Shattered Ghost King

Chapter 8 – Aroma Therapy

William hurriedly kissed each of his sisters lightly on the cheek eager to get to work. He felt lighthearted as walked across the arboretum thinking about Nico. He was talking again! The gardens looked so much brighter today. On a whim he picked some white and purple crocus for Nico's bedside table. He could at least smell the flowers.

He was early, so he stopped by Nico's bed. Unfortunately Nico made no reaction to his touch or Morse code. He hadn't expected any response since it was mid-point between morphine doses. He place the flowers on the small table near the bed using a tin can as a vase. Instead he went to see Jake.


"So, he speaks right? You couldn't look that happy unless he spoke." Jake called out as soon as he approached.

"Yeah," And William's grin spread out into a toothy smile.

"You'd better tell me all about it." Jake commanded as William sat down.

He started talking in a low voice. He told his friend about Dr. Quintus, about using toes for coding, about the way Nico answered every question, and that he had read Nico's letters to him. He left out the doctor's intent to ask for a commendation and would not divulge the letters' contents. He only said, "The tone of the letters seemed right. Piper basically challenged him to live and pulled out some personal history to drive the point home."

"So you think it was depression?" Jake asked.

"He certainly wanted to talk yesterday but, he had a hard time speaking. Dr. Quintus made it sound like damage affecting communication is very hard to recover from. He wants me to speak with him as much as possible. He also said if I could find someone else to speak to him it would help." William explained steering away from depression. He was convinced depression was a factor, but Jake didn't need to know that.

"I'm game and you know I'm always here." Jake responded with a touch a melancholy.

"Thank you Jake. You have been great." William said sincerely.

"I really enjoyed the trip. I think they will take me whenever I'm released. I am so ready to get out of here." Jake grimaced at the ward. William made a mental note to check on how soon Jake could be released. He seemed ready, so he and Katie would need to prepare room for him. He smiled as he left thinking of how Jake would react when he finally told him about it.


He read through Dr. Quintus' plan with astonishment and doubt. He had some fairly standard things like regular evaluations and detailed sight and hearing tests. But he also wanted some pretty odd things like asking his favorite scents and foods. The requirement he liked best was talking to Nico as much as possible, he just hoped the nights remained quiet. He was a bit puzzled over 'setting a baseline'.

"Sir, Um… Doctor?" He asked tentatively as he opened the door.

"Mr. Solace, please come in. I was too busy yesterday to talk when I gave you my plan." He said.

"Thank you, sir. I assume you were pleased with yesterday's progress." William began.

"Quite pleased. I hope that today will be as good. Did you share any conversation over his letters?" He asked.

"Not much, mostly I recited." William answered.

"Good. Don't be dishearten if today he does not do as well. It will be slow going," Dr. Quintus smiled kindly. "Do you have any questions about the plan?"

"What do you mean by baseline?" He asked.

"Ah, I want to keep a log of his responses and any other significant interactions. I plan to use a standard set of questions and track any changes daily. The intent is to show he is responding consistently to standard questions. Next the baseline moves on to questions about his injuries, sight, and hearing. And finally each day we will introduce something unique that can be recalled the next day. That will check that he is not just repeating the past, but his living in the present. It was a very good sign that he remembered you were gone the day before yesterday." Dr. Quintus commented then musing said, "Also, I'm concerned about his throat and voice. You said he was screaming when he first came. Does he still have nightmares?"

"Yes, but his screams are quieter and raspy." William confirmed.

"I think he has strained his throat. I want to start him on water and maybe an herbal tea to help his throat." He paused to look at some notes, "Finally, I'm going to ask the other duty nurse to pick-up some of your load this week. When is your first contact likely to be?"

"19:30, sir"

"Alright, I'll be there for today's baseline."

Will left the office feeling a bit better, but also overwhelmed. It seemed like Dr. Quintus was full of peculiar and erratic ideas. He impulsively gave the doctor a later time, so he could tell Nico the plan and warn him that he was being observed. If it was him, he knew he would want to know.


After making his rounds William arrived at Nico's bed about thirty minutes before the doctor was due. He quickly uncovered Nico's toes and slipped his hand under Nico's gown to his upper chest. To his amazement Nico half opened his eyes squinting against the light and turned toward him. William was startled, can he see enough to know where I am?

