Operation THREE
Entry ONE

Helping Hand

34 Preston Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
February 7th, 2307

There was a sweet aroma in the air that was bothering Graham. He preffered sour foods, and would remind Billy on occasion when his coworker invited him out to eat. Nothing was too spicy or too sour for Graham Aker, but cheesecake? He shuddered at the though.

However, the blond realized dimly where he was; on a couch or a love seat of some sort, he wasn't quite sure which. An itchy blanket was draped over his torso and legs and in his impatience he pushed it down to his waist, slowly beginning to come to his senses. His eyes began to adjust to the bright room he was in, but couldn't help releasing a groan as, upon bringing himself up onto his elbows, a full beam of sunlight shone into his eyes.

To his left, a soft chuckle was heard. "So you finally woke up. I was beginning to ponder if I should pull out my fog horn."

"Ugh… Katagiri?" Another bemused laugh and a click, and Graham cursed at his friend taking pictures on his phone when he was at his worst. "What time is it?"

"10:34 – I didn't expect you to sleep in this late." Billy was already moving across the room to Graham's side, bending down to get a better look at the blond's face. "You don't look like you got hurt too badly," a calloused hand came up to Graham's face, brushing aside blond bangs to examine his forehead carefully. Graham sat in a stupor, slowly taking in the serious look in the brunette's eyes, "It looks like it's healing over. You should be fine to leave in a couple of hours."

"That's what you'd like to think." The Union ace retorted with a snort. Billy sat on his thighs, and gave a long-winded sigh.

"Just take it easy today, alright? You fell pretty hard."

"Good thing you were there to catch me, eh?" Graham answered smoothly, already massaging the goose egg on his forehead and the bandage that covered it. "What did I fall into, anyway?" Worry began to swell inside the blond's chest; his eyes weren't adjusting properly, and Billy's face – so close to his – seemed out of focus.

"The corner of my coffee table… the first time, anyway." The brunette answered with a hint of amusement, but his eyes narrowed in concern oncemore. Billy stood up abruptly, watching Graham's eyes squint and follow slowly, confirming the worst fear he had for his friend.

"Are you having trouble with your sight—"

"No, I'm fine." Graham interjected sharply, although the slight furrow of his brows told otherwise.

"You're squinting."

"No I'm not."

"Should I call up the on-base doctor? I'm sure he could take a—"

"Billy," Graham's voice growled, and his eyes shone dangerously despite being unfocused, "I'm fine. Just give me a few hours, and then we'll call the doctor."

Billy was taken aback by Graham's behaviour, usually used to simply being called by his last name upon the blond finding out it was a sign of respect in Japan. The older of the two took an indifferent approach to it, but it somehow excited him knowing that Graham used his first name – reproachfully or not.

He left the room in order to let Graham cool down. He came back several minutes later, a glass of water and a bottle of painkillers in his hands. As he approached Graham's spot on the sunny couch, he could see the solemn look his friend wore over the top of his glasses.

"No need to look so down, I should have known." Billy piped up, and extended the glass of water and the bottle to Graham. It took a second for the younger man's hands to feel for the cup, but he took two pills and drank the water slowly. As he did so, Billy sat down beside him and pulled the blanket off his lap, folded it neatly and layed it over the arm of the couch.

"Sorry, my words earlier were too harsh." Graham finally spoke, staring at the floor in concentration. Billy sighed, and leaned back.

"No need, I'm used to it by now." He craned his neck to look properly at the blond, whose torso was bowed over his knees with his elbows resting on his thighs. "Do you think your eyesight is getting better?"

"A bit." Graham responded. "I should thank you for taking care of me, but…"

"But?" Billy quirked an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Can you help me get to the washroom?" Graham made a motion to stand, but Billy was already up and slinging his friend's arm around his shoulder.

"Do you need help when you're inside?"

"If I need help, I'll give you a call. What do you say?" Billy noted with a bemused smile that, when being sarcastic, Graham's southern accent became more prominent.

"Sounds good to me."