» CAMERA LENS & CAREFUL DAYS, [avery]

Avery really wasn't one of those guys who'd get involved in any fights. Especially since he was one of the faculty members and he had higher authority--getting involved with some petty students' squabbles never really interested him; rather, Avery often ignored them because it wasn't any of his business. But when the students go out of their way to gang up on some poor, innocent earth who was just mind their own business...ooh, that got his blood boiling.

So here's the story. Like every other break Avery had, he'd take a stroll through the Academy, you know, get some fresh air, because everyone knew how the medical wing smelled like--antiseptic and cleaning products--and he liked cold and snowy days. The air was extra fresh and crisp on days like these, and it was just nice to get out of his office once and a while because he felt like he was in solitary confinement being in there. It was also enjoyable to meet and see all the students in their own natural habitat (yes, Avery often thought of them as animals; cute, furry little animals), so he decided to head off into the courtyard and sit by the fountain; it was where most of the students hung out by. Avery was just minding his own business, creating designs in the snow with his foot, when he saw a few thunders and fires by one of the benches, but that wasn't what bother Avery. It was the fact that they were surrounding an earth that often frequented his office due to being bullied. Now, Avery really wasn't the one to get involved in fights, but when he heard the words that were said and the advancing heat and electricity in the air, he had to step in. The earth was literally only a ninth grader and a girl for God's sakes! It was no doubt she looked scared, but Avery was too, when he saw the look on the fires' and thunders' faces. You see, Avery had the reputation of being too friendly and not being serious--he wasn't a violent person either, so it was obvious he was going to be taken advantage of...and that's exactly what happened.

Avery wasn't badly hurt. Not to the point where he could barely stand or something--all that really happened was he was pushed roughly. That in itself wasn't so bad, but...Avery was a clumsy person, so instead of catching himself, he ended up face planting into the snow. Which hurt by the way. Wasn't snow supposed to be soft and fluffy? Not hard and spiky? Anyways, thankfully Avery got out of there (with the earth student safe and sound) with some cuts and bruises on his face. What was this, the second time Avery face planted in the courtyard? Ugh, how embarrassing, by students nonetheless! He sighed, wiping his lips with his thumb, hissing in pain when he realized he had a cut there. He probably look like a mess right about now; why did he have to be so clumsy? His physical coordination in no way matched his smooth talking.

Heading back to his office (because like hell did he feel like taking another stroll with those thugs still out there!) Avery realized he was late. Groaning, he quickened his pace but he wasn't really worried. Things were slow at the medical wing, so he figured it was alright if he was a little late. That is, unless a "high-up" was waiting outside his office...well, then, Avery would have a lot of explaining to do. However, when he reached his office, Avery saw the figure of a person, and upon getting closer, Avery realized it was Nell, one of his regulars. He smiled, laughing slightly as he realized she was building a house of cards. Smirking, Avery slowed down his steps to the point where he was nearly silent to sneak up on her, and just as he was about to grab her shoulders to scare her, Avery saw the black burn on Nell's exposed arm. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. What happened Nell?!" he exclaimed, his voice loud and echoing in the reception area. Her skin was blackened by what he assumed to be a burn and he sucked in his breath as he examined it.

Though Avery was more than concerned when he saw Nell's burn marks, he froze when she told him to. "Okay...Ms. Nell...?" He slowly directed his attention toward the card house and his face lit up in pure amusement. Only Nell would. He smiled back at her as she looked up at him and took a seat next to her, briefly distracted. "Is this what you've been doing while you were waiting for me?" he asked, amused. He would not have the patience to build one of these; he wouldn't even get past building the first floor, knowing him. Avery was a clumsy person, and even though he was very patient, he had a feeling the card house would be destroyed in pure frustation.

Avery sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. The way Nell talked about her injuries was really making him worried. It was like she brushed them off as if it was a regular thing--and Avery didn't like that at all. Especially when she came into his office often. Avery gently took her hand in his, examining the burn marks, but completely froze when she said she had another one. "If there's more to the story, feel free to tell me. 'Cause you know, I'm not at all totally concerned," he said sarcastically, glancing up to catch Nell's gaze. He was initially not in a very good mood and seeing these injuries on Nell did not help him at all, though he did let out a small laugh at her joke. It was wrong and sick, and he smiled wryly just like Nell's tone. "Practicing? That's a sick way of putting it," he pointed out, Avery's eyes literally glued to Nell's burns. Already in his head he was wondering how on earth someone would want to this to her.

