InsaneJournal

Splint

Roy winced as the doctor prodded his nose gently, causing it to throb even worse that it already was.

“Stop flinching,” she demanded. “Honestly. War hero and he can’t handle a little nasal fracture,” he heard her mutter, but decided to let it go in favor of clamping his teeth shut and trying not to make any noise as she straightened the cartilage. It hurt like hell, and he heard the metal cart beside him groan in objection to his clenched fist.

“Make sure it’s perfectly straight,” he demanded through his gritted teeth when she paused for a moment. She gave a snort.

“Don’t worry, your pretty little nose will be just fine. You’ll be ready to seduce and take advantage of people within a fortnight.” He gave her a chilly glare, which she flatly returned.

“I do not do that,” Roy growled finally.

“Oh, really?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, sterilizing the material that would soon be a splint. “And your nose is broken why, exactly….?”

“I didn’t take advantage of h…them,” he said, feeling a jolt of nervousness at his slip. At that both of her eyebrows lifted, and she considered him for a long, uncomfortable moment. Roy cursed himself for his carelessness and the doctor for her wit.

“Can you please get this finished?” Roy snapped, embarrassed, and she complied, attaching the splint with the smallest of smug smiles on her lips.

It was true that he hadn’t taken advantage of Edward; their relationship was fully consensual, and he had been upfront with the boy when he’d confessed his feelings for him. Though he would sometimes pout a bit when passed up in favor of another lover, mostly Ed simply turned a blind eye to the fact that he was only one number in Roy’s not-so-little black book.

“Ouch!” he hissed reproachfully as she pressed the final piece into place on his aching face.

“What did you do to deserve this, anyway?” she asked, ignoring his grumbling.

“I never said I deserved it,” he pointed out hotly.

“Well, I’ve never seen you be slapped in the face by a woman when you didn’t deserve it,” the doctor returned. “So I’m assuming you deserved Edward’s punch as well.”

Roy groaned and covered his eyes, cursing her a second time.

“Don’t fuss, I’ve known for a long time,” she said, shaking her head. “The thing that amazes me is that he’s put up with it this far….”

“He doesn’t put up with me, I put up with him,” he snarled. “And I don’t put up with much. Now give me the damn papers and let me go.”

“Not until you tell me, so spit it out,” she demanded, holding the paperwork out of reach. He leveled another glare at her, but it was about as effective as the first one, and eventually he heaved a sigh.

“I was…looking forward to my other plans and I got a bit confused,” he muttered. He wasn’t usually so distracted, but Emily only came through Central four times a year, and he’d really been looking forward to seeing her. Of course, thanks to Edward’s present he was here with the doctor rather than putting the moves on a busty brunette. “Had a slip of the tongue.”

“You are unbelievable,” she told him, shaking her head in disgust as she handed over the stack. They briefly discussed the care of his nose, and she sent him on his way. Roy wondered how she had found out, especially when Ed was such a closely guarded secret, but quickly gave up. The woman was ineffable.

Well, since he couldn’t see any women in this state anyway, maybe he’d call Ed and do a little smooth talking. Roy smirked to himself as he climbed into the car waiting for him. With any luck, he’d get Edward to come over and make up for his trip to the doctor….