Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.
AN: Thanks for all the sweet reviews! They really brightened up my day and helped convince me to finish this chapter! I'll address individual reviews at the end of this chapter.
What I didn't say last chapter…a few of those things happened to me. I was left to look through powerpoints in a room by myself when the fire alarm went off. And, as Gilbert stated, only half of the building was 'on fire.' For whatever, the fire alarms would go off in the old half of the building, but not the new half. This happened periodically during the summer. And I was also left alone in rooms with flies similar to 'Yao's flies' with the order to flip them.
All right, enjoy the chapter!
The next day dawned bright and early. Kiku walked to work amid beautiful sunshine. He and Gilbert finally had an in-depth discussion about the project that took up most of the morning. Gilbert showed him how to access the database and make edits. The lab used PCs while Kiku was more used to Macs, so Gilbert had to teach him a few other things about the computers.
After that, they went into the large fly room to check on Gilbert's trays of flies that weren't healthy. There either weren't enough of them to flip or there were none at all. Gilbert fondly called them his 'sick trays.' Kiku helped Gilbert take care of them.
After a quiet lunch (only Feliciano and Vash), it was time to make fly food. Gilbert handed Kiku over to Antonio, saying it was Antonio's turn to make fly food. Antonio was very cheerful and energetic. He was practically bouncing around the fly kitchen. It was a small, cramped room, with a big sink, two tables, countless boxes, and what could only be described as huge cauldron. That cauldron was hooked up to a heating apparatus and was where the food would actually be made.
Making food was a time consuming and messy process. Kiku had managed to spill some of the food on his shirt. He was glad he'd taken a leaf out of Arthur's book and worn casual clothes, just a t-shirt and jeans. Most everyone at work dressed that casually and Kiku was beginning to understand why. It wasn't a very neat place.
They filled eighteen trays of vials and ten trays of bottles. Then, Antonio's timer rang, which he kept in his pocket, and he jumped. "Dios mio! My gel is done...I have to go, but I will be back."
"No. If you are busy, I can clean up. That is all that is left, right?"
Antonio nodded gratefully. "Thank you! I really need to check on it."
He dashed out of the room, leaving Kiku alone to clean up. He began working, doing an extremely thorough job. However, he wasn't very skilled with the sink and when he turned it on, the hose like nozzle went off and soaked Kiku. So, today wasn't one of his better days.
Antonio dashed in periodically to help Kiku clean the more difficult pieces of equipment, but he was clearly distracted. Apparently the gel he'd run was giving him very odd results, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. Kiku was just cleaning up the food that had spilled on the floor when Arthur poked his head in. He looked down curiously at Kiku.
"What are you doing?"
"Cleaning. What are you doing?"
"Antonio told me to check on you. You know, I've never seen this room this clean." Arthur surveyed the room, taking in the spotless cauldron and sink, the neatly stacked trays covered in cheesecloth cooling and hardening in the corner, the organized bags of sugar and cornmeal. "I don't think you had to be this in depth."
"It will be easier the next time we make food." Kiku took Arthur's proffered hand and got to his feet. "Thank you."
Arthur seemed then to take in Kiku's appearance. His hair was standing up in odd directions. His black shirt was plastered to his body. The water had at least gotten rid of the agar stains from the food. Kiku had to give Arthur credit. He didn't laugh. "I see you and the sink don't get along."
Kiku cast the sink a disparaging look. "You could say that."
Arthur soberly handed Kiku some paper towels and Kiku began wiping at his shirt, attempting to dry it a little. Kiku asked, "Should you not be working?"
"Well, Vash is on the nice microscope that I like and Feli and Ludwig are in the other microscope room. These are the florescent ones I'm talking about. So, I'm stuck at my desk. Antonio saw me sitting there and told me to make sure you hadn't drowned."
"Well, thank you."
Arthur smiled kindly as Kiku looked up, flattening Kiku's hair with careful fingers. "Anytime."
Kiku decided to ignore how his heart skipped a beat.
The rest of the week passed by in a blur. Kiku had so much to learn about work. He rarely saw Arthur. He hid his disappointment. When he saw Arthur, he could see the shadows under his eyes and the omnipresent cup of coffee.
After another week without Arthur, Gilbert decided that Kiku understood standard lab procedure. After a lengthy meeting with Dr. Roma on Monday, Kiku was cleared to begin working without being constantly watched.
