Chapter rating: T/M for Lime.
Chapter 11 - Henry's assessment
It was an especially challenging day for Henry. He laid in his bed, coughing, trembling from a cold sweat, his eyes sunken and heavy from the fatigue. Lately, the base was more empty than usual with everyone out, training in their own way to improve their magic as they waited for preparations for training in the Heart kingdom to be completed. For this reason, there was a lack of mana for him to siphon, leaving him weak and susceptible to his own immune system.
'Not this again' He thought, trying to steady his breathing.
"Henry! I brought you some soup!" Asta shouted as he barged through the door, a bright smile on his face despite the dimness of the room.
"Thank ... you…As…ta" Henry said, his voice barely a whisper before another coughing fit shook his frail body.
Asta sat down next to him, worry etched across his usually cheerful face. He watched Henry struggle to lift the spoon to his lips, feeling a pang of helplessness at his friend's condition.
"Hey Henry, have you ever been to a doctor?" Asta asked bluntly.
Henry paused, the spoon hovering just below his mouth, looking at his friend through his messy bangs.
"I…can't…leave…. the…. house, remember?"
"Oh right! Sorry!" Asta scratched the back of his head "But wait, can we have a doctor come to you?"
"But…I'll ... take... their ... mana" Henry said sadly.
Asta balled up his fist, his determination surging as he searched his mind for ways to help his friend. "There has to be something we can do!"
"I might know someone who can help…" A deep voice muttered from the door.
The two turned to see Gordon, who lurked behind the opening of the door, with somewhat of a scary smirk on his face. The poison mage had returned to the base to bid his farewells and gather some of his belongings before going to his parents' house. He found it hard to leave, since he had missed his friends so dearly while in the Forest of Poisonous Beasts, so he took a few weeks to stay.
Asta's eyes lit up, and she let out an excited yell. "Do you really!?" he exclaimed; his voice full of hope.
Henry's heart skipped a beat as he felt a glimmer of hope rise within him. "Who...?" he asked eagerly.
"I'll be back with her…" Gordon said as he turned away, his body language filled with sinister intent, as he walked off muttering creepy giggles to himself.
Asta and Henry exchanged uncertain looks before shrugging it off and moving on with their day.
At the Healing tower, Anastasia finished handing a report over to Dr. Owen.
"Have a great day, doc!" She said "Oh and Sekke Bronzazza is here again with the usual. King Clover might send someone to look for him again."
"Right, Great work as always Anastasia" He said with a smile "A nurse like you is an asset to the healing tower."
Anastasia's smile lit up her face as she gracefully bowed in gratitude. After weeks of tireless work, operations at the Healing Tower were finally running smoothly since her return. The once-diminished health of The Clover Kingdom was now slowly improving, and staff members were able to take much-needed breaks and time off. The bustling energy within the tower was palpable, a reflection of the renewed hope and determination that filled its halls.
As she turned around to take a step, a portal opened in front of her, causing her to bump into someone's chest.
"Oof, goodness I apologize" She said, clearing her vision from the cloud of black "I didn't see you…there?"
"Hi Anase" Gordon said, towering over her with his terrifying smile "It's good to see you again."
"Oh! Gordon, what a surprise!" She beamed.
"Hello, nurse!" Finral said, posing.
"And Finral! What brings you gentlemen to the Healing Tower? Don't tell me you got hurt again…"
"Well, if that means you'll be taking care of me then-" He remembered his promise to Lady Finnes and slapped himself "NO, NO NEVERMIND ITS NOTHING, IM OKAY!"
"Anase, we need your help." Gordon mumbled "My best friend Henry is sick, and he can't leave the base."
"Oh my…that's unfortunate" Anastasia placed a knuckle on her chin.
"Please, are you able to come take a look at him?"
Worry was written all over the poison mage's face. Anastasia met his eyes and felt a pang in her chest. Gordon's devotion to his friends was one of the qualities that made her fall for him. She would do anything for this man. Even if it meant giving up her free time.
"Yes, of course I'll go. I'm happy you asked me" She smiled sincerely up at the man clad in black. "Come with me so that I can get my supplies."
The men followed her down the end of the hall to her office on the left. When they arrived, Gordon's eyes widened as he saw how she displayed the collection of dolls that he had given her. He walked closer to her desk, observing the animated display of the members of the Black Bulls hanging out around her plants and chuckled lightly.
"I really like what you've done with them," He said, looking closely at the doll of his bestest friend, Asta, hanging on the branch of her money tree.
"Adorable, aren't they?" Anastasia happily said.
