( semi-open )

[recorden]

Date & Time: June 11th
Location: Initiative Hospital
Characters: Lavi, Hospital roomies (Collette & co) and visitors!
Summary: LAVI'S HARD LIFE as he turns back to his normal size at the worst possible time.
Warnings: naked butts.

[ The sound of something ripping is what pulls Lavi away from sleep, drifting back into the land of feverish semi-consciousness. At first he can't really discern whether the sound was something from his dreams or if it came from the room. It's only when he moves a hand to rub his eye that the realization starts dawning on him because his hand is big. The sound had come from him as his body suddenly got too big for the small child-sized hospital gown he'd been wearing.

There's a moment of dumbfounded staring at his own hand before he suddenly bolts upright, exclaiming with breathless excitement: ]

I'm back to normal!

[ And then it occurs to him . . .

Wait shit, he's back to normal and he's not wearing anything nor has anything to wear.

Kanda had said a week, but considering the circumstances he hadn't really kept an eye on the number of passing days. It was hard to when one was stuck in a hospital bed, not always entirely lucid and often losing track of time so he hadn't even thought of asking someone to bring him some clothes in case the effects of the potion finally wore off. It's too late now, but it's still something that needs to be remedied.

So he can only hope he didn't wake anyone else, however unlikely, as he makes a frantic grab for his tablet— and ends up toppling right out of bed with a loud thud. So much for not waking anyone. ]

Comments

roomies & visitors part I

[recorden]

[ for direct reaction and the visitors who want catch him with his butt naked. ]

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette had been fitfully dozing, coughing intermittenly when a thud snaps her toward awareness, muzzy as her concept of her surroundings might be. She knows on some gut level who's supposed to be there, but the jolt of adenaline through her system caused by the sound means she goes from sleeping propped up to scrambling to sit up, eyes looking around the room for thoes familiar faces and whatever caused the thud. )

Whatwasthat?

( Would be more coherent if slowed down, or asked with less sleep still in her voice. )

[recorden]

[ As expected, his blunder doesn't go unnoticed. More fortunate is that his bed is the one closest to the wall and he fell to that side so he's mostly obscured from view. It's a small mercy. Very small mercy.

With one hand he's grabbing and tugging the sheet from his bed while he sticks the other up in the air, waving it, before his head and bare shoulders appear above the bed. Her question is mostly an incoherent jumble, but it's not too hard to guess what she's asking.

He somehow manages a sheepish smile. ]

Sorry, sorry, 't was just me!

[whatsupcroc]

( Lacking the energy right then, she flops back, lifting a hand to wipe at the sleep in her eyes. Her breathing's been better, to the point that she's not needing to be on oxygen, even when resting. The cough suppressants are spaced out enough that she's not constantly floating on the by-product; it was a pleasant sort of failed focus that came along until it wore out of her system.

It was close to wearing out now. )

Oh. Okay.

( Only her brow furrows, and she opens her eyes wide, looking Lavi's way.

There's that hair, and the eyepatch, but the rest --

Collette pushes herself up to a seated position, eyes wide. )

Lavi?! What happened! You didn't -- ( she coughed twice, clearing her throat ) -- spontaneously hit puberty, did you?

[recorden]

[ While Collette flops back, Lavi takes the opportunity to fashion himself something of an awkward toga out of the sheets. With the initial rush of adrenaline dying down, the entire ordeal leaves him feeling even more exhausted and now that he's at least covered up somewhat, he deems it safe enough to haul himself back up on his bed where he seats himself with a sigh.

He considers maybe flagging down a nurse to get a new hospital gown before texting . . . Kanda is probably his best bet, being closer to Lavi's size than any of his other friends. Except he gets distracted from that thought by Collette's reaction.

He can only look confused as he raises an eyebrow in her direction. ]

What? No, I— Wait, didn't I tell ya? I'm not a [ cough ] kid. I just looked like one because our science division is full of nutjobs.

