Chapter Text
Being a part time nurse working at Natasha is a pleasant job. Especially now that the overworld is open again, the clinic getting supplies every week or so. Your job is to help Natasha with inventory and put into practice all the theory you’ve learned before. So all in all, it’s great. You get paid and you’re able to see how Natasha does her work up close, she even lets you handle things on your own sometimes. Well, the only drawbacks is the fact that you have to stay at the clinic overnight at times. Patients to take care of, supplies to be counted and written down.
In the middle of the night, drifting off from counting, that’s when you spot a middle aged man broke inside. Both of you just…stare at each other. You are wide awake now, but you wonder if it’s worth it to acknowledge him instead of pretending he’s not there.
The man smiled, cutting edge. It looks sinister under the dark. Well, this is not the first time someone broke in. So much for early closing tonight.
“Look, I’m too tired to deal with you. What do you want?” You spat. He laughs, “Not even asking for my name?” He stares you down. You hate being looked at like that. “Nope. If you’re here for supplies…I can’t let you take much” you eye the medicines you’ve just finished counting. “ Just be quick about it” annoyance lace your tone. He moves closer. You pretend to rub your hips, checking the hidden knife there. Won’t be the first time you have to use it. “Oh? How bold of you to think I’m here to steal~” he sing-songs. You yawn “Whatever man, I’m tired and I need to finish up counting” you grumbled “I’m not paid enough for this”. The amusement in his face is apparent, seemingly to consider his next move. “Very well, I won’t take anything” So he came here for the stuff rolling your eyes, you stare at him, hoping to intimidate him a bit. The action seems to be ignored. “Howeverrrr, it’s fine if I crash here, no? I’m just…not feeling well! What kind of clinic wouldn’t take care of a sick person like Ol’ Sampo here?~” he couldn’t be more obvious in toying with you. You want to shoot Nat a message, but alas he will notice you grabbing your phone. Also, you can’t afford dividing your attention like that when he seems to wait for you to let your guard down.
Sampo, that’s his name. Weird. Well, this Sampo decides to waltz to a bed and plop on it. He proceeds to let out the fakest cough, cartoonish almost. He can’t… is he serious about wanting to get taken care of? Wrinkling your nose in disgust, but noticing the way his hand is constantly holding on his stomach, as if he’s actually in pain. Sigh you need rest like 2 hours ago, and now you have to ‘take care’ of a guy that broke in.
You shoot Natasha a message when he closes his eyes, resting. You walk to him. His eyes widened then. Huh . Now that’s something you can exploit. “Right, tell me where you’re not feeling well?” You stop him when he’s trying to sit up. Two can play this game. He looks nervous, but mostly annoyed. “Not much I can tell~ I’m just not feeling great, you know the one that needs rest ” his voice drops, trying to intimidate you. You just hum noncommittally. “Well, what about this then” you pressed on his abdomen. The shout caught you off guard. “Hey! OUCH OUCH OUCH what the? How do you even know that???” so, he is injured. You smirk, eyes regaining playful glint, you lift off your hands, hovering above it. You might be a healer, but this man is making you want to bully him a little bit. Sampo swallows a gulp, not feeling so confident now with his injured abdomen right under your hands. He could easily escape, but with the way you’re smiling politely, something’s telling him he better not . “Can’t you just give me some space? It’s a bit, uh, stuffy in here " he wrenches his collar, as if it needs to be opened more, that thing’s barely holding on together. "Oh, but how can I leave you when you are injured? Lucky for you, I’m a nurse” you throw a smile at him. He might've shivered from that. “Now, may I examine it Mr…?” Sampo just stares at you, unsure. He knows you are a nurse, but damn he did not come here to be coddled. He came here to grab some supplies, sell some and use some to heal his wound.
“Sampo Koski” he grumbled. “Okay, Mr. Koski” you were about to lift up his..shirt? That looks more like a piece of fabric. How is he wearing this in the cold weather? You thought. Your hand slowly grabs it, before he stops you. His hands circling yours, your breath hitched from the contact. He’s warm, you realized “As long as I get this service for free” he sends you a smirk, shadow casting his eyes. “Sure yeah” you answer curtly. You will yourself to not blush from a simple touch and actually do some work, if there’s even much.
