Okay, for this I HAVE to apologies! It's been far too long but that's because the muse for this is slowly slipping away, but I WILL finish this story! You can count on that!

I don't own the characters obviously, and this chapter contains a bunch of random fluff (if that's what you want to call this)

~~~ Chapter 8 ~~~

It's been a fretfully long time.

Aldrich didn't even know what the date was any more. He didn't know what day of the week it was. He didn't know the time nor did he bother to ask. All he needed to know was when Augustus would be coming for their therapy sessions, when he was given food, and when he was allowed to walk around.

Walking has become one of Aldrich's favorite pass times now. He realized being cooped up in one place for too long was starting to drive him crazy along with the lack of physical fitness. The man didn't work out regularly unlike his doctor (or at least his presumed that his doctor did considering his muscle mass . . . it's not that he was checking out the man! NO! It was nearly impossible to not notice, is all!) but he wasn't out of shape either. Lying in his bed for hours upon hours was becoming maddening.

Even though Elizabeta only allowed Aldrich to walk around the one floor, it was a hell of a lot better than just sitting around in bed all day. And in retrospect, he really could do whatever he wanted because his illness, unlike many of the patients in this hospital – unfortunately – he could walk about with ease. He didn't need help getting out of his bed every day. He didn't need assistance with simple tasks like eating or walking. He felt bad for thinking this way due to all the people here who couldn't, but it was true, and Aldrich learned early on that the truth hurts.

While lapping the same man in the wheelchair for the second time now, he saw his doctor talking to his nurse. They were by a desk of sorts that held far too much paper work and were chatting idly. They both held smiles to their faces and Elizabeta even giggled a bit.

For some reason, Aldrich had always suspected that there was something else between those two; something more than just co-workers. He would be lying to himself if he said that he wasn't the teeny-tiniest, bit jealous. Deciding that glaring at the two was a waste of time the blond spun on his heel and headed back to his room at a more brisk pace.

The sudden movement caught Elizabeta's eye. She turned her head to see the blond walking away from them. She smirked as she said to the doctor, "Roma, I think your man is getting away."

The Roman followed the brunet's gaze to see Aldrich walking his usual route. He smiled as he watched his cute ass walked further and further away. "I-I'll see you later," the curly haired man said distractedly.

"Well, okay then!" Elizabeta smiled, but Augustus was already gone. And what the brunet didn't hear was the woman say under her breath, "Good luck, lover-boy."

It took a bit of effort, but Augustus managed to catch up to Aldrich. The brunet constantly yelled for the other to wait of slow down, but the calls were in vain. However, he managed to catch up with the blond by dodging and waving his way through the crowd clumsily while Aldrich calmly walked past the other occupants.

When the brunet finally caught up he smiled down at the blond. "Hey there beautiful~!" Dr. Vargas teased, or at least Aldrich assumed he was teasing. Lately, his doctor has been giving him complements and praise more and more often. It came off as flirtatious to others, but Aldrich knew better. It was just his way of being friendly, or – again – that's what the blond thought.

"Hallo," the blond responded, his voice just a whisper. The German found that he could speak more clearly, without that infernal rasp, if he whispered and for a longer period of time as well. He wasn't fully recovered, to his distaste, but he was getting there bit by bit. If he had to lower his voice to get there, then he would.

Augustus smiled but didn't say anything more. The Roman was getting use to holding his tongue in the other man's presence for he knew how much he enjoyed his own thoughts without disruption. He didn't realize it at first but he learned (more like Elizabeta told him), but it was getting a bit difficult. Roma hated silence; couldn't stand it! Even if they were in the middle of a shopping mall on Black Friday, he would still have to say something to get rid of the quietness (or was that him loving the sound of his own voice?).

But other than that, Augustus learned to enjoy these walks he would sometimes have with Aldrich. Sure, the blond was terrible conversation but he genuinely enjoyed just walking next to him. Of course the brunet could sneak glances at him, and would constantly check him out, but that was beside the point.

Once the blond reached his room once more he turned the handle to open it and the brunet said, as he continued to walk, "Well, I'll see you later Aldrich~!"

