MERCY ON CALL !

let me take a look…

Baelor hadn't realized it. Even with the broken glass, the wine pooling around his boots, and the sharp sting of glass embedded in his toughened palm — he hadn't realized that, in his shock, he shattered the beautiful cup holding his drink. Blood and alcohol dripped in equal measure from his wound.

One of his guards stepped forward to interrupt the fair woman's advance. That sudden movement broke Baelor out of his trance. Enough, at least, to motion for his men to leave her be with his uninjured hand.

Let me take a look, she said, and Baelor's heart rose up into his throat. He offered his shaking fingers. The brush of her own, gentle on his skin, brought a flood of memories to the forefront that threatened to overwhelm him.

❝Your dress, my lady ... ❞ he said dumbly, distantly, purple and brown eyes flicking down to the red forming a ring about him. Baelor smiled weakly. The color was gone from his handsome face, and he swayed on his feet. His minor wound didn't warrant this kind of reaction.

the last thing angela cared about was the state of her dress : it was not important, not in comparison to this. her attention turned towards the prince’s injured palm. it isn’t anything severe — it just needed a bit of simple aid. the glass needed to be removed and the hand bandaged afterwards, but she knew firsthand that the man before her had dealt with fiercer injuries than that of a broken wine glass.

she remembered him, of course, but she did not know if he remembered her.

after all, when baelor targaryen was last in her care, he was in a far worse state than he is now — and angela had never introduced herself, not as the noblewoman that stands before him. when they last met, she was simply a healer, helping the injured.

“ if you would allow it, ser, i could take care of this for you. it would not be a bit of trouble. ”

crystalline gaze shifted once more, hand still holding baelor’s as angela’s eyes moved to his face. the sight that met her, though, had her frowning : the man looked as if he might topple over with the slight provocation.

@valkguard, prompts.

"Sure," Robert starts, struggling to keep his voice firm instead of mere beats away from laughing, "a little overboard."

The way he's acting, it almost seems like they'd done something normal. But Angela-- no, Mercy-- had been incredible out there. It was almost embarrassing how clever she was, and while Mecha Man had clumsily managed to defeat the big bad, it was Mercy's ability to heal all the civilians in the neighbourhood that made all the difference.

Robert was still new to this, though. In fact, if his father weren't dead, he likely would've said Robert didn't even officially earn the Mecha Man suit yet. Meanwhile, Mercy had been one of those genius interns for the Brave Brigade-- she even came with her own suit and everything. And while overworking herself did a number on her gear, she has a point: she is still alive, and that's all that matters.

Despite the temptation to open his cockpit and speak to Mercy face-to-face, Robert resists. At the very least they had to leave the area first, especially now that the proper authorities were making sure all the injured were taken care of. This is the part where the heroes try to discreetly move away.

"Why don't we go before your shit starts doing more than smoking, huh?"

And just to make sure she doesn't strain her suit's capabilities, Robert holds one of the mech's big palms out for Angela to sit on.

"I'll take you to Dad's lab," he says. "You can make your repairs there."

I know he's gone, but he would've wanted you to keep using it.

after all, they did not sign up for all of this, but she did. the dangers are part of the job description. the whole point of working and training with the brave brigade was so that she could better help people, and that's what she intends to do, no matter the cost. her own parents got caught in the crossfire of big bads just like this — angela will not let that happen to anyone else. not if she can help it.

still, angela won't deny that robert's concern is a bit touching, hence why there's a grin on her pretty face as she replies, “ look at you. you're like my knight in flying armor. ”

moving to take the offered seat, her fingers idly fidget with the switches on her staff as she sits down ( they're starting to stick ; she'll have to work on that ). still, the mention of robert's dad has that girlish grin faltering ever-so-slightly, shifting into something more subdued.

it's hardly the first time she's been in that lab — his father had been the one to help her learn more about working with her suit, helped her refine her valkyrie wings and their design — but robert's invitation to take her there feels weighted somehow. it's far different, coming from him.

to angela, robert inviting her into his father's lab once more is just another reminder of the trust he's placed in her.

“ thank you. i appreciate that. ” her expression is softer now, gentler. “ perhaps you'd like to help me work on it? i promise i'll return the favor. ”

“  do i ask questions or do i just help you clean up all this blood? ”

LADYBUG winced as her fingertips gently touched his cheek, which was sore and split open. The front of his shirt had several significant tears in it. Blood soaked the fabric, making it stick to his cut - up chest. LADYBUG glanced over at the laptop sitting nearby. All of this trouble for that — but the person who contacted the Company and his handler would have probably insisted all of LADYBUG's misfortune was worth it.

