Simple Fleshwounds [Gilbert + Roderich]

Roderich made an offended noise and wrinkled his nose in distaste, obviously irritated with the prodding he was receiving from the other man. He immediately swatted the offending hand away from him, a tired and annoyed expression on his face as he replied sharply, "Don't touch me." The Prussian was acting just a little bit too familiar with him for his liking, so he wanted to make it clear to the other that he was not fond of unnecessary contact, whether it be brief or intimate, especially of the unexpected kind. The Austrian mimicked the albino's words, answering with just as much stubbornness as he had, "I will say whatever I like. Besides, how can you be sure that I won't kill you? I am a doctor after all. It would easy for me to drug you while you lay helpless in bed."

He slowly raised an inquiring eyebrow. Apparently, the other man was not only an albino, but also thought quite highly of himself; if the constant overuse of the word 'awesome' - with all of them referring to himself no less! - were anything to go by. "It's a pleasure to meet you then, simply Gilbert," said Roderich, sarcasm lacing his voice as he showed the barest hint of a smirk, "And yes, I do believe that. After all, the only honest criminals I've known are now locked behind bars for their honesty as we speak. How are you any different?"

He could feel Gilbert watching him, his crimson eyes examining him closely for reasons he did not know. Perhaps the doctor looked worse for wear than he thought. Roderich silently prayed that this was not the case, it would simply not do to look tired and unprofessional in front of a patient. Then the other man spoke. Roderich let out a wry laugh before replying. "Perhaps I am, lonely that is. Do you pity me? Is that it?" His tone turned cold. "If that is the case, then I kindly ask you keep it to yourself."

He scoffed and promptly stood up. "I treat my patients with the respect they deserve, thank you very much!" As he talked, he did not notice the Prussian edging closer and closer to the door. "And do not be silly. How do you intend to bandage yourself when there are even wounds in places you cannot possibly reach? Take the cuts on your back for example. I'm surprised you're still able to wear that shirt after the numerous cuts you received." It was only then he realised exactly what the smuggler was trying to do and took that as his cue to stand between the Prussian and the door. He faced the albino, his back to the door with his arms spread wide as if that would help him stop the man from getting through. "I am sorry you feel that way, Mr Weilschmidt, but I'm afraid I cannot just let you leave." Roderich narrowed his eyes, determined to keep the man from leaving. The doctor would not allow an injured man to simply walk out of his clinic without proper treatment.

Roderich tensed, his breath hitching as panic washed over him once he felt fingers suddenly wrap themselves around his throat. His hand immediately came up to grip the man's arm, but the Austrian made no effort to remove it, choosing instead to glare defiantly at the other. It was then he was reminded that this man was not only a smuggler, but most likely a murderer. Most of the blood on him was probably not his own. How could he have forgotten such an important detail? Did he not tell himself constantly not to anger any of his criminal patients? The Prussian tightened his grip, causing a small whine to escape the former aristocrat before he finally let go. Roderich took shaky breaths, his hand unconsciously moving to his neck as he continued to glare at the Prussian.

The smirk quickly fell and any trace of amusement was wiped from his face the moment the nickname left the Prussian's mouth. His eyebrow twitched and Roderich had to shut his eyes and take slow, deep breaths in order for him to will himself not to snap in the presence of such impossible company. Oh how he despised nicknames. But he hated losing even more, he had had enough of it with his brothers, and it was indeed a game he and the Prussian were playing, one he was secretly enjoying and determined not to lose. "Hmm? And what talent would that be?" He faked exaggerated surprise and curiosity, as if he had not expected the smuggler to be good at anything. "I never implied you were a compulsive liar, I merely pointed out the fact that all criminals lie and cheat whenever it would benefit them." He rolled his eyes, irritated with the names the other man was giving him. "Although I don't quite understand how saying you used to belong to the church would benefit you. Perhaps you are a compulsive liar, Gilbert."

Roderich tried not to let the sudden hurt he felt appear on his face, covering it up by quickly replying with an insult of his own. "Hmph! I could say the same for you. A cocky nuisance of a smuggler! You probably spend most of your nights alone in the nearest pub drinking and declaring yourself 'awesome'."