Finral, on the other hand, found himself unable to resist taking a peek at the cosmos mage as she leaned over her desk to retrieve her supplies, despite his efforts to avert his gaze. She was undeniably alluring, her curves in all the right places. Yet he couldn't help but feel conflicted as his eyes landed on the charm dangling from her hips, next to her Grimoire holder.
"Hey Anastasia," He asked, pointing at it "What's that thing?"
"Oh, this?" She held up the charm, which was another doll, but in the likeness of Gordon "It's my most prized possession!"
"IS THAT GORDON!?" Finral's jaw dropped as his mind started reeling.
'S-she's as weird as he is!' He thought 'A-are they dating? H-how can this be...! They're so different!'
A smirk of pride spread across Gordon's face as he indulged in a moment of greediness. No matter where she went, people would know that her heart belonged to him. He couldn't help but feel proud that she was his girlfriend.
"It sure is!" She giggled "This way I'll always have my boyfriend with me!"
'SHE REALLY IS PSYCHO!' Finral thought.
Anastasia's words made the poison mage blush, a feeling that still felt new to him, despite her constantly making his heart flutter. It had only been a few weeks since they made their relationship official, so hearing her refer to him as her boyfriend to someone else filled him with a sense of pride and joy. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed, but he also savored the thought of being claimed by her. It was a feeling he never expected to enjoy so much.
"Alright, I'm ready." Her words snapped the boys out of their respective trances.
Finral nodded, then opened the portal back to the base and transported them to the living room.
"Finally, you're back with my wheels" Captain Yami said, getting in Gordon's personal space "Who said you could hijack him EH?
"W-well…henryneededhelpsoiwenttogo-"
"Damn, you're creepy…" He interrupted, "Finral, Bathroom!"
Finral sighed and opened a portal to the bathroom for the captain.
"Anastasia~~" Vanessa threw an arm around her "How are you girly? Care for a drink?"
"No, no, she's here to fight me!" Luck said, bolting in front of her.
"Leave her alone you psycho!" Magna said, batting him away "Oh, and hi Anastasia"
"Sh-sh-sh-she's here…l-l-looking at me!" Grey said behind her hands "It's so embarrassing!"
The cosmic mage took a deep breath, listening to Asta counting his pushups with Noelle sitting on his back having tea.
'Aah…the chaos ... how nice' She thought as she waved to everyone 'Gordon's so lucky to live in such a lively environment.'
"Ah! Anase-San! Are you here for Henry!?" Asta shouted "So that's who Gordon was talking about, he's so smart!"
Gordon led her away from the living room, towards Henry's room and Asta ended up following as he was filled with worry. They explained his condition to her on the way and as they got closer, she could feel her mana being steadily drained. She pondered the treatment possibilities for his condition as they arrived at his door. Asta gave a good knock, announced them and came into the room.
"Hey Henry! This is Anase-San. She's a healer!" Asta said proudly "She's going to check you out and make you better!"
Henry slowly sat up in his bed, long hair unruly as always, and looked towards the door.
"Well, I'll certainly do my best!" She smiled and giggled. "My name is Anastasia, but you can call me Anase. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Gordon didn't enter, as he was already feeling the fatigue from getting his mana sapped away and just lurked by the door frame.
"I brought my uhm… dear friend to help you" He mumbled, unsure if he should introduce her as otherwise to his squadmates.
"Thank…. you…" Henry smiled at the thought of his friends going through these lengths to help him.
"You have such wonderful friends that are concerned for your health. Are you okay with me doing a full physical?" She asked.
Henry gave a small nod, his heart racing with nervous anticipation. It had been years since any medical professional had come within arm's reach of him. Ever since he was a child, people had shunned him for his ability to absorb their mana. Even his own parents had given up on trying to help him control it. But now, as Anastasia approached him with cautious steps, Henry couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was someone who could understand and possibly even help him.
"Okay, well I'm going to ask you many personal questions and then we will do a physical examination of your mana and body. It might take over an hour. Are you okay with that?"
"Sure…"
"Usually, these exams are private, and we would have to close the door, so we are not disturbed. You can have someone with you if you'd like but only one person and they will hear all of your personal information. Would you like someone to stay with you?"
Henry's mind raced as he considered sharing his personal information. He was a reserved person, always careful about who he opened up to. But his friendly nature had helped him build strong bonds with his Black Bull family, even if his condition had kept him from spending as much time with them as he wanted. He thought about Finral's charming smile and love of women, Magna's tough exterior and unwavering dedication to justice, and Luck's infectious enthusiasm for battle. They were a lively bunch, and Henry had always felt a sense of belonging when he was around them. But now, with Anastasia's gentle offer, Henry felt a pang of uncertainty. What if he would now be seen as vulnerable or weak? He hadn't wanted to burden them with his problems, which was why he'd kept his distance. But maybe, just maybe, it was time to let someone in.
