An Empty Office Free Checkup [closed]

[Zachary Brahmen]

Zachary Brahmen was a good guy. As his jeep rolled in to the Hammel Car park, and he grabbed a few boxes and briefcases from the back seat, he had no idea what he'd gotten himself into. Instead, he smiled as he put up posters - something he'd agreed with Claude and the admin, and headed up to the office he'd been offered. Each poster was brightly coloured with paw prints on, and read;

Free Animal Surgery At Hammel!
Bring your Animals to Office 303 all Day Today
Consultations free of charge!
Special Discounts on further examinations for Students!
I'll Take Care of your Furry, Feathered and Scaly Friends!

Zach climbed up the stairs and hung a sign on the door, closing up behind himself and clearing a desk to turn it into a consultation table, getting out disinfectant and rubbing it down, before taking out other bits and bobs from the boxes. Zach was aware that the Hammel rules said no pet dander, and that was why he was determined to keep the animals out of the main student body. He was expecting to see some interesting reptiles today, as he rubbed his hands with dry soap and pushed his glasses up his nose. Stretching out and clicking his back, he put the finishing touches to the makeshift room, and put out some new patient forms. He'd have to do the paperwork when he got home.

Setting down a stack of paper towels, Zach leant back and closed his eyes, looking out through the grounds with a gentle smile. If only he had a power, then he could be having a great time here. But he loved his animals, and there were even some pet hedgehogs he needed to find homes for back at the clinic. But for now, it was school time, and he waited patiently for his first student, or even teacher, to bring him a patient.

[Benjamin Park]

It had been a couple weeks since Akira had invited Benji to stay at his uncle's house for the weekend, but Benji still remembered the time spent there clearly. It had honestly been one of the most fun he'd had since arriving at Hammel. Zach had introduced him to his animals, even his grumpy pony Archie, and even though Benji couldn't speak it was easy enough for them to fall into half-verbal, half-written conversations that had them all laughing. Zach and Akira had even made it fun to wash the man's jeep, because the spray of the hose wasn't entirely unwanted on the hot day as they chased one another around the yard with it.

But perhaps the most important thing, aside from a new friendship, that Benji had taken home from that weekend was a pet to call his very own. Zach had presented the baby hedgehog to him as a gift before they headed back to the school and Benji had nearly cried from happiness at the tiny ball of quills that was placed in his hands. Zach had taught him all he needed to know about taking care of the little creature, and it wasn't long after Benji brought him home that the little guy had uncurled and started to bond with his new owner.

Benji had named him Mr. Prickles.

Today, on his way back to his dorm, he passed a sign that he hadn't recognized before. As he paused to read it, a smile slowly crept over his face. Of course, it was Zach. It had to be Zach! And that meant that Benji just had to take Mr. Prickles to see him. Not only for a checkup, but because he had to show Zach that the little guy had already bonded with him and was perfectly content uncurling in his hands or lap or even just sleeping on his chest. And maybe, just maybe, he was looking forward to see Zach again as well.

He ran to his dorm to fetch the baby hedgehog from his home, wrapped him in his favorite little blanket, then hurried off to the office specified. Once he arrived, he peered in the open door and smiled when he saw Zach sitting there. He waved excitedly at the familiar face, Mr. Prickles peering out at Zach as well.

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[Zachary Brahmen]

Zachary had barely had time to roll up his sleeves and pull his vet coat on before he heard feet on the steps. Opening a window - he never realised how cool his own practice was in comparison to the high up office in Hammel - and peering out into the grounds for a second, he then flicked on a fan and got out his clipboard, just in case. He wasn't expecting the first visitor to be someone he'd actually spent the weekend with a few weeks before. Blinking behind his glasses and taking them off to rub them on his shirt, he took a few seconds to wave back, but when he did, his trademark lopsided smile appeared.

"Benji!" He called, arm waving him in. "How are you doing? How is Mr. Prickles doing?" He already looked enthusiastic, pushing his hair back out his face and coming round to inspect the bundle, his body language speaking volumes. Zach liked Benji, the kid was sweet and interesting, and made him just want to spoil him to death. He also felt protective of the young boy; his story made for sad, yet sweet reading, and the man couldn't help but wish nothing but the best for him. "I wondered if I might see you today." He added as he returned behind the desk and pulling a chair over for the boy.

