(Sure! Thanks.)
Lars smiled softly as he accepted the paper. “Thank you again, doctor.” he said for what was probably the sixth time. But so far this man had been very helpful with their whole situation. Now that he had Finn’s information, he was already planning on seeing them to explain and hope they would be able to stay in touch.
“Yes. There is a chance.” he nodded, matching his husband’s tone and thought of hope. “I’ll stay with you until visiting hours are over and visit every day I can until we can get you home.” he promised.
Cicil nodded slightly, not liking the idea of being left alone for the night but knowing Larson had to go home, wherever that was, and that soon he'd be able to head back too. "THank you," He murmured softly, rubbing their linked hands together as a comfort. "BEfore you go, can you tell me more about us before the accident? What we were doing before everything happened or just something we would routinely do?" He asked, not wanting to ask about larger events since he would feel more guilty that he forgot something so important. Recounting their everyday events would at least seem less daunting and easier to picture in his mind.
Lars smiled lovingly and lifted Cicil’s hand up, pressing a soft kiss against his knuckles. “It… wasn't a routine thing that day.” he admitted. “At least, it started out that way. You made breakfast and woke me up since I still have nocturnal tendencies.” he chuckled softly. “We had planned a date for that evening. No special reason other than just us wanting to do something special together after you finished teaching for the day.” he smiled before looking around the room. “Your students sent most of these flowers for you. After I told them and the school about the accident.” he swallowed as if getting the words out was more difficult than it should have been. “You were on your way home when you got hit… it took me a while to realize what happened and, I’m sorry for this but I have a tracker app on my phone. I used it to find you and it lead me to the hospital.” he admitted.
"I don't know if I'm more devastated over losing my memories or missing out on the date." He laughed softly, if not a bit sadly knowing he had something so drastic happen on what was supposed to be such a perfect day. "When I get back home and settled in we'll make up for the date." He promised, lifting his head slightly and looking around at the flower arrangements scattered around thr room. "I'm grateful, both for such a loving husband and for the people in my life, even if I can't remember them." He murmured softly, taking a deep breath to keep from crying again. He returned his attentions to Larson as he began getting choked up and gently pressed a kiss to his hand, shaking his head slightly. "you don't need to apologies, love. It helped you find me, right? I'm assuming on what you've told me about our relationship, you're not someone who would do something to cause me harm or anything like that. If you needed to use the tracker to find me, it was for good reason and a last resort kind of thing."
Lars chuckled softly with his husband at the little quip, though he didn't blame him for either of the events. “Once you're feeling better, we’ll have a very nice makeup date at home.” he nodded, smiling at Cici's promise. Though he let out a sigh of relief when he admitted that he wasn't mad at what many people would consider an invasion of privacy. “Thank you. Yes, it did help me find you but I'm sure that the hospital would have contacted me once they identified you.” he confessed, blushing a little. “But you’re right, it was a last-resort thing that I don't usually use. I was just so worried. I needed to know what happened.” he sighed.
Cicil nodded enthusiasically, glad to have an at home date. He wasn't apposed to going out but home seemed safer than the outside, at least for now. And home was also where answers were. He could find memories there, even if there wasn't an attachment to them yet, he'd know more about himself soon. He chuckled softly, "Clearly not soon enough so I'm glad you had it in this instance." he gently brushed the back of his hand against Larson's cheek at seeing the blush. "I'll be alright no matter what. We've lived a very long life together right? this is merely a bump in the road." He assured. "What do you think of this Finn person?" he asked, wondering how they would even start finding his memories, find the person who took them, then finding Finn in time to get them back.
Lars hummed softly, nuzzling against his husband’s touch. “You are truly the most amazing person I have ever known. I can't think of anyone else who would be so calm and accepting in this situation.” he admitted with admiration. “I don't know this Finn myself but if the doctor is recommending them, then I’ll take that as a good sign.” he nodded. “I’ll probably see if I can get in touch with them and find out what I can. When I can’t be with you.” he added with a smile.
