deercountry | ( the dog days are over )

( he'd been wondering if she'd try and keep him slow and she does. he doesn't protest or nudge her away since he knows if he tries, she'll make him stay here.

so, he walks with her, feeling weakness in his legs that he knows is more from the humanity than anything. )

What kind of tests will those be?

Oh, you know.

[ she sighs heavily and waves her other hand, the one that isn't on his hip. slowly, they make their way through the corridor, moving at a pace that's excruciatingly slow for a vampire. ]

Fluff your pillows. Make sure you're drinking enough water. Maybe even give you a little bowl of fruit. [ she shrugs, pursing her lips. ] I'd even consider wearing the nurse's uniform if you were on your best behaviour.

Those sound like better tests than what they'd do here.

( he doesn't want someone sticking him with needles and taking his temperature. he's fine, he's going to survive. he can go survive in his own bed. )

Don't wear the nurse's uniform. I'd want to do things and I can't do that right now.

( see, he's behaving. )

[ she chuckles low in her throat, ducking her head with a proud smile. oh, she's definitely going to wear it now. while katherine is a kind and considerate nurse, she also wants to ensure stefan makes the right choice when it comes to his health... and how else can she tell if he has all his wits about him if she doesn't put him through rigorous tests? ]

You're not supposed to enjoy them, Stef. They're meant to help prove you're healing.

[ he's meant to enjoy her tests. ]

I don't have to enjoy them but I don't want to get riled up when you won't let me do anything.

( do you see his problem, katherine? do you? )

And that's what's going to happen if I see you in a nurse's uniform.

[ she doesn't see any problem whatsoever. ]

I don't know what you're even talking about, Stefan.

[ although, it's clear by her smile that she very much does. katherine pinches his hip as they walk through the doors of the hospital and venture into the carpark. the car's still parked where she had haphazardly left it. ]

Are you assuming ill intent on my behalf?

You're a liar. A very pretty one but a liar all the same.

( he laughs at the pinch and blinks a bit at finally being outside. he focuses easily enough, looking for the car. )

Is my car a mess now too?

Not as bad as the last time.

[ when he had been shot and falling asleep and she had lost a shoe in her bid to try and keep him awake and alert. she's grateful that this had been somewhat easier, even though the gunshot wound had been a lot easier to deal with than unknown poison.

she hadn't bothered to lock his car. opening the passenger door, she gently helps him inside. ]

In you go, Miss Daisy.

( stefan rolls his eyes at her and then shakes his head before he settles carefully into the car. he winces when the seat presses against his back but it's a dull ache and nothing like it was before. )

Don't go too fast in my car. I know how you drive.

( be nice to his car, katherine. )

I drive very well, thank you.

[ slamming his car door on purpose, she strides to the driver's side and slips in. making a show of buckling her seatbelt in, she sits straight and turns on the car. she jerks it and smiles at him pleasantly.

that was on purpose. ]

If the car goes too fast, it's not my fault.

Right, of course.

( stefan shifts a bit, getting himself comfortable and sliding down until he can rest easily in the car. he loves his car but it's not always easy to fit someone with legs like this.

he sighs and closes his eyes. )

Nothing's ever your fault. My mistake.

Mhm.

[ she nods, tilting her chin upward defiantly. ]

And I hope you're not implying that I'm capable of fault. I'm the one who's going to be taking care of you, Stefan. In a very comfortable uniform. [ she winks at him before looking out at the road. ]

( stefan groans and shakes his head. he doesn't want her to wear the nurse's uniform because he's just going to want to do things he's not going to be able to do just yet. )

I didn't say anything.

( he zips his lips and laughs quietly. )

I know you're going to be taking care of me. Wouldn't want to upset the doctor.

Doctor Petrova.

[ she hums, mulling it over. it sounds nice. if only katherine had been able to stay in one place for years at a time, maybe she would've seen if a medical licence was in her grasp.

she pulls to a stop in front of a set of lights, grateful that she doesn't need to rush through them this time. ]

I might have a doctor's uniform, too.

[ a sexy one, obviously. ]

No uniforms, please.

( he's begging you, katherine, please do him this solid. )

I love your uniforms but let me recover from being a human and some snake trying to kill me before we roleplay. I don't want to miss out.

[ she lets out a rich laugh, gently pressing her foot against the accelerator as she guides the car forward. while she does consider ignoring him and dressing up in that nurse uniform, she does take pity on him. he's not well. she doesn't want him to pull a muscle and be hurt forever even into his vampire life. ]

Okay.

[ she smiles at him, chuckling. ]

Just this once, we'll do it your way.

Thank you.

( he does appreciate that and he blows her a kiss to show her how much before sighing and sitting up. )

How was that hospital in comparison to the last one?

( he'd been a little out of it so he hadn't paid attention. )

[ you know what she's doing to do with that kiss?

catch it.

this is stefan's influence. ]

It was... [ she purses her lips thoughtfully and sighs quietly. the blood ministers had made her feel somewhat confident, even if she didn't quite believe them at all. (no one would have been a good expert on stefan's health, not even the most prized physician.) ]

Nicer. The staff are efficient, at least. They don't stare at walls until you talk to them and "activate" them.

Did you have to compel anyone?

( she hasn't complained of a headache, at least, and he doesn't sense any pain there. )

It didn't feel like the entire floor was under compulsion but I didn't really pay attention so maybe I missed it.

[ she pauses for a deliberate moment. ]

Yes.

[ she clears her throat. is she proud of having compelled so many people? eh. she hardly cares. does she want stefan worrying about her? no. she'd much rather he worry about whether or not she's going to be wearing the nurse's outfit.

katherine doesn't look at him. ]

I compelled everyone I came into contact with. You were treated like a royal family member.

And?

( if she'd done that in deerington, her head would be pounding and she'd be doing everything in her power not to let on. )

How's your head?

It's still attached.

[ it's fine; she doesn't have a headache, even if there's a very dull, distant throbbing in the back of her head. she thinks it's more or less from stress and possibly not having a blood bag (or her baked good) than anything else.

she peers at him and smiles. ]

See? Nothing to worry about.

Guess that's a good thing. I wish you didn't have to do it but it's good that you didn't end up with a headache.

( he sighs and rubs at his head. )

My head doesn't hurt either, if you were curious.

I think I was more concerned with all of you rather than just your head.

[ without tearing her gaze from the road, she reaches out to brush her fingers roughly through his hair, clipping his finger with her nails in the process. ]

Still attached, I see. Good. I'd be devastated otherwise.

Devastated? Just devastated?

( stefan laughs and tilts his head forward so she can get a better grip of his hair. )

You wouldn't be stricken? Absolutely unable to go on?

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