Your eyes widen when the wound is revealed. That does not look okay. Sampo lifted his eyebrows, thinking you might be a bit frightened. “You don’t have to do this, you know? As I said before, I just need to res-", "Don’t move, stay there” ice cold tone, you turn around and grab things you need.
Sampo might’ve been wincing more if he hasn’t been fascinated at how fast you move. The precision of the stitching, putting the salve and bandage on with speed and accuracy. Aren’t you a new nurse? He thought. It’s weird, it hurts but he’s amused by the fact that you’re actually working professionally, despite having to help a literal person that broke into the clinic. It’s very repetitive and well, clinical. Alas it's been a long day for him, his consciousness drifting when you’re tying up the last piece of bandage on him.
“Okay, you should be okay now” you pat on his stomach. The whole ordeal made him sleepy, eyes drifting in and out. Yawning. Maybe you should just crash here as well, to keep things safe. You grab a blanket and put it on top of him. He lets out a questioning noise. “Sleep well Sampo, you strange, strange man” you huff, still annoyed at being kept up so late, but too tired to do anything else. The supplies count can wait for tomorrow. You roll out a spare mattress and sleep near the supplies, immediately passing out.
You found out from Nat the next day that it’s a normal occurrence. Huh, would’ve been nice if you were informed, Natasha assured you that Sampo wouldn’t actually hurt you. She just didn’t think he would break in when you’re right there. “He must’ve been a bit desperate” you nodded, describing to her the wound and things you used on him. She hummed “Well, good job. From the looks of things, he didn’t take anything else as well”. Apparently it's customary for him to crash to sleep or take things. It’s always small things that she can forgive him over, you think she’s being too nice. Then you remember the fact that you patched him up without payment and realized you’re one to speak about being ‘too kind’.
You thought that would be the last you see him. Well, you fool. Right about a week from that, you just have to be in the clinic again. And boy, oh boy, this time you caught him opening up the window, sneaking in. Again. At least looks a bit sheepish getting caught, but you can’t help but feel that he might’ve been doing it on purpose. Lo and behold, it becomes a weekly occurrence for both of you. Despite the tiredness seeping in you, you two are..getting along quite well. He’s doing most of the speaking, mind you. But he’s a welcome addition to your late night working. It certainly beats having just yourself, alone, counting the supplies. And if he sometimes sneaks some things here and there, you let it slide (by the grace of Natasha of course). You wonder sometimes why he is doing this, but nothing could come in your mind. And so it continues. Night after night.
Sampo is…an interesting person. He could and would talk so much, yet share so little of himself. You don’t know much about what he likes or the face behind the ‘mask’ he wears, but sometimes you do see snippets of it, a glimpse if you will. He cares about the people more than he lets on, for once. The genuine worry you saw when he heard Hook is injured, surprise painting his face, before being replaced by that lazy coy smile he wears. You could only speculate why he does it, but it’s almost like he’s afraid. Afraid of ever showing his genuine emotions, his genuine self. But those are thoughts you have while killing time.
One night, you were bored out of your mind. Sampo’s usually breaking in already, sitting on one of the beds, talking out loud. He’s late this time. You sigh, finished with your work. You thought of just leaving, maybe he’s busy or something. Mourning the limited time with him, except that you hear the window being opened. Your eyes immediately go to the source, he isn’t greeting you with that cherry, hearty laugh of his. Instead, he drops down, ragdoll style, startling you. He groans, slowly lifts himself up and prop himself on the wall. Last time you thought the wound was bad. Clearly, it wasn't the worst yet. That night you might’ve as well just got your heart ripped out. “Hey, hey. Big man, stay with me, yeah?” “Hmm, haha…I’m trying…hahaha..” he coughed out the words. You quickly assess the bleeding wound, eventually settling on having a makeshift bed on the floor since moving him might have a bigger risk. Sampo is really injured and he’s losing his consciousness a bit too fast for your liking.