"Accepting, perhaps not. I don'tlike the idea that someone stole all my memories of my life but theres not much I can do about that. As for calm, I'd say more restricted." He teased, though he did really hate being stuck in bed with limited mobility, unable to even help himself by doing the most minimal research. "I can't thank you enough, my dear. For just being here, even if I remmber nothing. For going out of your way to tell my students the situation, for being so calm yourself even if its most likely more painful for you than it is for me." Cicil knew this hurt Larson deeper than he was letting on, even if he couldn't understand the depth of their relationship, he knew there was someone ageless between them, something that had been disrupte dby the loss of his memories.
He glanced up and nodded slightly "Thank you, my love but remeber to rest, please. Don't overwork yourself. I'll try and do some research from here as well on my phone as much as I can when I'm not asleep or during your visit." He reasoned, already feeling the new round medications kicking in and tempting him to sleep.
“Of course not.” Lars shook his head. “I meant accepting of me. Of us. Anyone would be understandingly upset at losing their memories. But I can't imagine too many people being ok with suddenly having a spouse. Not to mention a Vampire.” he admitted. Though he chuckled a little at being called calm. “I will always be there for you, amore. I know how much you love those kids and teaching them. Of course I would tell them.” he assured with a loving smile. He couldn't help but laugh again at the familiar way Cici was watching out for him even now. “I will. I should be able to rest better now that I know you are going to be ok.” he promised. “But you should try to rest as well so you can heal.”
Cicl shifted the best he could in the hospital bed so as to not be sore in the morning and gave Larson's hand a gentle squeeze. "You're familair to me," he tried to explain, though the more he tried to focus, the more his already foggy mind became more fuzzy. "I can't remember why but I know you. Or at least I'm not as surprised by your presence in my life than I think I could be. I'm glad though, that I'm not alone. As for you being a Vampire," he shrugged and laughed softly. "I don't mind. I can't remember if there's anyhing I should be worried about when with a vampire so you'll get to teach me all over again what there is to know. I'm assuming most is pretty good, considering we are married and lived with each other for so long." He felt a sense of relief, knowing that the people important in his life at least were aware that he was alright, his guilt for worrying so many people easing a bit. He nodded, still looking Larson over, not only to make sure he was alright but to also commit his appearance to memory to dream of him later. "I will, one way or another." He genly lifted his other hand and nodded towards the IV in his arm. "I'll call you once I wake up."
Lars sighed, resting his head against Cicil’s hand. “I am so glad that you do remember me at all. But you don't have to strain yourself.” he assured before chuckling at the idea of teaching his husband about vampires again. “But yes, I think that it was pretty good over the years. I'm not saying it was perfect, we definitely had our fights but we learned from each one.” he smiled. At the mention, and reminder, of Cici needing sleep he nodded with a slight laugh. “Alright. We can talk more later. I’ll let you rest and see you later.” he agreed as he stood up and kissed Cici’s forehead.
"I think you're worth the strain." He murmured, gently leaning into the kiss on the forehead before letting his head rest on the pillow. "Hm, tomorrow." He agreed, nodding slightly and letting his eyes fall shut.
The next morning, awoke to nurses moving around him, silently checking vitals. He stretched the best he could, groggily answered their questions and started looking through their phone for more information. Looking up his name he found his history as a teacher and various institutions, some articles putting junior or numbers, assuming he was a relative. He smiled slightly still confused at how their immortality worked but finding it entertaining at the least.
Lars had set multiple alarms so that he could work on cleaning up the house a bit before taking care of himself so he wouldn't look as miserable as he did yesterday. He knew Cici wouldn't be coming home today but he at least wanted to get a head start on making the place look nice and not embarrass himself with how he let things slip. Granted it was because he was so worried he had been but…
As soon as it was time for visiting hours to start, he was already at the hospital with a couple of bags for Cicil. Though he hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door and peeking in.
