The sirens wailed and George faced his twin with grimness, but he didn't have to say the words. Another healer burst in through the door — Healer Bones, her face pale. "Next wave's coming," she said urgently. "Get ready."
As if she needed to tell them that, but they gave her quick nods and started strapping on their gear as more Healers rushed in. There was no chatter, only silence, as everyone dressed as quickly as they could. The words went unspoken: their incoming patients needed their help.
Fred and George were the first two out of the changing rooms, hurrying down the corridor and down the steps. They emerged into the emergency ward just as the large bay doors burst open and the engine of the ambulance stopped running. The driver and his companion threw open their doors and swiftly raised the back door of the ambulance.
After that, it was the Healers' responsibility to take out the injured. Some were in gurneys, others in wheelchairs, and the rest were pressed against the walls, clutching their injuries. They would be the last to be treated, as they were the least life-threatening. The soldiers in the gurneys needed immediate attention.
It was a routine procedure, and George assessed the soldiers in the gurneys with the quick, expert ease that came with being a seasoned professional. He was not expecting the person on the last gurney to be his husband.
"...Seamus?" he whispered softly, fear gripping his heart — Seamus's face was pale and blood coated his chest, just right of his heart. He was breathing hard, and his eyes were glazed over, not quite lifeless, but if he weren't treated soon, he would die.
And then impossibly, he spoke. "Make it stop," he beseeched breathlessly, raggedly. "Hurts…"
His husband's plea registered in George's mind and with uncharacteristic lack of decorum, shouted, "Someone help me wheel out this gurney!"
Fred was charged with Seamus's operation, and George was sent to take care of the other patients — the ones who needed less attention. He could sew up wounds with his eyes closed. As it was, he wasn't very focused, his mind as far away as the operating room. He moved from soldier to soldier, consoling them and treating them with half a mind.
Night had fallen when George had finished, and now he paced in the waiting room. Unable to sit, he distractedly chatted with a few others in the waiting room, sharing in their anxiety.
The night stretched on and just as dawn broke, the sun peeking over the horizon, Fred emerged. He looked exhausted. George immediately hurried to him, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Well?" he demanded. "How is he? Is he okay? Did he make it?"
Slowly, gradually, Fred let a weary smile grow on his face, and George nearly started sobbing. The few others in the room smiled too.
"Can I see him now?"
"He's still under anesthesia, but you can see him," Fred confirmed. "Room 14." Not hesitating, George pushed past his twin and all but sprinted into the wing where all of the patient rooms were.
A nurse nodded to him as he passed. Healer Bones almost bumped into him. A second nurse ran past. They all looked extremely tired; they had spent the night operating.
He skidded to a halt in front of the door emblazoned with the number 14. He lingered outside of the door, and then, as quietly as possible, pushed open the door. He stopped dead.
Seamus was still unconscious, but his chest rose and fell with even breaths. He was breathing. He was alive. Just hours ago, he'd had a hole in his chest, and now —
George leaned against the doorframe, equal parts relieved and worried. The danger had not yet passed, he had to wake up in order to ensure a full recovery. He was still at risk of dying in his sleep, though the numerous wires and cords attached to his body would mitigate the risk.
George walked over to the bed, gazed at Seamus's blank face, and brushed back some of his hair. Seamus mewled in his sleep and George couldn't resist smiling. Even in unconsciousness, Seamus recognized his husband's touch.
"Wake up soon, my darling," he whispered.
Seamus woke up in the afternoon and one of the nurses fetched George and brought him back to Room 14. "He was asking for you," she said with a knowing smile. "First thing he said was your name, followed by asking where you were."
George grinned. "Well, why are we making him wait?"
"I'd advise...not to be too affectionate with him." The nurse opened the door.
"I was clumsy," Seamus admitted after they had gotten the tearful reunion out of the way. "I wasn't looking where I was going, we were under heavy fire and I stumbled right into the bullet." He rested his head back on the pillow.
George's heart squeezed and he took Seamus's hand, pressing a gentle kiss on his nose. Seamus lifted his head, aiming to kiss him on lips, but George pulled away. "Don't tempt me," he murmured. "I want to kiss you but I want you to get better first. I don't want to hurt you while we're…amorous." He winked and Seamus grinned.
"One kiss can't hurt, will it?"
"You know how quickly things get out of control," George pointed out, smirking.
"Stay, then. Spend the night with me."
George looked at him, conflicted. The bed wasn't very big, but if they cuddled…then he shook himself. "I really can't stay," he said regretfully. "I have other patients to tend to, but I promise as soon as you've recovered —"
The sirens cut him, screeching through the building, and George jumped up. "Well, now I definitely can't stay. But I'll come back," he promised. "As soon as you're better."
"You'd better," Seamus said, but he was smiling as he said it. "Now go save the world."
"I'm not —"
"Just go!"
1000 words
Christmas Eve Boxes - Chocolate - Toblerone: (word) Quiet
Snow Globe Making - Bludger: (character) George Weasley
Treasure Hunt - (Trio Era character) George Weasley
Ugly Sweaters - Writing - "Hanging With My Gnomies" - (Dialogue) "Don't tempt me."
Advent Calendar: Door: Relationships - Siblings
Gift Wrapping - Daily Prophet - Seamus/George; Bows - 9. Clumsy
Nativity Play - Joseph - (relationship) Husband
Hot Chocolate Station - Vanilla Mocha Hot Chocolate: (au) soldier; Candied Ginger: (character) George Weasley
Write a Letter to Santa: A teddy bear: (word) soft (4)
Snowball Fight - George vs Fred: [Occupation] Healer
Big Dinner Bash - Carrots: "Make it stop."
Christmas Party - Baby, It's Cold Outside - Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé / (dialogue) "I really can't stay."
New Years Resolutions - Learn a new skill: (task) write a character/pairing/setting/au you've never written before