"Now, Mr. Prickles." Zach grinned, taking the small bundle from Benji's hands, fingertips tickling the boy's knuckles. "Sorry." He added, still smiling as he set the hedgehog down on the table, looking down at the tiny little hedgehog with a smile. He was happy that Benji had taken a Hedgehog from him, in fact, Delighted. As far as he was concerned, no one would be better prepared for taking care of a little responsibility quite like Benjamin. "How have things been getting on?" He asked interestedly, as he gently rocked the hedgehog and checked him out, listening to his little heartbeat and checking him over. Dusting him idly with tick powder and generally investigating him, the Vet let the little guy scuttle across the desk.

"And how's school been?" Zach asked gently, looking into Benji's eyes curiously. "No problems?" Turning the hedgehog round as it reached the end of the desk, he did further checks and leant back to grab for the tiny Park file, writing out some simple notes on his clipboard and tucking the paper into the cardboard sleeve. Once everything was sorted out, he turned back to Benji and continued to watch him, still eyeing the little hedgehog parading around on the table. "He seems a happy little hedgie." The vet added fondly, resting his chin on his arm.

"You know you're welcome to come over again. Any time." By the look on Benji's face, he had a feeling the boy could do with a little more animal therapy.

[Benjamin Park]

Benjamin's smile only widened as Zach called him in, glancing down at the little hedgie before carrying him up to his friend's uncle. Thought, at first, Benji had been entirely nervous and shy around Zach, he found it hard to be intimidated by the older man even if he did tower over him. Standing next to him always made Benji realize just how tall he was, but absolutely nothing about him was threatening. Not even as he hands touched Benji's when he took Mr. Prickles from him.

Once his hands were free, he slid his backpack off his shoulder and dug around for his notebook and a pen. Once he found them, he flipped to a blank page and began scribbling down his words to Zach. "We're both great! I saw your sign after I got out of class, so I thought you might like to see Mr. Prickles." He turned the notebook to Zach and watched him as he inspected Mr. Prickles. The little hedgehog seemed completely unperturbed at the rolling and poking, letting little trilling noises as he was a chattery little fellow.

"They've been great. I did what you said and put a t-shirt in his bed so he would get used to my smell and he uncurled only three days after I brought him home! Akira's talked to him too! And he gets on really well with Moxie!" Benji had never realized how much fun having a pet of his own could be and though he'd only had the hedgie for a few weeks, he'd already grown attached to having Mr. Prickles sleeping in his lap or crawling over his papers when he was doing his homework. Akira had even told him that he and Moxie had rather interesting conversations which Benji had only wished he could have heard.

Smiling as bright as ever when Zach asked about school, Benji perked and started to hurriedly write again. "It's been good! I've gotten all A's so far!" Not that it was anything out of the ordinary, Benji always worked hard to achieve straight A's, but he was excited that Zach was asking him. Is that so wrong? He was just about to tell Zach about the new friend he'd made in Horus when the vet extended an invitation to come over any time. His eyes widened and he turned a faint shade of pink. "Really?"

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[Zachary Brahmen]

Zach found Benji's enthusiasm for his new pet encouraging, especially as he hurriedly wrote down how he'd been getting on. Mr. Prickles seemed to also be getting on just fine, the little hedgehog had no nervousness, and seemed to be pretty happy to be handled. Stroking the little ball of spines, the vet looked up. "I'm glad it worked for you." He said softly, leaning back in his chair to find a small cat biscuit to give the little hedgehog to nibble on. "I wrote a list for you of some interesting books you may like, actually. I brought it in just in case I saw you." Leaning over and scrambling for the paper, it took him a while, glasses nearly slipping off his nose.

"Ah, there we are." He grinned, pushing the scrap of paper over. "I don't know whether Eli at the Library will have these, but they're good reading and one of them even talks about basic hedgehog training." Zach winked playfully, returning his attention to Mr. Prickles, who was greedily nibbling on the biscuit, his beady black eyes glistening. "I'm happy he's settling in with you, Akira and Moxie." He added, shoving his glasses up his nose for the twelfth time that day. Any friend of Akira's was a friend of Zach's automaticly, the boy had impeccable taste in friends (and boyfriends for that matter) and he tried very hard to get to know each and every one. Benji, however, might have been Zach's favourite simply because he was so eager, so friendly and such a lonely soul, much like himself.

"Straight A's?" The vet asked, amused, as he handed the little hedgehog back to his owner. "That's pretty impressive." Zach had been much the same when he was younger, striving to maintain good grades, despite often disappearing off to go badger watching, or horse riding, or anything else that could involve him being as close to animals as humanly possible. "Don't work too hard though." He added fondly, squirting a little more dry soap onto his hand and cleaning them thoroughly. "You're still young, and there's lots of fun to be had still. Growing up too fast is a bad idea." Gently beeping Benji's nose, the vet leant back.