Henry took a deep breath and looked at Asta, his eyes meeting the concerned gaze of his closest friend. He could trust him, he knew that. And maybe, just maybe, sharing his story would lift a burden from his shoulders."
"Can…Asta…Stay…with…me?" Henry said Slowly.
"A-Are you sure Henry!?" Asta stammered, betraying his shining eyes.
The anti-magic mage was unable to contain his excitement to see things that medical staff do, no matter if the concept went over his head. Henry nodded with a smile. Anastasia nodded in confirmation then walked over to the door to inform Gordon of the decision.
"I'm sorry Gordon, but I have to close the door." She felt bad having to turn him away, knowing how eager he was to help his friend. "Wait for us here, okay?"
"...okay…" He frowned, sadly.
Gordon watched the cosmos mage gently close the door and there he stood, listening to the muffled conversation within. He knew Henry needed help, and she was the best person for the job, but the sense of exclusion gnawed at him. A part of him wished he could be inside, supporting Henry and witnessing Anastasia's work firsthand. He leaned against the wall, trying to quiet his racing thoughts. His logical mind reminded him that she needed privacy to do her work, yet another part of him, a more primal instinct, bristled at being shut out. The thought of her alone in the room with Henry and Asta stirred a strange mix of emotions in him. He couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. Despite his trust in his girlfriend, he couldn't shake the feeling of being sidelined, like a spectator in his own story. He caught himself clenching his fists and took a deep breath, forcing his hands to relax.
"She knows what she's doing," he murmured to himself, trying to quell the unease. "I just need to trust her." But even as he repeated the words, the emotions lingered, swirling inside him like a storm he couldn't quite calm.
The cosmos mage pulled up a chair in front of Henry's bed "Alright, let's get started with discussing your history…"
Anastasia took out her special VSOP and took a sip, in an attempt to replenish the mana that was being sapped away from her in Henry's presence. She began to explain her questions as she retrieved a clipboard from the bag she brought. After each question, she patiently listened to his answers, listening intently for any clues to his condition. She learned about his nobility and family health history, but nothing seemed to stick out to her. This condition caused Henry to lead quite a difficult life as he needed assistance with the majority of his daily tasks before he learned to reinforce his body with the mana he unwillingly absorbed. In regard to his social history, he's led a life of isolation, and this isolation became life threatening the moment his parents decided to leave.
"Okay, I will now ask some questions that can be uncomfortable for some people." Anastasia crossed her legs over the seat she had in front of him. "If there is anything that you are not comfortable answering, please let me know and we can skip them."
Henry nodded in response. He felt a little bit nervous at the warning, but he was grateful that she was always upfront. She asked him a few questions about his mental health, dealing with grief, self-harm tendencies and anxiety. He was able to decline most of them but began to seem troubled with anxiety at times. She then asked the one question that always seemed to be the most difficult for her to ask, and for her patients to answer.
"Have you ever felt down or depressed at any point of your life and for how long?"
The atmosphere fell grim. Even Asta lost the stars in his eyes, remembering that powerless moment against Revchi. He remembered that heavy feeling that almost caused him to give up everything. To give up his rivalry with Yuno, and even his dream of becoming the Wizard King. Henry took a deep, shaky breath and gripped onto his sheets. The cosmos mage could feel the tension yet held strong, determined to complete the full assessment that she was tasked to do.
"Y-yes…my…whole…life…" He answered softly.
"Henry…" Asta said.
His words hung in the air, Anastasia nodding slowly as a pang of guilt crossed her chest, her eyebrows furrowing in concern.
"But…" he continued "not…since ... the Black…Bulls…came."
' That's right' His inner monologue said ' Yami changed my life. You all saved me! If only you knew…. if only you all knew."
A tear escaped one of his eyes and he began to beam again, remembering the amazing times he's had with his companions. Asta and Anastasia smiled, infected by the joy Henry exuded when regarding his friends.
"Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of my questions, Henry. That's usually the part my patients find very difficult, but it's really important for me to have that background in case I can get any clues about your condition."
"You're so thorough Anase-San!" The stars returned to Asta's eyes even though his head was steaming "See, Henry! You're in good hands!"
"Thank…you…for…helping…me."
"We've been here for a long while. May we take a break and then we can move on to your physical examination?" Anastasia could feel the dizziness coming on from the lack of mana.
"Okay…see…you…later."
