Word Count: 575
A/N: I hope it doesn't bother anyone, but the chapters are titled the same way they are on lj, instead of by prompt.
Ford Prefect hasn't had a drink in days.
He's annoyed, irritated, and snappy. People have begun walking on the opposite side of the hall, avoiding him. Ford has always wanted to go home, but he's only just realized that he'd like to take Arthur with him.
Ford Prefect is a hitchhiker. A smooth, suave, sophisticated being who could travel the universe for less than 30 Alterian dollars a day if he could only get off this damn planet. He's never supposed to be anxious, or worried, or so homesick that he feels physically ill. He's a loner who plays, parties, and leaves; no ties or attachments. He's not supposed to be so close to someone that the thought of losing them makes his head hurt and his stomach roll.
Ford Prefect is never ever supposed to spend his days skulking in some lousy medical facility while his best-friend is hospitalized by some stupid illness that could be cleared up in a second if they could just get off this damn planet.
'M..Mr. Prefect?" a young nurse nervously approached him. "Mr. Dent is awake now, if…if you'd like to see him."
"Like to see him?" Ford echoed, already pushing past the little brunette. He rounded a corner a little too sharply and scowled at the surprised doctor he'd nearly smacked into. "It's no wonder so many people die here," he called, already halfway down the hallway, " seeing as how you don't have anything remotely close to a sub-etha-insta-med!"
When he reached the last room in the hall, the one with the little chart next to the door that said 'Dent, Arthur" in tiny black letters, he suddenly felt drained. Ford's hand rested on the doorknob for a moment. He was tired, hungry, and painfully sober. Arthur was awake, which meant he was okay, so Ford could just go home right now, grab a bag of crisps, get drunk, and finally watch Casablanca all the way through. That was what being around humans for too long did to you, especially if you liked them. Made you indecisive and unsure.
With a tiny huff of annoyance, Ford yanked open the door, stepped into the room, and was almost swept away by a surprisingly big wave of relief. Arthur smiled at him.
"Ford! Wow, it's really you. I thought for sure the nurse had made a mistake and there was a different "Mr. Prefect" waiting to see a different "Mr. Dent"."
Ford had to think his friend's statement over as he crossed the room to stand next to the bed. "You didn't think I'd come?"
Arthur's smile faltered when he noticed that Ford wasn't smiling. "Um…well..."
Picking some imaginary lint from his coat, Ford glared in the general direction of the wall. "You said it'd only take a day and then you'd be able to go home."
"Well, complications can happen. I just had a little allergic reaction, Ford. I'm fine."
"But you might not have been!" Ford felt as surprised at his own vehemence as Arthur looked. He sighed," Just don't do it again."
"I can't do it again. I only have one appendix, and last I heard they don't grow back." The human joked lightly.
Really. Ford made a mental note to add that to his research and gave a tight, relief filled smile," Good."
"Sooo…" Arthur fidgeted.
"Sooo…." Ford repeated, smiling a bit more easily," How long will it be until you can get drunk?"