seen it all. Death, life, cancer, fractures, crying families, celebrating families, rare disorders, infections, even a pandemic. Everything had passed in front of her eyes.
Still, the sight of the young man on the bed was sending a twisted feeling through her gut.
She wasn't even supposed to be here today but the storm outside had derailed many of their doctors, leaving them short-staffed. After putting in the necessary calls as Chief, she had decided to step into the ER and help where she could.
That was how she had ended up with Fenrys Moonbeam's chart in her hands, an Olympic swimmer.
There was nothing outwardly wrong with the man. He had collapsed at the gym and emergency services had been alerted by the establishment. He didn't have any injuries internal or external that could have caused the fall.
However, after some conversation, the reason for it had become obvious.
It was exhaustion. Physical and emotional exhaustion. From what he had told them and their consulting physiatrist, Fenrys had been working himself non-stop, most likely skipping proper meals to work-out. The lack of proper meals wasn't obvious and wouldn't cause this much trouble if he was an average person. However, for an Olympic level athlete, it was dangerous. The worst part, he didn't seem to see anything wrong with it, describing his schedule as if it was normal.
The man needed help and Hafiza wasn't sure if it was going to happen. Legally they couldn't keep him and Fenrys made no indication that he would take their advice in resting and taking care of himself. In a scenario like this, the best bet was pleading to the person's emotional side by revealing their issue, with their permission ofcourse, to their family and friends. Except, the man was under the direct care of Maeve, his coach, a woman who had a well-known reputation for being a hardass. Not to mention, the rumours of emotional abuse that had flared up a while ago before being viciously squashed.
The only hope Hafiza could see was that since it was the offseason, Fenrys's emergency contacts were two other swimmers, his twin brother and Lorcan Salvaterre. But still, Hafiza had been mentored by a doctor who had spent a lot of their time with athletes. Knowing their mentality, she didn't know if they would understand the severity of the situation. Or if Fenrys would even let her tell them.
She was shaken out of her thoughts as a nurse came up to her.
"They're here for Fenrys Moonbeam," he said gesturing behind him, "They all insisted on coming in,"
Hafiza looked up to see five men coming toward her. She recognized Connall Moonbeam and the silver-haired Rowan Whitethorn but she had no idea who the rest of them were. Probably athletes too. They were certainly built like swimmers.
"Thank you," she told the nurse, "I'll take care of them,"
"Are you his doctor? Where is he? Is everything okay with him?" rushed out Connall, the perfect picture of a concerned brother.
"Right this way," she said, gesturing to the room behind her, "We put him in here or his privacy. Too many people recognized him,"
Connall nodded and they all followed her. Both Connall and the tall blonde took either side of his bed. The big brunette man and Whitethorn opted to stay closer to her while the fifth man stood by the foot of the bed.
"Fenrys," said the blonde, "What happened? We came as soon as we got the call, took a while in this storm,"
"You didn't have to come," said Fenrys, "I just overdid it. I'm ready to go home,"
He tried to get to the blankets but his brother stopped him.
"Just wait a second. I wanna hear this from the doctor,"
He then turned towards her.
"I'm Connall. The blonde is Gavriel. Lorcan and Rowan are with you and this one over here is Vaughan. Can you tell us what's wrong with my brother?"
Hafiza looked at her patient for permission. After a moment, Fenrys sighed and nodded.
"To put it simply," said Hafiza, "The man is exhausted. His meal plans and workout routine is wearing him down-"
"Hold up- wait," said Rowan, "That doesn't make any sense. He's a professional. He knows how to take care of himself. There has to be something else wrong here,"
Hafiza tampered down her annoyance. Well, there went her hope for a smooth plan for Fenrys.
"That is what it is," said Hafiza
"Look, guys," said Fenrys, "Like I said, I overdid it a bit. Nothing special. I'm fine,"
The man most certainly was not fine. She was thinking of what else to say but Gavriel beat her to it.
