A similar dream like last time. You were getting chased you down the hallway. You watched a scientist getting killed right behind you. You could feel the creatures breath hit your neck. A way too familiar scream filled in the silence only broken by your footsteps and ragged breathing of the creature.

You awoke with a start eyes darting around frantically. Bright light attacked your vision, making you regret that immediately. The already existing headache wasn't pleased either.

"I am sorry, did I wake you up?", 049 asked.

Still blinded from the light, you vaguely turned towards the direction you assumed his voice came from. He sat in a chair next to you, an old looking book in one hand and a pen in the other. It was obvious that you had interrupted him from scribbling down notes.

"No, not really.", you answered and suppressed the need to yawn.

But quickly sobered up after remembering the last few hours. Crying and acting like the last idiot. Hot shame crawled up your back. You dared to take a peek at 049.

He was watching you intently. You quickly averted eye contact sheepishly and glanced at his book.

"Oh wow, I can't read that." You said to change the subject quickly.

He chuckled. "I have to admit, my handwriting is very ornate."

You (un)successfully lifted a brow. Actually you were referring to the language used, which did not look like anything you knew. With a shrug, you leaned back and stretched. "Ouch!" Bad idea. Your side sent waves of pain down your body. A feeling you had almost forgotten that existed because of... The ring!

"Please refrain doing that for obvious reasons.", 049 uttered in an almost mechanical tone. He had said those words to a lot of patients.

But the advice didn't even have a chance to reach your brain. Eyes darting around the room in panic to look for any trace of the lost item, you began checking every pocket on your clothes. A sudden clap sound made you jump visibly.

049 had closed the book to get your attention after failed attempts. "May I help you in whatever you are doing?"

"Ah! No, no, don't worry!", a desperate smile crept on your face. "I'm just itching to continue walking!" As if the smile wasn't a stretch already, a forced laugh escaped your lips. You couldn't even see half of his face, but you just knew he was lifting one eyebrow.

Before even giving him a chance to react, you had already slid of the table to stand up, ignoring the protests of your body. Listening for once would have been the smarter choice, since your legs were still incredibly weak, making it quite hard to walk in a straight line. A hand on the wall to balance out your non existing strength, finally got 049 to take action.

"Not so fast.", he declared, extending his hands to help you walk, but you evaded last second without a trace of grace. He sighed, visibly annoyed. "Stop acting ridiculous."

If trying to survive from death was ridiculous to him, so be it.

"I don't care!"

"Stop resisting", he growled.

"Stop using your killer phrase!", you screeched, backing away from his approaching form.

After a lot of back and forth, you got cornered against the wall by 049.

"Please don't touch me.", you pleaded, as he approached further.

It worked, the plague doctor stopped.

"Will you tell me now what is going on?"

You creeped towards a gap, but 049 closed it immediately. He exhaled rather dramatically and wringed his hands, but stopped once he noticed your warily gaze. Out of instinct, your hand scurried to your finger were the jaded ring was supposed to be. Dark eyes observed your reaction.

"Does this have something to do with your behaviour?", he asked and opened his hand to reveal the ring. Mouth shut tight, you successfully remained silent but your intense stare gave you away anyways.

"So a no it is then?", he affirmed with a low chuckle.

Two options. Try to be faster and snatch the ring from him and possibly die by contact or try to get the desired item through words.

A small smile formed on your features. "Would you kindly return the ring to me? It holds a dear place in my heart, since it is a family heirloom."

"You really have a thing for stuff that can kill you.", he remarked and studied the object closer.

"What do you mean, it's just a simple ring.", you laughed. Internally, you weren't that calm. What did he know?

"There is no need to pretend." He looked at you. "I have noticed some weird symptoms concerning you. Inability to sprint, shortness of breath, pale skin...", he continued to count down the symptoms on his finger. "... and obviously the bandage. Once you fainted, I was affirmed of my suspicion that you had lost a lot of blood. You were shot sometime before we met. But why didn't you show any kind of pain symptoms?"

You extended your hand with a dead serious expression commanding him to give you the ring. He followed your example but continued further towards your face.

"From what I have gathered, this ring nullifies your ability to feel pain."

His fingers ghosted over your skin, wary of not actually touching it.

"Pain is important. It lets you know there is something wrong with your body. So others can help..." His voice sent shivers down your spine, making it hard to stand still. "I can not let someone die, I am a doctor after all. We swore an oath to help those in need."

You didn't dare to move, his hand was already way too close to your face.

"You have learned through the hard way that my methods are the most effective in contrast to this rings."

One wrong move and everything was over. You braced yourself.

He booped your nose.

"Trust me for once."

And with that this whole situation took a 180 turn.

"Wha- what?", you stuttered and a huge blush crept onto your face.

"Would it not be rather unfortunate to kill everything I touch?", he chuckled and used your confusion to place a hand next to your waist to balance your missing walking abilities out.

"Ah....", you stammered flustered. "Of- of course."

Going along with accepting the extra help he offered, still red like a tomato. He... What WAS that just know? Was that his idea of a joke?!

049 guided you towards the door, adjusting to your slow pace. Every step sent an earthquake of pain throughout your body. Walking wasn't as easy as you'd hoped, so you clung to him for dear life.

"See? I trust you. May I get the ring back? NOW?", you pleaded, already annoyed at walking slow motion and the metaphorical sharp knives stabbing the wound with every step. Getting out of this hellhole would take ages!

"Are you serious? This ring is partly responsible for almost making you die and you still want that item back?"

"The ring isn't responsible! It was one of...! The guards that...", you trailed off, your voice becoming unusually hoarse towards the end alarming the other.

049 stopped to tap your chin upwards with his index finger to face him.

"I do not want you to get hurt any further.", he said sincerely. Warmth crawled up your cheeks. His eyes looked so genuine. You quickly averted eye contact. His thumb brushed over your cheek.

"Besides, do not worry, my ways are the most effective." He patted your head reassuringly.

You mentally face palmed. Of course. Some things may never change.

Author's note:

Sorry for putting my head canon in there, some are probably bothered by that, but it makes more sense for this story. And kind of in general? For example imagine 049 petting a dog and it straight up dies without him wanting it. Would plants die as well? Oh well, we may never know.
And thank you so much for sticking with me until now! I am grateful for every single one of you that takes time of their day to read this.