After Yuki's return on last night's Casualty (08/05/10), I thought I'd try my hand at some fanfic for it, as it is supremely rare and a fandom I am becoming increasingly more interested in.
The result of this new pondering contemplation is what looks set to become a chapter fic of possibly epic proportions, solely because as of yet I have less of a storyline and more a strange collection of bittersweet scenarios swirling around in my head, none of which I have yet written down.
I've decided to waltz unprotected into a new fandom and a new (non-existent) pairing at the same time; this is a Yuki/Lenny slash fic *gasp*. If you're not into slash or if the idea of Reid and Lyons together makes you want to projectile vomit, please turn back now so I don't feel bad/silly/something equally traumatic.
I've chosen this pairing because 1) I don't believe for 2 seconds that Yuki is straight, b) May's torn him apart over the last few episodes and he deserves some decent lovin', XVI) I wanted to strip away all of the bullcrap he comes out with sometimes and see more of the concerned!Lenny we got in last night's ep, and finally D] I AM CLEARLY STRANGE AND NEED AN ODD PAIRING TO GET ME THROUGH MY EXAMS THIS WEEK.
Constructive criticism is not only welcomed but clawed at desperately with neglected-from-fic-writing hands.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Casualty or any of its affiliated characters or trademarks, all of these are the sole property of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This is a work of fiction and no copyright infringement is intended. I make no profit from this story or its publication.
Title: Doctors Heal the Hurting
Pairing: Yuki/Lenny
Hope you enjoy the story! :D
EDIT:- Chapter title changed to fit with rest of the story and slight error in Casualty!canon rectified. The title could be better, but there isn't a lot of imagery/symbolism to work with from what I've already written and as I wasn't inspired by a song for this first chapter, it was difficult to think of one suitable for it. Lyrics taken from 'Your Biggest Mistake' by Ellie Goulding (Lenny thinks leaving Yuki was May's best decision and her biggest mistake).
^^ 20/06/10 ^^
Chapter I – And of All the Things You Never Explained, You Know This is Your Biggest Mistake
At the end of a quite frankly micky-taking day in ED, Lenny Lyons could think of one thing and one thing only. It wasn't how tired and stressed he was, or how grateful he was that the anthrax escapade was all just a cheap hoax, or how much he wanted to punch whomever's idea it was in the face. He wasn't thinking about the kid who'd had a far-too-near to-death experience, or his psycho mother, or the other nut case of a patient he'd been locked in a room with all day. He wasn't even thinking about his best friend and housemate, who'd turned up at the hospital today after being missing for God knows how long, scratching himself like a maniac and looking far more haunted than Lenny thought suited a nice guy like Yuki. One solitary thought was circling maliciously in his head.
May Phelps is a complete and utter bitch.
He liked its malevolence, the strange way it slotted itself into a pocket of his mind where it did not belong. He liked it because it served as a worthy distraction from his worry for Yuki; hating the woman that put the poor boy in that state was far better than fretting over said state itself, irritating a damaged man and driving himself slowly insane. Yuki had loved May, really, truly loved her, and she'd ignored him and then pitied him, humoured him and then manipulated him, lied to him through her bloody teeth and now, all she could do was leave. With no apology, no explanation, nothing but Lenny's spite ringing in her ears, she'd left the man she broke to fall apart in peace.
Lenny the friend was enraged. Lenny the protector was glad. Lenny as a whole, in fact, thought buggering off was the best thing May had done since she met Yuki.
Lenny the F2 made up his mind, and jogged to keep up with Zoe as she made her way out of the reception area.
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"Excuse me! Dr Hanna?"
Zoe turned and was confronted by an unusually awkward Lenny, who was somehow managing to look genuinely humble, apologetic and concerned all at once, without appearing to be severely constipated. Just as she was over-riding her shock and confusion at this impossible phenomenon, the F2 launched into a speedy dialogue, his tone pleading.
"Just a quick question before you leave, Doctor," he said. "Y'know Yuki ... is he going to be alright?"
Zoe put a hand on the Scotsman's arm, feeling sympathy for his worry. "He's in a bit of a bad way, but he'll be recovered before you know it. He's only got a few wounds, none of which seem deep or infected, and the sickness will stop significantly after a few days of strong antibiotics-"
"I wasn't talking about his wounds," Lenny interrupted, looking anxious and oddly vulnerable. "I meant ... will he be okay ... y'know ... mentally."
Dr Hanna faltered then exhaled strongly, squeezing his shoulder then letting go.
"I don't know, Lenny," she mused, gently. "I really don't know. But he's strong, stronger than he knows, and I think he'll come out of this even stronger. He needs his friends with him, Lenny. Without May, you're all Yuki's got left. He needs his friends."
Lenny nodded, a new determination brewing along with a lump in his throat, small enough to deny but not to ignore.
"Yeah, about that ..." He hesitated. "Look, can I stay over with him tonight? His parents won't be here 'til tomorrow, and I don't want him by himself in this state, not after today, not after ... her."
The consultant opened her mouth, doubt in her eyes, but he cut across her before she could begin.
"Please."
"Lenny ..."
"Please, Doc. I can't ... we can't leave him with no one."
"Look, I'd love to say yes, but you've had a long day, the best thing you can do for Dr Reid is rest and then-"
"He needs his friends. I'm his friend, aren't I?"
Hanna narrowed her eyes, then rolled them, smirking slightly in a kind way.
"Fine. I'll tell Mr Jordan he's got an overnight visitor. But you stay, Lenny, on my conditions and my conditions alone. One - you look after him."
"Of course," he beamed, rocking on the balls of his feet with his hands clasped in front of him.
"Two - you don't pressure him into talking about it, or talking about anything, for that matter. Stay silent all night if you have to."
"I understand," he said quickly, and the worry for Yuki she saw in his eyes cemented her trust in him.
"And three," Zoe fixed her gaze on him, seriousness evident. "If anything seems like something you would normally say, do not say it. You're not exactly the king of Tact; I doubt you're his first choice for the bedside vigil, wouldn't you agree?"
Lenny nodded earnestly.
"Got it. Nice gob or no gob."
Dr Hanna nodded wryly and then turned, swinging her bag over her shoulder and heading for the exits.
#####
Lenny stood outside Yuki's cubicle, mulling over how best to behave when he finally stopped dithering and entered, already. Nothing grim, not too cheerful. Don't just say nothing, don't talk for the sake of it. Let the Reidster start the conversation, he thought. He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. Easier thought than done.
When he finally pulled back the curtain ten minutes later, the lump decided to swell.
Yuki was curled under the sheets on the bed like a child, fast asleep with his left fist curled up under his chin; his chest rising and falling erratically due to respiratory problems he was clearly suffering with. His curly hair, still slightly damp, fell around his face, thick and dark against his unhealthily pale skin. Tear tracks were barely visible on his ashen cheeks, and his glasses seemed to magnify the tiny droplets that still trickled half-heartedly from his bruised and swollen eye, sat skewed at an odd angle across the bridge of his nose. His hand was so tightly clamped around the blankets that covered him, the knuckles were white under the blood.
Lenny swallowed shakily, adjusting his friend's glasses so that they sat just right and then lowering himself into the chair by the bed. He looked across at the other man's face. Placing his left hand on the bed a hair's breadth from Yuki's right, he closed his eyes purposefully and prayed that his sleep would be peaceful.
Staying silent all night wouldn't be difficult, now that Yuki had stolen all of his words.
Thanks for reading! :]]
Please review; you won't get cookies, real or virtual, but it will make you a jazzier person, for sure. xD
(( Also, *wow* for 1,150 words in just over an hour. :O ))