"We all overdo it sometimes, doesn't make us collapse over some gym equipment. And you've been avoiding us, Fen,"
"I said I'm fine!"
"Obviously not," muttered Vaughan
"You know what, asshole-"
"Enough," said Lorcan
The room instantly got quiet.
The man turned to Fenrys, "You're lying. You know it. We know it. Now you obviously don't want the doctor saying whatever she was going to say so why don't you let us know what's going on,"
Fenrys opened his mouth but then shut it.
"The truth, Fenrys," said Lorcan
The words burst out all at once.
"I'm tired, okay?! Is that what you wanna hear, I'm tired and I'm trying to get better but I'm not getting any better, and feeling down all the time and there's this big empty hole inside of me and I- I just- I'm tired okay. I just feel really tired all the time, Food doesn't taste good and sleep is just weird. I- don't know what- I don't- don't know what-"
As his rant died down, Fenrys's eyes started to fill with tears. He ducked his face to hide them but Gavriel pulled him close instead. His brother put an arm around him from behind. The rest of the men just watched in shock as Fenrys cried into Gavriel's chest.
Hafiza waited.
"Gods," muttered Rowans. Lorcan just shook his head and sighed.
It was sinking in for them. This would be a crucial moment.
"Fenrys," murmured Rowan, "Please look at us,"
Sniffling Fenrys pulled away so everyone could see him.
"You need a break from all this, Boyo," said Rowan, "This isn't healthy. We'll change your plan so you can have some time to yourself,"
"Maeve isn't going to like that," said Fenrys, voice just a bit bitter "And anyway, what are you going to help with? You're all leaving anyway,"
"What?" asked Conall, looking around the room, "What is he talking about?"
"We've been discussing retirement," answered Gavriel, "We're a lot older than you and we just don't swim the same anymore,"
"Doesn't mean we're leaving you," said Vaughan, "We're still gonna be right here. Just not in the game,"
"Not getting rid of us that easily, Boyo," Rowan chimed in, a small grin on his face.
Good. This was good.
Fenrys was starting to look a little more hopeful, "Maeve's still not gonna like a plan change though, she already thinks I don't work hard enough,"
"That's bullshit," said Lorcan, "When did she say that?"
"A month ago,"
Lorcan and Rowan looked at each other for a few moments, seemingly holding a silent conversation between them.
"Maybe its time we got you and Connall a new coach," said Rowan once they turned back
"What?" said Fenrys, surprise etched into his face. His brother looked just as shocked.
Hafiza had to admit, she was surprised too.
"You're good, Fenrys. There are a lot of people who would jump at the chance to coach the two of you. And if there's no one else, we'll do it ourselves," said Rowan.
"What?"
"I've been assisting With the younger swimmers for a while now," said Lorcan, "And Rowan has been assisting Aelin on her come back-"
"Not the only thing he's assisting with," muttered Vaughan, causing groans and chuckles around the room.
"Point is," continued Lorcan, "We can do this,"
"Maeve will try to blacklist you," said Connall
"Let her try," said Rowan
"You would really do this?" asked Fenrys, sounding small and unsure
"Of course," said Lorcan, voice filled with conviction, "But you need help, Fen. This isn't okay,"
After a long moment, Fenrys nodded, "Alright. I'll try,"
Hafiza let out a long breath. This was good.
Rowan turned towards her, "So doctor, how do we help him?"
Hafiza straightened her notes and started to got through the treatment, "Well, to start with, his diet-"
They all listened intently as she talked, Vaughan even taking notes. They had also all gravitated towards the bed, at least one hand reaching for their friend.
Some days being a doctor was great and some days it was not. However, Hafiza could say without a doubt, at this moment it was truly wonderful
In Tower of Dawn Hafiza says something to Yrene about that she is not responsible for having a wounded soul, but she is responsible for letting the wound get infected.
Can anyone tell me the exact quote? Or what page? Because I can't find it!
