Chapter 7
You marveled at how a relic like a landline phone managed to look high-end as Anne wedged the receiver against her ear and shoulder. Her tear-choked voice reverberated through the glass as she spoke into the phone, her sobs punctuating her words. After a few moments, she quieted, listening and nodding with a serious look on her face.
“See you soon.” Anne's fingers quivered as she disconnected the call with Ominis and Sebastian. Her gaze shimmered with a cocktail of trepidation and exasperation. Snapping the phone into its cradle, she turned to you. "The boys are on their way," she announced with a sniffle.“That is if they make it here in one piece.”
“Good…” You bit your lip, “How did they take it?”
"They weren't exactly chuffed about it," Anne remarked, pulling a chair from under a table with a shrill squeak. With a heavy sigh, she collapsed into it like a ragdoll. "Sebastian is devastated over his precious experiment," she spat, her tone laced with bitterness. "As for Ominis... well, he was livid. I dare say he'll have a word for all of us..."
A shudder of excitement raced down your spine at the thought of Ominis berating you.
The feeling struck you as strange, given the circumstances and the fact that Ominis was virtually a stranger. A fact that served to heighten the thrill- much to your surprise.
Casting a furtive glance at Anne, you weighed the pros and cons of sharing your strange response with her. With Anne's furrowed brow and pensive expression, you opted to keep those revelations to yourself.
“Wait, wait…Sebastian cared more about the dog?” Your lips thinned, hands clenching into fists at the thought. Taking a deep breath you itched to fuss about Sebastian's sick priorities. Sucking the urge back through sheer will, you tried to put yourself in his shoes like an adult should.
Anne and Ominis loved him. Since you had no intention of abandoning them, you needed to learn to like Sebastian too. The man likely spent years' worth of research on his project, the loss of the dog must have been a massive blow.
Repeating the reasoning in your mind, your anger eased- almost. Facing Anne, you managed not to smack-talk her deceptively innocent-looking twin. “Rude. He could have at least pretended to care, I’m almost offended.” You laughed.
"They wanted to come here directly, truly, I'm astonished they didn't, but their absence would raise eyebrows - as Ominis is one of the senior researchers in our department and makes it his business to oversee... well... everything. Sebastian will need to preserve the specimen post haste to avoid decomposition. He will need to perform an autopsy on the beast. But while we bide our time, I'm going to ring up someone else," Anne's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue before she spun around. "He's trustworthy, don't fret."
“Don’t fret? Post haste? Why did we get extra British sounding?” You grin, leaning a shoulder against the glass wall. "Tis nearing tea time, and I've misplaced my bloody petticoat!” You say in your best English accent- which is terrible- but has the desired effect.
“Oh, hell! Please stop!” She snorts into a hand.
“Cheerios and bollocks!”
“It’s cheerio!” She screeches through a bout of laughter, “I do not sound like that!”
“Anne, you do! Anyway, who is this ‘trusted’ guy and why are you blushing right now?”
“I’m not blushing, it’s a…sunburn.” She squinted at you over her shoulder.
“Ah, of course, it’s a sunburn,” You snap your fingers, nodding your head. “a million feet underground in a windowless bunker. You obviously have a sunburn. I mean, I’m no sunburn scientist, but sure, why not. If I didn’t know you were a virgin I would’ve asked if you’d boinked this fella. Your face…It’s glowing, Anne!”
“Oh, no need to act like a tosser. I don’t know if you recall, but I told you some stories about him. Dr. Gareth Weasley.”
“Tosser, pfft…Oh, the mosquito guy!” You still couldn’t tell if she made that story up for giggles. You already liked the man for how Anne had described him. “Gosh, Anne, saying his name has you looking like a doe-eyed schoolgirl.”
“I want you two to get along.” She groaned, leaning over a table and resting her head on her arms. It felt strange to take a break from the crisis for a little girl talk, but you were glad for it. “Sebastian hates him and Ominis treats him like a stranger no matter how many times they meet. He always forgets Gareth’s name and they’ve worked together for years. I think he does it on purpose at this point...”
“Well, I already approve. You are ‘in-like’ with this guy, I can tell from your expression.” You nod. “Plus, you're gonna need a stand-in for me when I’m gone, so-.”
“What? No!”
“Yeah, you're right. I’m sure between you, Ominis, and Sebastian you can majigger a muzzle for me. Pop a leash on my neck after rabies takes hold- Idress me up like the cannibal in Silence of the Lambs.”