Henry watched the two leave and saw Gordon trotting after them. It seemed as if he was waiting behind the door this whole time. They left the door open to his request and Henry laid back in bed replaying the verbal exchange in his head. He focused on Anastasia's gentle voice. She was very kind and empathetic in her questioning. Even her magic flowed gently and beautifully, like the gases surrounding stars in a Nebula. Not once did he feel threatened, offended or upset and he felt as if she took all the care in the world to choose her words. He thought that this world was lucky to have a nurse like her. He was suddenly looking forward to the rest of his examination. Was she going to find out what was wrong with him besides his curse? Would she be able to cure him? What was she going to do for the physical examination?
'She's so nice…' He thought, warmth filling his chest.
The three arrived at the living room and Gordon helped Anastasia to the dining table. Asta asked Charmy to make some of her mana-enhancing food for her, and at the snap of a finger, a dish was placed in front of the nurse. The cosmos mage thanked her weakly and picked up her fork to dig into the delicious, nutrient loaded salmon pad-thai.
"Mmm~ your food is so delicious, Charmy" Anastasia said with a full mouth "You're a lifesaver!"
"So, how did it go? I want to know everything about my best friend," Gordon eagerly asked, sitting next to her.
Asta ran off with a plate for his bedridden friend.
"Well, nothing out of the ordinary so far…" She said in contemplation, slurping up a forkful of noodles "We only had a conversation for that portion, so we still have to do a physical exam."
"Ph-physical…?" Gordon muttered, tilting his head, unsure on how to react to that.
"Oooh, are you going to get touchy feely with him?" Vanessa said, sultrily lounging over the couch with a wine bottle in her hand.
'T-Touchy feely!?' Gordon thought. His face was expressionless, but his mind had its jaw dropped.
"I'll kill anyone who gets touchy feely with Marie" Gauche spat.
"Nobody asked you," Noelle said, crossing her arms.
"I mean…yes? Sort of…" The cosmos mage responded to Vanessa.
"WHAT!? I'M SO JEALOUS!" Finral yelled.
"HOW EMBARRASSING!" Squealed Grey from behind her hands.
'YES…SORT OF!?' Gordon's mind began to reel.
The poison mage quickly grasped what was about to unfold but found himself puzzled by the surge of unease bubbling within him. Henry was one of his closest friends, someone he cared deeply about, and there was no doubt that he deserved the best possible care. Anastasia was skilled, compassionate, and incredibly thorough in her work, qualities Gordon had seen firsthand. Yet, despite all this, a nagging thought began to gnaw at him, tugging at the corners of his mind. How good was this care going to be? His thoughts raced as he tried to pinpoint the source of his discomfort, but the answer remained elusive, leaving him with a strange sense of dread and uncertainty that he couldn't shake off.
'W-wait a minute…Asta will be in there with them' He remembered 'It's okay…my bestest friend won't let anything happen between them.'
"Gordon...?" Anastasia called for the second time "Are you alright?"
His expression grew increasingly grim as he bit the nail of his thumb, a habit he rarely indulged in, especially around others. The tension in his shoulders was palpable, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't quite articulate. Suddenly aware of his actions, he pulled his hand away from his face, trying to mask the unease brewing inside him. To everyone else in the room, he appeared as stoic and unreadable as ever, but the cosmos mage saw through the facade. Her eyes softened with concern as she noticed the subtle shifts in his demeanor, the slight furrow in his browbone, and the tension in his jaw. Without a word, she reached out and gently covered the back of his hand with hers. The warmth of her touch was grounding, and in that moment, she understood. Gordon wasn't just uneasy; he was deeply worried for his dear friend. The gesture spoke volumes, an unspoken reassurance that she, too, would do everything in her power to help Henry.
Gordon met Anastasia's sincere eyes, the warmth of her hand seeping into his skin, and felt a flush of embarrassment creep up his neck. His earlier thoughts now seemed irrational, almost childish, under her steady gaze. The way she looked at him with such genuine care made his heart stumble, caught off guard by the tenderness she offered so freely.
"I… guess," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper as he broke eye contact, turning his gaze to the floor.
The usual confidence in his tone was replaced with something softer, almost vulnerable. Her grip on his hand tightened slightly, her thumb brushing against his knuckles in a comforting gesture.
"I promise I'll take good care of him, so you don't have to worry, okay?" she reassured him, her voice gentle yet firm.
The sincerity in her words melted some of the tension in his chest, allowing him to take a breath. He looked at her again and nodded. The cosmic mage smiled and gently took her hand back so that she could finish her meal. A sheep cook put a meal in front of Gordon too who thanked it and slowly began to eat. His spirits lifted as he ate alongside his friends, sensing its effects refilling his mana.
