Heart strings (Private between Ink Dragon Rosette and myself)

[Tritium]

Lane was waiting for Reese to reopen the discussion. It was not like he wanted it, but that man had the gift of surprising him when he least expected, so now, he felt it was better to be prepared.

[Ink Dragon Rosette]

Reese wasn't going to push the other to talk. He'd more or less taken the hint that Lane didn't want to talk. Even if he liked the chatter, he'd just sit and plug along, occasionally sighing at how much there had to be done.

[Tritium]

And so, the awkward silence continued, interrupted from time to time by Reese's sighing, up until noon. Lane got up from his desk, straightening his back. "Sensei, it's lunch time. Should we go to the cafeteria?"

[Ink Dragon Rosette]

Reese looked up, startled at the realization of what time it was. "Ah... go ahead Lane. I'll just finish up here." he said, smiling slightly and nodding to the other. He had a lunch with him, some leftovers from last night, that he planned to eat cold sometime today. Usually, he worked through lunch, just because he had so much he had to do. Even though he was just a weight loss doctor, he did have quite the work load, and stress from it.

[Tritium]

"Um, are you sure you're not coming?" Lane asked him, hoping the professor would change his mind. "I could bring you something to eat if you like...."

[Ink Dragon Rosette]

Reese blinked again. He understood what the other was doing, he was offering to get him lunch. But, he didn't want Lane to waste his lunch break taking care of him. The thought was nice enough. So, he shook his head. "No Lane, that isn't necessary." he said, not realizing how cold he sounded. He just didn't want Lane to trouble himself over the doctor.

[Tritium]

"I understand..."
Lane turned around, not wanting sensei to see the disappointment in his eyes. His voice sounded so cold and distant, it sent chills down his spine. He reached out to his chest, placing his hand right on his heart, hearing the sounds it made, feeling it twitch, slightly pained by Reese's refusal. He knew he shouldn't beat himself up over every little thing, however, he couldn't help feeling sad.
"I... I'm off then, sensei. I won't be long" Lane uttered and left, without even looking back.

[Ink Dragon Rosette]

Just as Lane didn't look back, Reese didn't look up. "Of course." he said, already lost in work again. Sometime later this day, he had appointment with customers, and he should get this paperwork done before the next flood came in. In fact, he was so focused on work, he didn't touch his lunch.

[Tritium]

Lane traversed the long corridor, avoiding the other workers, as they made their way to various areas of the clinic. He was pretty sure he'd find the cafeteria packed full with hungry people, so he decided to hurry up and catch a seat.

[Ink Dragon Rosette]

Reese had his lunch under the desk, but it remained to be untouched as he worked. Lane had really helped him get through it today, as he did everyday, but even then there was always more work to do. He was just thankful that Lane helped him, else he'd be drowning in paperwork.