A medical emergency

[fadingworld]

A deep navy cloak hides his features and the more ornate tunic the courtesan usually wears to greet his clients. Mal hunches his shoulders and slides through the crowds hoping to avoid notice. He keeps his head down until he reaches the home of the doctor and wraps smartly on the door. "Open up," he calls in a voice that expects to be listened to.

How much time did he have? He could not have a client bleeding out. Not this one. Not one who had come to him for help, to be treated privately.

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[fadingworld]

Mal puzzles over the change in expression. Had he done something wrong? He settles down quietly. "Get some rest too," he says quietly and settles down to his own thoughts. They don't last for long and he's soon asleep again.

The sleep is more natural and he sleeps deper. When he wakes the next day he cautiously stretches his limbs out. "Good day," he says settling for a neutral time. He feels a little cooler nad thikning it would make Regis more comfortable he asks for a light blanket to throw over himself.

[mandragoraspiritus]

This time there is no immediate answer. A little distance from the bed in a chair by a desk Regis sits dozing. He has his legs stretched out before him, crossed at the ankles, arms crossed over his body and chin resting on his chest. It seems like the seemingly tireless barber-surgeon needs some rest after all.

[fadingworld]

Mal lifts his head, and spots him. It gives him a moment to study the other man. There is a sense of power to him even when he's resting and that interests him. He wasn't like his clients, there was no act that he could see. And he was handsome. Mal could see that, age was no barrier to him.

He takes an interest in the room. When he spots his desired blanket, he risks nemesis by getting out of bed and going to place it on Regis to keep him warm while he rests. It's not the wisest move for his body and it protests as he hopes to creep back to bed undetected.

[mandragoraspiritus]

It doesnt work. As soon as Mal turns to return to the bed Regis rouses. Within seconds he's on his feet, the blanket slung over one arm, steadying hands on Mal's shoulders as he resolutely leads him back to the bed. "A kind gesture, one I do appreciate even if it is a tad misplaced. Back to bed, young man." Once Mal is back to bed, Regis spreads a fresh sheet ovet him and the blanket on top of that.

"I take this to mean thst you are starting to feel better, yes?"

[fadingworld]

"I didn't mean to wake you," Mal says, a warm feeling spreading where the hand touches him. He settles down comfortably. "I feel like my body is no longer rebelling against me. It feels achy and tired but I can live with that."

He smiles up, "How about you? Have you rested enough? I don't want you falling ill from tiredness on my account."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"There is no risk of that," he assures and there really isn't. With Mal tucked back into bed, Regis checks him over as he's done so many times by now and is pleased to see that his patient does seem to be on the mend.

"Do you feel up for trying some food? I have some soup on the stove that I would like to see if you can stomach."

[fadingworld]

"I don't feel hungry but I will try it," Mal says. "If it is something you've made it will be worth trying. If it smells as good as your herb combinations I am sure it will tempt me."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"My medicines are chosen for thier efficiency, not for their taste. Luckily for my patients, a fair few doesn't taste so terrible."

He leaves the bedroom for a moment and returns with two bowls of soup. The smaller he gives to Mal, knowing better than to try to fill his belly too much. After this long asleep its better to start slowky.

It is good soup, the broth rich from the marrow bones that has cooked along with it.

[fadingworld]

It smells good, and after a spoonful Mal is able to compliment Regis on his cooking. After a couple more spoonfuls, he sets the spoon down feeling that he's had enough.


"Would you mind if I saved the rest for later? I honestly am full for the moment."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"That is quite alright. It is good that you dont force yourself." After finishing his own portion he returns the bowls to the kitchen. When he returns he carries with him a towel, wash clother, soap and a bucket of warm water. He even has a straight razor tucked into a pocket.

"If you feel up to it, a proper wash would no doubt do you good," he states. "I can give you some privacy and leave you to it, or lend some help if you wish." Again it feels important that Mal has a choice in the matter.

[fadingworld]

Mal cocks his head on one side trying to decide which option Regis prefers. At this point he is proving hard to read. So it means the decision is his. He would make a mess if he did it himself and he would like to feel truly clean.

"Some assistance would be lovely," he says slowly. "I feel so sticky."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"No small wonder, after two days of sweating the sickness from your body."

