It didn't take long for Marcie to fall into somewhat of a routine at the guild. With the Association's first responders still on strike, the field teams have been abnormally busy handling instant dungeons. The research teams had continuous meetings with the government and other guilds about the increasing frequencies of dungeon portals appearing, something that continuously wore at the guild's stamina.
Richard had just returned from another rescue mission after escorting survivors of another instant dungeon to the hospital. His body had been unusually slumped as he trudged into the labs and nearly threw himself into a second chair at Marcie's desk. He had only just barely managed to get his gear off and direly needed to take a shower.
Marcie passed him a vial of blue liquid, which he took without even questioning. A huge sigh was met with a pat to his shoulder as he handed the now empty vial back. "Your boosters really help Marc." It was obvious that the man was utterly exhausted.
"They're mostly just electrolytes infused with mana. Nothing special…" Marcie mumbled before taking a closer look at the Captain. He didn't have to say anything to her, she knew that the last rescue mission was particularly a rough one. The bags under his eyes have grown darker the past few weeks, as did all the rest of the guild and his expression said it all. It was a messy operation.
"Perhaps you should call a cab this time, Rich. You're too worn out to drive today." Marcie felt a twinge of guilt as Richard has been consistent and adamant on chauffeuring Marcie to and from work every day. She had found out last week that her place was far out of the way for him and his commute has more than doubled because of it.
Richard's gaze met with Marcie's until it caught the sight of a search window on her computer screen. "You're looking for a new place?" He asked rather surprised. Marcie was tidying up her desk to get ready to head home when Richard arrived.
"Yeah, something closer to the guild. The commute is a little too far for my liking. I thought it'd be easier to be closer." Marcie had already put her apartment up for sale and had cleaners come through to get it ready for viewings.
Richard contemplated it for a few moments before giving his face a rub and letting his head sit there as he leaned onto her desk. "If that's what you want, Marc. Had anything in mind yet?" His question seemed casual enough, but somehow Marcie felt like his question had more layers than he was letting on.
"Nothing yet. Living alone is a struggle in itself, much less an apartment that is outfitted to house someone disabled. I wish I didn't have to be so picky about it." Marcie reflected back to her 20's when she would often go on long road trips with friends and they would just figure things out on the fly.
It seemed like Rich wanted to say something but instead, he stood up and took a long stretch. Most of the other guild members had already gone home for the day, save for the night crews that were only there in case more portals opened at night. Thanks to Marcie's abilities, it only took her moments to get ready to leave. Richard took his usual position behind her to push and guide her out of the building, a task that he had gotten so comfortable with that it became automatic for him.
The drive home was a quiet one. Marcie didn't want to distract the already tired Captain from driving and Richard seemed to have a lot on his mind, the idea to take a cab had been completely forgotten as habit was the only motivator to action. The late evening felt somehow quieter as the streets gradually emptied and the street lamps flickered on.
Getting Marcie up to her apartment also took unnaturally longer than usual. She was convinced at this point that her friend had hit a limit of burn out. As he was turning to leave, Marcie reached out to grab his wrist, nearly falling out of her chair. "Wait!" The concern in her eyes was obvious now.
"You're staying the night here." Marcie's hands shook as she recalled her car accident. While it was caused by a dungeon portal, the thought of Richard getting into an accident from exhaustion didn't sit well with her. "You're too tired to keep driving."
Richard could have very well chosen to be stubborn in that moment, he was certainly known to be, but Marcie's grip tightened. "I'm okay Mar…" The hall began to spin slightly as Richard stumbled towards the wall. "No… I think you're right… sorry to impose…"
Marcie's apartment had become a familiar sight to him by now, but he wasn't used to seeing it so late at night. "I'll go get you some fresh towels to shower, I think I might have a few pairs of shorts in storage from my dad that will fit you." Marcie had shooed Richard into the bathroom and prepared a place for him to sleep while he washed off the day of otherworldly grime.
For someone who was disabled, Marcie moved pretty quick. She had already finished everything she needed to by the time Richard emerged from the bathroom. "Thanks…" He muttered. Marcie beckoned him to the bedroom where she had changed her bedding to all fresh ones.
"You're sleeping here tonight. I got myself set up on the couch." Richard couldn't help but sputter in shock.
"Wait, what?" He looked to her, and then to the bed. "But that's your bed, I can't take it, no way! I'll sleep on the couch!" Richard's ears began to turn a faint glow of red.
"Heck no! Rich, you're EXHAUSTED! You need a proper night's sleep and I know for a fact that a huge muscular guy like you won't get that on the couch! You're sleeping here and that's final!"
The thought of kicking a disabled person off her own bed didn't sit well with him at all. "No, but Marc, I can't do that to you. T-then, we can at least s-share…maybe?" Richard's face got even more red. "I promise I won't do anything, I just can't force you out of your own bed, I can't."
Marcie could clearly see he felt a lot of conflict but was too tired to completely resist. She had to remind herself that this was completely platonic and agreed. Actually falling asleep was another matter. It was pretty obvious they both had a lot on their mind. Marcie had just finished getting comfortable when Richard rolled over to face her.
"Marcie, I gained a skill the other day that I think will help you…" Marcie felt a little annoyed that he wasn't trying to sleep, but she let him continue, maybe he needed to get some things off his chest first. "The Docs are worried that your passenger will attack your organs when they extract it. I picked up a skill called body fortification during that battle with that armored beast the other day." Marcie nodded, remembering the hype that occurred when they brought the creature into the dismantling facility.
"That fortifies your body, doesn't it?" She asked curiously. Richard nodded.
"Yeah, but if I can train and level the skill up, maybe I can project it or apply it to a target other than myself…" He took Marcie's hand and gave it a squeeze. "We'll figure it out, and get you all better, I swear it."
Marcie gave him a quiet acknowledgement before they drifted off to sleep.