Henry spent the break with Asta, who had finished his meal with gusto and eagerly volunteered to clear their plates. Henry watched him head off to wash the dishes, the clatter of it a comforting background noise. Time seemed to stretch endlessly in the quiet room, and Henry found himself wondering when the break would be over. Each minute felt like an eternity as he sat in solitude, left to his thoughts and the faint echoes of Asta's cheerful humming from the kitchen.
Yet, as the minutes ticked by, Henry noticed a subtle change within himself. The persistent cold sweat that had clung to his skin for so long was beginning to fade, and his coughing spells had mercifully subsided. A faint spark of hope flickered in his chest. Was it because he had absorbed some of the cosmos mage's magic during their interaction? Could her mere presence have a healing effect on his underlying condition? The thought filled him with cautious optimism. He had always been acutely aware of his body's frailty, the curse that demanded he siphon mana to survive. But now, he felt a glimmer of relief that he hadn't experienced in what felt like forever. Could Anastasia's magic truly be so potent, or was it the simple act of her being there that made a difference?
His musings were interrupted by a gentle knock on the door, pulling him back to the present. Henry's heart lifted with a quiet joy as the door swung open to reveal his healer and Asta standing side by side. Asta, with his usual self, gave a wide grin, while Anastasia's serene smile seemed to radiate warmth that filled the room. Henry's delight was palpable, his spirits buoyed by their presence.
"You're…back!" He said happily.
"Well, I'm not done with you yet, my dear patient" She smiled, walking in. "I promised your friends that I would take care of you, and that's what I'm going to do."
"Isn't that great, Henry!?" Asta shouted "I'm happy for you!"
Giddiness welled up in Henry's chest and he could hardly contain his gratitude. Part of him thought that, like the other healers, she would desert him and leave him to figure out his own condition with no real answers. He was pleasantly surprised that she had the determination to continue with him.
"Now, we're going to do the physical exam. There will be lots of contact between you and I and it could be exhausting." Anastasia explained.
'Ex…exhausting…' Henry blushed at thoughts of her touching him and he lowered his head to hide his face with his bangs.
"You'll be doing a few different movements and positions with me, so if it gets to be too much, please let me know. Sounds good?" She continued.
The recombination mage squeezed his eyes shut, pushing away intrusive thoughts since this was supposed to be professional. After all, Asta is watching and that would be awkward…wouldn't it?He took a deep breath, focusing on the rhythmic sound of Asta's breathing beside him, using it as an anchor to steady his nerves. This was for his health, for his future, and he needed to trust Anastasia's expertise. Her presence was a lifeline, a bridge to the hope of better days, and he resolved to face the examination with as much composure as he could muster.
"Okay…" Henry said as he nodded.
Instructed by the healer, He moved to the edge of the bed, flipping the covers to the side. He wore his usual long-sleeved shirt and long pants. His long hair dragged behind him in the bed. Anastasia, in her thinking pose, thought about what to do with his hair, as surely it may get in the way of the exam. She dug around in her bag and found a thick rubber band then offered to tie his hair back. He doubted it would work, but he let her try. She sat next to him on the bed, and he turned away from her. She finger-combed from scalp to ends, untangling the knots with a tenderness that was purely professional, yet it sent shivers down his spine. Henry could feel his carefully constructed composure beginning to crumble almost immediately. Her touch was gentle and methodical as she worked her fingers through his hair, feeling for any abnormalities in the process. The unexpected intimacy of the gesture caught him off guard, and he was suddenly acutely aware of how touch-deprived he had become due to his curse. Goosebumps rose on his arms as her fingers worked through his hair, a testament to how alien and unfamiliar this sensation was to him.
He hadn't realized how starved he was for simple human contact until now, how much he longed for a connection that wasn't overshadowed by the fear of siphoning mana. Despite the embarrassment and the rising heat in his cheeks, he tried to focus on the fact that this was necessary, that Anastasia's gentle touch was part of a healing process he desperately needed. He clung to that thought, determined to endure the examination and grateful for the progress it signified. But as her fingers continued their careful work, he couldn't entirely suppress the mix of emotions swirling within him, a blend of longing and gratitude that he hadn't expected to feel so intensely.
The cosmos mage could feel her mana draining faster when she came in contact with him and knew this would be one of the most difficult exams she would do in her life. She tied his hair up into a messy bun and took a step back, very unsatisfied with her work.
"That looks awful!" Asta laughed.
"Sorry! That's the best I can do!" She responded defensively.
The best she could do didn't last long before the rubber band popped and smacked Asta in the face.
"OW, WHAT THE HECK!"He shouted, rubbing a pink spot on his forehead.
"So…rry…. As..ta" Henry said.
The cosmos mage rubbed the space between her eyebrows and tried to figure out a better way to go about this.
"Alright, we'll work around the hair. As for the mana issue, I'm going to cast a spell that might help us out. It's sort of going to…recycle our mana."
