#hhhhhh
Part ofDo No Harm.
Okay, so I did end up splitting the chapter in half. Sometimes my little typing fingers go out of control and the word count spirals. Will try not to keep you waiting too long for the follow up :)
WARNINGS: Blood (lots of it), non-graphic noncon, very minor character death, thoughts of death in general, BBU/BBU-adjacent, medical setting, panic attack
Things at the clinic are going… Surprisingly okay? Sebastian is cautious with his optimism, and he’s hesitant to use any stronger descriptors than that for the time being. But on the better days, despite his better judgment, Sebastian almost wants to call this thing that they have going… good.
Something begins to happen, so naturally and so subtly that Sebastian doesn’t catch onto it until the feeling is settled: he’s getting used to Jaime’s presence. Both in the clinic and, because his job doesn’t allow for much personal time outside of it, his life. After only a week and a half of forbidden lunches and stolen smiles and fragile, private exchanges of honesty, this arrangement he was so scared of implementing in the beginning has become the best part of his day.
The day after Jaime agreed to eat the sandwiches he bought for them, Sebastian got a little more adventurous. He brought something different every day of the week: bagels from his favorite shop, coffee from a drive-thru instead of the break room, and on a particularly cold day in February, two thermoses of hot soup. It quickly became part of his routine the night before work to think about what Jaime might like to eat the next day. Different ways he could surprise him. Make him happy, if just for a moment.
One Tuesday night, Sebastian finds himself elbow-deep in a real life, grown-up, honest-to-god grocery haul for the first time in… well, a while. Fruits and vegetables and actual ingredients crowd his countertops instead of frozen foods and ready-made meals from the refrigerated section of the store. All because of a sudden impulse that struck earlier in the day to cook something for Jaime instead of picking it up.
Becausethat is apparently something he does now. He’s not sure what has happened to him. But as he turns to put the peppers away, he catches a flash of his reflection in the microwave door and finds a smile twisted along the bottom of his expression.
*Symphonyville*
Poppy: Hi, I’m Queen Poppy! Queen of the Pop Trolls! And it’s my boyfriend, Branch.
*Volcano Rock City*
Poppy: Helloooo, everybody! I’m Queen Poppy! And this Little cutie boi is my Branch!
*Lonesome Flats*
Poppy: Hi there! I’m Queen Poppy! And this handsome guy next to me it’s my boyfriend - Branchie!
*Techno Reefs*
Poppy: Hello, guys! My name is Poppy and this is Branch - He’s cute, handsome and he’s mine.
*Vibe City*
Poppy:Hi…
Branch: No! No this time *whips mic off her hand*
Branch: Good morning, my name is Branch and this the cutest creature you’ve ever seen in your lives is Poppy, Queen of Pop Trolls and my future wife.
Poppy: *dies from excess sweetness*
I’m just bored, guys XD