Kiku was starting to get comfortable at the lab. He knew what to expect, what he should do. Work was completely disorganized in the lab and it was driving Kiku a little insane. He made a mental note to organize things soon.
It was a Friday, early afternoon. Kiku was in the autoclave room, pulling on the thick, bright orange protective gloves as the timer rang. Kiku was used to pulling things out of the autoclave machine now. It exposed the objects they put into it to extreme heat to sterilize them. Kiku opened the machine, letting the steam billow out. He pulled the first tray of flasks out and put it on the counter. He reached in for the next tray, which was heavier than he realized. He tried to balance it, but the boxes of pipet tips fell as Kiku burned his arm, hand convulsively releasing the tray.
He didn't scream. He gasped, the pain taking a second to sink in. The tray clattering off the autoclave door and to the ground was louder.
Arthur and Gilbert rushed in. Obviously, they'd been talking while they were walking down the hall and heard the tray falling. Kiku looked up at them, eyes wide.
"Is everything—" Gilbert had begun to ask but then had smelled burnt fabric.
Arthur rushed forward, placing his papers on the counter. "Kiku?"
Kiku blinked then shook his head. "I just…was burned. I am fine."
Arthur ignored him, gently turning Kiku so he could look at his upper arm. Gilbert had closed the autoclave machine and stood over Arthur's shoulder.
"It does not hurt," Kiku lied.
Arthur's eyes flickered up to Kiku's as he gingerly pulled back what was left of his sleeve. "This looks like it's third degree."
"Get out of here," Gilbert said firmly. "Go to the hospital and have them patch you up."
"I am fine—" Kiku began to say, but Arthur cut him off. "I'll take him."
Gilbert nodded in agreement and took the gloves from Kiku. Arthur grabbed a towel off the counter and handed it to Kiku, silently instructing him to wrap it around the burn. Kiku obeyed, following Arthur as he went back to his desk to grab his ID, then Kiku's at his desk. They walked to the elevators and got into one in silence. Luckily, the hospital wasn't too far away.
Once the doors closed, Arthur turned to Kiku. "You look very pale."
"Lighting," Kiku replied automatically.
Arthur gave him a curious look. "Not what I meant. Are you feeling all right?"
Kiku shrugged, adjusting his hold on the towel. To tell the truth, his arm was throbbing slightly, but not precisely hurting.
"I'll take that as a, I'm going to say I'm fine but I'm really not." Arthur flashed Kiku a charming smile.
When they got out of the elevator, Kiku stumbled. Arthur wrapped an arm around his shoulders to steady him. "Easy now."
Kiku lowered his eyes, cheeks flushing a pale pink. Arthur kept his arm there, gently steering him and supporting him.
They went rather casually into the emergency room, had a quick chat with the nurse there. Arthur flashed their badges and they got put into the room. They weren't seen immediately. Kiku was sitting on the examination table, Arthur in one of the chairs looking at the posters on the wall. After a half hour, Kiku found his voice.
"You can go. I know you are working and—"
"I'm not going to leave you." Arthur's eyes immediately went to Kiku's face, full of the same concern from earlier when he and Gilbert walked in.
Kiku bit his lip. "Really, I am fine."
Arthur got to his feet, walking over to Kiku. "Keep saying that, but you don't look fine."
Kiku smiled slightly, but before he could say anything, the door opened. The doctor entered and then there was no more time for the two of them to talk.
Kiku wasn't quite sure had they'd gone from the hospital to Arthur's car. He was wearing Arthur's jacket, sitting in the passenger seat, giving Arthur directions. Arthur frowned slightly at the directions, but didn't say anything. Kiku relaxed, listening to the Beethoven that was playing softly in the background.
"Thank you," Kiku said for about the hundredth time.
"You've said that already, love. It's no trouble," Arthur said. He looked over at Kiku while they waited at a red light. "How are you feeling?"
"You have asked that before," Kiku replied, praying it was dark enough outside that Arthur couldn't see him blushing. Why did that little word bother him so much? "I am feeling fine. This was a big deal over nothing."
"You were burned."
"And I will live." Kiku nervously bit his lip. Why did Arthur sound so angry about that?
Arthur sighed. He reached over to brush Kiku's hair out of his eyes. Their eyes connected for an instant that was broken by the car behind them honking loudly. Arthur cleared his throat while Kiku blushed.
