It just so happen that the monstrous man's collapse synced in perfect timing with Evelyn's arrival to the Rocket submarine. She had left the clinic and just descended into the metal container when she heard a thunk that seemed to echo.

Upon investigation, she found him, injured, passed out, bleeding from the right side of his body. She immediately gathered a few grunts to her aid, bringing him into the medical bay for treatment.

It wasn't all that difficult to dress the wound. The problem had been stripping him of his shirt and making sure he was turned correctly. But, once she settled enough on the dressing, Evelyn left him be on the bed until he began to stir.

"Ah, you're awake. Nasty wound you had there, and even nastier fall. You're lucky I arrived when I did," she chirped from her seat, having been engulfed in a toxicology book.

Evelyn turned in the chair, looking over at him with an almost devious smile.

"Though I wouldn't say the view was terrible when I tore that shirt off you to get to your wounds. Sorry, it's ruined at this point. If you want to cover up, I have a few spare gowns."

Cade Atreides

☉

Evelyn caught that smile of his, a handsome gash on his already handsome face. Typically, she forbade herself from making moves on patients. Of course, it was unethical of a nurse to do so.

But this was Rocket. She wasn't actually working. So, she could bend the rules in her own favor... right?

Scars and wounds were not uncommonly seen in the medical bay. Quite the opposite, where many of her patients came in bleeding puddles and left with the best patchwork she could muster on this stupid submarine. However, the scars that marred his body were like a tangle of pink and red over muscle, enough to entrance the eye.

Evelyn rolled her chair over with a push of her legs, sliding across the floor in a fluid motion without ever getting up. She pressed her hand against his chest, to keep him from standing.

"Careful. You sustained a fall and bled a lot. You shouldn't try to push yourself so fast," she cooed, tilting her head at him.

"My name? Evelyn. What do they call you, handsome?"

Cade Atreides

☉

A sweet smile decorated her face as he complied, scooting back onto the bed and settling. She scooted even closer now on her chair, propping her head up with her hand as she looked over him curiously.

"Cade. You aren't from around Hoenn, are you? You have a delightful accent."

Evelyn's voice was smooth as honey as she tilted her head, watching him with half-lidded eyes.

"I'm not, either. But a lot of people who come to Hoenn are outsiders. It's not uncommon."

Cade's hand grasped hers, gentle and warm, yet enormous compared to her own. A small tingle ran down her spine as he began to massage a circle into one spot, reminding her of him. The sweet gestures, the warmth, the size...

Shoving away those thoughts and potential heartache, Evelyn considered his question before laughing softly.

"You're very welcome, Cade. Anything for you," she spoke, her voice gentle like a purr as she tilted her head.

Cade Atreides

☉

When his hand released her own, Evelyn was filled with a sense of disappointment. A tinge of a frown formed on her lips, though it was barely noticeable. Unless he looked hard, he would probably miss it.

"So where are you from? If you tell me your dirty little secret, I'll tell you mine," she teased.

Of course, she didn't keep her home a secret. Most of the members of Rocket, and those she worked with, knew she was from Celadon. They also knew it haunted her dreams, even after these several years of being away.

Evelyn's lips curled into a smirk, giggling as he spoke. She leaned closer, as if she were going to whisper.

"The thing is, Cade, many Rockets get injured. At this point, I don't bother asking. It usually has to do with something illegal, or maybe it was a run in with the League. I don't care, as long as I can make my patients healthy again. Now, if you see me in the clinic, of course I'd ask you how it happened so it can be prevented again."

She paused before smiling.

"But I'm a smart woman. I know that these Rocket grunts, and the higher ups, are going to keep doing what they do and get hurt. So, I let them be and give them my skills. So, yes. Anything."

Cade Atreides

☉

Evelyn couldn't help the laugh bubbling past her lips, covering her mouth with her hand. She smiled, an almost knowing look hiding behind her eyes. Yet, she didn't pry.

"No, I suppose we can't."

She paused, contemplating his request. He had just sustained a large injury, and typically, she'd bar against standing and going for drinks right after. But, something about this man told her that he wasn't like many other people. And, if she kept him locked up in the medical bay for too long, well...

That'd be too bad, wouldn't it?

"I will allow it. On one condition: you allow me to escort you. We can't have you fall over again, now, can we?"

Cade Atreides

☉

Whether he was willing to agree to her terms or not, Cade seemed to give into her insistence to go. Evelyn would label it as a nurse ensuring that her patient remained safe.

But truly? It was far from that. This endeavor was a selfish one. She wished for self-indulgence, and Cade Atreides seemed willing to give her that.

She remained at the bedside as he attempted to stand, stepping forward as he stumbled and grabbed onto the headboard of the bed. He managed to stay stable after that, and thank Arceus for it.

He truly towered over her, as she looked up to meet his piercing gaze and take his bandaged hand gladly.

"I promise I'm a fun woman. I'm not all stiff and medical constantly. Only when I need to," she said with a knowing smile, allowing him to lead since he'd set the pace.

Cade Atreides

☉

"Well, depends on the way they meet me. If it's here or in a clinic, yes. I'm rather uptight about my patient's health in a professional setting," Evelyn admitted, though not bothered by it.

"But when I'm not Nurse Evelyn, I'm fun. Relaxed. I like to have a good time. You only have so many days in life."

She offered a dazzling smile at him, nodding in agreement.

"Well, I'm glad you haven't found me stifling. At least, not yet. Where are you going to take me, Cade?"

Cade Atreides

☉