The Doctor is always in

4 – Following-up

Like the last one, this chapter falls around the time of episode 3

In the morning Duero’s mental clock woke him and he spent several minutes watching the sleeping boy once more.
The doctor gently tucked the blankets around the little man as he rose and stepped away. He turned and watched again as he pulled his coat around him and headed for the door.
Gascogne waited as he adjusted his collar and pulled up his boots.
“Is the little one unhealthy?” she asked pointing at the partially hidden pallet.
Hibiki was barely in view behind the carefully stacked freight that Duero had been arranging lately.
“No. And I intend to keep him that way.” He answered as she led him toward the door.
“You doctor’s responsibilities, or is there more to him than I have seen?” she asked eyeing the exposed part of the man’s face.
“Everyone is special in one way or another. You may have to determine how important he is to you and I will make my own decision.” He said, stepping past the doorway.
She smiled at the evasion, “I have already made note of his value. I am pleased that you have found him similarly appealing. But I think you may find he is more receptive to you than any other.”
Gascogne mentally reminded herself of the affection Dita showed to the smaller one. She would have to find time to talk to the girl soon.

Hibiki was warm and comfortable. He barely noticed the time passage but was quickly aware of the loss when the man rose from the bed.
He kept his eyes closed and waited until the woman led the doctor out of the cell and they left the area.
Hibiki had heard the words spoken by both and he was confused by the references to him. He slowly sat up and the blanket fell away from his shoulders.
The slightly cooler air chilled him where the warm covering had been and he stared down at himself.
“Special. Important. Value. Appealing.” He repeated to himself as he looked over his small and undeveloped body, wondering what the two had meant.
A sound called his attention from his self-inspection and he called out, “Bart?”
A head rose over the box partition and stared at him while blinking the sleep from his eyes.
“Huh? What it is Hibiki-san?” Bart asked looking at him. “Does Duero-san know that you are on his bed?” he added when he realized where the small man was sitting.
“Yeah,” Hibiki responded. “Hey, Bart? Is there something special about me?” he asked.
“I don’t know. You are pretty talented at flying that Bangata. And that red-haired pilot likes you a lot.”
“Her! She drives me crazy; always following me around and asking me weird questions. Alien-san, will you merge with me? Alien-san what is that rod between your legs for? I don’t like that.” Hibiki answered.
“She never asks me any of those things. She likes you. Kinda like that braid girl always bugs Duero-kun. The only one who ever bothers me is the Grandma.” And the blond man shivered. “Anyway, why are you in his bed?” he asked giving in to his curiosity.
“Because it is warmer than mine,” Hibiki answered getting up and finding his pants, boots and scarf.
The comment about the braided woman bothered him and he needed a better answer to his questions anyway. About the time he was dressed Dita was standing outside of the cell, waiting for him.
Bart watched him dress, noting the lack of pants, but not commenting. He slid down onto his own side and let his mind wander on its own for a while.
Dita called out when he came into view.
“Alien-san! Come with Dita, we will work on the Vanguards together. Hiaku, Hiaku!” she said as he moved from behind the wall of crates.
Hibiki followed her through the halls and up to the platform that had been converted for the women’s dreads. He was deep in thought and not listening to the girl’s words.
“So, do you?” she asked stopping in front of him and speaking to his face.
Hibiki was shocked by her sudden move and jumped away from her.
“What?” he asked.
“Do you want to help me and then I can help you. We could work together. Dita would like that.” She said gesturing wildly.
“Why? Why would you like that?” he asked watching her in disgust.
“Because. Dita likes Mr. Nice Alien.” She answered.
“I’m not an alien.” Hibiki demanded. “And why? Why do you like me? I don’t even treat you nice. We are enemies.”
“You don’t feel like an enemy.” She said then, pressing her finger to her chin she thought over his question. “Hmm. I guess I like you because you are more like a woman. You don’t scare me like the other men.”
“I’m not like a woman. What kind of a stupid thing is that to say?” Hibiki bristled.
“Um, well. You are small and they are bigger. So, you aren’t scary like Gascogne.” She said, nodding and happy with her answer.
“I’m not a woman. A man is supposed to be big and strong. Why would anyone like someone because they are small? That is stupid.” Hibiki argued as they began walking again. “I’ll show you. I will get bigger and stronger. I’ll be more like a man and then you can hate me. No one will like me just because I am small.” He announced as they turned the corner and climbed up to their ships.
Dita smiled at him the whole time.