After a grueling battle trying to keep him conscious, you register some drugs along with patching him up. Finally, you could sit down, though worry is still rampant but at least he looks stable now. Natasha comes to open up the clinic, surprised to see both of you there. “I’ll keep watch of him” you told Natasha, she looks surprised, your eyes are still looking at sleeping Sampo, he looks in pain, but at peace mostly. Natasha ended up convincing you to get some sleep in the clinic, after your insistence of not leaving his side. Damn what others think, you’re not leaving a guy that was almost dead which you patched up, and dare you say, a friend, just like that.
When you wake up, it’s noon. Opening up the door, you walk to where Sampo is. He’s still sleeping. Natasha gave you a reassuring smile, patting you on the back. “He woke up earlier, I told him he needs to rest for at least 3 days, on my order” you nod at her. At least he’s not going to try running away before he’s good to go.
“Oh…hi there” your head whipped around, breath bated. He’s awake, relief escaping your lips and tension left on your shoulder. You half thought that he’s not waking up, but here you are, it’s around the time he’s showing up as well. You chuckle at the coincidence. “Ughh..what’s so funny..? Can’t you show some sympathy to me at least? I’m very hurt, you know!” He yells the last part out, wincing at the pain on his chest. “Can’t be that hurt if you’re this energetic already” you smile at him, endeared. You asked him questions regarding conditions then. Changing his bandages and giving him painkillers. The two of you fall back to your usual habits. Him talking and you, sending quips here and there. The topic somehow ended up with you asking him about his home.
“Well, I do have a house!” “Sure, Mr. I’m totally not homeless and cold, mhm” he looks offended at that. The rumors have it that Sampo Koski is never seen resting, or going home, he’s always out there, somewhere. And you’re wondering if it’s true, deciding to tease him about it. He looks a bit somber at the mention of it though. “I do have a place to live…it’s just that, I just don’t see much point in staying home when there’s always something far more interesting I can do, hmph!” He pouted, oh that’s new. It’s almost cute , you thought. “All about that cash huh Sampo?” You’re reading some books on medicines while sitting across his bed. “Of course! Besides, what’s the point of a stupid empty space anyway? I don’t get the appeal of home that people talk about” an idea popped out of your head, and you blurted it out before thinking.
“Maybe you’re just lonely Koski” he stares at you, caught off guard. You quickly added “Have you thought of getting a roommate?” Sampo’s face morphs into a displeasure, one that you instantly laughed at. It’s almost like he’s mortified by the thought. “No” your laugh becomes full blown wheezing then. “My, my. Is Sampo Koski afraid of human interactions, hm?” You send him a smirk, you swear you could see a faint blush on his face. “What are you talking about?! Of course not! I just don’t want to share a space with a stranger, who knows what they might do after all???” It’s funny how he jumped to defend himself, but it is reasonable. Still, you can’t help but feel that when he’s looking out the window, staring with taut eyebrows, he is indeed, lonely.
Then came the second unfiltered thought you have, “how bout rooming with me then?” Silence. Sampo is flabbergasted, his face is unreadable, seemingly putting the mask on completely. Huh. “And what would you get from that, hm?~” he smiles, it reminds you of the first night you met him. It looks dangerous, yet it just looks like a defensive mechanism that he used now. You’re able to read between his lines better, and that just screams suspicion. Of what though? You thought. “Well, company. I wanted a roommate for a while, and you seem like an alright guy. I don’t mind sharing a place as long as you pay rent, don’t steal my stuff, all that jazz” you make some vague hand gestures. He levels you with a look, not convinced. “Seriously man, I know it sounds weird but I would like to think we’re friends at this point” you look at him, “is it really that hard to believe that I find your company very enjoyable?” You send him a pained smile. Sampo stares, eyes widened.
“What…?” you asked, brows furrowed in confusion. Sampo is staring at you like you’re mad, when was the last time someone wanted to be around him? His eyes, cat-like, flicked through as did his thoughts. It’s definitely an interesting offer, it has been a while since he has let anyone in his life though. Let alone rooming with someone. He needs to know for sure that he’ll be okay with this, that you’re actually willing, it’s risky. “Aw, do you really want to room with a conman , like, come on?” he grinned, only to find a pair of eyes staring a bit too deeply into him. Oh it’s not a pleasant feeling he thought, unconsciously grabbing the blanket tighter. The movement didn’t go unnoticed by you. “Why would I offer it if not ? You speak as if I’m not aware of what I’m saying Sampo” a little laugh escapes you, eyes tender. And that’s how you both ended up rooming with each other.