“Do you realize how ridiculous you are?” She laughed. “I told you it's not rabies.”
“...carry a can of Fabreez around for when I start rotting and hang some pine-scented air fresheners off my ears…”
“Get off it you nutter!”
“Nutter? You sound suspiciously more British now than you did this morning, Anne."
"Stooop. It happens when I'm nervous, I can't help it!"
"It's adorable, I swear. But, I can’t tell if you are making up words to keep me on my toes or-”
“Enough of you,” She snorts, pulling out of her chair and pushing it back under the desk. “Time to call Fig.” The laughter dies down and her smile fades but she is a world calmer.
Lifting the receiver to her ear she dialed Fig's number. With a heavy breath, Anne managed to adopt a semblance of professionalism as she called Fig. She relayed the incident's details to him, omitting your involvement.
She guided him through the essential steps. Securing the creature and any potentially infected individuals was a priority. Concluding the call with the assurance that Ominis and Sebastian were en route.
Sniffling, she hung up the phone and returned to you. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears as your efforts to lighten the mood seemed to vanish into thin air. You sought a way to engage her mind and avert a descent back into panic.
"Does the lab need to be set up or anything before the guys get here?" you asked, hoping the distraction would help her regain control.
Anne nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yes, but we'll have to follow a strict procedure. Everything must be decontaminated."
"Tell me what I need to do," you said, your voice steady and reassuring.
"Well, first, you need to take off your clothes and place them in one of the pass-through doors. Then, I'll have to clean the lab…All the surfaces and equipment." Anne explained, her voice growing stronger as she focused on the task at hand.
You peeled off your clothing and a pang of regret struck you as you looked over Ominis's ruined clothes.
He wouldn’t be mad, would he?
You hoped not.
Face creasing in a frown, you jerked the bloody oversized pants down without a second thought.
Once upon a time, the idea of baring your body would have been mortifying. A year of communal showers tends to erode self-consciousness.
Naked, save for the bandages, Anne's gaze swept over you with clinical detachment.
"Take off the bandages, too," she instructed.
You placed your folded clothes, boots, bandages, and accessories into the pass-through chamber.
Anne paused her cleaning, the freshly dawned mask and hair net making her look ridiculous.
“Are booties and hair nets necessary?”
“I refuse to take these off until the lab is clean- your boots left smears of gore all over the floor!” Her accusing eyes met yours and she directed you to stand under the chemical shower with the wave of a gloved hand. "Brace yourself for the water pressure," she warned.
Nothing could have prepared you for the firehose-like blast that pummeled your bruised body. You shrieked, struggling to obey Anne as she commanded you to straighten up.
“The fuck, Anne?” You screamed.
"Make sure you rinse every inch of yourself!" she urged, voice raised over the water beating at you. With gritted teeth, you watched the water riveting off your body turn gray with black blood. Half the room flooded before the dark water swirled down the drain.
Relief coursed through you when the shower auto-turned off.
Your skin, flushed from the harsh treatment, tingled as you stretched your limbs. Anne watched, directing you to move your body or lift your hair. Her stylus flew across her tablet as she cataloged each injury anew.
Her soft features hardened when she noticed your bleeding toes – the result of your powerful kick to the infected dog.
"Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort beyond your visible and pre-existing injuries- before the dog, I mean?" she asked.
A shrill ring had you flinching, eyes darting to the landline.
Gone was tearful Anne, replaced by the crisp, authoritative Dr. Sallow. As you observed her transformation you stifled a grin, pride swelling within you.
“I’m glad crybaby Anne has taken a backseat. Your mood swings are intense, lady.” You teased, jerking the chair from the corner of your damp cell. The legs scrape against the wet floor until you stop at the center of the room and plop down. You yelp as your naked rear lands on it’s cold surface- flailing and nearly sliding off because your ass is still wet. “It’s nice to see you put your grownup pants back on.”
"Crybaby?" She glowered, "Coming from the woman who couldn't take a shower without screeching like a banshee... And at least my ass isn't bare!" You snorted as ass fell from her lips sounding like ‘arse’.
“You told me to remove them!” You swung your arm out to point a finger at her, wet boobs jiggling in the breeze. “I would have at least offered to take you out for coffee before demanding you strip.” You shook your head in mock disapproval, “British people, buncha arseholes, the lot of ya.”
***
The atmosphere in the room crackled with tension as Ominis strode in. His commanding presence made it feel as if the very air was being sucked from the space.