After vitals were checked and rechecked, Cicil was helped up and out of bed with the help of the nurses and allowed a shower, now attached to a moveable IV drip. As much as Cicil appreciated the help, he had to admit to being slightly uncomfortable with the constant vigilance. Thankfully he was granted a few moments alone for his personal care so long as he was unbelievabley careful. Cicil took the moment of solace to check himself over, lightly tracing over the tattoos that marked his body, surprised that there were so many, more than he had innitially seen in photos, all telling a story he, for the lives of his, could not remember. Regardless it was nice to sit and wonder what the symbols and intricate images could mean to him. He already assumed some if not most had to do with Larson, considering hte one on his neck focused on their marriage and bond. He smiled to himself before carefully getting dressed, eventually calling for help when he gave up on trying to put on much of anything what with his injured arm and still healing body.
Finally managing to get into his new clothes and settle back in bed, Cicil went through another round of questions, this time by the doctor, as well as another check of vitals before he was left to rest. which is exactly what Cicil didn't do. Instead, making sure he was completely alone, he gingerly stood back up again and settled on the ground among the flower arrangements he had been gifted that had been placed by the window. He knew he needed rest, and ultamately, it would be good for him but he couldn't sit still, not when he had so many questions in his mind with no way of getting answwers. So instead, he worked. He put his mind to concentrate on something else for bit instead of his guilt and memory los even if tending to the flowers was slow progress with only one good arm. He carefully placed the pinned notes off to the side after reading them over and started to gently pluck off dying petals and leaves from the arrangements, making a mental note to himself to get fresh water the next time a nurse came back. He jumped and looked up as a knock came to his door, slightly confused as to why the nurses would come back so soon but then realized it most lilely wasn't a nurse. He pivoted slightly in his spot, brushing aside the leaves he had gathered in his lap. "Come in," he called, a relieved smile appearing on his face when he saw that it was Larson. "Hey," He greeted softly, "I'm okay, just restless." he reassured quickly, realizing maybe a bit too late that finding him on the floor instead of bed would be alarming at first.
“Hey.” Lars smiled back before walking in and taking a seat on the floor next to Cicil as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “It's ok. As long as you’re alright, I won't tell the nurses.” he chuckled, looking at the “gardening” his husband had been doing. “Read anything familiar?” he asked with a nod towards the notes that had come with the flowers. Even though the vampire hadn't had the chance to talk to Finn yet, he was still hopeful that some of Cici’s memories would come back. “Oh, and I hope you don't mind but I brought a few things for you from home.” he added as he brought the bags around.
Cicil let out a relieved laugh, lightly resting his head against Larson’s shoulder as he picked up the notes and skimming through. "Other than my last name followed by 'mr' no." He replied softly. "But I don't think I had intended to remember much from them anyways. They don't know anything beyond the accident. I want to keep it that way, for their sake." He carefully set the notes back off to the side away from potentially bring ruined by his work with the flowers. "I did see the rest of my tattoos this morning. There's something I can try and grasp at but nothing solid." He explained, straightening at the mention of home. He still didn't have an idea of what had once considered home, other than Larson, so any chance he got a taste of his life before the accident, he'd take. "I don't mind at all, thank you dear." He gently nudged aside the plants back towards where light was streaming but paused, feeling as if he had to do something but not quite grasping at what it was immediately. He turned back to Larson and nodded towards the window "did you want the shades closed?" He asked, not entirely understanding why the question came to mind in the first place but it somehow felt right.