The German nodded in response and reentered his room and closed the door with a soft click. Aldrich didn't understand that man. He would follow him around like a lost puppy then leave him again as if he found something more interesting to chase. It was strange to say the least. It didn't make a bit of sense to the German. However, he decided to not dwell on it for he had better things to occupy his mind.

Usually, when he was alone like this he would practice his speech. Sure, he always had the sessions with Dr. Vargas, but that still wasn't enough sometimes. He would take out one of his many books and recite the text. During these times he utterly refused to be still. He would speak his native tongue and would pace the room back and forth, to and fro. He would experiment with various volumes and tones but they usually ended with Aldrich's throat incredibly parched.

This happened quite often, and it would be those times when he wished there was someone to help him though this; someone to continue to give him encouragement, to tell him to keep trying.

Letting out an irritated sigh, he sat on his bed and ran a hand though his hair. There were quite a few tangles, but that was nothing new ever since he was forced into this hospital. Flopping back onto the mattress, his body bounced from the springs under him. He closed his eyes and tried to calm it, but irritation just kept tapping at his brain.

This monotony just won't end, Aldrich thought. And he also realized that his was his greatest fear; that he would be stuck here for eternity. That he would never fully regain his voice. That he would be stuck in this loop and that he would end up alone. . . Alone?. . . Why would he care if he was alone?

The blond sat up in his bed as confusion washed on his face. Why did that thought come to his mind? Ever since that woman left him he hasn't dated, and he didn't care for dating. He was content on his own. Yet, as he sat on his bed in silence, he was starting to get impatient and bored. He wanted something to happen, someone to interrupt his depressing thoughts. His mind instantly drifted to his doctor for he was great at distracting Aldrich.

Then the thought dawned on him: was this all Augustus' fault? He has gotten quite use to the man's presence. He'd be lying if he said he didn't look forward to the doctor's sessions. They relaxed him and the brunet got him to smile more.

By this time, the door cracked open just a bit, but the blond didn't even notice. His thoughts were raging inside his mind. The door opened a bit more to reveille the man in question. With a smile on his face, he peeked into the room to see to his delight, and slight confusion, that he wasn't noticed. He creped further in and continued to sneak into the room as he was still unnoticed. He took a seat in his usual chair without disturbing the blond.

Wow, he's out of it! the Roman thought with a slight giggle.

Deciding he wanted to be noticed, he blew into the blond's hair causing the locks to flutter in front of his face. Aldrich jumped and his eyes darted to the brunet next to him. Augustus had his knees resting on his lap and head in his palms giving the blond a very amused smile. When the Roman was noticed, he gave a short wave to the German who gave him a pointed look back.

"What were you thinking about Aldrich? You had a very scary expression on your face!" Dr. Vargas asked. He had a grin on his face but he was really concerned. The other seemed really deep in thought; the matter must've been quite serious.

Aldrich felt his cheeks burn at the fact that he was caught staring into space. That happened a lot nowadays too: him blushing, which was something he rarely did in the past if at all. He turned his head away, to hide his reddening face, and whispered, "Nothing."

The doctor chuckled, "Sure." And then from boredom, he continued to blow at the blond locks. It was entertaining and pretty to watch the hair flow up and down again. Augustus could see the irritation on Aldrich's face grow, but he continued his ministrations anyway.

When he got bored of that, the then ran his fingers though the locks which caused the blond to stiffen. The hair was so soft, and slightly tangled, but beautiful nonetheless. He became mesmerized with it that he didn't even notice Aldrich's burning face, which was quite a feat considering how pale the German was.

The strokes then turned to Roma straight up playing with the hair. The Roman split a chunk of hair into thirds and began to braid it. He didn't hear the other complain, so he continued to style the hair. When he finished, he let the braid fall back to join the other locks, but it stood out like a sore thumb. It was a nice touch to the long blond mane, and it seemed that Aldrich agreed. Well, at least he didn't take it apart and Roma saw that as a good thing.

When the strand fell back with the others, Aldrich examined it further and asked, "Why?"

Dr. Vargas shrugged, "I got bored! But it does suit you, so don't take it apart."

To his amazement, the blond didn't.

Reviews will make updates a lot faster... just sayin'...