Author's Note: We're ending 2020 with affection and fluff! Also, I can now write this AU better thanks to personal experience, and this has influence from my first night shifts. For my fellow healthcare workers, here's to staying safe in 2021!
Admittedly, Kenshin's stomach dropped when he saw her. She was limp in her chair, arms dangling at her sides and her face turned away.
"Kaoru-dono?!" He rushed to her desk, panic overriding sensibility. But before he could touch her, her eyes snapped open and her right fist lashed out in a glancing blow that brought him to his knees. Acting on instinct, he latched onto the edge of her desk, elbow colliding with the hard surface. "Oro!"
At the contact, she blinked away her drowsiness. "Ken…shin? Oh, no! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" She sat up, her fingertips brushing his aching cheekbone. The pain was already fading, and he resisted leaning in.
"This one is fine. It was this one's fault, surprising you." He managed to answer. Despite how his skin was buzzing, he was not going to behave like a hormonal teenager.
"I still shouldn't have punched you." She withdrew, her voice full of concern. "I hope it won't bruise."
"There have been worse hits that this one has taken, so don't worry." And on that same side as well, he ruefully thought. "Are you still working?" It was already past seven.
"I'm on night call." Her explanation contained no small amount of misery. "And I had a meeting in the afternoon, so I only got an hour of sleep before I came here. It's going to be a long Thursday night; at least, I have the weekend off. What about you?"
"This one is also in the same situation, filling in for a colleague who was supposed to work tonight. There was a family emergency, so this one is here instead."
"Oh, good. Not that you have to work on short notice," She hastily added. "But we can keep each other company."
"That's true. It will be easier to stay awake." He would have been content to stay at her desk; he had nothing urgent at the moment. But she did, as signaled by her blaring pager. She mouthed an apology, before taking the call. Leaving her to her responsibilities, he drifted back to his spot across the room, to print his list of patients.
He was reading the interim notes on his patients when she commented.
"By the way, I forgot to mention earlier. I like your scrubs."
"Oro?" The faded magenta met his downward gaze. "These are very old."
"But you look so cheerful! The other male doctors stick to blue or black."
"So did this one, in the past. However, brighter colors can be comforting or distracting for the children, so that's something this one can do for them."
"You also can pull it off, because you're an attending." She pointed out, and he laughed.
"There's nothing wrong with navy either."
"It's not navy, it's indigo." Grinning, she tugged the front of her scrub top. "But it's my favorite color."
"It suits you very well." Belatedly, he wondered if that was harassment, but she didn't seem to mind. In fact, she blushed. At the sight, his own face warmed.
"Thanks." For a heartbeat, the only sound was the humming of their computers. Abruptly stretching her arms over her head, she declared. "I need coffee. The cafeteria's closed, but do you want anything from the vending machine?"
"This one can join you."
"Are you sure? I don't want to bother you if you're busy, and you can just text me." They had already exchanged numbers, thanks to the group chat Misao had started for the workroom.
"No, it will be a long night and this one prefers not to stay in one spot." He pocketed his pager and stood from his chair.
Her smile widened. "Yeah, I won't argue with that. And I'm glad! It's more fun with you." Her blush had not faded, and his cheek tingled.
He replied honestly. "This one feels the same way."
Unfortunately, the closest machine had its interior lights off and the glass front bore a paper sign. 'Out of Order' was written in large block letters, punctuated by a frowning face. If he had to guess, it appeared to be the handiwork of either Sano or Misao, perhaps even a joint effort.
"That's a shame." He said. "Should we search for another?"
"Sounds like a plan! Let's hope the others are still functioning."
Their workroom was at the injunction between the main building and the children's hospital, so they had options. He allowed her to decide, and she headed for the pediatric side. She swiped her badge to access a corridor that was glass on both sides, from ceiling to floor.
"This part is one of the best, in my opinion. Well, at least during the day." Outside, it was dark, except for the street lamps. Occasionally, a car zipped past on the road below, illuminating the surrounding greenery. But he understood her. When it was sunny, they were provided with a scenic view of the city beyond.
"Yes, it's the closest we have to stepping out. It's important to have something to look at, other than the interior of the building."
"Right? I always feel more rejuvenated when I go through this way. Although, I do love the murals in the children's hospital."
"Which do you like best?"
"Hmm. I think the bamboo forest, on the sixth floor. The animals are cute, the pandas and the tanuki."
"Also, because that is where shinai come from?" He innocently referred to her love for kenjutsu.
"Okay, a little bit." But she laughed. "Well, which is your favorite?"
He already had an answer. "The fourth floor, with the countryside motif. It reminds this one of his childhood."
"You were a country boy?"
"In the Kansai region, yes. However, it has been almost twenty years since this one lived there. This one doesn't even remember the closest town. We did grow rice and vegetables, and there were some chickens." He pieced together the fragmented memories. "But it was a very long time ago."
