Neil had been sure he was well enough to go out for his usual morning run.
Sure he'd been awake half the night with cold sweats, his body shaking, nose running, and a pounding headache...but he's dealt with worse. He told himself the fresh air would be good for him.
However he had clearly miscalculated. Halfway through his loop around campus his fatigue caught up to him, a too heavy foot catching on uneven pavement sent him sprawling.
So now here he was, laying on the ground, waiting for Andrew to come get him, palms and knees bloody as dawn slowly turns into morning. He'd pulled himself out of the way of foot traffic, not that there was any this early, the cool concrete soothing his aching bones as he wills himself to stay awake.
He wasn't sure how long his eyes had been closed when he feels something brush against his leg. Dragging his eyes open he's met with the tiniest black puffball of a kitten he's ever seen.
Its dirty, clearly in need of a few good meals, part of it's tiny tail missing, leaving behind only a bloody stump.
"Looks like we both need some help.'' The kitten just climbs onto his chest, bitty sharp claws digging through his shirt. It curls up over his heart clearly savoring the warmth that Neil's fever is forcing his body to produce. As the kitten kneads itself into a little ball and beginning to purr like a tiny motor, Neil's eyes slip closed again.
An indeterminate amount of time later Neil feels a boot nudge against his sneaker.
"I can't believe you." He opens his eyes to an even grumpier than usual looking Andrew, though in his eyes Neil can see him considering the scene in front of him. A battered and bloody Neil with his tiny matching counterpart.
"I made a friend." Neil says peering down at the kitten where its still napping on his chest.
"I'm so proud." Andrew huffs, leaning down to pick up the creature carefully as Neil pulls himself to standing. "You both need medical attention. Let's go."
