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What's going on?

Everything felt heavy. He can't breathe. His limbs felt like they weight a ton each. Everything around him felt hot, too, too hot.

What is happening?

…?

Someone's speaking… somewhere. They sounded near yet far away, gurgled like they're underwater.

"Wake— Get out of— Marc— Don't close—"

Pops… is that Pops..?

He has to see, has to figure out what's going on.

…

….?

What is that loud bang just now…?

….?!

Someone is screaming in agony! What's— what's going on?

…Ugh.

He's falling. It hurts, everything hurts, inside and out.

He's dizzy, he can't breathe. And it's too hot, so hot. Why is it so hot?

Ah.

There's something pressed on his head. Too hot, way too hot.

…He can hears someone speaking again, a different voice, somewhere closer this time. Who is it? What is even going on? He swore it's all in the cusp of his memory, if he could even thinking clearly.

Where had he heard of that voice before?

He's moving, something is dragging him away. What is…

He has to see, he has to—

…

….

…?!

…Pops…?

A terrified, horrified scream rang through the walls consumed by blazing inferno, cutting through the dark curtains of smoke. A sound that haunts his nightmares, accompanying that sight, the sight he would never forget even for a second in his life.

It's the sound of his own scream.

"Hey, you,"

The bouquet of little green flowers bobbed in Ace's hand as he halted, wincing. Ah damn, he knows that voice, hardly even needing to turn around to spot the sway of long doctor's coat behind clicking heels and stern wrinkled eyes, "You're, uh, Dr. Kureha. What do you want?"

His tone came out a bit harsher than he intended, but today had been a good day for Ace and he'd hate it if anything or anyone ruins it. There's hardly any work for the station aside from that cat stuck on an elderly grandma's tree and a false alarm at the nearby all-you-can-eat buffet, a lot of free food from said buffet for inconveniencing them, he's let out early for once, and the traffic had been smooth all the way here. He might've even walked with a skip on his steps, if the way the ghost girl on the front step giggled at him was of any indication.

Until now, anyway.

The old doctor gave him a glare, which melted away in a fatigued sigh that actually made Ace felt kind of guilty and a bit worried, "Here for Marco again, are you?" Dr. Kureha's question sounded more like a statement, especially as she eyed the flowers in his hand, "Watch yourself around him today. He's had another episode, and i highly doubt he's in the mood for much,"

A snappy reply was on the tip of Ace's tongue - she's telling him to behave? - when her words fully registered in his mind, "What do you mean another episode?"

Instead of replying, the doctor kept walking, towards the direction Ace recognize to be where he's head as well. He jogged quickly to catch up with her long stride, slowing down just as they're right next to each other, "Nightmares," Dr. Kureha finally answered, after Ace belatedly realized they've entered a less public and crowded hallway, "Woke up the entire damn hospital, he did, screaming hysterically like he'd seen hell itself," a sardonic smile made its way to Dr. Kureha's face, so full of bitterness that it soured the insides of Ace's mouth as she spoke, "Or seen his entire family die in a night,"

That sounds a bit like an off coloured joke, but he's beginning to understand that's the sort of woman this doctor is, "Nightmares?" The younger echoed, frowning in concern.

"Not for the first time, nor it's is it a rare occurrence. Of course, the only way we know he even had them was because he had to stay here overnight a couple of times before this, but this is his first incident during this stay. And it's particularly nasty this time around too, we had to sedate him to get him to calm down,"

Ace bit his lower lips, eyeing the array of cheerful white and yellow colours in his hold, "Is it about the fire?"

Dr. Kureha doesn't reply to that. That on itself sounded like an answer.

The entire walk 2 stories up was filled with silence, up until they reached Dr. Newgate's door. Dr. Kureha stopped right in front of it, her hand reaching over for the door handle but stopping just as the tip of her finger touched the metal. She gave Ace one last lingering look before pushing the door widely, enough that Ace can follow right behind her.

Upon entering the room, the tension was palpable. Ace's usual visit was accompanied by soft murmured voices from the 15 constant ghost guests inhabiting the room, but today, there was nothing but silence. Each of the dead Newgate family member were gathered around the bed, staring worriedly at the still occupant in the middle of it. Kureha, oblivious to the visitors, marched right over towards her patient, but her stride was strangely subdued, even almost hesitant.