[whatsupcroc]

( She looks at him still with those wide eyes. )

No! ( She exclaims, shaking her head, finding this all so absurd. It's funny, really, and it being funny means she tries to laugh. The attempt leaves her curled up on her side, facing away from Lavi and coughing, close to tears due to the mixture of laughter and coughing she's caught up in right now.

When she finds herself in a lull, she swallows, giggles trailing off. )

You never mentioned that minor detail!

( Geez, she'll be giggling again. Just -- what? )

[anklets]

[ drowsing in a chair pulled quietly to his bedside, worn thin from the day's work searching for sleeper agents, and fortunately opposite the line of fire (that is to say, his toppling)— when he does go over, she...

stirs... ]

Mm...

[recorden]

[ Oh, double crap.

He can see the chair and that there's someone sitting in it from underneath the bed and a cautious peek over it once he's righted himself confirms as much. Lenalee. It's a pleasant surprise to find her by his bedside and normally it might have been cause for some fuzzy feelings, but in his current state of undress, the need to cover himself is more pressing.

He needs to— fetch a hospital gown that'll fit him or something. Except that requires getting up and right now . . . yeah, no. As quietly and carefully as he can, he tries to drag the sheets off of the bed, hoping that she's still asleep enough that the movement doesn't catch her attention. ]

[anklets]

[ Lavi's Luck Level: hovering somewhere around the 0 mark. How unfortunate.

She has been checking on him when she can, you see; mostly quick and melancholic peeks through the doorway as she passes by, makes her rounds with Caesar and Allen, and her energy levels have been dropping. This place drains. Filled to bursting with the sick, the dying, familiar faces washed out by hospital lighting and hospital gowns. They are not here because they pushed themselves too far in a fight and broke something, or because they've a hairline fracture which needs to set. This is something worse, a virus, and Lenalee had decided long ago she'd had it up to here with the whole virus business. But at least this one doesn't manifest with black stars.

The sound of sheets coming untucked is what rouses her completely. It so often comes when Matron is taking apart a bed for which the inhabitant is no longer there. Her eyes crack, a quick dose of adrenaline when she sees the mattress before her empty, and she straightens sharpish, shoes clicking on the floor.]

La— [ and then quiets herself, for Collette's sake ] Lavi?

[ where are those sheets heading off to... lllllleaaaans ]

[recorden]

[ Story of his life, to be honest.

Lavi wouldn't ever fault Lenalee for any of that. He hated hospitals and he hated being stuck in them. There'd been plenty of escape attempts early on when he'd just been admitted. (Although not so much escape attempts, but more the need to catch a break from the atmosphere that hung around here that drove him to wanting to just get away, however temporary.) Now he just doesn't have the energy anymore. It's only by the virtue of good company he hasn't gone stir-crazy.

He freezes at the sound of Lenalee's voice, slowly looking up to meet her gaze as she leans over. Fortunately for the both of them, he's gathered enough of the sheets that his lap is covered. For a moment he looks like a deer caught in headlights before he gathers his wits enough to . . . raise his hand and wave sheepishly. ]

G-good morning, Lenalee.

yu kanda

[recorden]

[ YU KANDA TRICKED INTO COMING TO THE RESCUE. ]

lavi u suck

[outliving]

[ This entire pandemic has been ridiculous; Kanda may not understand entirely what to expect out of the tattoo still adorning his skin, but it had prevented him from getting as sick as most. Cyclical waves of fever and flushed cheeks before he's fine again.

He knew Lavi wasn't as lucky, and there may have been a tinge of guilt somewhere when he got the text. They've all sustained injuries before, and walked away; Kanda on instinct assumed this would be no different.

But the text implied otherwise and with a scowl, he was grabbing an extra shirt and pants and heading briskly on his way.

He's traced along the hospital's halls with steady steps ( an opposite reaction to the held breath and subtly rising desperation ) and a refusal to really think on Lavi's statement from before. He was ill-equipped to deal with loss or even admitting the idea of it. So instead, he went back to irritation steeled behind a frown because that was so much easier.

