Work Text:
A woman in nurse’s uniform approaches Archie at the pub. He looks up at her, and looks terrified for a few second. She smiles at him.
Nurse: Can I have a seat?
Archie: Go ahead.
The woman sits down. Archie smiles at her, but his smile looks strained. As he speaks, his voice rises in pitch.
Archie: You a nurse, are you? I’ll tell you what, that’s the hardest game in the world, the old nursing game. All those night shifts, dealing with arsy relatives and disgusting illnesses, with barely no pay. I did it meself, you know. Thirty years, man and boy. I had to give it up in the end after I sustained a terrible back injury when I fell down the stairs. And I...
Archie trails off and stares down at the table. He blinks rapidly.
Nurse: Archie. You can stop babbling. It’s all right.
She reaches across the table and squeezes his hand.
Nurse: How are you feeling?
Archie sighs shakily and looks up at her, his eyes shining.
Archie: Shit... Sorry. I mean, I’m meant to be getting better.
Nurse: You are getting better, Archie. You’re forgetting it’s only a month after you left the hospital. It’ll take much longer than that for you to recover.
Archie: I know. It’s just... it’s just so hard.
Nurse: I know, darling. I understand.
Archie: You’re the only one who was ever nice to me.
The nurse rubs Archie’s hand. His bottom lip is starting to wobble.
Nurse: I know. I’m sorry that things didn’t go so well. How’s your arm healing?
Archie: (Shakily) All right, you know. The stitches are starting to dissolve.
Nurse: That’s good. And, you haven’t... hurt yourself since, have you?
Archie shakes his head.
Archie: I’ve wanted to, but, no... I haven’t.
Nurse: That’s brilliant, dear. See how strong you are?
Archie: I’m not strong.
The nurse grasps both of Archie’s hands.
Nurse: You are strong, Archie. You’re still getting out and doing things even though you’re still recovering. And you are still recovering. It won’t be a quick fix. It’ll take time. But you’ll get there.
Archie smiles weakly.
Archie: (Mumbling) Thanks. Thank you so much.
The nurse gives Archie a hug. When she pulls away, he quickly wipes at his eyes. When the nurse sees him crying, she looks near tears herself, and hands him a tissue. Archie smiles again, and hugs her back.