It's been a few days since the entire incident between Dr. Newgate and Dr. Kureha, and yesterday, Haruta was still raving mad about the older doctor about what she had said to his brother. Yet, today, even as the woman herself stepped right next to him - almost going through him, even - Haruta did nothing but moved aside quietly, an unnecessarily gesture that Ace realized ghost does as a reflexive behaviour brought from the time when they were alive.

Most did not look up for Dr. Kureha, but they did once Ace made himself known by walking closer, taking the space Thatch moved away from to give him room. In trepidation, he approached, his hand clutching the flower stems in his hand far too hard, resulting in several, audibly 'clacks'.

On the bed, Dr. Newgate had gained a death-like pallor, eyes far away as they stared on to the outside window. No words were exchanged between him and Dr. Kureha, even when she began to put on her stethoscope and gave him his regular check up. Only soft murmurs of instructions could be heard between them, and any question she came up with was either answered with a head shake or a simple nod. The entire process was short and mechanical.

Ace clamped his hand down again, and a particularly loud 'clack' finally reminded him of possible damage he has given the living plants in his hand. He cursed softly, making his way over to the bedside table all the while unwrapping the usual pretty paper the florist held the bouquet together with. Yet as he approached the table, the dark haired fireman began to notice that something was off, but couldn't quite figure out what it is. And he didn't think it's quite the time to ask for it either.

Not that he has to, when Dr. Newgate suddenly muttered, "I knocked the yellow ones off this morning. Sorry,"

Oh, right, the yellow arrangement from 2 days ago wasn't there, right where Ace left it on the side of the table. On it's place instead was an empty vase that used to host it, still fairly damp on the inside from the left over water.

After what he had been told earlier, it doesn't take Ace long to realize that Dr. Newgate probably managed to knock it off during his nightmare, if it's as violent as Dr. Kureha implies. The dark haired man shook his head, "Accidents happens, don't worry about it," he told Dr. Newgate, giving him a small grin, "I'll get them for you again tomorrow, how's that sound?"

Dr. Newgate twitched, which after a while, Ace understood was actually a shrug. Still grinning, he rolled his eyes as he made his way to the bathroom to get some water for the flowers. By now, Ace didn't need the rest of the doctor's sibling to tell him that his many presents were indeed appreciated, but it's still rather amusing to see the man trying to act like he barely cared, even after Ace caught him playing around with them on several occasions.

Well, he supposed he also had a great time doing this, thinking up just what other flowers he can bring and have Dr. Newgate guess what they mean, most that he got correctly but some he stumbled upon.

Which he did right away, once he returned and see that Dr. Kureha had walked away from where she was before, meticulously writing and reading from the clipboard attached to the foot of the bed. Most of Dr. Newgate's brothers had left the side of the bed to occupy their own corners as usual, except for Jiru who disturbingly poked his head out from Dr. Kureha's chest - rather uncannily resembling that sci-fi movie with the extraterrestrial being bursting out of the human chest - to read along on the clipboards. Several times he would either sigh in relief or cringe worriedly, and once he grimly frown, making Ace wander just what exactly is it that the doctor was writing.

Once he placed the vase down, he picked one of the smaller clump up, twirling it between his fingers right in front of Dr. Newgate's face. The blond blinked before reaching over to take it, then after a while, he gave a rather annoyed yet amused smile, small as it may be, "I think i remember seeing this before. Lady's mantle, wasn't it? I have no clue what it meant, but if yesterday's any indication, i'll say it's to mock me again,"

"Hey, those red poppies are my sign of sympathy for you for having to eat nothing but watered down cardboard. Those are even worse than what Sabo had to eat,"

"Sabo doesn't have to go through laparoscopy or is recovering from gastro perforation,"

"And what a small blessing it is, he's been complaining non-stop about his food since he's been admitted and if i had to listen to any of it again, i'll suffocate that child," Ace shook his head, lamenting how annoying his best friend could be at times. Still, he is one of the best people in his life and practically his brother in all but blood, so small sacrifices has to be made, "Well, he is being released in 3 days, so maybe i really won't have to. How about you? Recovering from surgery doesn't usually take this long, right? I know Gramps left the hospital the evening after having his appendicitis removed but my grandpa is not a good indication for any normal human being,"

Dr. Newgate doesn't immediately answer, instead glancing down to his front, where Ace just now realized Dr. Kureha had stopped writing on her clipboard - with Jiru's still poking out of her chest - and was intently watching them. He quickly averted his eyes from those sharp gaze when Dr. Newgate muttered, "Afraid that's not the only reason they're keeping me longer here,"

It took Ace a while to realize that reply wasn't directed at him.