Nico lightly breathed out, "Will?" The graved tone of his voice made it clear he would not be talking much today.

William smiled as he signaled back /Yes, I'm here to talk a while before changing your dressings/

Again Nico spoke softly with a rough edge, "Why?"

Confused William asked /Why what? /

Nico switched to signaling /why did you go to see Leo and Piper? /

The blonde scowled, Of course I would do this for you. I would do much more. He started to prepare a reply, but remembered that Dr. Quintus will be here soon. /Later, right now I need to tell you about Dr. Quintus. He has developed a treatment plan and will be coming to do a 'baseline'. He'll ask a lot of questions and write down your answers/

Nico frowned and his brow creased /does he want me in the mental ward? /

William /No, he believes you are alert and he wants to prove it. I just thought you should know that you have an audience/

Nico /Thank you/ He is so thoughtful, most people treat me like a sack of potatoes.

William summarized the treatment plan to the degree he understood it. Then said /I'm going to start the dressings before he gets here/

William gently lifted Nico and put an extra pillow under his shoulders. Then he changed the dressing on the back of his head. He finished and was about to move to his left leg when Dr. Quintus arrived.

"You can finish that later it is time for the baseline. Please start by letting him know we are doing a baseline and the date." He ordered.

William began the baseline as Dr. Quintus made note of all the answers he relayed. They started with his condition. They both were pleased when Nico stated he could see some color and unfocused shapes. He said the light was too bright. He had no change in hearing. After that they move on to simple questions and answers. Finally he asked what he remembered about yesterday.

Nico smiled before replying /I remember the questions asked. Many the same as todays'. Will read letters from Leo and Piper. I had two doses of medicine during Will's shift and two more before now/

"Good, tell him that he has done well. Finally tell him to remember the word 'determined' for tomorrow's baseline. He'll have a new word each day." William wondered again about this doctor's unorthodox approach, but relayed the message as given.

"William, I am impressed with his progress. He is not confused and clearly remembers quite well what has happened. He even timed his dosage." Dr. Quintus said, "Today I want you to start him on water and talk with him so he has something specific to remember about today."

By the time they were finished Nico was due for morphine, so William would have to wait before he could have a conversation with the dark haired man.


It was early morning before William was able to talk to Nico again. He was eager to have an unscripted and unhurried conversation with Nico. As he approached he saw that Nico's eyes were half open again. He set down a glass of water as he placed his hand on Nico's chest. Nico shift his head looking for him and said, "Will" softly in a relieved sigh.

William signaled an offer for water and carefully positioning the straw so he could drink. Nico sipped gratefully until about half the cup was gone. William warned him that if he drank too much too soon he could get sick. Also, he would leave directions with the day nurse to give him water as signaled by a tap to his cheek.

Nico coughed slightly to clear his throat and said roughly, "flowers?"

William had forgotten all about the flowers. /Yes, crocus I picked them on the way in this evening/

Nico /can I smell them? / William tilted Nico's head up gentle and held the tin can vase close to his face. Nico hummed his appreciation closing his eyes to breathe in deeply. As he opened his eyes he blinked a few times, and in the darkened room he was able to see the flower shape and color instead of a blob.

Nico rasped excitedly, "I see it!" Maybe I can get my sight back and get the fuck out of this bed.

William jumped and hurriedly asked him explain in detail what he could see.

Nico /four purple and three white flowers all with yellow centers. Cup shaped petals, in a tin cup/

William /Perfect, Nico you are on your way to recovery! /

Nico /You really think I'll get all my vision back? /

William / I can't say but this is a good start. And now it is your turn, ask me anything you want/

Nico /I want to see you/ He asked abruptly and wondered, where did that came from? Piper did say he was handsome. And he felt a nervous yet eager thrill.

William was astonished, of all thing he wants to see me. His stomach flipped as he leaned in close. Nico coaxed, "Closer" He finally said "stop" when they were almost nose to nose. He slowly moved his face around so that Nico could see all of him and even turned his head to allow him to see his mop of blond curls.

Nico breathed softly, "So blue. Piper was right." That made William blush and he drew back, heart beating fast.

He coughed, "W-Water?" In his flustered state William hurried to the task to calm himself. After a few sips Nico went on, but in Morse code.

