Migraines (Love Doctors)
(Warning for mentions of pills/medication, and brief mentions of pain)
Henrik's ears were already ringing when he woke up, a warning about how the rest of the day would likely pan out. Still, he only allowed himself a few short minutes to lie in bed before forcing himself to prepare for the day. If he didn't get started on his work now, it would just continue to pile up and make it impossible to keep up with.
Soon, he found himself in his and Dr. Iplier's shared clinic, squinting against the bright light and shuffling towards his desk. Hopefully, today wouldn't be too busy, and he could just focus on his paperwork instead of having to engage with anyone. Of course, that couldn't last long.
When Edward came bustling in, he was already happily chattering, and all Henrik could offer was a quiet hum. He wasn't purposefully ignoring his boyfriend, but his mind felt far too sluggish to fully process the words. Still, the other doctor didn't seem to find it out of the ordinary, settling in his seat across the room and setting up his desk.
Henrik zoned back into the conversation just in time to hear a question about where his son was, and he glanced up with a small half-smile. "Still in his room, I think," he mumbled, his accent far thicker than usual. "Robbie doesn't tend to come down until he's ready."
His gaze fell back to the papers on his desk, and he shifted to rest his forehead in his palm as he continued to look them over. It took him several long minutes to realize the room had gone silent again, and hesitantly, he glanced up at the other doctor without moving his head.
"Are you feeling okay?" Edward asked when they finally made eye contact, brows furrowed worriedly. When Henrik shrugged despondently, he shook his head. "Don't give me that. You're pale."
"I'm always pale," Henrik pointed out with another tired smile, and Edward rolled his eyes.
The older doctor huffed and pushed himself out of his seat, striding across the room to crouch at Schneep's side. "You know what I mean. You don't look well."
The Septic shrugged, using the hand holding his pen to wave vaguely. "You know..."
"Henrik..." He sighed, then shook his head when they made eye contact again. "How's your head?"
Rather than replying, Henrik closed his eyes and grumbled inaudibly. He could already feel a full-blown migraine building up from the minor headache he had earlier, but he wasn't about to admit it.
Again, Edward rolled his eyes. "Right," he stood up and pat Henrik's back gently before he turned and made his way to one of the small freezers in the room. "Did you take your medication this morning?"
There were several seconds of hesitant silence, but just as Edward glanced back at him, Henrik huffed. "No, it's hard to focus after they kick in."
"Is it any easier without them?" He prompted, already knowing the answer. He listened, but when Henrik didn't reply, he continued to gather an ice pack and the small bottle of painkillers. "Look, you know you're allowed to take a break, Hen." He chastised, bringing both items back to the other's desk.
"And leave you to do everything here?" He grumbled, listening as Edward's steps grew closer. When they stopped, he cracked open an eye to squint at him - the world span, but he blinked it away. "You know how busy it is some days-"
He handed Henrik the ice pack, "but it isn't now. You should be resting."
Henrik frowned, but he took the ice without complaint and held it to his temple. "I can do my paperwork just fine, thank you very much."
"Can and should are different," he insisted, turning back to grab a cold water bottle for the pills, "and I know you know that."
Technically, he couldn't argue with that. He grumbled under his breath before reaching for the bottle of pills Edward set on his desk. He read the label idly, but when the other returned, he glanced back up. "So what's the plan then, doc?" He asked, a sarcastic bite backing his words.
"You," Edward emphasized, handing him the water, "are going to go lay down." Henrik went to interrupt him, but he shook his head. "If I need your help, we'll talk about it then. For now, you need a break."
The Septic doctor deflated, but he was quiet as he took the water and downed the pills. He stared blankly at the clear bottle in his hand for a few moments, but soon, he blinked and turned his gaze back to Edward. "Are you sure?"
Edward rolled his eyes and offered him a small smile. "What, you don't trust I can take care of the place?"
The tease made him crack a smile. "Maybe I don't?"
"Maybe you don't," he echoed with a laugh. "But hear me out, okay?" He paused for dramatic effect, rubbing Henrik's back. "Doctor's orders."
He snorted, then grimaced inwardly as his head span. "Oh, how could I ignore the doctor's orders?" He joked dramatically.
"Exactly." Edward nodded. "Now you go, take your ice pack and your water, and lay down."
Hen groaned and rolled his eyes, but after a moment, he complied. Carefully, he scooped the ice pack back up and stood. "I'm staying here, by the way." He lightly nudged Edward as he passed. "Before you argue, I'm keeping you company. I'll only go back to my desk if I'm feeling better, I promise."
Edward watched for a moment before he laughed, turning to trail behind Henrik. "You-"
"Should be resting, ja." He placed the water bottle next to one of the medical benches before he turned around to face him, leaning against the cool metal. "I know-"
"Have to be more careful." Ed finished with a hum, moving to sit next to him. "I'm fine with you staying up, but you have to take it easy." He couldn't imagine Schneep would be lucid for all that long though, considering the medication he took. "I pester you about it because I care," he reminded as he wrapped an arm around Henrik's waist.
He leaned his head against Edward's shoulder and hummed. "And because you're a doctor," he teased.
"And because I'm a doctor." He laughed, carefully resting his head on Henrik's.
Again, the silence stretched, more comfortable this time. Henrik's ears still rang, but it felt as though it quieted down too, just for a little bit.