She summoned her white grimoire, the heart constellation gleaming brilliantly as she cast her spell. "Cosmos magic: Microcosm."
The ceiling lit up with stars and nebulae as if they were staring into space itself. The boys looked up in awe and Asta noticed the scrapes he got from training this morning healed up instantly.
"Woah, this is amazing!" His eyes lit up "I didn't even know I had those!"
"Wow…." Henry said with a big smile.
"This should help me draw mana from this region so that when you draw mana from me, it won't affect me so much."
"Oooh! That's smart!" Asta said, his eyes mirroring the stars above.
"It won't last long though, so let's continue, okay?"
Henry nodded. Anastasia continued with his vitals, taking his blood pressure, temperature and pulse manually, in an attempt to save mana. She recorded everything in the clipboard she brought along with her and took mental notes to remember as the exam went on. She instructed him to do various movements to test his physical mobility and strength. He stood up, he sat back down. He shook each leg one at a time. He raised his arms, he put them back down. He held both her hands in his, the warmth of her hands sending a tingle through his body. Henry enjoyed the feeling more than he should have and didn't want to let go.
"Okay, now squeeze my hands," She instructed.
He squeezed gently, trying to control the fluster that threatened to take over his face. It had been so long since he had felt such simple contact, and the sense of such a connection was a stark contrast to his usual isolation.
"Good, now release."
Henry frowned, hesitating to end this rare comfort.
"Come on, now" Anastasia giggled.
This wouldn't be the first time a patient had done this to her, and she'd come to see it as a testament to the comfort she provided. For Henry, whose life was often dictated by the limitations of his curse, such moments were precious.
"What's wrong, Henry?" Asta said.
"This…. feels…nice…" he responded.
'I can't remember the last time someone has held my hand' He thought, looking at their hands together. ' I don't want this to end…'
Anastasia began to feel a little guilty for having to deny him. Based on his history she knew that it would be difficult for anyone to get close to him. However, she knew that she needed to hurry with the exam before her spell wore off.
"Why don't we move on to your head and neck?" She suggested.
Henry perked up and nodded, reluctantly releasing her hands. She explained what she would be doing and recruited Asta to assist in handing her the necessary equipment. Excited to help, she handed him some attachments that she would use to check his different senses. The nurse sat in front of him on the bed and began by gently lifting Henry's overgrown bangs to reveal his bright, golden eyes. Eyes were one of her biggest weaknesses, as she believed they were the window to the soul. She got lost in Gordon's deep red when she first met his eyes, now she felt herself getting lost in his.
"My, what gorgeous eyes you have, Henry" she said softly, raising the light to check them.
'Sh-sh-sh-she's so close...!' He thought while taking a deep gulp of air.
His heart began to race, and he tried to keep his breathing steady, but the embarrassment of his longing made it difficult. He tried to follow the light, but his eyes kept drifting to hers, the compassion and dedication in her gaze was overwhelming.
"Open your mouth, please" She took the depressor that Asta handed her and gently moved her hand from his bangs, down to his chin, grazing his cheek on the way.
He could feel the heat rising to his face again and it took much of his strength to suppress it.
"Let me check your ears now."
She moved her hand from his chin to change her attachment and pulled the top of his ear gently. She gently turned his head the opposite way to check the other, wrote some notes then put her tools away.
"Thank you Asta" She smiled then turned back to Henry "I'll check your thyroid now, then we will move on to chest and back."
Henry nodded, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to steady his racing heart. But the moment Anastasia's soft fingers began to caress his jawline, he felt a rush of warmth that had nothing to do with the room's temperature. Her touch was gentle, deliberate, and it sent a shiver down his spine that he couldn't suppress. As her fingers moved outwards toward his ears, a wave of conflicting emotions surged within him—yearning for the contact yet struggling to maintain his composure.
He wasn't ready for this kind of intimacy, even in its most clinical form. When she moved down to his neck, her fingers grazing the sensitive skin, he felt the vulnerability of the moment acutely. Her touch lingered on the bulge of his throat, feeling the subtle movement as he swallowed nervously. He could feel the heat of her hands seep into his skin, warming him in a way that made his pulse quicken.
When she finally withdrew, the sudden absence of her warmth left him almost cold, the chill of the room air a stark contrast to the lingering sensation of her fingers. He exhaled, not just in response to her examination, but as a release of the tension he hadn't realized he was holding. The conflict within him was palpable—he craved the comfort of her touch but feared the emotions it stirred, emotions that had long been buried under layers of solitude and self-reliance.
Anastasia hoped she wasn't moving too fast for him, but his mana siphon was so powerful that she could feel her spell starting to wane. She needed to move a bit faster, lest she risk passing out and becoming a patient herself.
