Quote:
Originally Posted by
MadMadamMalfoy 
Gaston let out a dejected sigh and reluctantly allowed River to help him back into the bed. He lie back, still noticeably trembling as he stared up at the ceiling for several moments. The horrible dream might've been over, but the voices of his father and Dr. Javert still replayed in his mind no matter how he tried to block them out, reminding him of how he'd never be the person they wanted him to be. See, none of this would've happened if you could control your emotions like a real man, their voices taunted him. And they were right... here he was burdening River with his troubles when his time could be better spent tending to people with real illnesses.
Then another, much worse thought occurred to him. How long had he been out? Had anyone else seen him before River did? What if a student found him? That would give them even more cause to dislike him. What if one of his colleagues found him? Then they'd just go on underestimating him. Or... what if Rosalyn found him? she'd already seen him at one of his lowest points over the summer, and he still hadn't forgiven himself for it. He couldn't do that to her again!
Gaston could barely look at River, let alone actually tell him anything yet. How did he know that he wouldn't judge him once he knew about his insecurities? And why was he looking at him like that? Finally, he forced himself to speak. "Did anyone else see me like this before-?" he began, but his voice trailed off before he could finish the question.
Given his profession, River was a man of action. Nothing else could hype his adrenaline by being quick on his feet while he raced against time, saving a person's life. It had been the same with Gaston, in fact, River could not shake the feeling that he'd been too late. That he'd been reviewing his files for too long that the man in question was on the verge of losing his sanity.
River could not help but be disgusted with the fact that Gaston had been overlooked all these years by his friends and family. Or perhaps, the man in question was to blame? River had all the questions filed in his head, most were left unanswered simply because Gaston had the answers to them. For now, he had to earn the man's trust just like any other patient before him. He had to make the Charms professor understand that he was the man for the job, and that he would treat his issues with utmost confidentiality. That's how Healers work anyway.
He had noticed the lack of eye contact, and River could not help but confirm Gaston's deep insecurities. He seemed afraid of his own shadow. River kept his gaze, and his tone gentle.
"I don't think so. I would've immediately received a patronus or a message from a freaked out student if I didn't see you first." River tilted his head to the side, curious about his reaction. People did care for him, and they would've panicked if they'd seen him lying on the ground unconscious. River got up from his seat and gave Gaston his glass of water, and offered it to the man.
"You're not exactly fit to be in a pub to talk things over with me, so this would have to do." River grinned as he too got his own glass of water, trying to set up a friendly mood; much like how two grown men would discuss things in a dimly lit bar.
"So...care to tell me what's going on?" And don't lie, Gaston. We got your medical records on hand.