Avery watched her as she picked up another card, guessing they could prolong this a little more. From what he could tell it did no other damage then burning the skin, but obviously he wondered how much Nell was keeping in; he'd be literally crying in fetal position due to the pain. Avery looked down at his clothes, and sure enough, he was covered in snow. He closed his eyes, shaking his head at himself before breaking put into a smile. "Well, it seems like we're both havng bad luck with thunders," he started, his mind flashing back bitterly to the thunder who shoved him. He was a tall dude, and what could Avery have done? It all happened to fast that he really didn't know how to react. "And I'm having an amazing time. Just love how little kids throw ice at me when I'm walking down the streets," he joked, but seriously, he hated the snow. A little kid nearly knocked him out with a snowball that contained actual ice! Ugh. Avery could deal with the cold weather, but hated the snow. HATED. IT.

"C'mon, Nell, I need to patch you up," he said as he took Nell by the uninjured arm. "You can finish up your card house later~" Avery cooed cheerfully, smiling at her. He couldn't stay serious forever (you get wrinkles from that!) and besides, it wouldn't be fair to Nell if he stayed all sulky and angry that he probably could've scarred his face, but Avery was no doubt angry at the thunder who did this to her. He saw a lot of things like this everyday, but that didn't mean he got used to it. And so he sat Nell down on a stool, giving her a playful stern look to warn her that he was watching her, and if she tried to escape to go finish her house of cards... Avery opened up his desk drawer, getting out a first aid kit and some lollipops he had stashed. "Here~" he offered, giving her a fistful of lollipops. "This oughta keep you preoccupied!"

Avery was amazed at how Nell looked unfazed in this situation. Any other person would be panicking and clinging onto him in horror...but nope, that was not Nell, and he laughed at her explanation. "I'm honored," he laughed, placing a hand on his chest as if he was touched. Really, it wasn't everyday he saw an injured patient making house of cards as they waited for him. "Even if it was inhabitable, I don't think I'd live in it~" Avery joked. He had quite a fear of heights, and besides, he'd probably be more cautious and scared of what he ate, fearing that one day he'd just enter and everything would topple over due to his weight. Avery sighed, his chin now resting on his propped up hand, as he continued to watch Nell's...uh, performance. If only he could keep her in a glass dome and watch her for the whole day, but then again, Josh would go hunting him down. Yikes.

"Yeah, and because of you kids I'm starting to get worry lines," Avery joked, poking his own forehead with a pout. That wasn't even the worst part--moreover, he saw most of his patients on a daily basis, seeing them with their friends, teachers, and enemies in the halls or right here in this office. Avery grew...attached, and that sort of feeling shouldn't be allowed in this kind of work, because there are times where they don't get sent here; they're sent to the hospital in Maple Hollow. Ever since he got here, Avery has been feeling as if he was a father or something--an unfamiliar, yet warm kind of feeling. "I do, that's why I worry!" he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Avery flung out his arms for good measure. "We need to like, put every single one of you in hamster balls or something." He nodded seriously at the idea. Oh, how cute. He could only imagine the chaos that would ensure though...and how would they fit through the doors? Oh well. Not his problem. "Well, I'd wish it stopped," Avery sighed, but he smiled back at Nell, though it was noticeably strained. He poked her cheek, and cooed, "You don't always have to act so strong, y'know~" Avery gave her a half smile. "'Cause I'm always here with open arms if you want to cry." And he did just that, Avery's eyes closed and a wistful smile on his face. Though he did peek open one of his eyes to see if Josh was around. Um, awkward. And he really couldn't forget the menacing look he gave the nurse the last time they talked about Nell. It was all in good fun, but Josh was scary.

