"Woahwoahwoah," Noah laughed, "You don't need to do all that. I just want someone to keep me company while I'm not workin'. Well, for the first few days, maybe..."

After all, even looking around was painful.

"On the bright side, I got workman's comp."

"With you being hurt, I don't wanna let you get up and hurt yourself more." Veli explained, stroking his cheek. "I'll do anything to keep you nice and stable until you heal. Okay?"

"Actually," Noah explained, "I'm supposed to be on my way home right now. Superficial wounds and whatnot. They tried to feed me chicken."

"I'll carry you." Veli grumbled, sitting up. He looked down at Noah and smiled. Even if he didn't realize, and even if he didn't say, there was, for sure, a look of love in those eyes.

Noah laughed hard and grabbed his crutches, standing on his left foot.

"For one, I don't think you could. For two, no need."

Veli grinned. "I can do a lot of things that you wouldn't think I could." He said. After a moment, his face fell, and he petted Noah's arm.

"I'll do anything for you, Noah."

"Uh...that's rather...kind of you. Thanks," Noah said, giving a nurse a little wave.

"I assume you didn't drive here."

"I can't drive." He forgot how to drive sometimes. You better believe the man didn't know how to drive.

"I'll call us a cab or something."

"I don' have any money, do you?" Noah asked, "I mean, I could always walk."

"I would piggyback you before I'd let you walk." Veli said, going to a pay phone. "And I think I can cover a cab ride, Noah."

"Alright," Noah nodded, leaning on his crutches and squinting against the sun, "I'll pay ya back when we get to my truck."

"Don't you dare." Veli snorted. "I said I can get a cab ride. You drive me around everywhere anyway." He made the call, then moved beside Noah.

"So... Beside the gash and the bad ankle, anything else hurt?"

"Uh...the bruises hurt somethin' fierce," Noah sighed, "Got a huge headache. Not so bad."

"I'll take care of you." He promised again, nodding.

No doubt Veli would be terrified when he realized how deep he was in.

Noah sighed and shifted slightly.

"Alright, alright," he said, "just tell them to hurry the fuck up."

It wasn't too much longer and a cab arrived. Veli handed his wallet over to Noah, muttering: "You pay for it, I'm kinda bad with bills." He smiled, though, holding open the door for him.

Noah smiled and took the wallet, climbing in.

"You pay after the ride."

"Oh." Well, he knew there was some sort of monetary exchange going on. Leave him alone.

Veli told the cabbie where to go, and then leaned back against the seat. "Is construction always so dangerous?"

Noah groaned and tried to stretch out comfortably.

"This is what hardhats are for," he said, turning to Veli, "I, like an idiot, looked up when he yelled for me. I'm lucky I still have a whole head."

Veli made a strange face as, no doubt, he was picturing what Noah would look like without half his head. Didn't seem to be sitting with him too good.

"Oh." He said after a moment, nibbling at his lip. "But you like your job?"

"I love my job," Noah smiled and leaned back, closing his swollen eyes, "I'd never do anything else."

Veli just smiled at him. Ah... As long as he was happy.

"That's good. It's important to like what you do."

"Definitely," Noah nodded and looked out the window as they approached his house. Nnh...had to move again...

Poor Noah. Veli shook his head. He'd get the man into bed and treat him right, he would.

"At least you won't have to go far to get into the house." Veli said, looking up at it.

Noah looked at the meter and paid the cabbie before climbing out and beginning up the steps.

"True," he nodded.