With a haughty sniff, Dr. Kureha returned to her clipboard, this time writing even slower and sporadically. Helpfully, from the middle of her chest, Jiru looked up to him and exclaimed, "She's not even writing anything anymore,"

Ace blinked with a little nod, signalling that he kind of guessed that already, "Lady's mantle means comforting," He plucked the flower out of Dr. Newgate's hand, placing it along with its family. After a while, hesitantly, he added, "Mom told me once that they believe putting a lot of these in your pillow brings you good sleep,"

"A good sleep," Dr. Newgate parroted, glancing towards Ace with a suspicious knowing look on his face before turning his gaze to Dr. Kureha. After a while he merely sighed, glumly staring at the ceiling, "You're right, i probably do need that,"

Once he was satisfied with his own arrangement, Ace sat down on the ever present chair, bringing it closer to the bed to allow him to reach over and gave a comforting pat on Dr. Newgate's shoulder. The doctor simply gave a tired huff, closing his eyes and seemingly dozing off to the repeated, comforting rub on his shoulder.

Seconds passed in silence, almost comfortable if not for the presence of an unusual third person - or 18th, depending on whose point of view - in the room, who decided to make herself known again by a sharp throat clearing, "Fine, brat, everything seems to be on their way to be in order with you. You can leave in a week or so," Kureha banged her clipboard none so gently on her narrow hips, frowning towards her patient, "But, you're on forced paid leave until further notice. Crocus signed it off, you're using all of those leaves you never take for years now,"

With a grimace, Dr. Newgate opened his eyes, murmuring, "Seriously?" in an entirely exasperated yet reluctant tone. Seems like he might've expected it.

"Perfectly serious. And you're getting an at home care,"

This time, Dr. Newgate's eyes snapped open even wider, frowning thunderously, "Seriously?" he sneered, one arm pushing himself upwards despite hissing in pain. Ace had to reach over and pushed him back by his shoulders, holding the blond from sitting up further and accidentally injuring himself, though his warning fell on deaf ears, "I'm not an invalid. I'm not having strangers in my house for hours on end. I'm a doctor, i can take care of myself."

"You've been hospitalized 7 times in the past 6 months alone with reasons from exhaustion to an actual fucking hole in your stomach, i think we all know very damn well that that's a lie,"

Dr. Newgate obviously had another retort for her, when he suddenly stilled with a pained gasp. Using this opportunity, Ace pushed him back to the bed again, worrying his lower lips when he looked at the sheer pain across the doctor's face, "Dumbass, you're not supposed to sit up just yet. I'm not a doctor and even i know that," he receive no reply, but a hand suddenly reaching over and clutching his wrist tightly.

"Shut up," Dr. Newgate hissed, but it hardly sounded as threatening as it's supposed to be when he's still reeling in pain. Ace watched him take a couple of deep breaths, before finally opening his eyes again, slightly unfocused behind the half lidded lids. The haziness was soon gone with a shake of his head, turning into a weak glare when Ace snorted derisively.

"If you had let me finish," Dr. Kureha's voice broke through their little moment, "By at home care, i was suggesting having someone who can monitor your healing process. Just because you know what medicines to take and when to take them doesn't mean that you'll actually do that, and i need someone that will see to it that you do. Especially since you live alone. I was going to nominate a nurse from this hospital, but since you're so against that," she now glanced to the side, where Ace was, and jerked her head towards his direction, "Then what about that boy? You two seems pretty chummy and he's not that much of a stranger to you, is he?"

"Him?"

"Me?"

Blue and grey irises met almost simultaneously at the sound of each other's owner's voice.