The rest of the drive was in silence. Arthur parked the car and got out, looking at the street critically. Kiku got out a little clumsily, his right arm wrapped up and a little cumbersome. Arthur hurried over to help him, hands lingering very slightly as he made sure Kiku was steady.
He followed Kiku, still silent, but taking in everything. Once the door was closed, Arthur spoke, watching Kiku do up the locks.
"Kiku, this isn't a safe neighborhood."
"It is fine," Kiku said, turning around to face Arthur. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No. You are going to sit down and I'll take care of you. This isn't a good part of town."
Kiku slipped around Arthur, going into the kitchen. "It is perfectly fine. It is like at home."
"This is Tokyo. It's more deceptive than that!" Arthur took the kettle from Kiku. "Sit down please."
Kiku shook his head, taking the kettle back and going to fill it with water, putting it on the stove. "This is just a city. Cities can be unsafe, but if you know what to do and what not to do—"
Arthur firmly grabbed Kiku by the shoulders and steered him into a chair. He knelt down so they were at eye level. "Please, just sit. I can manage."
Out of surprise more than anything else, Kiku nodded.
"Thank you. Now, most cities are unsafe, and many parts of this city are safe, but this is not one of those parts. Kiku, there was a drug deal happening right in front of your building!"
"Well, if I need drugs…"
Arthur stared at Kiku before laughing softly. "You had better be joking."
Kiku shrugged, smiling slightly. "Depends on the flies."
"That dog is rubbing off on you!" Arthur shook his head, laughing. "Look, just call me if you need to get away from the flies. We'll go out for a drink."
Arthur hummed as he got out cups and a teapot, searching for a bit before spotting the tea bags. Kiku watched Arthur, a little hypnotized. It really didn't seem real that Arthur was here, in his kitchen, making tea. He managed to snap himself out of it by the time Arthur started pouring the tea.
Kiku picked up his cup, sipping at the hot liquid. For a British man, Arthur could make very good Asian tea. Arthur pulled out a small pill bottle and put it on the table. Kiku squinted at the label, then shook his head. Arthur gave him a pointed look.
"I do not need—"
"You'll be hurting soon. Please?"
Resignedly, Kiku picked up the bottle. "When did you even get it filled?"
"While you were filling out the paperwork. You take two."
Kiku obediently took the pills, washing them down with tea. He made a face. "I do not like medications."
"But now you won't hurt, which you wouldn't like much," Arthur said cheerfully.
Kiku rolled his eyes. "Now that you have confirmed I have taken the pills, are you going to rush out?"
"No. I'll stay for a little bit longer." Arthur gave him a charming smile.
True to his word, Arthur stayed for another hour, talking with Kiku about the most random assortment of things. When he saw Kiku attempt to hide a yawn, he excused himself and cleaned up before Kiku had said a word.
"Get some rest, all right?"
Kiku walked with Arthur to the door. "Hai."
Arthur smiled again. He ruffled Kiku's hair. "Make sure to lock up, love."
Kiku was left staring at the door, rather dumbfounded. He slowly locked the door again. It was then that he realized he was still wearing Arthur's jacket. He'd forgotten to give it back.
As he walked back to his room, he gathered that it smelled just like Arthur. He shook his head at his foolishness, placing the jacket carefully in his closet. He couldn't resist leaning in to smell it once more.
AN: Okay, events that actually happened: I did have a friend who burned herself on the autoclave machine. Not as badly as Kiku though. And I have had to clean the fly kitchen by myself…and I did get soaked by the sink. That thing is super temperamental!
Shout outs: CloudsofGlory [Thank you so much! I'm glad they seem in character. It's a little hard to keep them semi in character and get the plot development. Arthur is such a snarky gentleman!], MoonlightNinja55 [Thank you! Pacing this thing has been a nightmare -_-'], kaz320 [Thank you so much! You write the sweetest things and the longest! A note about the details: I honestly just have been trying not to give away too many trade secrets! So, I'm glad it works all the same! XD I might now consider writing a chapter or two from Arthur's point of view, because now that you mention it, that would be really interesting. I haven't really thought about what he's thinking the whole time. And, as to Arthur dropping in twice…it wasn't coincidental. PS: your English is excellent. Thanks!], and MangaManiac6 [Thanks! I hope this lived up to your expectations!].
Thank you all so much! I'll hopefully update soon, but no promises. I just started college and I've been wicked busy.