❝You don't, uh, have to do either,❞ he finally said. A hand reached up to capture her wrist. ❝I mean, sometimes Maria would help with stitching me up ... but you can send me off to a hospital if you think it's bad enough. You should have a good six false identities and cards for me that she left. Somewhere.❞

LADYBUG sniffed. His calloused fingers released Angela and then scraped back the shaggy hair in his face. Slowly, painfully. LADYBUG cursed whoever invented those thick, fancy glass bottles that artisan water came in — as well as the new cop on the block whose firearm had accidentally discharged, scaring the shit out of LADYBUG, and caused the infamous once - killer to fall into the dumpster he was precariously perched above. He still smelled like garbage.

it might be inappropriate — perhaps this isn't quite what handlers usually do, at least not to angela ziegler's intensity — but she didn't particularly care. still, it had been important to know ladybug's opinion on the matter, and sure enough, he hadn't disappointed.

“ i'll just take care of you myself, then. ” a small smile toyed at the corner of her lips. “ if that's alright, of course. ”

angela didn't wait for an answer before turning on her heel and heading off in search of the first aid kit. sure enough, she found it underneath the cabinet in the hotel room's bathroom ; her victory is signified by a quietly exclaimed “ aha! ” and after gathering a couple of washcloths to accompany her clean-up detail, she wasted no time before returning to her operative's side.

“ you said i'm allowed to ask questions, ” she repeated, placing the opened first aid kit down onto the table for easy access. “ so, tell me : what happened to get you so bloodied up? ” for all intents and purposes, it was supposed to be an easy job — but the state of him makes it seem like it was anything but.

for example? the painful looking cheek alone. after making sure she has everything she needs for a patch-up job, she dampened one of the washcloths with alcohol, the expression on her face one of sympathy as she stepped closer to ladybug. “ this will sting a bit , ” angela murmured. she waited for consent, and once given, she reached out and gently began to clean the gash on his cheek. “ i'm sorry that the job went like this, by the way. ”

THE PHYSICIAN / NURSE

❝ i know this hurts but i need you to breathe, we're almost done. ❞

❝ can you open your eyes for me? ❞

❝ how long have you been experiencing those symptoms? ❞

❝ i can't help you unless you tell me the truth. ❞

❝ i know you wanna get discharged and go home, but we have to keep you for observation just a little longer. ❞

❝ i know you're scared, but you're in the right place. we're gonna do everything we can to make you better. ❞

❝ next time, call your general practioner or come see us sooner. google is not a reliable source. ❞

❝ just a few more stitches and we're done. ❞

❝ does it hurt when i touch here? ❞

❝ we're gonna get you fixed up, i promise. ❞

❝ i'd appreciate it if you could sit still and let me work, please. ❞

❝ sorry, could you repeat that last part for me? ❞

❝ is there anybody we can call for you? ❞

❝ it'll be a long road to recovery, do you have anyone at home to help? ❞

❝ it's a sprain. we'll get you a brace. ❞

❝ it does look like it's fractured, we're gonna get some imaging, okay? ❞

❝ you wanna see your x-rays? ❞

❝ bad news is its broken. good news, it's a clean break. with proper care and some physical therapy to follow up, it should heal well. ❞

❝ so you are going to need surgery. ❞

❝ don't worry, it's noninvasive and outpatient. ❞

❝ it is an invasive surgery, but we have some of the finest surgeons on the case. ❞

❝ we're a teaching hospital, is it okay if i let some student doctors observe? ❞

❝ i'm actually new. this is my first day. ❞

❝ i've never done this procedure before—well, except on cadavers. ❞

❝ that was unprofessional, i apologize. ❞

❝ tell me what's going on today? ❞

❝ you wanna tell me how you managed to get a gunshot wound like this? ❞

❝ that is a nasty laceration, what happened? ❞

❝ you know your blood type? ❞

❝ i know you haven't had the best of luck before, but i'm a new face. fresh ears. i am listening, i promise. ❞

❝ i'm sorry you've had a bad experience. i promise i believe you. ❞

❝ any pre-existing conditions we should know about? ❞

❝ how many fingers am i holding up? ❞

❝ we're gonna need to draw some blood. ❞

❝ you're right. i should've listened. ❞

❝ you need to listen to what i'm saying. ❞

❝ i know it sounds really scary, but we see it all the time. ❞

❝ it's manageable and you'll be able to live with it. but you have to follow the treatment plan. ❞

❝ if you keep moving like that it's gonna hurt more. please sit still. ❞

THE PATIENT

❝ honestly it doesn't hurt that much. ❞

❝ uhhh...that's not? normal, right...? ❞

❝ i'm sorry you said i'm gonna have to do what? ❞

❝ sorry, uh. could you repeat that? i'm nervous i wasn't really listening. ❞

❝ i hope it's not cancer. ❞

❝ well doctors do make the worst patients, what can i say. ❞

❝ could you just hold my hand for a second? ❞

❝ there's no one. it's just me. ❞

❝ shit—yeah, that hurts. that really hurts. ❞

❝ can i get outta here any time soon? ❞

❝ you look kinda young to be a doctor. ❞

❝ i thought i was fine but it just kept getting worse. ❞

❝ could i get something for the pain? ❞

❝ no—no drugs. please. ❞

❝ you're telling me it's 'just stress'? what's that supposed to even mean? ❞

❝ no one ever believes me. they think i'm exaggerating. i'm not making this up! ❞

