Inspired by the randomly generated dialogue opener, "Perhaps you'll take me out one day- or do I have to make an appointment?"
"Perhaps you'll take me out one day- or do I have to make an appointment?"
Whale's head jerked upwards as he stared disbelievingly at Ruby. His fingers fell from the taut skin around her swollen ankle to his trouser leg with a dull thud. "Wait-are you...asking me to ask you out?"
"Out on a proper date," Ruby clarified, rotating her wrist airily as she motioned around the exam room, "I mean, these hospital visits are great, but not very romantic."
"You're counting these as..." Whale trailed off, shaking his head as he recalled all of Ruby's numerous trips to the clinic over the past few weeks. Perhaps after so many fleeting complaints of cramps and twisted ankles, he should have said something. But Whale realised that he enjoyed her little visits; even if he had been under the impression that she didn't warm up properly before running, unaware of her real intentions.
"Look, Ruby, I'd love to take you out somewhere, only I'm quite busy at the moment-"
"Overtime, paperwork, people suddenly taking ill, I know," One of her legs swung out, the tip of her red lace boots landing upon his chest. Ruby straightened up, voice wavering slightly. "Unless, you're trying to avoid me?"
"Don't you think that if I was then I'd have sent you on your way with some Aspirin long ago?"
She gave a slight chuckle at that, and Whale rose from his haunches. Stood before her, her gaze boring into him, he was rendered incapable of processing any proper thoughts.
"So, uh, do you want to go out some time? On a 'proper date'?"
A smile crept across Ruby's lips. "Yes I would-ow!" She had bounded off the bed, suddenly clutching her right leg with a wince of pain.
In an instant, his hand was upon her shoulder, concern instantly washing over his face.
"Forgot I'd actually hurt my ankle this time," Ruby chuckled breathlessly, her breath blowing a stray hair from her face.
Keeping his grasp firm upon her shoulder, Whale led Ruby to the bed and set her down.
"Do you want me to drive you back to Granny's?"
"Oh no, it's alright, Belle brought me here, she was gonna drive me back."
"Alright, well, I recommend taking the day off. You need to rest that ankle," Realising that his hand lingered on her shoulder, he tentatively lifted it away, hurriedly crossing over to the medicine cabinet.
He heard a derisive snort. "Yeah, like Granny's gonna let me have a sick day. She'll tell me to work it off."
"I could write her a note, if you like," Whale called back as he sorted through the mess of pills inside the drawer.
"Could you? That'd be great."
Having taken out a box of mild painkillers, Whale grabbed a scrap of paper from the work top and quickly scrawled a note detailing that Ruby was to rest for the next twenty four hours. He could only hope that Granny would accept it.
"There you go," He went back to Ruby and handed her the note along with the vial.
She reached out, her fingertips brushing against the back of his hand as she took the items from him. Standing upright, Ruby hobbled to the door, weight shifted onto her left side.
Whale got the door for her, Ruby flashing him a gratified smile at the unexpected act. An eyebrow quirked as the corner of her lips curled.
"I'll see you at our next 'appointment'."