Nico /I want to be able to sit up when Piper visits. I want to be able to talk again. I don't want to look so broken when she comes. Can you help me bathe? /

William /We need to take it slow. I don't expect her until 4-6 days have passed, so we have time. Your face is mostly healed and your hair was only shaved near the injury. Let me see if you are ready for an incline/

William brought over a wedge shaped bolster. He carefully lifted Nico's head and shoulders to slide the wedge in. This lifted Nico into a shallow angled reclined position. He paled a bit, but smiled.

William /Dizzy? Weak? / Nico shook his head. /Good, but you look a bit pale. I'll put you back down when we are done talking. What else? /

Nico /why are you doing all this for me? /

William /why wouldn't I? It is my job after all/

Nico /It is not your job to go looking for my friends/

William /Oh, that. It was my friend Jake's idea. He also taught me Morse code/

Nico grimaced /so why did you go to the airbase to snoop around? /

William /I wasn't snooping, I just wanted your friends to know you weren't a lost cause/

Nico snarled slightly/would you bloody stop evading the question/

William paled a bit taken aback, how does he know that? /Alright, I can't explain why but, I just couldn't let you go. It felt like you were ignoring me, instead of slipping away. I hoped a friend could get through to you because I was running out of time/

Nico furrowed his brow / why would you be so interested in a basket case like me? I don't matter/

He leaned in very close so Nico could see the fierce determination in his eyes / damn it, you matter to me! You are a hero that has survived 28 missions. You're still a young handsome man that can look forward to a long full life. And nobody, absolutely nobody, deserves the mental ward. So I don't want to hear anymore whys/

Nico looked stunned at his outburst. He took a long time to reply and it was somewhat shy when it came.

Nico /I can't thank you enough for noticing me to begin with. How did you know I wasn't … I was in here? /

William relax and replied simply /Nightmares, you stopped screaming when I put my hand on you/

Nico thought about the warmth he felt and the memory of his mother. Such a small thing had meant so much to him. /How could you noticed such a little thing? /

He maintained his eye contact as he signaled. /I notice everything about you. So promise you'll keep trying, even on the hard days. Promise you'll let me help. Promise you will always talk to me, even if you are angry with me/

Nico squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head thinking, this is getting far too intimate. How can I promise so tell much? Especially when so many of my thoughts are so distressing.

He made no sign for several long moments as William waited anxiously a mere inch away from his face. If I don't, it is the mental ward for me. I really have no choice, I have to let this man in. He still hesitated biting his lip.

Nico looked into his eyes for a long moment and finally answered /I will try as long as you are here to help me/

William felt the tense coil in his stomach loosen /I will be/

What William had done for him and the way he gazed at him touched him deeply. He reacted practically automatically and timidly whispered, "Will."

The sound contained so much genuine longing that it shocked William and his heart swelled. He grip his chest in his 'hand hug' and the world pause for one sweet extended moment as he gazed at his handsome face.

He heard a noise from elsewhere in the ward and it broke the spell. He looked at the time and signaled, /Pain killer time/ William busied himself with the medicine while his thoughts lingered on the sound of his name on Nico's lips.

Nico felt warmth radiating out from his chest, even before the drifting oblivion of the morphine kicked in. Will had noticed me even with all the injuries. His touch was incredibly warm and gentle. He said I was handsome. He said he would be here for me. And god those beautiful cerulean eyes. I know the chances that Will is queer was pretty much zero. After all I'm the only queer I know. All the men I had slept with were just deviant dalliances or, in one case, a rebound romance from a heterosexual life. Regardless I can still dream. So he focused blissfully on every detail of Will's expressive eyes, his gentle touches, and his compassionate words as he drifted to sleep.


Thank you for reading.

Just to be up front, I know almost nothing about the medical treatment of such injuries, so please excuse my creatively license with respect to Nico's injuries and recovery. Dr. Quintus' plan may seem reasonable by today's standards (at least in my imagination). In 1943 it was likely unheard of to take such a holistic approach to treatment, hence William's confusion. IMHO, Quintus is someone who is perpetually ahead of his time.

Thank you so much for your reviews, follows, and favorites. Please keep them coming, if you are a member I'll reply to your review.

Thanks,

Anne