Sebastian, looking disheveled and defeated, trailed behind him and closed the door with a soft click. You couldn't help but throw out a comment.
"Jeez, Sebastian, who kicked your puppy?" you grinned at him, aiming to ease the heavy mood.
Sebastian's head whipped around, his mouth forming a perfect 'o'. "Take a shot while I’m down, will you!" he exclaimed, his tone playful even amidst the dire circumstances. "You kicked the shit out of my bloody puppy! Its jaw was—I'm devastated at the loss, but by the gods, woman! Had I not examined the evidence myself, I'd never have believed someone of your stature to be capable of—"
"Sebastian!" Ominis snapped, his voice a whip-crack in the levity, ushering in heavy air. His eyes burned with irritation as they landed on Sebastian's amused grin. "This is hardly the time."
You bristled, both annoyed and intrigued by his domineering attitude.
His stern demeanor stood in stark contrast to the lighter atmosphere you'd worked hard to maintain with Anne. It was difficult to stay pissed at him when his face bore lines of worry. His long fingers raked through his hair, leaving his dark blonde locks sticking out in all directions.
Adorable.
"Fine, we’ll be serious," you muttered, taking on a defiant tone. "I only wanted to lighten the mood, but seeing as fun is frowned on in this part of town…"
Ominis sighed, his expression softening by a fraction. "I understand your intent, but we must remain focused on the matter at hand."
Sebastian nodded, appearing sheepish but with a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "You're right, Ominis." he glanced at you, the ghost of a smile gracing his lips. "I appreciate you trying to make things a bit easier, but Mum is in a mood-"
“Seb.” Anne frowned as if she hadn’t been laughing with you moments before the men arrived.
Ominis grumbled, not bothering to lift his head. He pulled out random tools and adjusted the freshly dusted machinery decorating the tables as he set up. Silence reigned until he finished.
With a huff, he left his station. Polished oxfords and cane tapped on the floor until he stood opposite you on the other side of the glass.
You rose from your seat, droplets clinging to your naked body. You felt a sudden heat swirl within you, regardless of the chilled room.
"Are you quite all right?" Ominis asked, his voice clipped with concern. You were about to dismiss him when you recalled your earlier promise.
Your nipples pearled at the worry in his soft voice. You resisted the urge to draw attention to them by covering your chest.
"Other than the bruises from this morning, my foot's a bit banged up, and my hip aches. Not sure if it's from hitting the ground or kicking the beast..." you glanced down at your hip and your eyes widened in the realization of your current state of undress. "I'm stiff and sore all over but it’s nothing a warm bath and a nap can't cure…Uh, hopefully."
Ominis gave a curt nod, his posture was rigid as he leaned his palm against the barrier. A small circle of fog plumed the glass as his lips parted to speak- but no words emerged.
You stepped closer, voice soft so only he could hear, "I'm glad you're here, Ominis."
Lips pressed into a tight line, his expression hardened. He offered a crisp nod before pulling away and returning to his work.
You frowned, crossing your arms to shield your exposed breasts. Your body had no business reacting to him if he was going to act like a dick.
Stupid boobs.
Tears pricked the corner of your eyes, everything happened so fast. You still didn't know how long you would be isolated, or what tests would be run—it was all...overwhelming. Distracting Anne from panic had kept you level-headed. But now you were alone- useless and idle- the situation was sinking in.
"We must first ensure you weren't infected." Ominis's voice raised to reach you from his table, his expression grave.
"Debatable that this is the most important item on the agenda." Sebastian frowned, glancing between you and Ominis. "We should examine the specimen and the breach of enclosure first—"
"Sebastian!" Ominis hissed his name like a snake, his face contorted with scorn.
"It's your fault we're here at all!" Anne growled. “Do you have any sense in that thick head of yours, brother? You would infect my first friend outside of you lot…”
“It wasn't on purpose, Anne! It’s not like I threw the animal at her head or injected her directly!”
"Silence, the two of you!" Ominis said before turning to you, " We need samples of your blood." His voice was cold and detached as he fitted an earpiece to his ear. "Sebastian."
Sebastian nodded, laying vials and various packages onto a silver trolley. He was pale and withdrawn, even after coaxing a few laughs out of him.
You didn’t enjoy the mood.
"Pfft, you like being scolded." you teased as he approached, “But if Ominis is Mom does that make Anne Dad?”
The trolley rattled beside him as he positioned it and a chair before the glass.
