A Story Of Love And Hope

Spongebob Starters

❖ “Well you know what they say... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” There was a rather smug grin on Romani’s face despite the statement from the Caster.

If there was one thing Cana was good at, it was being obnoxiously determined.

Her grip tightened on the man’s shoulders. “It’s possible that someone merely forgot about it! You and I both know that there are several people here who have forgetful tendencies.” Okay, that was mostly just guessing on her part. But she wanted to be optimistic. She didn’t want to believe that someone was actively trying to harm the doctor.

Well, she could think of several examples…

Nope! She was not going to think any further about it!

“However, regardless of if it were forgotten about, it still wouldn’t make it right to simply take it! What if it were for a younger Servant? They may be Servants, but it’s still an awful experience to see them become upset and cry. So, as tempting as it is, you must-”

She was cut off by Roman suddenly turning around and ordering her to do something about the cake. She worked as quickly as she could, for his sake.

Putting an open slice of cake in the fridge would turn it soggy. Thus, she wisely grabbed a large plastic container, carefully placed the plate in it, and covered it with a sturdy lid. She opened up the fridge and-

It was completely full. 

“…Ah, Doctor Roman? I’m not sure… I don’t think I can really hide this…”

❖ “That doesn’t make much of a difference right now! The cake is still out on a counter alone right now!” Roman didn’t really care too much about the reason, he just needed something to be done about the situation before he caved in.

“I-” The argument of a younger Servant having possibly left it out silenced the doctor almost immediately. That did seem like a believable reason... And he’d hate to be the one responsible for upsetting one of them, let alone making one cry. He wouldn’t forgive himself for a month.

“Ok, then put it away! I don’t wanna make a kid cry!” There were far too many conflicting emotions in him now. Nothing was a good idea about this--It was all a highly dangerous situation for him, no matter how he looked at it. He was relieved when Cana moved to put the cake away, bringing his hands up to his eyes so he wouldn’t be tempted to peek at where she was putting it.

Pour flowers on my muse

❖ "Am I dreaming...?” The doctor seemed to be in disbelief.

After all, this was a strange way to wake up. Head down on a desk, surrounded by paperwork, and petals and flowers all pouring down on him.

It seemed more likely for it to be some sort of dream than to be reality.

Raising a hand almost hesitantly, he moved to reach out and touch one of the flowers. The simple act of feeling the soft petals was more than enough to convince him that he was awake--And make him try and lift his head from the new floral cushion surrounding it to see who was responsible for the act.

“Ruler...?” Yet another surprise. If he hadn’t already checked to make sure he wasn’t still asleep, he would have definitely believed he was dreaming now. He was definitely sure he was awake now, though.

❖ “No no no, don’t you even think about-”

It was too late. Romani should have known his fate was sealed the moment he ever mentioned the Caster’s name–Like some sort of urban legend… Once you say Merlin out loud, he’ll appear to haunt you.

He’d need to be more careful next time.

As the flowers were dumped unceremoniously over him, the doctor was unable to do anything about it. A human was absolutely useless against a Servant, after all. All that he could do was accept his fate and move on with things. He’d just have to get back at the Caster later if he could.

“Screw you, Merlin.” 

       Hands fell away from Romani’s the second his pulled back, worried if he had overstepped any boundaries. It hadn’t been his intention to do more than was asked of him, and whatever reasons the other had for wanting to keep his gloves on was none of his business, but he couldn’t help to feel the slightest tinge of embarrassment and confusion for what he wasn’t sure he understood. “Ah, I’m… um, I’m sorry,” was muttered quietly, tempted to leave right then and there to avoid furthering the conversation. Not that Romani would remember it with how exhausted he was, but El-Melloi II would. 

       Yet before he could take the steps toward the door, jacket was handed to him, the Caster relaxing the slightest bit before reaching to take it. “It’s nothing, really. Consider it as me assisting Chaldea by taking care of its stand-in director and doctor.” Though if Romani hadn’t been, he would have regardless, but he doesn’t add that and only neatly draped the uniform jacket over the back of a chair. “You need to take care of yourself. A great deal of us depend upon you, but more importantly, you ought to do it for your own health. You’re a doctor, you know. Anyone should know how imperative it is for you to get proper rest.” 