Besides, there were things he wanted to ask that —

he hears something tumble right in the approaching room and he's quick to round his way through the door; and stare dumbly at the redhead on the floor. The one that wasn't wearing anything. ] Lavi?

[ A blink, as he actually has to think what to do first, a quick scraping glance, to see any visible injury more out of habit than anything else (concern). ] So it wore off. [ And with a scowl, he's approaching and nonchalantly dumping the clothes onto him. cover that up lavi ]

love u too bro

[recorden]

[ So maybe this hadn't been his brightest idea, but he'd been kind of pressed for time and for all he knew he might actually be dying (it sure felt like it) so really, it's not like he was lying entirely when he texted Kanda. Just exaggerating a little. If not the virus, then he's sure it would be boredom that will kill him and that just won't do.

After apologizing and explaining to Collette and texting Kanda, he'd occupied himself with the tablet as he waited for his ill-tempered friend to arrive. Luckily it's not long before he hears the sound of steady footsteps, familiar and unlike the hurrying steps of the nurses and doctors, and he knows Kanda's there. He folds the tablet up and he's leaning over to put it on the bedside table when he finds himself tumbling out of bed a second time. Apparently fever had decided to impair his sense of balance today. Lovely.

It makes it all the more awkward when he finds himself blinking back at Kanda for a brief moment and then there's a sheepish laugh, a laugh that turns into a horrible rattling cough, one that he doesn't have to fake, as he rights himself. He's exceedingly grateful for the clothes being dumped on him and he shows as much in the nod he gives in reply to the obvious statement.

It takes a few moments of steadying breaths before he can speak up, hoarsely. ]

D-draw the curtain . . . will ya? [ The entire room doesn't have to see him getting dressed. ]

yea whatever

[outliving]

[ There's a snap right on the tip of his tongue (isn't it always there), but words are bitten down as soon as the cough rattles; there's a deepening frown and a swear exhaled. That didn't sound good and he's actually worrying for the damned bastard as he waits for him to catch his breath. Own back stiff and his grip around Mugen ( 'course he brought it with him) harsh enough to pinch at his palm.

Then there's the request and that's easier to do than stand there all helpless-like so he turns. There's only a beat of trying to find the curtain before he's pulling it over. A few beats more and he's setting his sword against the wall, folding his arms and choosing to linger on the threshold between curtain and the rest of the room.

Welp. What should he say now? Hurry up, the standard reaction, didn't go voiced because for once, that actually didn't matter. He was angry but there was nothing to direct that at. How do you take care of sick people anyway?

Were you supposed to take care of them? If Lavi falls again, Kanda might make an effort to help him out there, but that's the extent of his knowledge, really. ] They fit?

[ It's actually a pointless question to ask, and he doesn't care how the clothes fit. But he's not fidgeting to leave, either, so Lavi's trap has been successful enough !]

[recorden]

[ Kanda's body language doesn't go entirely unnoticed even as Lavi starts occupying himself with the clothes and really, he might be feeling a little guilty already. Just a little. The worry is evident and normally that would be something to poke some fun at, but not this time. Lavi doesn't remark on it, partially because of that bit of guilt and because he may be a little touched too.

He knows how he sounds, the same kind of cough is regularly echoed around the room by his fellow patients, but it's something he's gotten used to and it's not as bad as it sounds, he thinks. The faint rattle is still there in his regular breathing, but he hasn't had to be hooked up to oxygen. Yet. So it could be much worse.

Instead of saying anything, he works on getting himself clothed. It's an unsteady progress, especially when he has to get up to wriggle into the pants, but he manages it without falling over (if only by the grace of the bed he can lean back against) and without too much stumbling around. Once he's decent he makes a mental note of where Mugen is, just in case, as he flops gracelessly onto the bed.