"Absolutely," he grinned, "She's a frightfully neglectful father. Not a bit of fun, that one. Why, she didn't even console me when the bloody milkman went and offed my poor dog."
"I'm, uh…" You cleared your throat, holding back an apology. You weren't sorry for fighting back and saving your and Anne's lives. You wouldn't pretend you were. "My condolences for your loss."
"No need for that. The specimen…Well, I can't say, even though you deserve some kind of explanation. The information is classified." Sebastian shuddered, casting a glance at Anne—who glared at him in return. "My sister is whole and healthy; that's what matters. Now, see that hole in the glass with a rubber tube attached? Yeah, stick your arm through there." You nodded, dragging your chair up to the hole with the plastic tube attached. Pushing your arm through the rubber-covered hole reminded you of Ace Ventura escaping the butt of a robotic rhino.
"All I'm going to say is invest in a leash or something for your next pet." You snort, “Also, why am I the milkman in this scenario?”
"You're familiar with that classic bit, you know, where the wife has a fling with the milkman?" He cast you a grin, anticipating a chuckle, but you didn't understand. "Bloody hell, go watch some Monty Python, will you? Then my jokes might land! For a moment there, I thought you might be a bit of fun. Clearly, I was mistaken."
Ominis snorted a laugh but you swore he was too far away to hear you. The laughter died down far too soon and the room grew stifling once more.
Sebastian moved toward you. His hands trembled as he set about drawing blood from many veins.
Each needle prick was fresh agony, magnified by the bruises already staining your skin from the morning's combatives.
"Sebastian, are you okay?" you asked through gritted teeth and watery eyes.
You were distinctly not okay.
Your damp hair dripped onto your thighs as you sat with your arm wedged awkwardly into the rubber tube that dug into your skin.
"Yes…No," he sighed. "I nearly lost Anne today, on top of…other incidents."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better I plan on teaching her self-defense, especially after today." Sebastian's dark eyebrows arched, and you caught the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. You glanced at Anne, disappointed to see her completely absorbed in her work. "She took to building clearing like she was made for it, memorized all the hand signals, and kept up throughout the entire exercise. She’s a natural- A little training and the next rabid beast that attacks won’t know what hit them…”
“Please, no. I can imagine how she will use me as her personal punching bag once she has the means to fight.”
“No, she loves you…probably. Anyways, I doubt she would kill her own brother, what with there being laws against murder and everything. Oh, and on a side note, I appreciate you being a gentleman about this and not staring at the girls."
“The girls?” His dark brows scrunched.
“My boobs.”
“Your- Oh!” Sebastian coughed, his eyes darting down your damp body with a glint of amusement and pursed lips. Heat swirled in those dark depths as his gaze lingered too long to be polite. You covered your breasts with your free hand, crossing your legs for good measure.
“Way to be a pervert after I compliment you, jerk!”
"I forgot you were naked. I'm not usually personally acquainted with subjects beyond the glass. It's strange; I don't know whether to treat you normal or like a test subject."
His words sent a chill up your spine. "Do I have a choice in the matter?"
"Why do you think Anne and Ominis aren't over here trying to put you at ease or seeing to your comfort? We all know that it's in your best interest if we detach to focus on the work. If you are…infected…there are things that might yet be done, but only as a last resort. The research hasn't reached human testing yet. We're all taking on a rather large risk by not reporting you as potentially infected. There are procedures in place—" He didn’t need to remind you, Anne had told you as much.
You winced as he jabbed another needle into your arm, wiggling the point around to find the vein.
“Sebastian, I’m going to be sick.” Your vision blurred as you watched the needle shift under your skin. Your free hand smacked against the glass to steady yourself.
“What are you feeling exactly?” His lips thinned, and eyes widened as he took in your pale face. “Cramps?”
Your eyes closed but you felt Anne and Ominis still, their attention turn to you.
“No, It’s the needle.” A collective sigh released in the lab. “Sorry to worry you.”
Ominis furrowed his brow and stopped working, his attention focused on you. "Anne," he called out, his voice leaving no room for argument, "take over."
"Sorry," Sebastian muttered, his shoulders slumping under his lab coat. He offered no resistance as he blessedly removed the needle from your arm and stood to usher Anne over.
“It’s all good.” You mumbled, turning your eyes to your mangled arm. Drops of blood leaked from already bruising puncture sites. “I thought you were the more medically inclined of the three of you?”
“It’s been a bloody long day…”
“Agreed.” You gave him a smile that he shyly returned.