"Henry, are you okay with removing your shirt?" she asked, her voice calm and professional.
"EEEHHHHH!?" Asta yelled.
"It would help me hear his organs better with my stethoscope" She explained to Asta "but if not-"
"Sure…" He said.
Henry pulled his arms from his sleeves, then pulled his shirt over his head, getting it stuck in his long, unruly hair. Asta rushed to his side to assist him, and Anastasia took note of Henry's slender features. He seemed to have a few small scars, likely signs of abuse due to his family history and although he wasn't at all emaciated, his bone structure was noticeable.
"Henry, you've gained weight! That's great!" Said Asta.
"Oh?" Anastasia tilted her head as she readied her stethoscope "You guys should feed him more!"
"My…. appetite…isn't…great…" Henry said sadly "But…I'll…. try"
"I'm sure Charmy will have no problem feeding-" After saying that a light bulb went off in her head.
Anastasia gasped loudly, scrambled for her clipboard, turned the pages around and scribbled like a madwoman. The boys looked at her in utter confusion. Memories of etiology for the Mana Dependent Myopathy flooded in her mind as she scribbled ideas of a treatment plan. Her determination grew stronger as she jotted down everything she could remember from her studies. Her mind was a whirlwind of ideas, fueled by the urgency of the situation and her desire to help Henry. She had a chance to make a difference, and she wouldn't let it slip away.
"Um…" Asta started "Anase-sa-"
"HOLD ON, I HAVE TO GET THIS DOWN BEFORE I FORGET!"
She held up a finger, smooshing it on Asta's nose to shush him. Her pen flew across the paper with notes in sloppy handwriting that surely only she could understand. Not even Asta's writing was that bad. After a few minutes and two sheets of paper filled, she turned back to her patient and his assistant.
"S-sorry about that" She scratched her cheek "I just had an idea for your treatment, but I have to finish your exam to really see if it will work. Shall we continue?"
The boys looked at each other, wondering what it could be, but shrugged and let her continue. The cosmos mage equipped her tool and sat in front of Henry in the bed. He sat up straight, anticipating her hands all over him. She gently placed a hand on his right shoulder, then began to place the end of the stethoscope on various areas of his chest, closing her eyes to listen. His heartbeat started out steadily, but quickened and grew louder as the exam went on. She took a mental note of his rising pulse, wondering if this was a normal thing for him and expected his blood pressure to rise. Chances are that he was gaining some color. She removed her hand from his shoulder and backed up. Best believe she saw his face rosier than it was before.
"...Henry...?" she said, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm ... okay" He exhaled.
He couldn't help but hold his breath when she touched him, each delicate movement of her fingers sending a shockwave through his body. Embarrassment washed over him as he realized how much he began to crave her touch. The warmth of her hands felt like a lifeline, a connection he desperately yearned for but had long been deprived of. The urge to reach out and grab her wrists, to guide her hands over his skin, was almost overwhelming. He wanted to feel her touch more deeply, more fully, but he knew he had to fight those urges.
Respect for her kept his hands at his sides, fists clenched as he battled the temptation. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind a whirlwind of longing and restraint. He glanced over at Asta, hoping that seeing his friend's familiar face would ground him, but the concern etched into Asta's expression only deepened his turmoil. Asta could sense his unease, could see the struggle in his eyes, and that only added to Henry's growing sense of guilt. He wanted to be strong, to be in control, but her touch was unraveling him in ways he wasn't prepared for.
"I'm sorry" Anastasia apologized. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'll try to move faster-"
"No!" Henry shouted.
Asta and the nurse stared at him. The words escaped from him more forcefully than intended, then immediately softened his tone.
"P-please…. take…. your…time…"
Asta and the cosmos mage exchanged glances, then she moved on to his back.
"Alright well…I'm going to check your lungs and the quality of your breathing now." She said from behind him "This will be…sort of like a hug?"
'A…a hug?' Henry's mind raced. 'Sh-she's going to spoon me!?'
The thought sent a wave of panic and anticipation through him, and he tensed up, unsure of how he was going to handle the overwhelming amount of physical contact. Every instinct told him to brace himself, to prepare for the storm of sensations that was sure to follow.
