pricelesstears | @the

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@the_plague.

[ It felt like much of the Hunting Dogs lives revolved around doctors, and so Jouno preferred to avoid visiting them unless it was for his required surgery. Having to go to an impromptu appointment because something was wrong had left him in a sour mood for most of the day. Tetcho overreacting to the news hadn't helped either, but in hindsight, Jouno knows he should have kept it to himself until he knew more.

It's no wonder his blood pressure is up, really.

He knocks on the door to Takemi's office before opening it and taking a careful step inside. ]

Doctor, I'm here.

[ His nose is wrinkled slightly. He hates the hospital wing. The smells of anti-septic are always overwhelming. ]

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[If Jouno thinks he’s spending too much time with the doctors he definitely should try to switch roles. Ever since her enlistment to military Takemi’s life has literally been nothing but the Hunting Dogs Unit. Constantly monitoring their health, figuring ways to improve their abilities and what not. And then there are surgeries, which take their own time considering that there are four patients rather than just one.

So, yes. Rip her freetime.

A nurse hurries to open the door and let him in. Takemi herself is sitting in front of her desk, going through documents on her screen with a newly brewed coffee next to her.]

Ah, Jouno-san. Please take a seat. [She addresses him without taking her eyes off the screen (it’s not like Jouno can see that!). She starts quickly typing a report and it takes about a minute or two before she turns her attention back to her patient.]

So, how have you been feeling lately?

[ To the nurse, Jouno offers a quick: ] Thank you.

[ Then he does as instructed and finds his way to a seat, sitting down and crossing his legs. When Takemi doesn't speak right away, he focuses on the rhythmic clicking of the keyboard. His impatience gets the best of him, and he taps his foot, annoyed, as he waits.

He would have offered a snide comment to her question when she finally spoke had he not promised Tetcho that he wouldn't give her a hard time. He grits his teeth for a moment and then answers honestly for once: ]

Stressed, I suppose.

[Oh? What is this? Sudden improvement in his attitude towards her? Well, whatever it is she responds in kind, keeping her voice more pleasant instead of the usual sarcasm.]

Really? Do you have any idea what might be stressing you out? Change in sleeping habits, diet or with work for an example?

[The nurse returns with a syringe and other equipment needed for the blood tests.] Like I informed you earlier, we will be taking your blood for further testing. Once the lab results are done we can tell better what’s bothering you and if it’s treatable by medicine.

[ It's a miracle only Suehiro Tetcho could have pulled off -- getting Jouno to be (somewhat) nice. It's also killing Jouno.

Her questions are routine, and yet, Jouno doesn't want to answer. He could list a number of things, but actually admitting them out loud? Tch. ]

Just take my blood and be done with it.

[Well, even the miracles have their limits. Seeing that Jouno isn’t being the most cooperative here.]

Remove your coat and roll up the sleeve, then. [And once he’s done with that the nurse proceeds to withdraw the blood from him. She takes enough to fill several vials. It’s an amount that would definitely cause a normal person be lightheaded but a Hunting Dog should be fine with some blood loss, right?]

Have you noticed any changes in your physical condition? I know this must seem like waste of time for you, Jouno-san, but it is important that we get to the bottom of this.

[ He can only do so much. He does at least listen to her though, taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeve. There's a wince at the pinch of the needle, and the process feels like it takes forever, but Jouno (somehow) keeps from complaining. When the nurse is finished, he rolls his sleeve back down, but leaves his coat off. ]

No.

[ Takemi is right. It feels like a waste of time. He's a Hunting Dog. Something like high blood pressure can't be a real problem for him, can it? They're supposed to be stronger than that. ]

Well. [ He hesitates, on the cusp of being honest. ] I've been getting headaches, but that's hardly new, and it's not really surprising. I deal with Tetcho-san every day.

Thank you. That is all. [She addresses the nurse when she’s done with the samples. Labels taped on the vials and placed on the proper holder. The nurse bows briefly and exits the room.

Okay, now that they’re alone she feels more comfortable. After the nurse’s gone Takemi stands up and goes to lock the door.]

Do your headaches hinder your daily life?

[ He listens to the lock click on the door. ]

No.

[ Jouno won't let them, or at least, won't admit that they could at times. ]

I'm still capable of doing my job.

[ Which is, he thinks, the only thing the military really cares about. ]

I see. [Well, that’s as much as she expected. She’d like to think that she’d be the first one to be notified if any of the Dogs would be performing badly during their mission.]

The thing is; I’m not entirely sure if this is just normal occurrence or a side-effect from your surgery.

[ Jouno thinks for a moment, putting a hand to his chin. ]

I assume it's just stress, though I suppose it could have something to do with the surgery.

[ Not that it felt like it mattered much. Without the surgery every month, he'd die. If it was a side effect, it was one he'd just have to deal with. ]

Still, with the exception of you testing my senses, I've had the surgery for six years now without a problem.