Anne promptly stepped in, ignoring Sebastian, her movements confident and precise. “Bloody hell, Sebastian, you mangled her!”
With a gentle touch, Anne drew the remaining vials of blood, providing you with relief from the torment Sebastian had unintentionally inflicted. In a blink she had your arm cleaned up and peppered with neon-colored band-aids. “I’ve never seen you be so careless, brother.”
She gave you a watery smile, squeezing your hand before pulling away and locking her side of the pass-through chamber.
You wanted to thank Ominis for his attentiveness, but a glance at the disheartened Sebastian had you biting your tongue.
Anne labeled and passed your hard-won blood vials to Ominis. He positioned them under a device that scanned the vials with a green line. A beep resonated, and he tapped his headpiece, scribbling notes on his tablet with a stylus that looked too small for his large hands.
Your gaze swept the room; all tools and machines featured braille markings. You'd never heard of a blind scientist before meeting him, but then again Anne was your first scientist encounter.
You shuddered, sliding your bare arm from the black rubber tube and attempting to rub away the lingering pins and needles sensation. A jagged red ring marred your bicep, destined to become another bruise in your collection.
Concerned that Sebastian might make you uneasy after reminding him of your nakedness, you were relieved when he hadn’t spared you a glance. None of them did, as if you'd vanished from their awareness.
They bustled around the room, wholly engrossed in their tasks. Ominis murmured scientific jargon into his tablet. Terms like "sample," "pathogen," and "protein" permeate the air.
When you heard "culture," you couldn't help but wonder if yogurt would soon come into play. You hoped for strawberry flavored.
Pressing your damp body against the chair's back, you shivered, praying not to get sick.
Falling ill on top of your existing issues would be the icing on the proverbial shit cake. shifting, you rubbed your arms and tucked your legs onto the chair, unconcerned with the undignified position. What sort of weakling complained about the cold while facing a potential monster transformation?
Ominis paused, your gaze drawn to him as he tilted his head toward you. He set down his tablet and cotton swabs, bending to rummage through the drawers. Straitening once he found a folded labcoat. Approaching your enclosure, he stuffed the labcoat into the passthrough window.
"There's a cabinet behind the gurney, built into the wall and difficult to spot. Linens are inside. Use them," he instructed, offering a small but much-needed comfort.
"Thank you."
He nodded, retreating. You immediately missed his proximity, though his aloofness grated on you. How pathetic you were—one heated moment with a man, and you couldn't get him off your brain.
Pathetic.
You donned the lab coat, buttoned it, and located the built-in drawer. Claiming the gauzy white hospital blankets, you ignored the gurney's attached restraints as you climbed onto it. Sitting cross-legged you piled blankets on and around you until only your face peeked out.
Ominis's tablet buzzed and he tapped his earpiece.
“Why are you here, Gary?"
Ominis's soft voice with its undercurrent of authority sent shivers down your spine.
Damn, that voice.
“Hmf.” His brow furrowed and he turned to Sebastian, “Gordon is here. Get the door will you?”
“It’s Gareth, Ominis!” Anne groused, “You know his name, don’t be a prat.”
Sebastian unlocked and opened the door with a resigned sigh. In a flurry of red curls and energetic movement, a man burst into the room. Ann lept from her seat with a smile and for a moment you thought she would applaud his flamboyant entrance.
The newcomer, a gangly redhead which could only be Dr. Gareth Weasly, arrived bearing a box stuffed with an assortment of goodies. MRE's, pillows, hostess cakes, and a tablet filled the small box to the brim.
Marching up to your enclosure he opened one of your pass-through doors and stuffed the box inside by ramming his shoulder into it. Brows raised, you watched him punch the cardboard in as if he never considered passing the items one at a time.
Once he'd finished terrorizing the box he straightened, chest heaving from exertion. Your eyes met Anne's and you quirked a brow with a grin and she struggled not to laugh.
What a goofy man- he was perfect for her.
"Here, we've brought supplies to make our potentially contaminated friend more comfortable!" He smiled as you glanced over at the crushed snack cakes. Anne's attention snapped to him, a blush blooming on her freckled cheeks. "Thanks, I appreciate it." You returned his smile.
"Enough, Gareth. You can go," Sebastian snapped, his eyes darting between Anne and the newcomer.
From your gurney, you observed Anne's gaze shifting between adoring eyes for Dr. Weasley and glares directed at her brother. Mischievously, you inquired, "Will you be staying to help with the... uh... science that's going on, Dr. Weasley?"
