(coming back to this post rn because I wrote it like minutes before falling asleep and I wanted to briefly check that it made sense but I just realized for some reason that it’s extremely long, sorry!!)
Arquis was still very much out of it when they entered the room, so the first thing he did was stare at the stranger groggily. A moment later, his manners seemed to return to him. He propped himself up on the pillows with shaky hands and made a quiet sound. It was supposed to be a greeting, but his mouth wasn't really working yet. He finally managed to give an actual greeting after a few seconds had passed.
"It is very nice to meet you, Arquis," Doctor Lavin responded pleasantly, as if this was all a very normal interaction. The nobleman blushed. He was already embarrassed, and they hadn't even gotten to the actual medical examination yet.
"Your partner here says you've been having some trouble with your hair. Before I look at that, though, I'd like to ask some questions. It's mostly just medical history, nothing too serious. Do I have your permission for that?" When Arquis nodded, the older man smiled. “Excellent. Let’s get started.”
They went through several facts—full name, date of birth, approximate height, family medical history—while the doctor took notes on a pad he'd pulled from his bag. Then, they reached a bit of a problem spot.
“Do you remember what your weight was at your last exam?"
"Exam?"
"Your last annual medical exam, specifically."
Arquis glanced from the doctor to Rin, then back to the doctor. "Is that something I was supposed to be doing? Getting examinations?" he asked uncertainly.
Doctor Lavin's eyebrows raised, but he tried to smooth his expression into something calm. "Yes, you're supposed to get rather regular checkups.”
"Oh. Ah. My parents used to occasionally call doctors to our estate when I was younger. I had asthma as a child. But I never had an annual exam of any sort, at least none that I can recall. The most recent checkup I had was about two weeks prior for an asthma attack triggered partially by some sort of poison."
"You were poisoned?" the doctor asked, shock bleeding into his tone. When he saw how the change in inflection frightened the nobleman, he took a breath and steadied himself. "Alright. We can discuss that momentarily."
As if to better the man’s opinion of him, Arquis desperately interjected, "Wait! I do know my weight! About a month and a half ago, I weighed myself. I weighed about one hundred," he swallowed, suddenly incredibly embarrassed, "and fifty."
Doctor Lavin did not state the obvious: Arquis did not weigh one hundred and fifty pounds. If he had at some point, he did not anymore. Instead, the doctor set the notepad aside and began to rummage through his bag.
"Okay. I'm going to check some vitals while we're here. Current weight, pulse, blood pressure. That sort of thing. Nothing stressful, just the basics. Feel free to talk while I'm getting my equipment set up."
——
Honey beamed at the kiss. "Yeah. Scones sound pretty good right now, don't they? What kind are you craving?"
He personally could go for any kind, as long as they got to them soon. He began to walk towards the door and exited out into the hall. As per usual, it was quiet except for the very sensual noises coming from somewhere to the left. The blond held back a laugh. They'd have to cross right by that area to get to the front desk. That was just their luck.