Kanda's not one for pointless questions so the fact that he's asking one makes the concern that more palpable. It brings a smile to Lavi's face, one he has to hold back to make it look more wan. ]

They do. Thanks, Yu. [ He scoots to the side a bit, creating a space on the bed for Kanda to sit before he pats the spot expectantly. ]

roomies & visitors part II

[recorden]

[ huzzah clothes acquired, uncover your eyes! for those who want to catch him with clothes on. possible cajoling for movie watching ahead. ]

[timehalt]

[Miranda's on her way to the intensive care part of the hospital, ready to activate her Innocence and bring some relief to others while she can. She feels a bit faint, a little under the weather, but a little cold isn't something she can think about when there's people who need her help more.

She peeks into a random room, just a quick glance to check if they're all right--her Time Reverse should extend this far, but she should see if she can give them any small comfort just in case. She blinks in surprise at what she finds.]

--Lavi?

[recorden]

[ Being back to his normal size and getting to wear actual clothes instead of the hospital gown for the first time in days worked wonders for Lavi. Except not really, he's only been getting worse but at least it's perked him up a great deal. Despite the virus being at its worst yet for him, he's in a good mood.

Which is why he greets the familiar face at the door quite cheerfully even though his voice is hoarse and his throat feels raw from coughing. ]

Yo, Miranda!

[timehalt]

Ah! You're big again!

[Miranda beams, very pleased. At least something has turned out well for him. The sickness...well the sickness not so much, she supposes. She takes a few steps into the room so as not to block the door or hallway.]

How are you feeling? [Maybe since he's big, he'll be feeling better? Cured? She can only hope.]

[recorden]

Isn't it great?

[ He's practically beaming even though his cheeks flush with fever and he gestures for her to come closer, patting his bed as he has no idea where the visitor chair has gone off to. (With how crowded it was getting in the room, it tended to disappear or be occupied elsewhere.) ]

Ah, I'm— okay! [ Not his smoothest lie. ] How are you? You didn't get sick, did ya?

[debtor]

[Allen is fortunately spared the trauma. He's been by every day to check on Lavi, although today he had... other obligations. He's visibly troubled, and tired, and worried sick, but he tries to tamp it down before he visits his ill friend. Lavi's in good hands, and they're searching as hard as they can for some answers, so everything will be fine...

Though when he enters the room, one thing is immediately apparent,]

Ah- Lavi!

[DAMMIT I MEAN huzzah, you're tall-!]

[recorden]

[ Lavi's fortunate to have the friends he does, he knows. Although he's in good company here with his hospital roomies, they were all in the hospital because they were sick and needed their rest. More often than not they were asleep so visitors made for excellent distractions when that was the case. And also maybe because Lavi took comfort in familiar presences more than he should. Allen was one he could count on to see daily and in the absence of Bookman, he may have needed that reassurance just a little.

He's late though and Lavi's contemplating if maybe he should pull a similar stint like he'd done with Kanda when Allen finally arrives. He glances up from his tablet with a pleased grin, one he doesn't let falter even as he notices Allen's state. ]

Yo, Beansprout. You're late. [ He totally gets to call him that now that he's taller again!! ]

1/2

[debtor]

[A GROAN.] What, did you grow thick as well? It's Allen!

2/2

[debtor]

[But his smile is real as he heads to Lavi's bedside, and takes a seat in the chair nearby.

Hunting sleeper agents isn't all that glamorous, as it turns out. But he can tuck away his feeling regarding that for later. His attention's entirely on Lavi now.] How are you feeling today?

[recorden]

[ THE PROTEST GOES ENTIRELY IGNORED save for a soft chuckle, maybe.

He puts the tablet aside, sluggishly pushing himself up into a more proper sit. ]

I'm big again! That makes me feel better. [ It's not a total lie, it does cheer him up but it just doesn't change his condition in any way. He's been steadily getting worse if anything (feverish hallucinations and rattling breath were common things now), but there's no point worrying others about it. They were already doing everything they could. ]

How'd it go today?