Ominis snorted from his spot above a computer screen, shaking his head with a soft smile. Tension eased from your shoulders as a hint of normalcy returned to the lab.
"Why, I am Dr. Weasley! Have we met?" he asked, bushy red eyebrows raised high on his freckled brow.
"No, we haven't..." You glanced at Anne. "But I've heard a lot about you."
"Good things, I hope," he chuckled.
"Only the best, I promise," you winked at Anne who sputtered behind him, silently mouthing ‘no’.
"To be honest, I wasn't intending on staying." Anne's face fell, but noticing your eyes, she returned to her task with a blush. "But this is the most pressing matter at the moment, so—"
"Absolutely not."
"Yes!"
Anne and Sebastian spoke simultaneously. With a smile, your gaze swept from one of them to the other, settling on Sebastian. He was to blame for your predicament, and Dr. Weasley's presence had lifted the lab's mood- something you had failed to do before.
Sorry, Sebastian.
"I'd like him to stay," you declared primly.
"You don't get a vote," Sebastian growled but deflated under the stern looks on the face of his sister and Ominis.
"So... Sebastian, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I might have contracted something horrific after rescuing your sister. This horrific infection, being a direct result of your research..." He winced. "Are you denying my last request before I start rotting like a corpse and foaming at the mouth?"
Anne gasped, and all four ashen-faced scientists stared at you.
"So...?" Ominis and Anne grimaced, while Sebastian avoided your gaze. "Can the man stay?"
"Uh... I guess he can stay," Sebastian mumbled, refocusing on his work and refusing to look you in the eye.
Gareth's laughter rang like a vibrant note that swallowed the sterile hum of the lab. "Ah, and here I believed Sebastian to be the one with a penchant for theatrics." He swept into the laboratory with ease, navigating its sterile surfaces as if he'd been there from the start. "Given that you seem to be on a first-name basis with our most esteemed trio of doctors, I must insist that you call me Gareth. I should hate to feel left out. Now, tell me everything there is to know about you!"
You offered a grin in response, struck by the way Gareth seemed incapable of tolerating silence or solemnity. His coppery hair seemed to ignite the room, a burst of sunshine that electrified the lab. No wonder Anne was captivated by him. Better still, his conversation flowed with a natural ease that made you feel included, rather than overwhelmed.
Within an hour of his company, you learned of his life story, his schooling, and his family. Unlike Ominis and the Sallow twins, Gareth's origins lay outside the scientific community. His upbringing was like your own.
He even had a brother in law enforcement who used to wrestle him for sport. The glass wall that separated you from the others dissolved as the atmosphere shifted.
He leaned against the glass wall, his eyes met yours, a warm smile spreading across his face. "And how are you finding life within your fishbowl?" he teased, his voice light and playful.
A chuckle escaped your lips, and you felt the tension in your shoulders release. "Well, I've always wanted to experience life on the wrong side of the glass," you played along. “Guess I’ll mark this off the bucket list.”
Gareth's laughter filled the room, curiosity flashing in his eyes as he took in the bruising on your skin. "Is all this from the incident with the specimen?"
"No," you and Anne replied in unison, her tone firm and protective.
"It's not important," you mumbled, hoping to deflect further inquiry.
"It is important," Anne retorted, her eyes narrowed. Gareth's gaze lingered on her, his cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "Just not the most pressing issue at hand."
"Well, if Anne—"
"It's Dr. Sallow, Dr.Weasley," Sebastian interjected, his voice strained.
"Well, if Dr. Sallow's involved, I'm certain she'll have the situation—whatever it is—resolved in no time." Anne averted her eyes, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she busied herself with her work. "Please excuse me, Sebastian."
"It's Dr. Sallow."
"Well, two Dr. Sallows would be confusing, so I'm afraid I must insist on calling one of you by your first name…"
"Fine, call her Anne, just shut up," Sebastian snapped, a scowl clouding his features. "Ginger prat." He loudly mumbled.
Gareth's laughter swelled, unfazed by Sebastian's hostility.
As conversation flowed, the lab transformed. Anne's eyes sparkled with laughter and her cheeks flushed with color.
Sebastian's brow furrowed, his scowl deepening with each shared smile between Anne and Gareth, but it was Ominis who seemed most affected by the shift in mood.
His posture was rigid, Ominis remained distant from the conversation. His fingers tapped impatiently on the countertop as he obviously tried to ignore the conversation. Any attempt to engage he met with clipped, one-word answers.
