Chapter Text
Loud music thumped, echoing off the damp walls of the lab, every song, every note somehow louder than the last.
Koller groaned, clutching his head as it seemed to be throbbing to the beat of the music. He jabbed a nearby tablet with his finger, turning the music off and leaving himself with throbbing sans a funky rhythm.
It had been days, though he was unsure how many, since he had gotten in even just a cat nap. With the Dvali around every corner, he felt like he couldn't risk it. If he let his guard down for a second Otar could send his men to kill him or burn down something else he loved - or worse, he supposed, there was always a worse.
He shuddered at the thought, pushing it out of his mind. He could keep himself awake and distracted with busywork and caffeine - he glanced at his desk realizing it was absolutely littered with empty cups of coffee and energy drinks.
Well… busywork, anyway.
Picking up the tablet he had used earlier, he opened one of his many many to-do lists. Václav was surprised to see Jensen's name at the top of his list. He didn't remember writing it, but he gave himself props for being hilarious.
It dawned on him that it was just a reminder to call the detective about a tune up and laughed under his breath.
He left it unchecked as he tried Adam's commlink. You know, just in case.
"Koller? What is it?" Adam's voice crackled to life.
"Jensen! Hey! I'm not in mortal peril this time, so don't sound so worried, man!" The doctor sounded more excited than he had intended to, probably something to do with the dangerous levels of caffeine in his body.
"So, what is it, doc?" Adam sounded amused at least, to Václav's relief.
"Right!" He threw his hands up excitedly, knowing Jensen couldn't see them, "You're on my to-do list!" He heard a soft chuckle through the commlink before he realized what he had said.
"For a tune up, I mean. Not - not you, you, that would be-" Going great, Váša! "Just a tune up, man." Very good, irresistible, even.
"Yeah, I figured." Koller could hear the smile in Adam's voice. It was nice, softer than he was used to hearing from him. "Can I come in now? I'm not far."
"Yeah, man!" Václav didn't mean to sound so eager, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't.
"Great." The commlink chirped, indicating Jensen had closed it. The doctor sat back in his chair, still smiling.
"Hey." Jensen's voice startled Václav, almost out of his chair.
"Jeez, you said you were close, I didn't realize that meant right outside my door, man." He laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
"I was in the sewer system." Adam answered matter of factly.
"You spend a lot of time down here?" Václav joked, pushing himself up out of his chair.
Adam opened his mouth to answer, but closed it immediately, watching with concern as the doctor wobbled where he stood. "Hey…" The detective stepped forward reaching out to steady the other man.
"I'm good, man. Sometimes I just kinda black out when I stand up, it's just a thing." Václav smiled, steadying himself on Adam's shoulder.
"When was the last time you slept, Václav? You look like shit." Jensen's tone was more serious now. Maybe because he was basically holding the doctor up from crumpling like a used tissue.
"Thank you, I'm trying some new eyeliner today." Adam just raised an unamused brow.
"I don't know, man," He tried to laugh it off, meeting Adam's gaze just as he pulled back his shades. The doctor felt like he was sweating bullets. Something in his concerned look was so knowing and sympathetic, Václav hated it. Of course Adam knew how he felt, but it made him feel even more helpless. And tired. So fucking tired.
"I'll wait." He said, his expression softening, "You'll be safe while I'm here, no one will get in."
Václav opened his mouth to protest, but all that came out was a yawn. Maybe he did need some sleep, after all. The offer wasn't a bad one, he knew Jensen could - he had - taken Otar's men and won.
"Yeah…" he said, exhaustion dripping off his words. "You don't have to, though. I've gone longer without sleep." That just garnered an even more exasperated look from Jensen.
"Go to sleep, Koller." Adam rolled his eyes fondly, gently pushing the other man in the direction of his bed. "I'll be here when you wake up."
Václav smiled genuinely, flopping down on his mattress, not bothering to even take off his coat. "Thanks, Adam. You're really…" Another yawn. "Půvabný…"