Lars smiled and gently wrapped his arm around Cicil’s shoulders and kissed his forehead. “I understand. I was just wondering if any of the signatures jumped out at you.” he admitted with a nod. “And I agree that they don't need to know more about your accident. No need to worry them until we know more too.” His smile grew as Cici mentioned his tattoos. “You do have a lot. And there was… is a meaning and story behind each one. I always thought that was very sweet of you.” he chuckled lightly before matching his husband’s mood about the bags. “It's just a few things to make your time here more comfortable and easier. Though I did bring a couple of old photo albums if you want to look through them.” he blushed a little, hoping that the images might spark something. “Hmm? Oh, the sun…” he shook his head as he realized what Cicil was probably thinking of. “No. You can leave them open. It doesn't bother me too much. Just in the mornings because I stay up late. It doesn't burn me or anything… at least no more than others. If anything, I just need stronger SPF if we plan to spend a lot of time outside.” he explained with a smile.
"We really did live all these lives together, didn't we?" He marveled, finding a design of what looked liked stained glass on his arm depicting the streets of barcelona. Surrounding that were symbols of anatomy and math, connecting the stained glass piece to a more classic looking tattoo at his wrist, a bat in fleight towards his hand, just stopping shy of his palm. "I'm glad at least some part of our memories wasn't lost." He smiled softly, eyes brightening when he saw the albums. Perhaps something in there would be of help. Something about having a tangible photo to hold instead of something on a screen excited Cicil. He carefully put the album by his bedside and went through the rest of the items in the bag, finding well worn and loved clothes, a giant blanket, more photos and even some food. "Thank you my love." He murmured, setting aside the bag and hugging Larson, pressing a kiss to his hair. He stayed put where he was knelt beside his husband, excited to flip through the album but more than happy to stay here for as long as possible. "you're sure?" he asked, tilting his head back to look Larson, searching for any form of discomfort but finding none. "hm. if the sun is too much feel free to close them." He reassured, smiling softly. "i don't mind the dark, I suppose." He mused, slightly surprising himself. His mind was mostly dark yes, but the darkness itself, the night, was a silent comfort to him he only recently realized. If it weren't for his exhaustion and tired body, he would happily stay up at night, enjoying its peacefulness.
“We did.” he nodded, following his husbands gaze to the tattoo on his arm. “I believe that one is supposed to be when we first met.” Lars chuckled as he traced the image of the bat. It was funny but he always liked that little image. “I'm glad too.” he added with a soft smile, letting Cicil look through the bags. “Of course, darling.” he said, returning the hug and the kiss before letting go so he could look through the album. “I’m sure. I’ve gone to the beach with you before and still lived.” he chuckled. Even though he already knew that about his husband, it was still nice to hear it. “I know. Though that might be because of me a little.”
Cicil shivered at the cool touch but didn't shy away, instead following where Larson traced the bat and stained glass piece with his gaze. "I…" He paused, not wanting to get Larson's or his own hopes up with the sliver of familiarity he felt when he saw the images on his skin but also desperate to know more. "I know this is Barcelona." He said, moving Larson's so it rested on the larger piece. "I know I grew up there as a child. The building I don't remember." He frowned slightly and then glanced up when Larson opened the album. He took the blanket from the bat and tossed over them both as they flipped through. Many of the photos were clearly of them both but Cicil had no recollection of the events or the meaning behind them. Apparently they had gone everywhere in the world, beaches in the Caribbean, jungles in south America, villages in the secluded mountains, Europe, Canada, the states, anywhere imaginable. He breathed a laugh, glancing up at Larson as they paused on a page of photos where most were taken at night. "I'm assuming most vampires are nocturnal then?" He asked curiously.
Lars smiled softly as he listened to Cicil's words and let him move his hand over the tattoo, nodding. “Yes. I believe you were born and raised there. And I do remember the glass… You took me there when I was just a tourist.” he chuckled fondly before cuddling closer as his husband wrapped them both in the blanket. Well, this brings back memories… he sighed a little as he pushed the thought away and focused on the pictures. “Yeah. For the most part, anyway.” he nodded. “It's because of the whole sunlight kills vampires' thing. It used to be true but we’ve adapted to just having a stronger sensitivity to it. When those really high SPF sunscreens came out, it was a really big deal to our community. And it gave me more opportunities to go out with you.” he added with a grin.