Sampo does pay the rent occasionally - but he mostly drops by and uses the spare room here and there. You love to have another person to converse with, it is nicer to have Sampo over and hear him talk about everything, it fills the silence with companionship and feelings that screams domestic sometimes. On the other hand, you always make sure that Sampo Koski actually rests and takes care of himself. Sampo finds it alarming at first, before it morphs into annoyance, which eventually becomes a habit instead. It’s a sweet balance that benefits both of you, really. Sampo gets a place to crash in that starts to feel like a home and a homemade meal, sometimes. You on the other hand get a surprise visit more often, almost daily, slowly making your days brighter.
Until one day, he stops showing up. At first you just shrug it off and text him about it. But then the text isn’t answered, and one day becomes two, which becomes three soon enough. That’s when you start to panic a bit. The problem with trying to find Sampo is that he could be anywhere. You’ve been asking Natasha and people around Boulder Town, but none has seen him for the past few days.
Imagine your surprise when a sick Sampo Koski just showed up 5 days after he went silent. He’s running a high fever, that’s what you thought when he practically collapsed to you, and you can feel him far too warm. “Sampo, have you taken any medicine?” You have to ask, heart’s beating loudly while you drag him to his room. “I think…so? I think Geppie gave me one..? But I don’t want to be in the hospitallll” he slurs, you gently drop him on his bed. Your chest tightens when he curls up on himself, shivering. You took out all the blankets you have, damn the outside clothes, he needs to be warmer now. Sampo smiles, a bit cozier now. His eyes are glazed over, trying to focus on your face.
“I will bring you some medicine, okay? Do you want to change your clothes as well?” You put your hand on his forehead, estimating the degree, contemplating on which medicine you should give to him. “Okay…and yes please” he giggles “although, you should’ve taken me to dinner first, hm?~” this man. You blushed ferociously at that. For Aeon's sake, he’s either delirious or still coherent enough to tease you, which isn’t helping either way. You scoff at him, “why didn’t you come back home Sampo?” You tried instead. “Ah well, I was caught and put in jail…before Captain realized I’m unwell” your heart stops. How long has he been like this? “He tried to send me to the hospital!” he exclaims loudly, “I hate that place”. Is he crying a bit??? You wipe his tears, he continues “I didn’t want to burden you, you know? But I really don’t want to go to my old, empty space either” oh, this stupid, stupid man.
“Why would you go back there?” his eyes clear up a bit, focusing on you. He seems confused, your breath hitched. Oh.
“Wait…are you..crying?” He panics, you didn’t even realize the tears came out of your eyes, whatever, you’re even now. “You…moron!” You’re holding his hand, he looks bewildered, seemingly a bit more present. “First of all, this is literally your place as well” you sniffed “Second of all, you worry me way more by not showing up!” He looks away “ And third, Sampo Koski, look at me” his eyes, guilty, look at yours. “You will never be a burden, okay? I mean it when I say this is your home as much as it is mine, yeah?” The determined look in your face throws him off. To be fair he didn’t think he would be in this position. At most he thought of you dropping some medicines and let him sleep it off, maybe even unwillingly. It seems that he’s a bit far off from his own judgement right now. He would be lying if his cheeks didn’t burn more than it already was, and the two of you ended up crying together.
In the midst of being taken care of by you, Sampo feels so warm. Yes, he has a fever; yes, it went to almost 41 degree celcius. But having you by his side, tending to almost all of his wimps; he can’t help but deliriously think that, just maybe, he does have a home now. If getting sick is what made him able to spend time with you, letting him memorize everything that’s you. Your face, your voice, your touch. The soft way you would look at him, the annoyed eye roll you make when he makes another joke, while struggling to hide your smile. Maybe he should get sick more often. And oh, don’t even get him started on just how divine your touch is, your cool hand resting on his forehead, you ruffling his hair to mess it up, you helping him get up, you, you,
you
. Aha above, he might just have accidentally fallen into a glorious pool of feelings that is a ‘crush’.