He laughed bitterly as Nell tilted her head at him, an unspoken question. "Tried to play Superman," Avery explained with his nose scrunched up. "But, I was outnumbered and well, you know how thunders can get~" Sighing, he patted his face softly to work out the damage. Oh, if his face was scarred..."Kids hate me." His tone was flat and the look on his face was rather comical. He'd literally just be walking down Maple Hollow, going to get some coffee or something, when BAM. A hunk of ice would fly out of nowhere and nearly miss him. He will never forget the evil giggles. "Pfft, I'm fine! I'm indestructible!" Okay, now he was just throwing out random stuff. Avery cheekily grinned, then poked Nell on the nose. "Besides, I don't think my "injuries" can compare~"

Avery rolled his eyes as she pouted at him, and just to spite her, he pouted to, though his was more exaggerated. He'll forever win in the childish department. Laughing at her sly look, Avery put both hands on his hips (somewhat resembling a strict mother father, as if challenging her to do something. Maybe that wasn't the smartest idea, because these days students were surprising Avery left and right with their unexpected antics. Plus, he was easily scared surprised, so he kept his eyes on Nell, walking backwards as he went to go get the supplies needed. Granted, that probably wasn't the smartest idea, as he bumped into his wooden desk and nearly tripped. Oh yeah, smooth. "If you start choking I'm not held accountable!" he laughed, his face twisting in amusement at the sight of Nell with all lollipops shoved into her mouth. "Yup~!" Avery snapped on his rubber gloves, in the process removing his snow covered lab coat, and removed some supplies from the first aid kit.

Avery scoffed. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" He took pride in his hair and thankfully he had no grey hairs or else he'd cry. But the acting old part? Oh hell no. He did not. He was a child! Mentally five years old. No way near an old man. Avery would shave his own hair when that day came. "I prefer 'handsome genius,' thank you very much." Though he did like the sound of being a mad scientist--but he really had nothing to be 'mad' about. Except for that thunder who shoved him and made him face plant onto the ground--but that's it. But they had to admit, the hamster ball idea was cute. Avery already saw all of them as cute little creatures, the hamster ball was a nice touch. "That's a lot of plastic," he said after a moment, considering how many students there were at the Academy. And they'd probably have to make ones for the faculty members as well, because no one wanted a flat pancake teaching the classes. Hmm. Avery's imagination was really something.

The nurse laughed at Nell's expression, somewhat resembling an angry porcupine or something. An adorable one at that. "It's programmed into me. It's a part of my charm~" And his face scrunched up as Nell pinched his cheeks. He treated his patients like this on a daily basis, so it was interesting, to say the least, to get a taste of his own medicine. It was sweet. Very, very sweet, and he cheekily grinned at the earth. Nell was also one of the few students who dealt with Avery calmly, as if they had been dealing with him for their whole lives. And there were just...others. Who dealt with him, but not really playing along with the nurse's crazy antics. Where was the fun in that? "Standards?" he repeated, scrunching up his nose, though his face quickly turned into amusement at her "standards." Avery pouted, his shoulders slumping noticeably, and solemnly said, "Awww, darn. But if it helps, you reach my standards~!" And Avery made a little heart with his hands. Ugh, how cheesy. But it made the ladies go d'awww.

Avery laughed. Oh, Nell. Though he couldn't deny what she said was true. She was short. "I beg to differ!" he said dramatically, his mind once again flashing to the group of kids who surrounded him yesterday with snowballs in their hands. They're just playing, they said. They like you, they said. It was an accident, they said. I'LL PAY FOR YOUR MEDICAL BILLS, they said. Whatever. He pinched Nell's cheeks, a fatherly endearment in his eyes. "And don't tell Josh, but I like you too!" Avery liked the way his face was arranged right now. He was boot-ee-ful. "You...are amusing. Can I keep you?" he said after sang some sound effects. Really, this girl. Someone do some black magic so he can keep her a bunny or something. "I have the outfit and everything~!" And he was not hinting at foreplay, mind you, you pervert.

Yeesh! Was it like Josh's stoic nature brushed off on everybody or something? Because when Nell's expressionless face stared back at him, the image of Josh in a wig flashed in his mind again. "No~" he admitted honestly, pouting. "I think I hit my funny bone." Avery scrunched up his nose, rubbing his elbow as painful laughter bubbled on his lips. He really hated hitting his funny bone--it was not funny in the least. "This is the last time I'm giving you lollipops," he warned, a somewhat of a stern look on his face. But Avery wasn't the kind to be serious, so he broke out into a grin, tossing a towel her way. "Don't drool on my floor please."