"It must have, I couldn't tell at all." She was thoughtful, and he realized he might have shared too much. But she didn't pry, instead asking. "Did you have any baby chicks?"
"Not that this one can remember."
"That's too bad." Disappointment showed on her face.
He smiled. The image of Kaoru, cradling fluffy chicks in her arms, was sweet.
In a corner near an empty waiting area, they finally found a working vending machine. Kaoru cheered at its presence, peering within to decide on her snacks. She was terribly adorable, depositing her change and punching the buttons. Holding her coffee and a package of chocolate-covered biscuits, she beamed. "Alright, your turn!"
As she walked past, he caught the scent of jasmine flowers. Too subtle to be perfume, it must have been her shampoo. He thought it was pleasant.
"Kenshin? Aren't you going to buy something?"
He jolted, realizing he hadn't moved. "A-ah, yes." Breathing deeply to settle his nerves, he chose a bottle of green tea, and the same cookies she picked. She had already opened her drink and sipped it as they walked back.
"Whew, I feel a lot better."
"That's good. You need your strength for the hours ahead."
"Yeah. I still wish I had more sleep, but I just remind myself that at least, I'm not in one of the hospital beds. That was much harder."
"And now, you're here. Your patients are extremely fortunate to have you, because you understand what it must be like."
Her blush had returned in full force. She nodded, before her brows drew together. "Wait-"
Overhead, the loudspeaker crackled, calling for a medical response team. They both stopped, listening attentively. The alert meant that a patient's condition was deteriorating. He checked his list as the room number was announced. It did not belong to any of his charges, and judging from how Kaoru exhaled, it wasn't any of hers either. But elsewhere, someone was struggling and their colleagues were doing everything they could to save them.
As they approached familiar walls, it was his pager's turn to vibrate, and reluctantly, he excused himself.
After midnight, he had one emergency surgery, for a patient that had gone into hemorrhagic shock. Two hours later, he emerged from the operating room, the worst outcome kept at bay. He ordered for two units of blood, to be transfused if the patient was anemic, and headed back to the workroom.
Kaoru had her earbuds in, obviously engrossed. Upon his entrance, she removed them and greeted him. "Hey, Kenshin. How'd it go?"
"Well enough. The patient is stable for now, but this one will keep a close eye. Did you have any new admissions?"
"Just one in the emergency room, who's waiting to be placed in a room, but it seems like a straightforward case. History of glycogen storage disorder, so I've been reading up."
"This one didn't realize articles were accessible on CD." He had noticed the small player next to her keyboard, that had appeared in his absence.
"Oh, no, this is an audiobook. It's an old one, I already know all the twists. I only replay it because of the narrator." Her expression became very fond.
"Ah." Inwardly, he was caught off guard, but he maintained a neutral face. "Is he a good actor?"
"I think she was. This book is one of my mother's recordings, after all. Would you like to hear her?"
Somewhat embarrassed, he agreed, and she transferred the CD to her computer. Momentarily, a woman's gentle voice filled the air. Her cadence and intonation were similar to Kaoru's, and she switched between characters with impressive ease. It seemed to be an anthology of short stories.
"You were not wrong; her performance is wonderful."
"I'm glad you think so! She'd be happy to hear that, if she were alive." Kaoru clarified. "She had lupus, and she passed away from kidney failure when I was young. She couldn't get a transplant in time. The Mirror Wing in the main hospital is named for her." The dialysis unit was located there.
"You must miss her."
"I do, but at least, I have Okaa-san in this way. Not many people can say the same."
He definitely couldn't. Then, the staccato beeps of her pager interrupted them again. He was beginning to dislike that particular ring.
By three in the morning, Kaoru was starting to falter. She was continuing to type on her computer, but her head nodded and she occasionally jolted, unconsciously trying to stay awake.
"Kaoru-dono."
"Hmm?" Her gaze lifted, though not quite focusing.
"Please, get some rest. The work can wait." He gently said. "This one can turn the lights off, if that would help."
"Would you? That'd be really nice." She murmured.
He flipped the switches, leaving the glow of his monitor. "If there was a bed, that would be better."
"It's okay. Hospital beds aren't very comfy." She certainly spoke from experience. She opened one of her desk drawers, taking out a spare surgical mask. "Please don't tell anyone else in your department." Before he could inquire further, she proceeded to wear it over her face, and it was large enough to cover her eyes.
He had to stifle his laughter. "This one promises."
It was uneventful afterwards, without beeping pagers or loudspeaker announcements. He lasted another hour and a half, before he felt the familiar pull of exhaustion. He logged off and sat back in his chair. He could never fully sleep while on the job. That was especially true now, with Kamiya Kaoru in the same room, softly breathing.
It was Director Kamiya who had offered him a place at Kamiya Kasshin, while he was still working for Katsura. He had been disillusioned and burnt out, entertaining ideas of quitting medicine. He was too ashamed to talk to Hiko, but he caved to the "fates" as his guardian liked to refer to them. Akane, Kasumi, and Sakura had sat him down, persuading him to take the new job before deciding anything further. Akane was particularly fervent, she had never liked Katsura.