The Austrian lowered his arms and allowed himself a small satisfied smile as the smuggler backed away, surrendering and admitting defeat. He raised an eyebrow at the Prussian's frantic explanation, "Well, it is not as if you planned on getting into a fight and coming here. Nor does any other criminal that seeks me out. If that was the case, I should probably be worried. Did you really think I would refuse to treat you simply because you could not pay me on the spot?" He waved a dismissive hand, calmly taking a few steps towards the albino so that he now stood in front of him. Roderich frowned upon realising that the other man stood just slightly taller than him. "Pay me tomorrow, you know where to find me. Or just take me to your ship if you are so eager to no longer be indebted to me."

Even as the Prussian made a gesture of peace, the doctor's glare did not waver. Fear was still present from the event that had occurred just seconds before, yet it was now coupled with annoyance. He realised it he had been rather unprofessional, but to have it pointed out to him and lectured about by a criminal, like he was some sort of a child, was just-! "I do not need a smuggler telling me what to do!" He sneered at the other. Then, as if he had suddenly lost the energy to argue, "Now be quiet. You're giving me a headache."

The Austrian did not like the looks of the mishievious grin that had suddenly wormed its way across the albino's face. It was obvious the other man was enjoying this. Although he tried not to look fazed by it, his eyebrow twitched once again at the horrid name that was given to him. Roderich had to fight the urge to snap at the him, but no, that was probably the reaction the Prussian wanted and he was determined not to give it to him. "I'll be sure to mention your name in trial then. They'd be eager for another criminal to put behind bars and blame everything on." He raised an eyebrow at the next thing that came out of the albino's mouth. "Demon? I am not a religious man, so I would not know what church in their right mind would want to accept you; you are possibly one of the most bothersome criminal I've dealt with. But why go so far as to call yourself a demon?"

He scoffed. "Is that really all you have to say? Usually you are so full of comebacks. Have I finally struck a nerve?" He continued to jeer at the smuggler, a cruel side of him finding some satisfaction in doing so while another sympathised with Gilbert and knew better than to mock him further. "No wonder you reek of alcohol. Tell me, Gilbert, when was the last you've done something for anyone but yourself?

He drew closer to the albino, not realising that doing so caused only a few inches to seperate them, and made to carefully remove the other man's shirt, placing his hands on Gilbert's shoulders where the remains of said clothing rested. "It is not that I don't care for money, although I do accept the occassional charity case, I still expect some form of payment. I highly doubt you'd leave town just to escape paying me. Besides, even if you did," Roderich paused in the middle of sliding the Prussian's shirt off, wrinkling his nose slightly as the smell of alcohol invaded his nostrils, "I have quite a number of favours I have yet to call in. Should you ever return to Aldmoor, I can always arrange for some of the criminals here to give you a very...special welcome. They owe me."

Roderich responded with a fustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair, the action only serving to ruin the near perfect state of the carefully brushed locks, before gently shaking his head. The Austrian didn't think he had ever met a more troublesome patient than the one before him now and returned Gilbert's serious stare with a disdainful frown. "You say that and yet you still expect me to appreciate you?" He scoffed. "I already have three older brothers. I don't need another breathing down my neck, so I kindly ask that you to go bother someone besides myself. Your own younger brother, perhaps?"

He blinked at the other, a somewhat bemused expression on his face as he slowly took in what the albino said. When it registered he couldn't help the small bubble of laughter that escaped him, causing his entire form to shake as he struggled in vain to contain it. Eventually he was able to control himself and the laughter died down into soft chuckles. "Don't be ridiculous. I admit, your features certainly do give you a somewhat demonic impression, but all I see is a smuggler too full of himself."

Roderich bristled at the unkind words directed towards him and found himself at a loss for words. He glared right back at the Prussian and fought to come up with a comeback, his own guilty conscience slowly taking over and refusing him the voice that would push Gilbert over the edge. With a huff, he turned away from the other man and refused to say another word.

He didn't notice the red that adorned the Prussian's face, having slowly gotten used to working in close proximities with patients over the years and being just the slightest bit oblivious sometimes. However, he didn't miss the smuggler's comment and replied with a roll of the eyes as he finished removing the other man's shirt and proceeded to fold it neatly, all the while considering burning the wretched thing for it could simply no longer be considered a shirt. "Since when were you my delinquent?" He raised a curious brow, responding with a tone of voice that one might say was verging on playful. "But it's good to know you'll pay, I suppose. Would you mind taking a seat though? The faster I'm done with cleaning your wounds, the less time you'd have to spend with me."