Chapter Text
It was a cold and rainy afternoon and you sat alone in your small room, drying your rain-soaked hair. “Ugh…” You groaned “ Why can’t Soldier take it easy.” You had just gotten done training with the stern, commander-like man. You winced and pulled off your shirt, a large bruise began to cover your ribs. “Shit…” You winced and ran your hand over it, maybe sparring with him wasn't the best idea. You stood up, trying to ignore the sharp pain that stabbed through you in every movement. After digging through your drawers and cabinets the desperation set in as you realized they weren’t there, “No, no, no, please.” The search would have become more frantic if it wasn't for the stabbing pain that was slowly spreading through your ribs. You sighed and rubbed your eyes. “Alright… No big deal, I'll just have to go see him.” The thought of having to walk into his office and pretend you weren't terrified seemed to almost make the pain bearable. You had been a mercenary at Mann Co. for almost 6 months and yet you had been terrified of the Medic. You had heard plenty of stories from Scout about experiments he had done. Human pumpkins, baboon uteruses, and hearts… You never believed the stories until one day in a regular after-match checkup he told you you'd be needing your heart surgery soon. After some back and forth about why the surgery was needed you realized that Scout must have been telling the truth, you'd been avoiding him ever since.
You pulled your shirt back on, feeling the soft fabric cover you as you walked out of your room. You slowly walked the quiet hallways of the base, the rooms weren't far from his office. Anxiety started to spread through your body, and you tried to convince yourself that your fears were irrational, that you were teammates and he was your medic, that he would never hurt you. Your calming words did not quell the fear that was slowly rising inside of you. As you were lost in your thoughts you hadn't realized you had already reached his office, your heart racing as you stood outside of the wooden door. Your thoughts raced, if it wasn't for the pain, that only seemed to increase, you would have turned back right then. Your knuckles gently knocked against his office door.
“Uhm… Medic?”
“Ja, ja, come in.” He called back through the door.
His voice was warm and inviting, you took a deep breath and turned the knob. The office was brightly lit and clean; it smelled almost like a hotel room, drawing you in. You stepped into his office as he looked up from his desk. “Ah, guten abend, Schatz” He smiled softly “I haven't seen you in a moment, what seems to be the matter?" He stood up and walked over to you, as he towered over you, you couldn't meet his gaze.
“I just need some painkillers.” You hoped the interaction would be over soon.
“Why, Liebling? Are you injured?” His eyes seemed to be inspecting you and he reached over to you. “Let me take a look.” You pulled away. “N-No… it's nothing that needs inspection.” He pulled his hands away, sensing your discomfort.
“Please Liebling, at least let me take a small look. I am in charge of your health after all.”
You sighed and looked up at him. “Fine…” you didn't want to make him concerned and thought it would be quick. He smiled and walked over to his examination table, waiting for you to sit on it. You anxiously sat on the cold metal operating table.
“Alright, what seems to be the matter?” He looked down at your hands as you anxiously played with the hem of your shirt. His eyes flickered back to your face as he tried to ignore your nervous fidgeting.
“I was just training with Soldier and it got a little rough… that's all.” You continued to avoid his gaze hoping he would take your vague answer. His brow furrowed “Let me see what he did.” You anxiously pulled up your shirt just enough so he could see the bruise that had sprawled across your ribs. To your surprise, he was more concerned than you thought he would be. He sighed and ran his hand gently over it. “Oh, süße…” He pressed the bruise gently testing your reaction. He watched you wince and pulled his hands away.
“Apologies, Liebling.”
“I-It’s alright.” You tried to ignore the stabbing pain that shot through you
“I need to talk to Soldier… This is far too rough.”
“It was my fault.” You recalled your match with Soldier, a fatal slip caused him to get a direct hit to your ribs with his shovel. After trying to stand and clutching your side, Soldier had finally decided you needed a break
“Nein, Liebling. This is not your fault, soldier has no restraint.” He continued to press on certain spots on your ribs, being careful not to cause you any more pain. He stood up and retrieved what you could only hope was painkillers.
“That's not it.” A sigh escaped your lips “If I was better I could have dodged. I needed this.” You gestured towards the bruise.
Medic handed you a glass of water and the small red pills then looked at you intensely, his brow furrowing. “You won't improve if you're this hard on yourself, Liebing. Training should be the place for mistakes, nein?” He gave you a gentle smile as he moved to a medical cabinet. You watched him as you took the pills, your anxiety returning. You wondered just what kind of crazy contraption he would pull out of there.
“Ah, Here it is.” You watched him pull out a simple ice pack.
“That’s what you were looking for?” A hint of disbelief traced your voice. He chuckled warmly
“Ja, what did you think it would be?” He walked back over to you, wrapping the ice pack. You blushed and looked away, maybe the things you heard from Scout weren’t true.
“I don't know… some kind of scary device?” You chuckled nervously, realizing you sounded crazy right now.
“Not for a simple bruise, Liebling.” he smiled and watched as you looked back up at him with wide eyes. “Ah, I see… That’s why you've been avoiding me?” Your heart started to race.
“I-I wasn’t-” You stammered and looked away, realizing he had been aware of your fear towards him.
“Its alright, Liebling. I only wish for the teams' health. Whatever Scout has told you, I have only done for the greater good.”
“So… the Baboon Hearts?” You nervously looked up at him. He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ja… that’s true, but they're much more suitable for humans really.” He looked down at you, wide-eyed and trembling. You were clearly afraid. “Ah, tolle arbeit, Ludwig.” he scolded himself, rubbed his eyes, and looked back at you. “Liebling, I promise I mean no harm to you.” He placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. “I truly wish the best for you.” You took a deep breath. A man who said such comforting words couldn't possibly be the cruel monster you thought he was.
“I-I'm sorry, Medic. I let my imagination get the better of me.” You gave him a weak smile, trying to push down your fears. He returned the smile.
“Let me prove it to you, Liebling. Are you busy tomorrow?”
“No, except for more training with Soldier.”
“Well, you can't train in this condition, so I'm requesting your help tomorrow.”
“Alright, Medic.” You were a little nervous but decided to agree, who knew where this would lead you?
“Please, call me Ludwig.” He happily handed you the ice pack. You stood up and winced, holding onto his arm for support
“Alright, Ludwig.” You smiled and felt his soft lab coat beneath your hands. “What time do you want me to be at your office?”
“Hm, around six.” He seemed to tense under your touch. “Would you like me to walk you back to your quarters, Liebling?” you looked up at him, who knew he could be such a gentleman?
“I think I’ll be okay.” You secretly didn't want any of the other mercs to see you and him like this, Scout would never let you hear the end of it. You let go of his arm and stumbled a bit, the pain not letting up. He caught you by your waist and gave a sly smile.
“I insist, mein Liebling.” You blushed gently and took his arm again.
“Fine…” You walked the quiet halls of the base once more, holding onto his arm. You hoped no one would see this, it was quite embarrassing. Once you reached your room you let go of his arm and looked up at him. “Thank you, Ludwig.” He smiled warmly.
“Gern geschehen, liebling. Ice your bruise and rest, I'll see you at six, ja?” He walked away back to his office. You sighed and locked your door, flopping down in your bed.
Did you really have to spend a whole day with him tomorrow?