Let's hope it is just that and nothing else. But we can't rule out the possibility of your body reacting to our new... Methods, let's say.

[well, she's been pretty upfront about bringing changes to their usual surgeries since the day one

You might think your body just as well trained machine but the truth is you're still a human. It could be your brain reacting to a previous trauma.

How annoying.

[ Jouno sighs. Whatever the cause, it's certainly inconvenient. ]

Though I suppose that's the price of letting you all play with my body as you see fit.

[ He'd always known that things could go wrong at some point. ]

The bloodwork will tell you more, won't it?

[It is inconvenient. If it turns out to be her fault it doesn't just mean bad news for her but also new tests and trials for Jouno. So RIP.]

A small price, I'm sure. [because they get along so well right????]

Yes. I do have a medicine that could help you in meanwhile. If you are willing to take it.

The smallest.

[ There's a wry smile on Jouno's face for a moment before it's replaced with his usual fake one. ]

I'll take it.

[ It's rare he's so agreeable, especially with Takemi, but Jouno doesn't want things to get worse. The chance of dying again, no matter how small it might or might not be, doesn't sit well with him -- if something is wrong, he wants it fixed. ]

Good boy.

[The smile on her lips widens from satisfaction. Not only because of Jouno's attitude but the fact that she gets to use her medicine.

Because, yes. it's her homemade drug.

She walks from the door to her medicine cabinet, unlocks it and takes a small bottle full of clear liquid. ]

I'll have to give you another shot. So hand out your arm, please.

Every time you call me that, I want to puke.

[ Nonetheless, he rolls up his sleeve again and holds out his arm. ]

I expected pills. Is this one of your concoctions then?

[ He may not be able to see the smile, but he can hear the satisfaction in her tone. ]

It's no wonder my body is acting strange with all the weird things you do to me.

Then you must know how your men feel. [how does it feel like to be on the other end of the power dynamic,huh?

Takemi measures a proper dose and fills a new syringe with the medicine.]

Maybe your body is telling that you have a crush on me, then? Fast heartbeat, higher blood pressure and low oxygen levels in the brain could all be sign of agitation.

Now this will pinch. [The needle she's using is thicker than the previous one and goes much deeper. She slowly injects him with the drug and once she's done she quickly wipes the spot clean before placing a bandaid on it.]

With a normal person this should cause nausea and strong dizziness. I have a faith in your body but if you happen to feel any of the mentioned side effects please inform me.

You're not my commander.

[ But he does unfortunately have to listen to her. Even as she makes such off-color jokes. Wrinkling his nose in disgust, he forces a smile. ]

Sorry to disappoint, but I'm afraid you're not my type. [ ~~She's too smart, for one.~~ ]

Ow! [ Even with the warning, he whines this time, waiting until she's put a bandaid on the spot before covering it with his hand. ]

You're poisoning me, aren't you?

Edited 2022-10-10 13:06 (UTC)

That so? My poor heart. [She hums, enjoying a little his the reaction. It's not often you get to see a Hunting Dog in such position.]

Ah. You've caught on, I see. A little revenge for rejecting me.

You'll have to try for one of the other soldiers. You might have better luck with one of the one's interested in women.

[ He rolls his sleeve back down once more. ]

When will the bloodwork be back?

So someone like adorable Tachihara? [lol ok, now she's just messing with him but she's also interested in his reaction]

You are our top priority so I'd say the results should be back in two days.

I did tell him women were a perk of the military back when we were recruiting him. Maybe you'll convince him to forget the Port Mafia. [ Even as a joke, it's clear that Tachihara's loyalty to the mafia is still on Jouno's mind. ]

Good. Let me know as soon as they come in. I made the mistake of mentioning this to Tetcho-san.

[ Which means his boyfriend is worrying to an annoying degree. ]

Women do love men in uniform. Who knows, it could be refreshing to have a younger lover. [~~she loves some delinquent youth.~~]

Of course. [For once she wishes he hadn't told Tetcho. She really doesn't want it to spread that one of her patient's health was failing. She discards the syringe and walks back to the door. But before unlocking it she gives him a more serious look.]

You understand to keep all of this between us, correct?

The Hunting Dogs do have superior stamina. [ ~~Stop trying to sell Tachihara, Jouno, pls.~~

He stands up, putting his coat back on and fastening the clasps. ]

It can be our little secret.

[ Well, assuming Tetcho hadn't flipped out and told Tachihara already. Jouno much prefers to keep his private life private, and a health issue could jeopardize far too much for him. ]

Trust me. I know everything about your physical prowess and other qualities. [she sees you guys naked every month after all.]

Excellent. I hope to see you back here next week for the follow up. Do not hesitate call me if you start feeling strange.

How disconcerting. [ He doesn't seem too bothered by it, though. ]

Alright. I'll see you then, Doctor.

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