Larson smiled softly, "when we first met? I was bold enough to bring you somewhere with me right when we met?" He asked in surprise. "was this how we met?" he asked as he hugged Larson close, pausing in his search through the album to focus on his husband for a moment. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, lightly brushing asked Larson's hair. "Have you been sleeping? eating?" He searched Larson's face, looking for signs of exhaustion, or hunger, or anything that would point to signs of anything other than mostly alright. "This can't be easy on you either." he murmured, lightly resting hi hand over Larson's and gently squeezing in reassurance. "I'll be home soon, wherever that may be as long as its with you. Then we can figure this whole thing out together." He reassured, pressing a kiss to Larson's cheek before focusing back on the album. "Then I'm glad things have come a long way since we were born. It gives people like us more of an opportunity live a more fullfilling life with each other, whether thats at night or during the day." He flipped through a few more photos, recognizing some from his phone while others were newer. Every so often he would pause and read a note here and there on picture, a date, or quotes either he or larson wrote underneath.
“Not quite.” Lars admitted. “But you’re close. I had been with some friends that night and you were walking home alone. With so many vampires around, that was pretty dangerous so I offered to walk you home.” he recounted, returning the hug with a soft smile. “But you did surprise me with a card to a club and we agreed to meet there another time.” Though he chuckled a little and nodded at Cicil’s concern. “I’m fine. Don't worry about me.” he sighed. “You’re right, it's not easy. But I don't want to make things harder on you so I’m taking care of myself.” he assured quickly before melting into the kiss and holding Cici’s hand. “I know you will and I can't wait for the doctors to release you.” he murmured as he pressed a kiss of his own to his forehead. “Yes. And I’m glad that we were able to be around for those changes. I still remember how far and quickly technology has evolved and improved so many lives.” he chuckled at the memories before pointing out a few examples that they had captured in their book.
Civil wasn't sure what to be more shocked at. The fact that he would bring someone to his home only moments after they just met, or offer to go to a club as a way to get to know each other. "Apparently I surprise us both." He laughed softly. "And we've been together ever since? Even after what I'm assuming was at the very least an award first meeting?" He watched Larson, still unconvinced. "My love, I don't have much to worry about considering I can't remember much. And there's not much we can do until I'm out of here. Preoccupying myself with thoughts of you and how you're doing at least gives me something to think about. And I rather like imagining countless scenarios of us together and happy." He smiled thoughtfully and rested his head against Larson's shoulder. "We'll be around for many more. He concluded softly, the thought of eternity with the man beside him sounded like absolute heaven to him: even if they would never die. They spent hours on the floor, curled up among the blanket and pillows looking at the photos. Well, Cicil mostly asking any and every question he could think of and only occasionally pausing when he felt a very slight tug at his subconscious. Usually nothing would come of it no matter how hard he tried to remember but he would make pause on some photos longer than others in an attempt regardless.
Lars chuckled with his husband and kissed his temple. “Pretty much. You were so intriguing, I had to get to know you better. It did take a little while before we actually started… courting. But after we started, it was so clear to me how I felt about you.” he admitted with a light blush.
The vampire sighed at Cicil’s explanation but nodded. “I understand. I do. And I like the idea of you imagining us together. But I want to assure you, at least, that I’m alright.” he confessed. “I miss you, I won't lie about that. If I could sneak in here at night, I would.” he added with a slightly mischievous smirk. However the expression shifted into something softer at Cici’s comment about how they still had so much time ahead of them.
Flipping through the albums and reminiscing like this was so familiar and comforting… even if they were in a hospital and not back home in front of the fireplace. Every once in a while, Lar would glance at Cici, hoping to see even a slight sign of recognition from these memories. But, other than those moments of pause, it was hard to tell. I really should call Finn soon…