        “But now is not the time for me to lecture you…” That could wait when Romani was more awake and would be able to recall everything that was said better. Crossing back to the bed, El-Melloi II settled behind him, tentatively lifting his hand to the band that tied up Romani’s hair. “I do know if you know, but I had an apprentice that would do things like this for me. Not that I see myself in a position similar to hers…” Not necessarily. More so, he was reminded of how much care she put into things, and how highly she must have thought of him. Sighing, he ran his fingers through vibrant strands just once before giving a pat to the bed. “Never mind my sentimentalism. You need to sleep… I’ll keep my promise and stay until you do.”  

❖ “Don’t be...” Roman wasn’t quite sure why he was sorry--It wasn’t like he was offended by anything... He just wanted the gloves to stay, to hide what was kept underneath. As his jacket was taken from his hands, he seemed to take the chance to stretch out for a moment before curling up slightly on his bed.

He hated to admit it, but this was far more comfortable than falling asleep on a couch was. He couldn’t really even remember the last time he had slept in a real bed... That probably wasn’t good at all--Or something he should tell the Caster, if he wanted to keep any lecturing to a minimum.

“I know, I know... Everyone keeps saying that, but I’m still alive. It’s not like I’m gonna let myself die or whatever.” It really was hypocritical for him to be like this, when he was constantly worrying about the health and well-being of the other staff members in the facility... But what could he say? There was always work to be done, and always others who needed more care than him. If he was the only one who could give that care, then he’d gladly sacrifice some of his own time to do it. So long as he made sure to tread the line of maintaining his own health carefully, everything would be fine.

The mention of El-Melloi II’s apprentice doing something similar seemed to get a small chuckle out of the doctor, a smile slowly spreading on his face--Not to mention from the nice feeling of fingers running through his hair. He was practically letting out a content hum from it, closing his eyes and seeming to relax much more now.

Pour flowers on my muse

❖ As soon as Romani caught sight of a few petals falling in front of his face, an expression of fear seemed to take over on his face--After all, this seemed something all too close to something a certain Caster he disliked might try and do to ‘prank’ him...

It only took him a moment to spin around, already shouting in an accusatory tone.

“I swear, if this is-”

Romani froze mid-sentence, completely caught off-guard to see the Master, standing there with a few remaining flowers in hand. So it seemed that Mashiro had been the one behind this little stunt instead...

His little tantrum was immediately replaced with laughter, a smile springing onto the doctor’s face 

“I’m sorry... I could have sworn you were Merlin. You know, flowers and all that?” His voice sounded much more relaxed now, reaching down to grab one of the flowers that had been dumped unceremoniously on him.

     [ As the doctor pleaded with him, there were several questioning running through the Admiral’s head as a low ‘hum’ escaped his lips. While protecting Doctor Romani was of no problem under the permission of his Master, he couldn’t help but wonder just WHY the good doctor would be so willing to do something that was… quite literally hazardous for his own health. There had been many numerous of times with Yi Sun Shin often questioned the doctor Romani’s credibility as a medical professional, though hard-working he may be. ] 

     [ This particular topic was especially puzzling since the Doctor decided to punch a Heroic Spirit for… whatever argument that he was in earlier. As his Master’s Servant, he did have an obligation to protect the Chaldea’s staff as needed as part of his duties, but… for something like this? It almost sounded ridiculous. The request itself was almost child-like, rather unbecoming for the man before him, but Yi Sun Shin was in no place to judge. ] 

     [ He had some right to be afraid, after all - all thing considered. Some of the Heroic Spirits within the walls of Chaldea were known to be rather… volatile, especially some of the unsavory ones. ] 

“ Good doctor, whilst sticking with you for a day or two isn’t a problem…. ” [ Yi Sun Shin tilted his head, ] “ Would it not be best if you tried to apologize to the Assassin first place? Even if they were upset, this man is quite sure that they won’t go as far as killing you, as you are the current head of Chaldea. This man does not mean to belittle you, or question your authority - but this… this request does sound a little ridiculous, no? ”

❖ Romani could practically feel the judgement that came as he talked... But he was in no position to try and argue against it. In all reality, he really did deserve to be judged harshly for that poor decision.

The man was nearly reduced to tears as he heard the Admiral agree, bowing his head and clapping his hands together in thanks immediately.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” His life was likely to stay safe. For now.

The question posed to him next was definitely a fair one--And Roman could only let out a half-hearted laugh before going on to explain.

“…Alright, jackass.”

There you go Roman, you got her to swear. You got her annoyed enough to curse. Are you proud of yourself?

“...”

“…”

“Not having pound cake is a small price to pay if it means you don’t do something really freaking stupid.”

“Then perish.”