Chapter Text
Grumpy doctors were nothing new to Wise; he lived at a research academy with a rambunctious younger sister, dealing with angry researchers was practically a daily occurrence. But the doctors at the hospital were on a new level, speaking to him only in brusque tones and clinical terms. They only got grumpier after the injections, comparing screens with giant frowns on their faces, and it was always, always worse if Wise mentioned they hurt.
The sting of the syringe in his arm was a familiar pain, spots dancing across his vision as it felt like fireworks were going off in his chest. He couldn’t help a wince, his hand twisting into the thin fabric of his hospital gown above his heart, as though if he could just reach in and yank it out this would all stop. But that would make Belle sad, and he’d do anything to keep that from happening.
With a deep breath, he forced his hand to relax. The weeks of shots hadn’t decreased the pain any, but he’d grown more accustomed to it, though it was hard to tell if that was good or bad from the researchers’ reactions. He turned to the one gathering the equipment, careful to keep his tone neutral and quiet; they weren’t like Teacher, they didn’t like when he reminded them he was a person.
“When can Belle visit again?” he managed to ask through the dryness in his throat.
There was a beat of silence, as though the researcher was debating just ignoring him. They stood, arms tray of equipment in hand, and glanced back at Wise. “The experiment is reaching a critical juncture. She will no longer be visiting.” Their tone was flat, final, and they swept out of the room before Wise could respond.
No longer visiting? This was for Belle. Everything was for Belle; the researcher who’d come to Teacher had been very clear, focused on the glow of their eyes as they adjusted to their implants, that if the first subject didn’t produce results, they’d be back for the other. There hadn’t been any hesitation when he stepped forward to volunteer, and that resolve only grew firmer with each round of injections. He didn’t care about ‘increasing his aptitude’ or ‘becoming the ultimate hollow researcher’. Nothing mattered compared to keeping his family safe.
He couldn’t let Belle go through this, she was still so little. But would he be able to do it without her? Could he push through the pain without her visits to look forward to? He wasn’t sure.
So maybe it was time to take a page out of her book.
Moving made him feel like he was pouring lava in his veins, but he wouldn’t be swayed. Careful, with fingers as steady as he could get them, he pulled the cords keeping him tied to this hospital room away, unplugging the monitor from the wall before it could alert them that something was wrong. His heart beat a little frantically as he stumbled toward the door, bare feet chilling quickly on the cold tile floor.
It was a little exhilarating.
The nurse’s station was easy; he was still a few inches shorter than the counter, small even for his age. All that he had to do was wait until they were immersed in conversation and hope that no one passed by in the meantime. There were a few close calls where he had to dodge behind a cart or duck into an empty room, but as long as he was quick, quiet and sometimes patient (often where Belle failed in her own escapades), he made good progress.
He made it to a brighter, more bustling part of the hospital before things got more difficult. A loud shout from around the corner he’d just come from made him jump, heart racing: was there nowhere to hide? This hallway was unfortunately empty, the doors closed and curtains drawn. Except one. No time to think, Wise scampered into the room, shutting the door behind him as quietly as he could.
“I think you may have the wrong room,” a light voice came from behind him, a hint of laughter coloring the words.
He jumped, whirling around to come face to face with a young boy probably about his age. Well, not so close as that; the boy was watching him from his hospital bed, chin propped in his hand, elbow propped on his knee, his golden eyes glinting with amusement and curiosity. A grin spread across his face and Wise jerked, realizing he’d be staring. How embarrassing. A tense voice coming from the hallway didn’t give him time to linger on it though. Glancing around, he quickly moved around the other side of the boy’s bed.
“Please, please, don’t let them know I’m here,” he pleaded, dropping to the floor and clutching his knees to his chest to make himself as small as possible.
The boy didn’t get a chance to respond before the door swung open.
“Harumasa?” The voice was gentle, far from the flat, dismissive tones of Wise’s own doctors. He frowned.
“Master!” The boy – Harumasa – exclaimed, wiggling around on the bed as if trying to go say hello.
“Calm, Harumasa, we wouldn’t want to spark a flare up,” the man said, walking towards the side of Harumasa’s bed closer to the door. Wise held his breath, pulling his knees impossibly closer. “It’s not like you to close the door. Did something happen?”
Harumasa hummed. “It was getting a little noisy,” he said, and Wise couldn’t help but admire how it wasn’t technically a lie. “Is something going on?”
“A young patient left his room, everyone is just trying to find him before something happens.”
“Is he sick?”
“In a sense,” the man said with a sigh. A small beep and then a beat of silence before he added, “His condition is unstable, so be sure to let me know if you see him, okay?”
Footsteps and then the door closing; Wise waited until the sound faded away before he allowed himself a deep, shuddering breath.
“What’s your name?” Wise jolted, glancing up to find Harumasa peeking over the edge of the bed. “No need to be so jumpy. I’m Harumasa.”Wise slowly levered himself to his feet, wincing at pain swimming through his veins, no longer dulled by adrenaline. Harumasa’s sharp eyes didn’t miss it. “Are you actually sick? Should I call Master?”
“No, please,” Wise managed to wince out, setting himself gingerly on the mattress. “I’m not sick. The pain will go away.” He tried a smile, no matter how pathetic it felt.
Understanding flashed in Harumasa’s eyes. He studied Wise for a moment before nodding slowly. “So why are you hiding?”
“They said I can’t see my sister anymore,” Wise said, hand clenching to his chest again. Even just saying the words hurt.
Harumasa nodded. “I understand, I’d be upset if I couldn’t see Master anymore either.”
“Isn’t he your doctor?”
“Master is Master,” Harumasa answered with a shrug. “He gives me check ups but also tells great stories and teaches me archery.” He made like he was pulling back a bow string, giving Wise a grin. “One day I’ll be even better than him.”
Wise managed a more genuine smile this time. “I think I’d like to see it.” He blinked, a flood of lethargy rushing through him where the pain had been moments before.
That wasn’t normal. He could feel the color draining out of his face, his vision getting blurry.
“Hey. Hey! Are you okay?!” He could barely hear Harumasa even as he tipped forward into the panicking boy. “Hey, stay with me!”
“Harumasa?” Wise tried to say, but his tongue felt heavy, unresponsive. There was a sudden flurry of activity around him, and he felt himself being picked up off Harumasa. His hand feebly reached for the other No don’t take me back don’t take me away but at that moment everything faded to black.
***
Tears in golden eyes, buried in his master’s shoulder. “He didn’t even get to tell me his name.” He couldn’t see the flash of guilt in the man’s eyes.
***
Wise woke slowly, as though swimming his way through molasses into consciousness. Every fiber of his body felt like it was on fire, and he barely managed to stop himself from screaming.
“Doctor, he’s awake.”
“Good, the experiment can enter its final stage.”
It was still dark, even with his eyes open, and it took him longer than it should have to realize they’d blindfolded him. Panic welled in his chest, and he couldn’t help muttering the first name to come to mind.
“Harumasa…?”
“The boy with Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome? Due to your antics, he had a flare-up which he didn’t survive.” The cold voice felt suitable, dunking Wise into a pool of dread. “Now, will you behave, or will someone else pay the price?”
A small shake of his head. Golden eyes and a playful grin flashed across his dark vision as the researchers grabbed his arm. He hadn’t known the boy for more than a brief moment, but still he wanted to cry. I didn’t even get to tell him thank you .
Another injection, another wave of pain, and Wise could feel his consciousness fading again.
Harumasa, I’m sorry… Belle… Don’t be sad…