His lopsided grin grew at Benji's surprise at being offered to come over again. "Of course. I'd be happy to have you, as long as you can put up with my cooking and don't mind hanging out with an old man." He laughed gently. "I actually have a recipe I want to try, which you could help me with? Akira's spending this weekend with Toru." The vet broke into a sly grin. "We know what that means." He said with a wink, stroking his hands through his hair to try and tame it. "But if you don't mind coming, then that'd be lovely." He said finally, resting his cheek on his hand and smiling warmly.

[Benjamin Park]

Benji watched as Mr. Prickles began nibbling at the little biscuit happily, almost missing the list of books that Zach passed his way. Taking the slip of paper, he examined the names of the books before folding the paper and tucking it neatly into one of the front pockets of his backpack. "Thank you! I might stop by the library today and see if we have them!" Benji was absolutely thrilled at having a pet of his own now that he was at Hammel. He often found himself missing the two cats he'd left back home, but Mr. Prickles took away some of that loneliness with his cute noises and soft little nose.

"Thank you again for giving him to me, Zach." He shyly met the older man's eyes for a moment, then looked back to the hedgie, reaching out to pet his head. He loved the little critter and felt that all the thanks in the world wouldn't be enough to show his appreciation to the vet. "I like when I can come back from class and he's happy to see me." He smiled, thinking of how his dorm felt just that more comfortable with the addition of Mr. Prickles.

As the hedgehog was placed back into his hands, Benji set the little fellow down in his lap. He was just about to write again when Zach touched his nose, which caused him to gasp in surprise and go cross-eyed for a moment. Blinking rapidly, he then broke into a bright smile. "I'll try not to, but if I do good then I might graduate early and get to go home! I miss my family." The smile faded a little as he thought of what was waiting for him back in Michigan. It was true that he'd met lots of new friends here and for the most part was enjoying himself, but he missed his parents and he missed Xavier and everything that he'd left behind. He hung his head for a moment and just watched as Mr. Prickles settled down by his knees.

Zach's invitation was enough to lift his spirits and he even laughed in his quiet way before writing, "You're not an old man!" The thought of spending another weekend with Zach make Benji both nervous (he wasn't sure why) and excited and he eagerly nodded. "I'd love to help!" And it was true, there were few things that Benjamin enjoyed more than helping others, no matter the circumstances. Biting on his lip for a moment, he looked at the notebook, trying to decide whether or not to write what he wanted to. Taking a breath, he finally started scribbling again, "I'm done with classes for the day, do you think I could stay in here with you for a while? Akira wants to be a vet too and I just want to see what kind of things you do."

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[Zachary Brahmen]

Zach couldn't help but smile as his eyes darted across the page, sensing Benji's enthusiasm and infectious happiness. Watching the little hedgehog bustling around in the young boy's hands, the man realised he couldn't have picked a better boy to take care of the creature. Feeling himself smiling even more, the vet drew back on his chair and squirted a little disinfectant on the table, wiping it down with a cloth and tossing it back behind him.

"I miss my family too, you know? Even though I have little Akira to take care of, there's my parents, and my brother and sister. They helped me through a lot, but I know sometimes you just have to stand alone." His voice was warm and gentle, and Zach gently rested a hand on Benji's shoulder. "It's normal to miss them, but you have to remember that standing alone is a good thing to learn." The words were encouraging, and as Benji wrote again, the man felt that it was his duty to teach this young teen how to cope for himself in a world that wasn't always going to be good. He'd feel horrible if anything happened to the boy.

Surprise wrote across his face when Benji offered to help him for the day, and the vet started, before breaking into a wonky grin, his glasses slipping down his nose. "That would be very helpful, thank you." He said gently, getting up and holding his finger up. "One second and I'll get you a chair." And with that, the gangly man disappeared out of the room, searching the empty offices for a chair, and wheeling it back in, pushing it over. "There we are, now if you could fill in new patient forms or bring out files, that would be extremely useful." Zach added, finally pushing the frames back up his face.

Benji was adorable, and the vet just couldn't help but like him. "So, what do you want to do at the weekend?" He asked comfortably, stretching out and smiling. "We can watch movies, look after the animals, go into town, what would you like best." He grinned, opening the office door once more, so the people could come in again.