Page 9 of Siren in Love
~Mike
The drive to New Elvenswood General Hospital was maybe fifteen minutes, and neither of them spoke.Mike hummed calming notes to Corvin—he couldn’t really stop himself, not when the other man was finally sagging against Mike’s chest.He can stay there.I like the feeling of holding him in my arms.I don’t think I want to stop holding him, ever.
The second set of paper towels felt like they had absorbed a good amount of Corvin’s blood too, and Mike kept pressure on the wound, worried that it might hurt, but more worried about Corvin bleeding so much.It wasn’t until they finally reached the hospital and got out of the car right at the front entrance that Mike allowed himself to relax.
The hospital was a blocky stone building that reminded Mike of the kind of rocky shores often favored by sirens in the stories.It had bramble bushes on either side of the entrance—not exactly inviting.
“This really isn’t necessary.I think I just need to lie down for a bit, and then I’ll be fine.”Corvin’s voice could have easily gotten lost in the noise of visitors coming and going, of cars leaving and entering the lot behind them, but Mike had no trouble picking it up, already tuned in.
“Keep telling yourself that.Besides, we’re already here.Why waste the opportunity?”
“Opportunity.Pah.Tell them I’m up to date on all my shots.”
Mike hesitated as the automatic doors slid apart for them.“Have you had all your shots?”he asked, even though he hadn’t heard a lie in Corvin’s voice.
“Yes, I have.And you should too.It’s the responsible thing to do.It’s adult shit, making sure you go to checkups and all of that.Have you had all your shots, Pineapple Mike?Maybe I should ask them to check.”
Mike hesitated.“I’ll tell the doctor you’re very adult.”
“Yes, please.And don’t think all these black spots I’m seeing are enough to make me not notice you’re evading the question.I know your secret.”
Mike tightened his hold on Corvin, worried all over again that he might faint.Best to keep talking to him to distract him.“And what secret is that?”
“Pants.You’re scared to let down your pants like Rapunzel’s shiny hair.”
Mike huffed.“Like Rapunzel’s shiny hair?”
“Yeah.I mean, what were you expecting?I got hit in the head, and Rapunzel was the best I could do.Mike, oh Mike, let down your shiny pants.”
“Uh-huh.Well I’ll tell the doctor you’re an adult, but if you want to make it believable, you probably shouldn’t talk.”
Mike caught a grin on Corvin’s face.
“Pineapple Mike, are you making fun of me?”
“Never.”
“Telling me to shut up then?”
Mike rubbed Corvin’s back.“I could listen to you for hours and hours.Keep talking.”
“Tempting, but you never did let down your pants.It seems wasteful.”
If we were alone, and you weren’t hurt…
They’d made their way to the intake desk, and Mike caught the eye of the nurse there, probably in his midthirties but looking like he needed a week of sleep.“My client needs to be seen immediately,” Mike told the man in his do-not-fuck-with-me-because-I-will-sue-you voice.
“Head injury?”the nurse asked, reaching for what Mike assumed was an intake form.
“Yes.”
“And you’re his lawyer?”
“Yes.Michael Cantus, with Collins & Partners.”Mike knew perfectly well that a lawyer without his suit was like a leopard without his spots, so he rolled out all his attitude without resorting to his siren song, all so Corvin wouldn’t have to wait.
The nurse grabbed a form and walked around the counter.“Follow me.”
He deposited them both in an exam room and handed Mike the form, telling him to fill it out and that a doctor would see them soon.