After Mal has made his choice, Regis brings the items over. Giving Mal some little time to rethink and protest if he wishes to, he then peels back the covers. Sitting down on the edge of the bed he wets and lathers soap into the cloth and gets to it. His touch is gentle but not lingering as he washes and dries Mal's body part by part. Even when coming to more intimate parts his expression or approach doesn't change. It is just a natural thing to do, each part just a part.

[fadingworld]

He's a washed a client before but never has a client wanted to wash him. So this is a fresh and untarnished experience for Mal. There are soft, natural sounds of contentment during the process and he leans into more than one of the touches.

There are none when it becomes more intimate, Mal watches the movements dispassionately. His next sound is a very natural laugh as Regis hitch a ticklish spot on his thigh.

[mandragoraspiritus]

Somehow Regis isn't as all surprised when Mal almost seems to shut down when the washing goes between his legs. It becomes readily noticable in comparison to how at ease he seems with the rest of his body.

Then the laugh at a ticklish spot and that dispassionate stillness goes away, and Regis' lips quirk in response. "My apologies."

After he's gotten Mal as clean from neck to toes as he's going to get, he takes out the razor. "A shave as well?" He is a barber as well, after all.

[fadingworld]

Cleaned, it brings a little of the sparkle back to Mal's eyes. He feels more himself and he nods readily. "Why not, I need to get back to looking my best. Thank you for this. It's been a treat for me."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis moves upto Mal's head, then, offering a thigh for the man to rest his head on. Seated like that he leans over to lather up Mal's face. His movements are deft and practiced as he shaves the stubble from the other man's face, his expression calm but focused. The result is a close shave without a single nick or cut. As a finishing touch, Regis uses what is left of the warm water to rinse out Mal's hair for him.

[fadingworld]

Mal's expression remains relaxed and unguarded as he lies there, his head comfortably pillowed against the thigh. Keeping his eyes on the calm face above him, Mal finds a sense of peace. For a second he's glad he's bee ill, for this moment. It was intimate without being sexual.

When Regis finishes Mal doesn't raise his head. "I didn't know," he says softly, "It could be this simple and uncomplicated to be around someone."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Afterwards Regis' clothes are more than a little damp. He needs to go change but he gives Mal another moment of simple relaxation. After this moment, which he can tell has indeed been a treat to the young man, he has to move his hands away that he doesnt end up mindlessly combing his fingers through the damp hair.

"It should be," he answers somewhat solemnly.

[fadingworld]

It has given Mal a taste, to want to experience moments like this again. He smiles up, "I won't forget what it's felt like, or that you showed it to me."

He shifts his head away to let Regis move. "I will remember this any time my spirits are low."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"It was my pleasure," Regis says as he stands, finding that yes, it had been a pleasure. The simple pleasure of showing kindness to someone not used to it.

"I shall only be a moment," he promises as he takes out clean and dry clothers from a closet and then goes to another room to change.

[fadingworld]

Mal lies back, feeling drained. All he's done is take a few steps and get washed. It gives him an idea of how ill he's been over the past few days. He had come closest to his fear that he would die a courtesan.

He looks thoughtful when Regis comes back in. The man still gets a welcoming smile. "How long will it take me to recover from here?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"I should say that you need to surrender yourself to a week of mostly bed rest," Regis says as he comes back into the room, still buttoning the last buttons of a clean shirt. "With some few excursions to stretch and test your legs. But this fever has thoroughly drained your body of resources and we shall need to rebuild them slowly. Recovery is not something to rush. Even after that week I would be rather reluctant to send you back to your establishment." Assuming its doors would even be open again at that point...

[fadingworld]

"I will have to go if it is open," Mal says quietly. "They will send someone to check on me when I can." His lips turn down a little but he's got a week. A week to relax and that is luxury in itself.

"If it isn't open..." Mal frowns to himself. Would he be sent elsewhere to work? "Oh well, I'll be told what is to happen when they come for a report on me."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis wanders over to the chair at Mal's bedside, sitting down and leaning forward, elbows on knees, his long fingers lightly interwoven.

"If they come for you sooner than I deem appropriate, I shall inform them that I will be keeping you here under my supervision until you are fit to return. Make no mistake, Mal, you have been very ill and though you are feeling better now you still are. I shall not have you endangering yourself and risking your recovery by exerting yourself too soon, be it that it takes a week or a month."

[fadingworld]

Mal bows his head feeling for a second overwhelmed by the simple kindness. To have his needs put above the House...it is going to take some getting used to.

He puts a hand on Regis arm. "Thank you," he says softly. "I will be a model patient for you."