❝ i just feel like i can't breathe. ❞

❝ that's a lot of blood... ❞

❝ how long is that supposed to take? ❞

❝ i'm scared of needles. ❞

❝ am i gonna be okay? ❞

❝ i-i'm so stupid. i should've been more careful. ❞

❝ do i really have to wear those gowns...? ❞

❝ what? what does that mean? ❞

❝ could you explain that again? ❞

❝ i'm having another episode. ❞

❝ i feel like i might pass out... ❞

❝ kinda wish i didn't have to be discharged. feels safer here than out there. ❞

❝ well aren't you doctor cutie? ❞

❝ have you ever done this before? ❞

❝ my veins are kinda tricky, try my left arm. ❞

❝ thank you. i mean it. ❞

❝ sorry i'm not trying to take it out on you i'm just really stressed. ❞

❝ i kinda hate hospitals. ❞

❝ don't come near me. ❞

❝ don't touch me! ❞

❝ that wasn't so bad. ❞

❝ there's air bubbles in my iv. ❞

❝ i don't mean to be difficult, it's just my condition is kinda particular and only my gp knows the details. i have this folder here that explains everything. ❞

Harmony heard the chime that announced someone was at her office door. It was the best of the options ( an individual recognized by the camera, at least, or with a card ), so she absently pushed the button under her desk that would allow them in. She continued tapping for a moment on the pad in front of her, issuing only a brisk ❝yes ?❞ first as her eyes remained down.

❝I have work that desperately needs finishing, if you would —❞ Harmony's fingers drummed against the screen. She sighed, looked up — and the words left on her tongue died there. The administrative official leaned back in her seat, long hair tossed behind her shoulders.

“ it’s up to you, ” the doctor replied, arms folding across her chest. angela moved further into the room. she took a seat in the chair directly across from harmony’s desk, an expression combining both amusement with slight disapproval crossing her youthful face. “ but you have to start showing up sometime. ”

blue eyes flicker from the woman to the pad that she had previously been busy on. she sighed, shaking her head and saying, “ you work too hard, harmony. take a break. ” perhaps it’s hypocritical, given angela’s own tendency to overwork herself, but in this particular instance, she thinks it’s warranted. after all, she isn’t the one expecting.

we have company.

death is too good for you.

time to die.

it's over. we should move.

no worries, i have you.

that will make a mess.

you never fail to impress me, [name].

whatever it was meant for, it's a pit of misery now.

we made a deal.

i am an assassin. a paid killer.

i noticed you weren't at the supper table last night. are you not feeling well?

i heard we're on a rotation for cooking.

that's exactly what i was wondering. how do you get your jobs?

how do you get paid?

don't apologize. if anyone knows that people die, it's an assassin.

what about your family, [name]?

you left the book you were reading in the kitchen. i found it in a basket of onions.

it was a bit like being stabbed in the gut.

you can hire professionals for anything.

we're seeing how things go. you know. testing the waters.

you should know, all the people who ever tried to kill me are dead.

i'll take my chances.

we're honest about our work.

most of you don't last very long.

it must haunt you.

there was a contract.

it's my job.

you kill for a living, too. how do you sleep at night?

good, bad, everyone dies eventually. we just speed things up.

do you think you'll survive this one?

i wouldn't mind you sticking around.

solve one problem, another takes it place.

i missed my target.

if you're going to kill, do it in style.

that doesn't bother you?

sorry, cannot help you.

you're not very good at subtlety.

do i belong?

have you thought about what i asked yet?

what's the point of bringing back corpses?

there is a difference.

it's a waste of hard work.

i hope i didn't offend you yesterday.

i've never killed an innocent.

death comes to everyone in time. i get paid to deliver it. like a letter not everyone wants to read.

i am so sorry.

i'll make a run to the markets.

how do you feel about cheese?

i mostly just wanted to know how to make churros.

please stop staring.

how did it go?

you're not that different.

you actually like being around each other.

that's why we don't work there anymore.

what's your assessment of the targets?

what's it like when you use your magic?

you cannot help but flinch whenever i use my skills.

what was your dream about?

i'm not dwelling, i'm analyzing.

if you're looking for apples, i put them in the kitchen.

i definitely do not like the sound of that.

looking for a little light reading?

you're keeping an eye on me.

if you do want coffee, let me know.

when we met, you didn't trust me.

i suppose the world hasn't ended yet.

i wouldn't put it past me.

you don't sleep much, do you?

this explains so much about you.

we kill people. you already know how to do that.

that's too casual.