It took a while for Avery to digest as he looked at the burn mark on Nell's side. He briefly looked up at her then back down the burn, before sighing and plopping down on his own stool. "Have you told Josh?" He entrusted the fire to take care of Nell, and in turn, send whoever did this to her to him. Avery lingered on his this thought when he applied some antibiotic ointment on the burn, being extra careful not to do anymore damage.

Avery had to keep in his amused look when Nell looked at him. Her eyes were the size of globes and it honestly kind of freaked him out. He lightly patted her on the head, finally laughing out loud when she said she loved his hair. "Good, be jealous~" And he flipped his hair to the side in a way that would put Justin Beiber to shame. Though the "Asian" thing was kind of questionable and he laughed at the silliness of it. He patted her again on the head, shaking his head in amusement. The things Nell said sometimes were so entertaining. "You sound like a weeaboo," he pointed out flatly, trying to hold back his smirk but was failing miserably. He highly doubted being Asian meant nice hair...but then again, how would he know? He was born with it after all. "I like the way you think!" Avery nodded, seriously considering it. "I expect you to call me that now~" Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought of this as cruel and unusual punishment for Nell. Meh, oh well. Avery liked that way it sounded, and who knows? It might actually catch on. But then he'd have to explain for brainwashing his patients.

"D'aww, at least someone acknowledges it!" he cooed, his face scrunching into a pout. It was a probably a bad idea to flatter Avery, considering that brought out his prince mindset and that it something no one wanted to see. He was very...hm...no, he'd be...let's just say all his actions and affection would be magnified. By like, one hundred. Adding onto that, people often refused to acknowledging the nurse was a cute person. Whether they found it weird or they found out about his princely mindset early on, it was a mystery. But it cruel to deny the man of his adorableness. "That--" Avery froze mid-sentence to think about, originally going to deny it, but ended up slumping his shoulders. "...true." He smacked his lips distastefully. "Am I becoming that predictable?" Literally the whole school knew he was affectionate, but he didn't think it was that bad. But bad in everyone else's dictionaries was the complete opposite in Avery's.

Avery actually had to think about this for a second. Okay, it was true he loved people, showed them that everyday despite whether they were strangers or not, but surely there had to be people didn't like. It was hard for anyone to make Avery dislike them (but those thunders had done a pretty good job). "Clowns." It was a simple and true statement. Clowns creeped the hell out of him, and he scrunched his nose when an image of one popped into his mind. "Umm." Avery blinked, not really prepared for Nell's answer. He quickly recovered though, grinning as he pet her on the head. "I shall call you Squishy then." Avery nodded firmly, poking her cheek. The things Nell came up with...it even made Avery flustered sometimes. "I don't know what you're talking about~" he said innocently, blinking back at her. He didn't plan this (that would've been creepy, even for Avery) but there were some extra nurse outfits hidden in the back just...in case? He didn't know why they were there actually. But there were extras! "Like that!" Avery pointed at a passing nurse who was thoroughly confused but walked away anyways. "It'd probably make you look all stuffy though~" Even his doctor coat made him look stuffy and stiff.

His eyes lit up, though a second later he pouted. Avery rubbed his elbow as he shook his head childishly. "Nope, I'm a big boy~" Pfft, he didn't need kisses. Kisses were for babies! Avery was twenty-seven. Nope. "I'm not falling for that," he said pointedly, narrowing his eyes at Nell's puppy dog eyes. Oh, no. He had grown immune to that years ago; it would no longer affect. No matter how cute they were. "I don't think it'd bother him," Avery pointed out, tilting his head at the earth sitting across from him, getting a lollipop for himself. He really needed to lay off the lollipops. He consumed like, five a day. Which really wasn't healthy. Avery snorted, now reaching for the bandages. "Seems like they're the ones sending me patients." Though he sort of wished it was the other way around--no! Avery had to stay professional. No matter how upset he was, and so he gently placed the bandages where they were needed, remembering to place more ointment on her arm as well before wrapping that up too. "All patched up!" He pinched her cheek, laughing. "You've been a good girl~"