It was clear that he disapproved of the light-hearted banter, his body language tense and unwelcoming.
Is he upset with me?
The thought dropped in your stomach like a lead ball, prickling at your nerves even with the bright and friendly Gareth for company.
You did ruin his clothes, and it was your idea have Anne to call him... What if he didn't want to be here at all?
You itched to go to him and find out. Your eyes flick in his direction more often than not.
Despite the tension emanating from Ominis, the mood remained buoyant. You enjoy the company of your friends, especially the newest addition, Gareth. His laughter, contagious and warm, wrapped around you like a blanket.
Ominis's stern demeanor grew starker. His fingers brushed against braille-engraved instruments, the subtle frown etched on his face. He served as a constant reminder of the rift that had formed in the room.
Sebastian sat in his corner, arms crossed and lips puckered like a petulant child. When he sought Ominis’s attention for anything outside the task at hand he was coldly ignored.
Gareth cracked a joke and you laughed, Ominis’s jaw clenched at the sound. Too sobered by Ominis's attitude to continue the playful banter with Anne and Gareth, you duck out of the conversation. Throwing a subtle wink in Anne's direction you leave her to chat solo with the object of her affection.
She casts you a grateful smile tinged with uncertainty.
You mentally congratulate yourself on being a superb wingman.
When Anne quieted down, glancing at you with guilt, you'd cheer her on with a thumbs-up or wagging eyebrows.
Sebastian glared between you and Gareth, knowing exactly what you were doing. You countered his glare by sticking your tongue out.
You would hint at Gareth leaving now if not for Anne…And the fact that he was snoring away, head resting on a table.
You wouldn’t have pushed for Gareth to stay had you known Ominis would be uncomfortable with the arrangement.
"Experiencing any new symptoms?" Ominis inquired for what felt like the hundredth time today, his voice laced with concern, as the timer chimes yet again.
"No, still the same," you reply, attempting to mask your irritation.
Sebastian approached the glass "How does your appendix feel?"
“...Like an organ?” That was a new one. Ominis lets out a tired chuckle and you melted at the sound.
“Is it…swollen?” He shook her head with a scowl, ponytail swaying behind her. “Aching?”
“I..I don’t know what to tell you, Sebastian.” You purse your lips, “Nothing aches…?”
“Can you wiggle your toes?” Anne asked for the hundredth time.
“Nope.” Three heads jerked toward you with alarm, “I’m sorry! I was joking, I can wiggle them fine.”
Ominis tilted his head, cane hooked around his forearm while he jotted notes with a tablet and stylus. "Any changes in appetite or sleep patterns?"
“I haven’t been in here long enough to feel sleepy…”
As if on cue, the clock struck four in the morning, "You really don't look tired at all..."
Sebastian eyed you suspiciously from his spot in the corner of the room. His bleary eyes narrowed as though expecting you to sprout horns and scales.
"I'm security, straight from the academy," you explained, hoping that would clarify things. Sebastian's brow furrowed, giving you a perplexed look, while Anne offered a weak smile. You sighed, "Everything seems normal. My sleep cycle is all over the place right now. I'm trained to be ready at odd hours and function on very little sleep. It will take me a while to get into a sleep schedule right out of training. Besides, I won't sleep while the three of you are laboring over—" You gestured to the mysterious machine on the counter, "Whatever the hell that is."
A grin tugged at Ominis’s weary face as Anne chuckled. Your attention remained on him, absorbing the sound of his voice and the angle of his head as he focused on you.
You couldn't help but remember the events of earlier. The feel of his fingers running through your damp hair, the heat of his breath on your cheek...The brush of those soft lips against your skin...
You shuddered as the memories evaporated with his laughter.
***
Hours passed as your friends relentlessly tested your blood and peppered you with questions.
Each time the timer chimed, someone would appear in front of you, holding a tablet, asking the same questions over and over again. Despite your growing impatience, you answered politely. Their probing was a testament to their care for you—a unique love language that you were starting to appreciate.
As exhaustion took its toll on your friends, you resolved to drag them all to the gym once this ordeal was over.
Anne hunched over a laptop, waiting. Ominis mirrored her posture, dark circles etching crescent moons under his bleary blue eyes. Sebastian snored in the corner, while Gareth had fallen asleep opposite Anne quite some time ago. She had thoughtfully covered him with a lab coat and removed his tablet from under his drooling face.
"Guys," you whispered, trying not to startle them but resorting to a louder, "GUYS!"
