Stein hopped down from the operating table, pulling the lab coat on. He watched Birkin leaving and trotted after him, flinching away from a three-eyed shadowy figure that tried to stop him from leaving.

He grabbed onto Birkin's arm suddenly, his fingers tightening around Birkin's elbow. It steadied him a little to have contact with his...lover, or whatever he was.

"Thank you, doctor," he murmured. Birkin would help. Birkin was a doctor, and would help. He had to cling to that belief.