Page 13 of The Emerald Boa's Lover
“You’ve been working all day, on your day off. You won’t sleep if you don’t let yourself unwind for a little while before bed.” I tried to grab my books but he swept his tail over the mattress and scooped them all up. They were in his arms and being transported to my new bookshelf before I could stop him.
“You can’t just take my research materials off me. You’re my sponsor, not my nanny.”
“Yes, but as your sponsor I’m in charge of your well-being too.” Dalahan towered over me with gleaming green eyes. “You’ve only eaten and drank because I’ve brought you food and water. You are a doctor. Surely you know you’ll be no good to your patients if you burn out? Rest. Sleep.”
“You.” I scowled and pointed up at him angrily. He folded his arms over his chest and raised a brow at me. Waiting for my come back. Damn it he’s right.“…don’t have to be so pushy.” I huffed and stormed over to the pulley system. “Alright, fine. I’ve pretty much finished anyway.” I yawned and my mind suddenly piped up to tell me how hard I’ve been working all day. Still, I felt good. I felt ready for Asma tomorrow. As ready as I was going to be without a consult, anyway.
It took me longer to use the pulley systems to lower to the bathroom and back than actually using it to freshen up. I crawled into bed and rolled my eyes when I rocked onto my back to see Dalahan watching me.
“What were you working so hard on today?”
“I can’t discuss my patients with you.” I threw myself onto my side and snuggled down under the blanket. I was tired, dog tired, but my mind was still firing on all cylinders.
“Of course not. Can’t you tell me the area of interest in your studies today?”
“…Ucfeni pregnancy.”
“Oh?” His tone was light.
“When there are complications.”
“Oh.” His tone became sad. “No wonder you have been so focused on your books today. You’re trying to save a life.” Something about his tone then made me turn onto my back and look up at him. The frown on his green scaly face and the way he pressed his lips together made my frostiness melt. He gets it. I nodded, which was all I was going to give him, and smiled sadly. “I’m no doctor, but if there is anything I can do to support you, let me know.”
I stared up at him. Look at Dal? Being less of his usual arrogant self than usual. I find myself smiling with gratitude at him.
“Actually, what you did today helped me.” I shrugged and tried not to be as bashful as I felt in admitting this. “Bringing me food and drink. I used to regularly skip meals in medical school. More so when I was in my residency. I’m not a great doctor. Not because I don’t know my stuff…but…I’m…not really made out for dealing directly with patients. I prefer a lab. A petri-dish can’t break my heart, you know?”
“Oh Charlie.” Dalahan cooed and took hold of the edge of the hammock to swing his upper body down towards me. He didn’t come down fully, but he held himself over me to look me right in the eye. “You have a big heart.” He declared. “That doesn’t make you less of a doctor. It makes you a great one.”
“Nah.” I shook my head, politely disagreeing with him. “Great doctors don’t get emotionally invested in their patients. They care, sure, but they don’t lay awake at night worrying about them.”
“Says who?” Dalahan challenged me…and I didn’t know how to answer him. We stared at each other for a while before he leaned down enough to lick at my nose, making me jerk my head out of the way and tut at him. “Like I said? If you need anything,anything,just let me know. I work from home so I’m always on hand if you need me.”
If I need him? No, that’s not how this works. I’m the one people need. I’m the pillar of strength. Not the other way around.
“What I needright now,is some shut-eye.” I play off with a chuckle, turning onto my side to nestle down.
“Alright Charlie…but I’m right here if you need me. For snacks, an ear, or arms to hold you.” I pressed my lips together and kept my eyes shut. I’d said the same thing many times to others. It was…strange having that support offered to me.
“…sure…now let me get my beauty sleep.” I sniggered and listened to the sound of the hammock as his weight moved back up to coil above me. …I still don’t want to fuck him…but maybe he isn’t a total jerk…maybe…
Chapter 11
I could have handled the next part better…
Charlie
A week later.
As I stretch at my desk with my arms above my head, aching and exhausted, I’m happy. I’ve forgotten what it felt like to help people. By avoiding suffering patients, I also missed out on seeing them recover and feeling the warmth of their gratitude.
“You have another one, Doctor.” Luha slithered over with a giggle and placed a basket of fruit on my desk. “Just arrived via currier. From the family you saw last week about their boy with the broken tail tip.”
“Oh, I remember. Fezla, right? He needed a splint but his scales were broken during the accident and he had a fever.” Charlie rubbed his eyes and smiled as Luha turned the wicker basket on my desk. It was filled with native fruits and I’d have to check the database to see if they were safe for human consumption. Apparently, it was custom to give gifts of meat in thanks. To show they were so grateful they spent the time and effort hunting something down to give as a present. Being human, the Ucfeni picked fruit instead. I was grateful for that, after seeing Dalahan dangling what looked like a chimp with red fur and four arms over his wide mouth. He flustered in the kitchen when I walked in and tried to hide what he was about to do, but I’d already turned on my heels and walked out. The Ucfeni ate their meat alive, but were subdued with venom. Ergo, they ate raw meat with a pulse.
The basket of fruit, therefore, was awelcomegift.
“That’s right.” Luha cooed and slithered around me twice to coil loosely around me. Her hands rested on my shoulders, and then she started to massage me. “You’re becoming very popular with the patients. They’re starting to ask for you by preference. Some because of word of mouth, having never met you!”