Ominis and Anne jumped, spinning toward you.
"What is it?" Anne asked, breathless.
"Has something changed? Do you have a fever? Cravings?" Ominis's expression grew severe, all traces of exhaustion replaced by panic.
"Mom, no more cookies. I'm full..." Gareth mumbled as he wiped his mouth with a sleeve before slumping back onto the table.
"Go get some sleep," you insisted.
"What?" Anne's brows creased, "I can’t possibly—"
"No," Ominis interrupted, smacking his cane against the floor. His deep frown emphasized the fatigue etched on his face. "Absolutely not. These tests will be completed in the next few hours, and I'm not leaving until they're finished. I won’t have you staying in that cage any longer than necessary. You go to sleep."
Suppressing the 'Yes, sir,' on the tip of your tongue you continue, "You two have been standing around for hours, just waiting. I can wake one of you after a while if you don't want to set an alarm."
"I can't leave you here alone," Anne said, crossing her arms. "I refuse. Aren't you... scared?"
Am I scared?
You didn't have enough information to be afraid. If you knew exactly what symptoms you would face, or if you were infected for sure you would be frightened. But for now-
"I'm more scared of you two passing out from overwork. I haven't seen either of you take a break and I’m worried."
"I'm serious," Anne insisted, her brow furrowed. Ominis glared, tilting his head to catch your every word.
You sighed. "I'm not scared."
"Of course you are," Ominis muttered, his voice barely audible through the glass.
"You both know my line of work, right?" Her eyes narrowed at you. "When something goes wrong down here, the new guys are sent in first. If I were the type to worry about these things—" You gestured around, "I wouldn't be here and I certainly wouldn't be working security. As a friend who cares and as someone paid to protect you nerdy Brits, I need you both to rest."
Anne's lips pressed together, forming a thin line.
"Go take a shower and get some sleep, Anne," Ominis commanded, his tone authoritative yet nurturing.
Anne's gaze drifted between you and Ominis, her pretty features marred by guilt.
"Maybe wake Gareth and take him with you?" You suggested with a smirk.
"What a preposterous idea!" Anne scoffed while inching toward Gareth with unsteady steps. Preposterous, sure.
"Why would Anne take Gareth and not Seb—"
You interrupted Ominis with a loud, deliberate cough. "Well, uh..."
"Ominis, I'm too exhausted for excuses. I'm an adult, and if I want to invite a man into my room, I will. I don't need your or Sebastian's permission." Anne lifted her chin defiantly. "What happens in my—our—room," she nodded toward you, "is nobody's business but mine and my roommate's."
"Fair enough." Anne's eyes widened, clearly expecting more resistance from her longtime friend.
"I’ll be here when you wake," you assured her with a smile.
Gently shaking Gareth awake, Anne helped him to his feet. The spare lab coat draped over his shoulders fell to the floor, forgotten. She wrapped an arm around him and they leaned against each other and staggered toward the exit like a pair of drunks. "After you've rested, prep the room for that movie!" you called out and she offered you a weary smile over her shoulder as she unlocked and walked out the door.
"They're adorable together," you murmured, and Ominis's lips tightened into his usual frown. As the last man standing—aside from yourself—it pained you to see him push himself when there was nothing left to do but wait. "Ominis—"
"Don't." he cut you off sharply, hooking his cane around a chair and dragging it to your glass wall with a thud before sitting down. Settling into the chair he crossed his legs, his posture remarkably straight for someone so exhausted. "I'm not leaving, you needn't bother."
“This isn’t a contest of who can stay awake longest, Ominis.”
He removed his earpiece and tucked it into his lab coat, crossing his arms over his chest. With a lowered voice he turned to you “I’m still quite cross with you.” He huffed, “We will have words once you have been officially cleared, do you understand?”
You'd done nothing to warrant getting fussed at. You felt if anything, he should reward you, but the thought of being alone with him... With all his focus and irritation directed at you.
A sick pleasure twisted hot in your gut, leaving you breathless and needy.
“Y- yes, sir.”
As his head tilted against the glass, a deep frown tugged at his lips.
“Something wrong, Darling?”
“No, Ominis.” You smiled. Darling. Words tumbled from your lips before you thought to stop them, “Will there only be words, or will there be a punishment too?”
You gasped, stunning yourself. You'd sounded embarrassingly eager even to your own ears.
His shocked expression melted into a smirk.
“Obviously, naughty girls get punished.”