So, he had accepted the position and adjusting to the new work environment occupied him. Then, the accident happened. It was on a night not too different from this one, and he had also been on call. He heard there was a group of people, on the phone with the director at the crash site, trying to obtain details. He had run to that desk, preparing to encourage the man who had helped him so far. It was at the other end of the hospital and he was relatively late, everyone else mobilizing for the victims' arrival. When he picked up the phone, he was out of breath. "Kamiya-dono?"
Instead of Director Kamiya's voice, there was a young, feminine one. Choked with tears, but still strong. "Hello? Please, can you hear me?"
One fateful conversation, and she reminded him of what he loved about his profession. But she didn't seem to remember. That was alright, the memory was wrapped up in tragedy, and he didn't want to hurt her. Getting to know her was enough. Even after six years, she was very much the same woman he had spoken to. Compassionate, brave, honest.
Hiko, being his usual infuriating self, had accused him of having a crush, although Kenshin was disgruntled. Not that Kaoru wasn't attractive, but it was not the point. It wasn't a crush, he was immensely grateful to Kaoru as well as her late father, for his current life. Originally, he was trying to repay their kindness, in what little he could manage on his part. So far, he enjoyed spending time with her, even when on call. Around her, and for that matter, their other workroom colleagues, he felt at ease in a way that he hadn't experienced in decades.
But if she asked about him…? He hadn't decided what he would do yet.
Kenshin slowly emerged from his trance. The blinds had been opened, the sky pink with dawn. He clicked his mouse and the monitor lit with the time. Just past six. Night call was almost over.
Kaoru's chair was empty, and he drowsily recalled her rummaging about, before the door closed. She must have gone to pre-round on her patients, to check on them before meeting with the rest of her team. He hoped they would let her go before noon.
He relayed the night's events to the day shift's surgeon, who insisted that everything would be taken care of and please get some rest, Dr. Himura. But he went to check on his shock patient, who was thankfully stable. Then, the parents arrived in the waiting area, and he took the opportunity to speak to them. By the time he returned to retrieve his things, it was already ten. Kaoru was also there, greeting him as if she hadn't spent the night at the hospital.
"Morning, Kenshin!"
"Good morning. How were your rounds?" He inquired, clearing his desk.
"Quick, thank goodness."
"And how are you?"
"I feel fine. Well, I know it's fake, I'll probably crash once I get home. I'm just going to submit my notes, and then, I'll go." She didn't sit down, her eyes glued to her screen as she logged in. A few clicks, and then, she grabbed her bag. "Done! Geez, I'm ready to leave."
"Good work, Kaoru-dono."
"You too." Despite how little she must have slept, her smile was as radiant as ever. "But you're still here? I thought you would have been out by now."
"This one had a few tasks, but this one was just about to leave as well. After you." He urged her ahead of him. They shared an elevator down, luckily without any stops.
"Have you already eaten breakfast?" She asked.
"This one had a leftover rice ball. The cafeteria is…" His weary mind searched for a word that would be appropriate.
"I know, I really want Tae to expand her hours, but she can't while she has her regular job. I think I have cup ramen in my pantry."
"Next time, this one will bring enough onigiri to share."
"Next time?" She repeated, emphasizing the implication of another call shift in the near future, but she was laughing. "Would they have caffeine in them?"
He smiled at her. "For you, this one will make an exception."
Her cheeks grew pink. "Thank you, I'll look forward to it." After a pause, she added. "What would even be inside such onigiri? Instant coffee?"
Matcha powder actually, but he needed to perfect that recipe. "It would be a surprise."
"Geez!"
They passed the lobby, and bright sunshine filled his vision. After spending so long in the hospital, it was a relief to be out in the open again. The cloudless sky was an immaculate blue, the fresh air crisp. Beside him, Kaoru sighed, her lips curving. The wind tossed her ponytail, and she shoved her hands in her pockets, continuing on. Suddenly aware that he was staring again, he picked up his feet. Then, they were already at the garage and had to part ways. Work had truly ended.
"Drive safe and sleep well! I'll see you on Monday!" She waved and he did the same.
"Take care."
There was no traffic, and his empty apartment was cool. It was quiet as he meticulously cleaned his belongings. As he walked to his bedroom, he barely made a sound. The shower seemed too loud, and so did the hair dryer. Slipping between his clean sheets, he noticed the lack of scent. After leaving his glasses on his nightstand, he checked his phone again. Nothing new, which was supposed to be good. He hovered over Kaoru's name in the group chat. Well…it wouldn't hurt. His thumb pressed down, and he began to type.
This one hopes you returned home without issue and that you have a relaxing weekend.
With the message sent, he locked the screen. She could reply on her own time.
And at last, he closed his eyes.