A Moment of Repose [Lovino & Braelyn]

The tightness in her chest had loosened slightly since the attack and although she wanted to be out into the fresh air faster, Braelyn forced herself to stay at a steady yet brisk walk down the halls, managing to smile or nod at others whom she passed. While concentrating on regulating her breathing, she went over what had just occurred in her head. She had been fetching some linen for a patients bedding and while she was doing so, a bed sheet from the topmost shelf had fallen on her, followed by the cascade of a few dust particles. Few though it may have been, it was enough to trigger a painful asthma attack that had sent her into a coughing, wheezing fit and onto her knees. Thankfully she always kept her inhaler in her pocket and another nurse had found her just as she was standing upright. After she gave a quick summery of what had happened, Braelyn had politely excused herself and the other nurse had instructed her to take a break in the Courtyard.

Thus, her destination now and by pushing open the glass doors, she gratefully welcomed the greeting of a small gale of fresh air the stirred through her hair. Walking out into the sunlight, she took a few deep breathes, sighing in relief as her chest loosened further. It was a beautiful day; the sky was clear and the sun was warm. A few patients and visitors accompanied her in the small sanatorium oasis but she paid them no mind except the small smile when she met another’s eye. Standing beside a bed of flowers, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply, allowing her rigid muscles to relax.

Braelyn smiled warmly knowing that the attack was over and passed. At least it didn’t happen at a more inconvenient time, she thought optimistically. Still a bit stiff in her shoulders, she brought her arms behind her back, interlocked her fingers together with her palms up, and squeezed her shoulder blades together while extending her arms further behind herself. In mid stretch, the sounds of approaching footfalls made her open her eyes to see a man walking towards her. Having had seen him before around the hospital, though they had never really been properly introduced, she blinked a few times in confusion. Is he walking towards me?

Not wanting to appear as being rude, she placed her hands on her hips in a relaxed composure and smiled in greeting. “Bonjour à vous, monsieur. Is there something that I can help you with?”

At the man’s statement, she was quite taken aback with surprise; today was turning into a rather strange day indeed. First her attack and now kind strangers offered to their company to her? Braelyn didn’t quite know what to make of it. She wasn’t really used to being singled out and approached by people, except perhaps when she danced, but certainly not at work. She considered telling him that there was no need, that she was leaving soon anyways, but after taking a moment to think about it, his offer did sound tempting. The truth was that she had only been a nurse for a short time and she didn’t know many people. So, why not, she figured, a few minutes of conversation would be nice.

A bit of company never hurt, she thought sanguinely. The thought didn’t stop her from playing with the end of her braid though, a shy, nervous habit of hers. “I would like that thank you, if you so wish of course.”

The man was young, perhaps the same age as herself or maybe a bit older, and though he was somewhat smiling, Braelyn had an odd feeling that he didn’t do the action often. Still, she gave him a warm smile; why judge a book by its cover? She didn’t know what he was like after all. Rather than standing there in awkward silence, she figured that she might as well introduce herself first, to be polite. Nodding towards him, she said, “My name is Braelyn, Braelyn Leveque. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Confusion wavered across her facial expression, though the smile upon her lips remained sweet, at the man’s mention of his grandfather. Why would he mention his grandfather? Briefly she considered asking him what he meant but it wasn’t hard to assume from the slight change of his tone that perhaps the relationship between him and his grandfather was strained, so she choose against it. Great, she thought, here I was trying to be polite and I might have just insulted the man.

Waving away the possibly disastrous thought quickly, she forced her hands away from her braid and back onto her hips. Making the decision that she hadn’t known, that he had simply informing her, and that she had no reason to feel bad or overreact, Braelyn felt all her earlier nervousness dissolve and fade away. Besides, the more she thought about, it looked more like he was the one who need some company more than herself. Also, she concluded that the man had gorgeous eyes, such a rare shade of green.

Resuming her friendly, relaxed composure, she smiled wider as he introduced himself. As he mentioned his last name, a spark of familiarity arose. Vargas… now where had she heard that name before? Maybe from a patient list… or from another place entirely, she couldn’t remember so she pushed it out for mind for the time being.

Clasping his outstretched hand softly with her own and shaking it in greeting, warmly she replied, ”Glad to make your acquaintance, Lovino and I apologize for addressing you so. I am sure that I will not make the mistake again.” A light laugh followed her words and her features radiated cheerfulness; today was turning into a good day.

His question made her hesitate. Now here was a slight problem… what was she going to tell him? Usually, she tried to steer clear with telling people about her asthma, unless she had to of course, but she didn’t feel like this was one of those circumstances. At the same time, however, she didn’t want to lie to him.

So to answer him, she simply shrugged and said, “I just needed some fresh air.”

She tried to sound nonchalant, though she wasn’t really sure if she succeeded, so she just gave him a bright smile hoping that he wouldn’t notice. A slight breeze stirred through her hair and drew her attention again to her surroundings. Taking a moment to admire the peaceful beauty of the Courtyard, her gaze fell upon to a small pond that she had missed when she had initially rushed outside.

Transfixed slightly by the light being reflected on the water, she half-turned back to him and asked, “And what about yourself, Lovino. Why are you out here? That is, of course, if you don’t mind me asking.”

Only nodding slowly in response, Braelyn inclined to listen for a moment to Lovino speak, as well as appreciate the beauty and peace of the day. She was feeling better and, although she would never admit out loud, all she wanted to do at the moment was to go home and take advantage of the day. Unfortunately, her responsibilities lay elsewhere, mainly with the patients of the hospital, but a few more minutes out in the open air wouldn’t drastically stain her patient list.

Like before, another small breeze managed to bypass the walls of the hospital to enter the brightly lit courtyard to disturb the small hairs that were tucked behind her ear. Offhandedly, she returned the strands back into place while her gaze shifted back onto Lovino. To her, he looked uncomfortable or unsure; unsure of what she didn’t know but it became apparent when he asked her a question concerning the weather. The weather? Really? She had nothing against small talk or anything of the sort but she found the difference between hospital talk and a simple topic like the weather slightly amusing.

Not wanting to appear rude, she hesitated for only a moment, long enough to gaze up at the blue sky above them, before she said, “Yes, it is, although, I don’t mind rain once in a while; a storm on the sea can be quite a sight. It is a shame that we must be indoors on a day like today though. Don’t you think?”