A/N: I'm so happy there was such a great response to this story! You guys don't even know. It's so weird to write chapters this short, but as long as I don't get bogged down with anything too crazy, I should be able to update this a little more regularly.

Concussed Constructionist

Erik didn't know this guy, but it seemed Gajeel thought they'd been best friends since birth. He didn't really look like the talkative type, and maybe - if Erik really cared about spending time with someone other than his family - he and Gajeel probably could have hit it off under different circumstances.

These were not the proper circumstances to foster a relationship of any sort.

"Gimme a minute to see if your script is ready," he said.

"Sure, take yer time," Gajeel replied. "I'm outta work on med leave so-"

Erik walked away from him and toward the back. As soon as he was surrounded by the shelves of bottles, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly through his nose. The day was going to be over before he knew it. It fucking had to be. A quick glance at his watch showed that, no, it was not nearly five o'clock. And no, his relief for the night shift was not about to walk in the door seconds before the clock struck five, like an asshole. And no, he was not about to leave work and most likely catch his wife on her way back from some race she'd decided to participate in that was scheduled at the fucking butt-crack of dawn.

"Goddamnit," he muttered. "I can't even remember his fucking name."

He really didn't want to walk back out there and have to ask for the guy's identification again. Hell fucking no, Erik downright refused to have to hear another person's goddamn life story that day. Still, it wasn't as though he could lie.

He frowned at the pale grey tiles beneath his feet. Technically, he could lie. He could lie up a fucking storm and tell everyone that their shit wouldn't be ready until after five. Then he wouldn't have to do a goddamn thing aside from deal with the morons being discharged from the hospital.

But no, that was unethical. And if there was one thing that Erik Vivas wasn't, it was unethical.

So, he did the adult thing - just like the big-boy pharmacist that he was - and walked back out to the counter. Gajeel was still standing there, holding his head now while he frowned at the counter. "If you plan on passing out," Erik said once he was beside the computer again, "Try to tip backwards. I don't want my counter getting all bloodsoaked."

"Nah," Gajeel sighed. "Head's just killin' me."

"That would explain why you've been given amitryptiline and sumatriptan."

"Huh?"

"Migraines," Erik said, looking at the computer. "One for chronic tension-type headaches, the other for acute attacks, from your PC's notes here."

"Sure," Gajeel frowned. "I mean, I've been getting them since the accident so-"

Erik turned and walked to the back again. His gaze ran over the shelves of already filled prescriptions until he came to the box labelled with an R. Luckily it wasn't empty. That meant he'd already gotten it filled in the morning before opening the shop, and just hadn't recognized the name on it. But that was normal for him. He never paid attention to the actual information that early in the morning. He didn't memorize names or what prescriptions they were taking. All he did was match the information in the computer to what was on the bottle, then ensure the contents were accurate.

He pulled the box and hoped with everything he was worth that it would say Redfox, G. on the label.

"Fuck yes," he whispered to himself, grabbing the bag and shoving the box back into its slot. Erik double checked to make sure there were two bottles in the bag. Oh, he was an amazing pharmacist. He was the king of all fucking pharmacists! And he was going to completely ignore the fact that he did a little jig before walking out from the back and into full view of his customers. His wife was rubbing off on him, that was for sure.

Once back at the counter, he scanned the printed label. He didn't want to ask it, but he had to. "Did you need anything else today, or just the prescription?"

"Yeah, the doc said something about supplements," Gajeel said. "Gave me a list."

Erik nodded and started filling in the fields on the computer screen. "Vitamin supplements are in aisle two." He looked up at Gajeel when the man was silent, then sighed when he saw that his customer was holding the list out to him. Instead of touching it, he looked down and read the short list, then leaned across the counter and pointed to the right aisle. "Magnesium supplements are on the top shelf. Omega-3 is on the second shelf."

While Gajeel walked off to the aisle in question, he shook his head and got back to work. If he could finish this fast enough, then all he'd need to do would be to scan anything else Gajeel brought up to the counter, get his money, and then the guy could fucking leave. Preferably without talking more.

"It's the craziest thing," Gajeel chuckled, setting two large bottles of vitamins and a bag of chips on the counter. "I do construction work. You know Clive Construction?"

No, Erik didn't know what the fuck that was. "Mm-hmm." Erik didn't look at him. He just kept working, and scanned the extra items.

"Well we were doing this office job, over on Palmera Avenue. Y'know, right by the strip club." Erik nodded, even though he didn't know that there was a strip club on that street. "So I was on my way to talk with the foreman about the owner's son not showing up for his shift again, so we were short our demolition man on the crew - since we needed to clear out some of the shit that was there already - and this huge fuckin' beam fell right on top of me. Knocked a fuckin' screw loose or some shit."

"That sucks." Good god, did he ever fucking breathe between sentences?

"Yer damn right it sucks," Gajeel chuckled. He pulled out his wallet and counted out the cash he needed. "I got a fuckin' concussion from that bullshit, and I'm bein' forced to take time off work for it."

"Mm."

"Even with a hard hat on, man. It was fuckin' crazy. But I guess it's for the best. I've been talkin' with my girlfriend about gettin' a cat or some shit."

Good fucking lord, this guy talked more than the depression dude. Luckily, he handed over the money, and Erik could focus on counting out his change, then getting his receipt. Getting him the fuck out of his goddamn store. God, why did the little printer have to move so slowly?

"She's not really one for pets, but I'm pretty sure it'll grow on her." He chuckled when Erik handed him the change and bagged up his order. "What do you think? Cat or no cat?"

"I'm partial to snakes," Erik said.

"Got a girlfriend?"

"Wife," he replied, then looked at the computer again. Gajeel had no refills on the medication, which meant he'd need to see his doctor to get more if he needed it. That was a plus.

"How does she feel about pets?"

Erik could have patience. It was still early in the day, so he wasn't too aggravated by people's idiocy just yet. Then again, if this asshole didn't leave already, that would be changing very soon. "We've got a twelve foot Burmese python," he said. Gajeel whistled, and it was only then that Erik smirked. He did love that reaction. "It was her wedding gift to me, so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say she doesn't mind pets."

"Well, damn…"

He nodded. "With your meds, make sure to get rest. No strenuous activity, especially if you have a concussion. The supplements are pretty straightforward, just read the label. Don't take them with the pain meds though. Give it an hour at least."

"Got it."

"You don't have any refills, so if you need more when you run out, schedule an appointment with your doctor."

"Sounds good, man," Gajeel said. He gave Erik a nod and turned to leave the store with his bag.

And then Erik sighed. Finally, that bullshit was done. Now all he needed to do was deal with the three other people that were sitting and waiting for their shit. And then hopefully, no one else would show up all day, and he wouldn't have to deal with anyone. God that would be perfect.

"Number two," he called out. He could do this. He could get through the day. As long as no one else tried to lament to him, he could do it. Erik looked up from the computer just as a brunette woman came to stand in front of it, holding out her ID card.

"Cana Alberona," she purred as he took the card. "I'm here to pick up my prescription."

Jesus fucking Christ, it was Cana. Why the fuck was she walking around in just a pair of capris and a bikini top and flip flops? Actually, on second thought, he really didn't want to know.

"Aren't you Cobra?" she asked, and he could smell the alcohol on her breath already. Goddamnit, his day was just going to get worse, wasn't it...