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Chapter 122: Bored

Roger had felt better after having a visit from his favorite wolf, but now that he was gone, he had begun to get lonely. The television's sound only gave him the longing for company. He shut it off and listened the soft hum of the air conditioning unit.

He pressed the button on his bed. He knew if he did so, he would summon the nurse, and maybe they could talk, if he was not busy.

He heard quick footsteps come toward his room, and then the door opened, and then closed again. "Yes sweetie?" the weasel asked him. "Did you need something?"

Roger looked at him, and then gestured toward the chair. "Just some company."

The nurse paused for a moment, but then took the seat. He smiled softly at the fox, but he could still see the disappointment. It was mixed with other emotions. It was a bit too complex to just discern from a glance.

"Mike, right? Are you alright?" Roger asked him.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, I'm fine, sweetie. You're the patient, though. It's my job to ask you if you're okay." The weasel just gave him a smile, hiding any indication of what had happened with Hunter.

"Hunter told me, you know," Roger said.

The smile faded, and it was replaced with a sad look. And then he saw it. Among the disappointment and sorrow, a bit of shame. The same emotion he had once felt.

"It's okay. He doesn't fault you for it. I don't, either. You can't help how you feel." Roger smiled at him, attempting to ease his worries.

The nurse paused for what seemed like a very long time. When he finally acted, he gave a small, sad smile, but it was genuine. "He's just a teenager. I don't know what I was thinking. I don't think he's... well, you know."

Roger stretch his arm and attempted to prod at the weasel, but could not reach. He waved his paw in futility, and then said, "Put your paw there so I can comfort you."

The weasel slowly brought his arm up, hesitantly, and then put it on the bedside.

The fox put his paw on the weasel's. "There. It's fine. He's a very... attractive wolf, and he's very sweet. I understand how you feel. It's okay."

The weasel responded with a soft smile.

"And, uh," Roger said. "I'm pretty sure he's... well, yeah. You know what I mean."

The weasel's eyes lit up. "Do... do you think I'd have a chance?"

Roger looked off to the side. "Uh, well... I mean, probably. If he were single."

"Oh," the weasel said. "Oh geeze, I didn't even... it never crossed my mind. How could I have been so foolish?"

Roger saw the situation turning south. "No, no, don't think that way. You're a very nice guy. You'll find someone, okay?"

Still, the weasel's gaze turned downcast and it seemed like the joy had been taken from his expression. He retracted his paw and said, "Thanks, hon, but it's nearly impossible to meet anyone with the shift I work, and we're not... well, appreciated. A lot of the patients don't like us very much."

He looked at the fox and smiled. "Not you, though. You've been very sweet, dear. Now, is there anything else you'd like to talk about?"

It seemed like he was trying to change the subject. Roger decided it was probably best. "So," the fox said, "How... many others know?

The weasel looked confused. "About what, sweetie?"

"Uh... how do I say it," Roger said, struggling to find a way to say it without offending the nurse. "Uh, that... you like... what you like."

The nurse understood. He smiled again, saying, "Oh, well, quite a few. I think there are more that know than don't, dear. The way I talk and act, it's pretty obvious, and I don't see any reason to hide who I am."

"Was it... tough? Coming out?" Roger asked, unsure if he really wanted to know the answer.

And then the nurse understood what his intent had been. "It was, yes," the weasel began, giving him a warm smile. "It was such a relief, though."

Roger furrowed his eyebrows. "Did you... well, did they, hm. Did you lose any friends?"

The weasel's smile faded a little, and turned into a sad, reminiscent one. "Ah, yeah. I did, but when I really think back about it, if that was really what bothered them, then they weren't really friends."

The fox thought about it for a moment before agreeing. "I guess that makes sense."

"Why do you ask?" the weasel prompted, knowing exactly why the question had been asked.

"I don't know how... or when, I guess, I can tell anyone. I don't know if I'll be able to do it. I'm already pretty much a nobody at school. I don't need another thing to add to the list, but hiding it is... well, it's tough not being able to talk, I guess." Roger gave a glance at the weasel, who was now the supportive one.

"It doesn't matter what the others think," the weasel told him. "As long as you're okay with yourself, that's all that matters."

"Well," Roger said, "I guess I'm still getting used to not thinking how much of a freak I am. This is all very new for me, but... you're right. Hunter has been helping with that."

The weasel's eyes widened. "Oh, wait, you mean... you two, you're together?"

The fox blushed. "Y-yeah. I don't like telling anyone that, though. Don't want to get him ridiculed for it."

The nurse's tone became apologetic instantly. "I'm so terribly sorry, sweetie. I had no idea, or I wouldn't have tried to ask him...."

"No, no... no. It's fine. Stop that," Roger said. "Look at my face. Is this a mad face? It's not." He put on a sort of indifferent expression.

The weasel paused, looking at him, and then calmed down. "I'm sorry."

The fox still shook his head. "It's fine. Don't even worry about it. If you didn't know, that means what we're doing is working, that's all. If anyone finds out about... well, him and me, I'm sure he'll be made fun of at school. Teenagers these days, not the most understanding or friendly," he said, as if he were not a teenager.

The nurse smiled warmly. "You'll come around to it in time, deary. For now, though, you need to focus on recovering."

"Yeah, I guess so," Roger said. He put his paws on his stomach and stared at the ceiling. "How much longer do I have to stay here?"

The weasel said, "I'm not the doctor, but for an operation like this, about two weeks, and even then so you'll have a wrapping from your jaw over your head to keep your bones in place. It'll be uncomfortable at first, but it's effective. Another month and we'll check on it again to see how the healing is going. If all goes well, you will be fully recovered in a few months. Maybe less since you're so young."

"That sounds like it will suck. Well, I guess I'll get used to it. Thank you for talking with me," Roger said. "I think I'm going to try to sleep, if that's alright."

The weasel nodded and gave him a warm smile. "No problem, sweetie. Thank you for... clearing things up. Just push that button if you need anything, I'll be over as soon as I can."

As the nurse was past the foot of the fox's bed, Roger spoke up, "Oh, one more question: why did you never hit on me?"

The weasel froze "W-w-well, I... I uh...." He was searching for any reason, but none seemed to come.

"Ah I'm just teasing you. It's fine, I'm not your type. I'll talk with you later," Roger said with a smirk.

With a strained smile and awkward chuckle, the weasel was gone.

"Ugh..." Roger said, staring at the ceiling. "So bored."