Rocky Road

[Pacifist]

That I was up that early was a sign of something. Here I was, up at 5.

Tempest was already up, making coffee, getting ready for work. She looked at me surprised. "I thought you would still be sleeping."

"It's nothing, I think the gas problem is back. I'm just going to take some antacid and wait it out." I said.

"The think from a few days ago?" Tempest asked.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. It just hurts." I replied.

She raised an eyebrow. "Alright, your funeral."

And so I went to the bathroom. And continued between there and the couch for a half hour.

Tempest checked up on me. "Are you sure you don't want to go to-"

"I'm fine." I replied. "It'll just pass, like last time."

"Alright..." Tempest said, unsure. She finished the last sip of coffee from the mug she was levitating. "I'm heading off to work. Don't die on me, 'kay?" She gave me a kiss on the cheek, and headed off.

Fifteen minutes after that I vomited in the bathroom sink. I got my health information card, called up a nurse, and after a quick conversation I knew what I had to do.

I got my shoes on and my jacket as Maud walked down the stairs. "Where are you going?"

"Hospital." I replied, holding my side in pain. "I'm getting a Lyft. Please come with me."

She nodded, and helped me out the front door as I texted Tempest about the situation.

---

As I held the bag up to my mouth to capture any further upchucks (thankfully, that had died down for the time being), I entered the hospital. I was quickly redirected to the urgent care section. Rather than try to talk (as it would lead to dry-heaving) I just gave my information card and sat on a wheelchair. Maud nuzzled me as I pet her, and it wasn't long until a nurse showed up and brought me to one of the rooms. I lied down on the bed, after removing my jacket, shirt and shoes, and put on the medical gown thing. A few quick tests, and the lady had to take a blood test and put in an IV. While I was not a fan of needles in the slightest, I let it happen. I held Maud's hoof as she put it in. Didn't hurt as much as whatever was going on with my abdomen. A blood test and some medication later, I was left with Maud. No talking, just nuzzling. My phone buzzed, and Maud got it for me. It was Tempest, and she was worried. I sent a text or two to let her know that it probably wasn't life-threatening, so I should be okay. A few more tests and a lot more waiting, I found out the problem: Kidney Stone. Fortunately, it was fairly small, so I just needed to take some medication and take it easy. Soon enough, we were on my way. Maud and I went, picked up the medication, and set foot/hoof outside the hospital when I saw Tempest galloping up towards me. She immediately planted a kiss on my lips and a hug around my waist. "Oh, um, good to see you too. I'm okay, really."

"I'm taking you home." Tempest said. "Are you feeling sick? Tired? You should drink a lot of water and sleep. Did they have to do any surgeries?"

"I'm fine, Tempy." I replied. "It's really minor... Though my blood sugar is a little high."

"I'm putting you on a diet. We're cutting all those carbs from your diet, you need to-"

I cut her off with another kiss. "I'm *fine*. We can deal with that once the kidney stone isn't an issue anymore, and I have medication to deal with that. Everything's okay."

Tempest blushed as she looked to the side. "...I just... I'm worried..."

"He's going to be okay." Maud said. She gave Tempest a hug. "We're here for him."

I joined in on the hug. "I'll make sure this doesn't happen again, okay?" I said. "Thank you, though. I'm glad you're concerned enough about me to gallop all the way here."

Tempest blushed and stammered a little, and I kissed her on the cheek. "Let's go home."