Warning: long-winded medical terms, plot, and a bit of romance.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hot Fuzz. :(
This chapter was also hard to write, but it was a pick-me-up, as well. To my well-wishers, thank you very much! It was nice to have you guys at my six.
NOTE: OPSI (overwhelming post-splenectomy infection) basically means that removal of the spleen compromises your immune system. You're much more vulnerable to opportunistic diseases like the flu and have to get special vaccinations several times each year.
The Swans Return by Philip Glass
oo9.
The sun rose over the rooftops and burned away the silver shroud of mist that covered the ground. It was cool and quiet, as was typical for a spring morning in Sandford. Dew glistened on the perfectly mowed lawns and fogged car windows.
Nicholas sat on the front step and watched the light brighten. He picked up his bowl of chicken noodle soup when Danny came out and sat beside him.
"Not supposed to be out," Danny murmured. "Doctor's orders."
"The doctor isn't here," Nicholas replied without venom. He watched a rabbit materialize out of the shadows and hop into Mr. Lead's vegetable garden. "I'm fine. You can stop worrying."
"Lambert explained everythin' to me about your…what's-it-called? Overwhelmin' post…splenectomy infarction." Danny's voice took on Lambert's clinical intonation. "She said the mortality rate is somewhere between forty and seventy percent."
"It's called overwhelming post-splenectomy infection. And that's only if you get it."
"You got it."
Nicholas gulped his soup and grimaced. "Danny, I appreciate your concern, but I've been living with this for months now. Frankly, it's a private matter."
"'Til you dropped in the middle of the pub and the Andy's had to drive you to Buford." Danny shook his head. "Ain't seen them so out of sorts since Andy got run down by one of Reaper's dogs."
"I don't need coddling."
Danny stared at the shadows moving across the sidewalk. "Two weeks in the hospital calls for some coddlin'," he said in a soft, rebuking tone that made Nicholas flush. "Sometimes I wonder..." He suddenly lowered his head. "Did I really save your skin or are you just on borrowed time?"
Nicholas froze, spoon between his lips. He frowned and the soul-deep exhaustion of illness flitted across his face. After a moment, he took another spoonful of soup and swallowed thickly. There was a long silence before he spoke again. "Would you like to hear something funny?"
"Hmm." Danny closed his eyes.
"I almost became a Buddhist."
"Really?"
"Janine thought it was a bit silly, but…I don't know." Nicholas watched the surface of his soup glimmer in the light. "This puts things in perspective, doesn't it?"
"Scary when you talk like that."
"Like what?" Nicholas hunched defensively.
"Like you're not gonna make it."
Nicholas finished the last bits of soup. He sighed and set the bowl down by his hip. "Danny, it's a risk that's going to be there for the rest of my life." His eyes sharpened, indigo and suspicious. "If it's too much for you, just say so."
Danny's brows arched. "Can't believe you just said that, man."
"Well, I—"
"Seriously, Nick." Danny got to his feet and opened the door. "I took a blunderbuss for you. And I made you soup."
Nicholas smiled against his will. "It was good soup."
"Ya, I know."
"Alright, first thing's first." Nicholas stood up, authoritative even in a muscle shirt and plaid pyjama bottoms. "You've got to stop saying that. You're turning into a third Andy."
"Oh my Gawd." Danny did a dramatic, dandy walk inside. Nicholas laughed and shut the door, and set his empty bowl on the countertop.
"Prat," he said fondly.
Danny's home was cluttered, but nurtured a feeling of closeness. They walked through the small kitchen and sat down by his worn, uneven table. The smell of last night's curry and chips lingered in the air. It reminded Nicholas of the dorms he had lived in after ending things with Janine, but the youthful, haphazard dismissal of order was uniquely Danny. He sat down on an old wooden chair and pushed several plates out of the way.
"You need to clean this place," he said out of habit rather than sincerity.
"Ya," Danny grinned, "I know."
Nicholas shook his head. "I'm stuck with that, aren't I?"
"Maybe."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Nicholas studied the hideous wallpaper, frowned at himself and abruptly stood up. "Did you bring any of that paperwork I asked for?"
"No. You ain't ready yet."
"Rubbish." Nicholas shifted uneasily.
"What's really botherin' you?"
"I—what?"
Danny wore a puppyish expression. "You always start fidgetin' when you're thinking about somethin' that makes you nervous. What is it?"
Nicholas sat down awkwardly and licked his lips. "I, ahm. Actually…." He frowned and looked around the room. "I've been thinking—for a while now—that maybe…ahmm."
"You wanna meditate?"
"No! This isn't funny."
"It's a little funny," Danny muttered impishly.
"I'm trying to say something important."
"Well, go on then." Danny raised his brows. "Spit it out."
Nicholas opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. He gazed at his gloves and grimaced, but took them off. His hands were wrapped in wide, lavender scars interspersed with patches of healthy skin. He watched Danny's expression. "I'm not the same person I was before the NWA. I can't do some of the things I used to." He paused, braced himself. "But…but I was hoping, maybe later, maybe…we could start moving some of this stuff." At Danny's blank look, he flushed. "To my place."
"Move in?" Danny asked shyly.
Nicholas swallowed and looked at the table. "Well, yes."
"Isn't that against the rules?"
"Well…yes." Nicholas bowed his head. "It's a risk, but Sandford is so out of the way I'd hoped…."
"Alright," Danny murmured. "So long as you don't wrap me in a bed sheet and stick me on your little Buddha shrine."
"Really? I—" The joke sank in. "Danny, that's terrible."
"Ya, I know."
Nicholas leaned back in his chair and laughed.
One more chapter to go. Whew!