Anastasia gently moved his hair over his shoulder, the intimate gesture causing his breath to hitch. Then, with a tenderness that made his heart pound, she wrapped an arm around his slim body, resting her hand on his abdomen. Her touch was warm and soothing, yet it set his nerves on edge in the most exhilarating way. When she placed the stethoscope on his back, the cold metal contrasted sharply with the heat of her touch, and he drew in a ragged breath, the intensity of the moment almost too much to bear. As he exhaled, a shiver ran through him, and he couldn't stop the reaction, no matter how hard he tried. Anastasia felt the tremor beneath her fingers, and for a moment, a blush crept into her cheeks. She was ashamed to admit, even to herself, that she enjoyed his reaction. The vulnerability in his response tugged at something deep within her, something she quickly pushed aside as she refocused on her task. She listened intently to his lung sounds, doing her best to keep her thoughts professional, even as her heart told her that this examination was affecting both of them more than it should.
"Ah...a hug…that's nice" Asta said, hugging himself "I wish Sister Lily could hug me like that."
"Take another deep breath for me, please" The cosmos mage said to her patient.
'That's going to be difficult with you so close to me!' Henry monologued.
Henry drew in another erratic breath, the sensation of Anastasia's touch growing more intense with each inhale. He realized, to his dismay, that the deeper he breathed, the more their contact expanded, heightening his sensitivity to every point of connection. As he exhaled, a faint, involuntary moan slipped from his lips, and his eyes widened in horror. He bit down on his lip, praying that no one had noticed.
A quick glance at Asta revealed that his friend was lost in his own thoughts, likely fantasizing about the woman he loved. Meanwhile, Anastasia was diligently trying to maintain her composure, though Henry could sense the subtle tension in her movements. She asked him to repeat the breath again, her voice steady but with an underlying strain. He complied, though each repetition became increasingly difficult for them both.
As the examination continued, Henry could feel the heat building in his body, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his skin. The physical and emotional strain was almost unbearable, and before he could fully process what was happening, he felt the absence of her warmth behind him. Panic gripped him, and he found himself clutching his chest, trying to steady his breathing. His heart pounded furiously, and he was left struggling to catch his breath, the overwhelming intensity of the moment leaving him disoriented and yearning for more of her touch.
"Henry! What's going on!?" Asta exclaimed, rushing to his side.
"Chest ... on…. fire" He panted, struggling to catch his breath.
"WHAT, ANASE-SAN WHAT HAPPENED!?"
Anastasia cleared her throat, trying to compose herself despite the lingering tension in the room. She looked away, fanning herself with a hand in a futile attempt to hide the blush that painted her cheeks.
"Well, if he's not used to breathing like that, this can happen," she explained, her voice steadying as she opened her grimoire. "Cosmos Magic: The Lantern's Embrace."
Stars began to shimmer around Henry, their light gathering most intensely on his back. The gentle, flickering illumination radiated warmth, comforting him. A constellation in the shape of a lantern glowed softly on his chest, soothing the burning sensation.
'It's warm...' Henry thought as his panic subsided. 'I feel so… safe.'
The exhaustion from the examination overtook him, and he collapsed back into bed. Asta shouted his name in alarm, but Anastasia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, stopping him from advancing.
"Don't worry. He's just sleeping" she reassured him. "We did a lot today. Let's just let him sleep."
She started to feel her own exhaustion catching up to her. Maintaining the Microcosm as Henry siphoned its mana at an astounding rate winded her. Asta tucked in his friend, and they took their leave of the room. Gordon and Noelle were lurking at the entrance and Noelle crossed her arms as soon as she saw them.
"What took you so long, Bakasta!? Not that I was worried about you!" She scoffed, punching him in the face.
"OWW WHAT DID I DO!?"
"You look exhausted Anase-San" Gordon mumbled to her, noticing the fatigue etched in her features. "Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, yes that would be love-" Anastasia couldn't finish her sentence before she collapsed into Gordon's arms.
Noelle and Gordon's eyes widened with concern as he gently held her close, his heart aching at the sight of her in such a state.
"She worked very hard in there" Asta said fondly "She said she might have a treatment for Henry!"
Their spirits brightened along with their faces.
'As expected of Anase-San' Gordon thought, looking at the mage in his arms and smiling proudly 'Thank you for working so hard for my best friend.'
He picked her up, his smile mistakenly looking devilish to others and made his way towards his room. The weight of her trust and the exhaustion she had endured pressed heavily on him, but he was determined to make sure she had a place to rest.
"I'll let her get some rest in my room" He muttered.
Noelle watched Gordon carrying Anastasia away, noticing the tender way he looked at her and how carefully he cradled her in his arms. She found herself blushing from intrusive thoughts, wondering how she would look if she were to be carried by Asta in the same way.
"Wh-wh-what do you think he's going to do to her?"
"...Let her sleep...?" Asta said "Come on, he wouldn't do anything weird. Gordon's not like that."
"WH-WHAT DO YOU MEAN WEIRD" She shouted" I WASN'T THINKING-"
"WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME!?"
Henry's assessment- End