Eldritch pan

Years of experience have made Victor a very tough nut to crack when it comes to medical maladies and the way people react when under observation. He has witnessed every stage of grief experienced in every possible order and expressed in every way. He has treated diseases both physical and mental time and time again. Making his way through the halls of the care centre to your room, though, he still feels...anxiety. Some nights he finds you asleep. Other nights he rushes in to the sounds of your screams to find you stark upright and still half asleep. There should be a level of guilt with each horrendous nightmare, as they started mostly when you arrived here. However he knows how special you are and that this is in your, and humanity's, best interest.

Tonight, while you aren't screaming, you were still awake when he entered your room. At first you almost expect to be scolded. To be told to go to sleep regardless of why you were awake. Instead, you are met with a calm, slow voice and Victor's overwhelming presence. He sits next to your bed, gingerly holding your wrist between two fingers as he counts your heart rate against his watch. After a minute, he takes a short note on a pad from his coat before moving on. Victor takes each of your vitals by hand, avoiding annoying beeping electronics that were prone to fault. He trusts his own hands, eyes and brain over any monitor. All the while you lay there, allowing him to softly poke and prod.

Once he is satisfied with the short check, he breathes deeply and his demeanour shifts as he settles back down on the side of your bed. A hand brushes your cheek but pauses as he feels you shudder, pulling away.

"I won't harm you. Tell me, why are you still awake, dear?"

Victor's voice is airy, his brows knit in concern. The visor is gone, leaving you able to see those dark, wet eyes yet unable to look directly in them. It compels you to speak despite the fact you know he is the reason you are here. The reason you're so stressed. The reason you are awake. But that isn't the entire truth. While you were terrified of what was going on, why he sought you out and what was to come, Victor was not necessarily a source of fear. If anything, he was the closest thing to safety you had here. Somehow, you had found a protector in this labyrinth's minotaur.

"N-nightmares. I'm afraid to fall asleep because of my nightmares."

You admit softly. A thumb grazes your cheek and Victor tilts his head just a hint.

"What haunts you?"

"Lots of things..."

Victor swallows, his tongue darting out to wet his perpetually dry lips before he opens them again. They hang open a moment before he finds the words.

"Is it me? Do I...haunt your dreams?"

There is palpable hesitation in his tone as he watches you carefully. While you had been avoiding looking him in the eyes thus far, you finally bring yourself to meet his gaze. You can tell he is trying to remain impartial; collect data and assign treatment accordingly. But he knew what the treatment would be should you admit your fear for him. Other doctor's would take his place at your bedside in his stead and while he would watch over you still, it would have to be from afar. A necessary sacrifice on his part should it allow you to rest easier. There was no need to lie to protect him however as, despite all of the topics of your nightmares, Victor was not one of them.

Bringing your hand up to meet his, you rest it against his fingers really feeling how large it is compared to yours. Pressing your cheek to your palm, you pause only a moment before pushing further into the touch. Despite his reptilian appearance, Victor's hand is warm.

"No. You do not."

Your admission makes Victor visibly relax, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He allows you to nuzzle into his hand feeling your breathing even with each moment. Seeing your eyes flutter shut gave him a sense of relief, hoping you would drift off soon. The moment he pulls away though, your eyes snap open and meet his again. Your hands dart out and follow his, a gasp on your lips.

"Please...don't go. Just for tonight?"

You're not even sure what you're asking him. Even if he does stay in the room there's no guarantee that you won't have a nightmare. Yet the thought he would be there when you awake, screaming or not, gave you some ease where there usually was none. That smile reaches further across his face, his expression softening.

"Of course. Anything for you, dear."

Shifting you over in bed, he lays down slowly causing the bed to creak dangerously. You chuckle as he does, clearly far too large to lay comfortably. Victor does his best still, pulling you in and cradling you against his body. Warm, secure, stable. Victor holds you gently as his hand smoothes over your hair and back. They never drift lower even as he feels your breathing even out and get deeper. The weight of your body fully resting on him lulls him as well; an overwhelming sense of peace and duty taking him. You were not just a patient and not just some key.

Victor was charged with your safety and security, a job he takes very seriously. While he knew he would be able to protect you from anything physical, the mental and emotional threats against you served to be more difficult for him to tackle and understand. The trust you placed in him as you slept in his arms filled him with pride he didn't know he could feel doing something so simple. Knowing that he was doing just the job he set out to do, even if all it took was falling asleep next to you. His own eyes drifted shut as well, the smile only fading as sleep overtook him.