Dr. Newgate was the first to broke contact, pursing his lips thinly, "He's not a stranger, no, but i'm sure he has other responsib—"

"I'll do it,"

"What?"

In retrospect, the words came faster than Ace can actually think of the ramification and consequences of him agreeing to this. He has a job with a rather sporadic timetable, he has other responsibilities, hell, he might not be suitable to be responsible for someone else's health.

Yet when he lifted his head, he sees cheering ghosts, their eyes shining in hope and thanking him in a cacophony of noises that deafen him and him alone. He sees Newgate Sr. nodding in approval, mouthing his gratefulness over his children's voices. Ace could never get used to all of the gratitude this entire family has time and time again voice to him, and a part of his rather enjoys it because it feels… nice. It always feels so nice to see that he could make so many people be so happy from his uncanny ability, like the little girl on the front entrance with her daily flower gift, or this entire family.

He made a promise to these people. He's sticking to it to the end.

Besides, he thought to himself, grinning and facing the rather irate look on Dr. Newgate's face, at some point during all of this bizarre turn of events, he knows it's not just about the promise anymore.

"Wonderful," Dr. Kureha commented drily, her pencil scratching rather noisily on her clipboard as she jotted something down, "I'll prepare a list of everything you'll need to do and have some forms ready by tomorrow. Take a day off next week kid, you'll be busy the entire day," and with that, she left without another word, short, stumpy heels clicking on the floor until they faded away behind the doors.

"Ace, what a lad," Vista cackled slinging a translucent, charred arm around the younger's shoulder, his other hand tugging at the little burned strands that's left of his moustache. Jozu once said that he used to have a rather magnificent facial hair that he's really proud of, and even after so long, couldn't accept the loss of them in death by pretending he still has them, "I mean it, we…. well, everyone said it already and i'm sure you're bored to death—" Major groans around the room, emphasised by one 'Vista, i will make you even deader if you don't stop', "hearing us say it, but thank you. Truly,"

In reply, Ace gave the large, curly haired man a bashful smile, which he quickly hid away at Dr. Newgate's groan, "Why are you doing this? You do realize now you can't get out of this, right?"

"Who said i wanted to get out of this? I wanted to help, it's as simple as that,"

Instead of reacting the way his family did, Dr. Newgate simply glared at him, "What are you, my self-appointed guardian angel? Don't you have your own life, a job, family, anything else to take care of rather than some sick stranger? Even charity has its limits, you know,"

"Why are you trying to convince me not to? I already told you before that i wanted to help, didn't i? Well, i still do. Even if it means following you home, making sure you get some food and sleep, then i'll do it. Let someone care for you, for fuck's sake,"

At that, Dr. Newgate fell silent.

Dejectedly, Ace sighed. After all this time, was he only imagining it that Dr. Newgate was slowly warming up to him? Maybe he was merely humouring Ace's insistence, thinking he'd be free once he's released from the hospital?

Did nothing that he did mattered to him?

"Look, Dr. Newgate, i—"

"Marco," The dark haired man blinked in confusion, his words dying on his tongue. The blond in front of him sighed in bedgrudging acceptance, "You heard what Dr. Kureha said, they're putting me on suspension - sorry, paid leave, as if there's a difference - effective immediately, and a doctor who can't practice medicine is no doctor at all. And if you're going to be bugging me daily from now on, i prefer to be called my actual name than something so stuffy on a daily basis,"

Ace stared, blinking a couple more times. When the words finally fully sunk in - when the acceptance, however outwardly reluctant finally sunk in - a grin blossomed on his lips, so brightly that it hurts his cheeks, "Right then, Marco. I'm Ace,"

Dr. New- Marco gave him a bland stare, "I know what your name is,"

"Yeah, but you never used it i always thought you just forgot. No harm in reminding you who's going to be taking care of you from now on,"

"Until i recover,"

"Boo, i'm just repeating what you said,"

That evening, the laughter of ghosts rang throughout the hospital floor, as they watch two living human arguing endlessly, both unknowingly bearing identical smiles and taking comfort in each other's presence.

*Casually inserting foreshadowing of future mystery plot*

Or as my friend called it after i told him the entire plot, "Bruh, what is this Phoenix Wright bullshit,"