I write things

Ding! My phone went off. I fished it out and it was Iggy.

Is that a bear?

I giggled before I stood up smiling at my friends. "Iggy, Tea, this is Harrison! He's my best friend! He's back in town and I offered him the spare room to rent. It'll be radical, yeah?" I couldn't contain my excited grin.

"Sully, that is a very large man." Tea found his words.

"He speaks English you know!" I touched Harrison's arm in defence on my way back down to sit. I gave a nervous chuckle. "He's a shapeshifter, how neat is that?!"

Tea took Iggy's hand and lead her wearily to the empty couch, not once taking his eyes off Harrison.

"I'm domesticated, you know." Harrison stated to relieve the tension.

"Like house broken?" Tea asked bluntly.

"Tea!" I scolded. "Did you leave your manners in your other pants?"

Harrison put a large hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Sully. Not everyone understands." He assured me before looking back to my embarrassingly racist chum. "I'm not a wild animal."

"You're still an animal, what do you change into then? A shark, lion?! Definitely something that could kill me."

Ding!

Would Harrison like some tea?

"Tea Harrison?" I asked with a small smile showing him the text.

"What?" Tea asked bluntly looking at me.

"Not you." I frowned and looked back up at my friend.

"Yes please, Iggy." He smiled kindly at her.

Iggy gave a shy smile and a small nod before scurrying off into the kitchen.

Tea watched her go, weary of her being so close to Harrison. He looked back at him with knitted brows. "So what are you then?"

"Tea...." I warned.

"A bear?" Harrison sounded nervous.

"Knew it." He looked satisfied. "Hey, so when you know.. Get it in. Is it beastiality?"

“You’re so pale you look practically dead. Your voice is hoarse from coughing. You’re only going to get worse if you insist on not sleeping it off!”

“I am not sick!” You protested again.

Three days later you stumbled into the train that night so woozy and light headed you couldn’t stand straight.

“Is it cold in here? Who has a window open?” You asked.

“It’s roasting in here.” Jacob said dryly where he was inspecting his weapons.

You went to sit beside him and found yourself missing the couch completely as your legs gave out. A part of you wished you went unconscious before you hit the floor but sadly you very much felt the way your nose collided with the carpet.

You rolled over and groaned feeling the dizziness wash over you and the upset in your stomach.

“Rookie?” Jacob loomed over you.

“I don’t feel so well.” You believe you mumbled before falling asleep.

You were in a still bed with stiff sheets when you woke up. Your entire body ached and you were still freezing.

“Evie?” You asked and opened your eyes. “Jacob?”

“We’re here.” Evie touched your hand. She was warm.

“I’m cold.” You said.

Her other hand rested on your forehead. “You still have a fever. Here, Miss Nightingale said to give you more of this when you woke.” She handed you a medicine bottle. You knew it was no good from the moment she mentioned the nurse.

“I don’t want to take that.” You said looking at it like it was toxic.

“Rookie. Take it or I’ll break your arm.” Jacob stated firmly. You looked a bit stunned at his tone. At the sight of you his face softened as did his voice. “You frightened me. And now I’m making sure you get better.”

You grumbled but took a swig and unsurprisingly it tasted so bad even the best liquor couldn’t wash it away. You gagged a little bit and handed the offending bottle back to Evie.

“That’s vile.” You frowned. “What the hell is wrong with me anyway?”

“Pneumonia my dear.” Evie looked a bit smug. “Not sick, my arse.”

You couldn’t help the eye roll that followed her statement. You’d never hear the end of it. That was for certain.

You let you a big yawn. “I’m tired.” You told them. “I’ve only just woken up. I don’t want to go back to bed.”

“That’s the medicine. We’ll be right here when you wake. Promise.” Evie smiled down at you.

“I’m still cold.” You mumbled with your eyes closed.

“We’ll get you another blanket.” Jacob chuckled.

You woke up again, drenched in sweat. This time it was dark and the slight flicker of a candle on your bedside allowed you to see the twins bent over awkwardly in uncomfortable chairs looking even more disheveled than last time. You kicked off the many blankets and tip toes around them to find the lavatory before crawling back into bed, content to watch them sleep. Jacob with his head lolled back, mouth open and drooling. Letting out a snort every so often and Evie, her head bowed on the very tip of your bed to not disturb you. Her breathing heavy and even. No doubt also drooling.

You felt a lot better than the last time you woke like something was lifted off your chest. You still felt weak. Probably in need of food. Deeming it safe to leave them, you padded past the other patients and found the nurses office. You made noise so you didn’t startle the night nurse. You hated being surprised like that.

The nurse looked up and smiled at you.

“She walks at last.” She said.

“Thank you, Miss Nightingale. For everything.” You said earnestly.

“It is what I do.”

“I hope the twins weren’t a hassle.”

“Perfect as always. Especially that Jacob.” You couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of you. “You must be starving. Bread?”

“Please.” You replied happy she had food.

“Please sit dear. You must be exhausted.”

You didn’t crawl back into bed until the sun was rising. You accidentally tripped over Jacob, startling him awake.

“What are you doing out of bed?” He accused.

“Shh! Don’t wake her!” You put her finger to your lips and sat gently on the bed. “I’ve been talking with Miss Nightingale, if you must know.”

“Oh! I suppose that’s okay.” He nodded. “How are you feeling?”

“Marginally better Boss.” You grinned at him.

“Good.” He stated firmly. “Go back to bed, I’m positively exhausted.”

You rolled your eyes and did as you were told.

The afternoon you were cleared to leave with strict instructions of bed rest and regular meals and medicine at night to combat the lingering cough.

Once in the train, Evie set about fluffing pillows and adding blankets to make sure you were warm enough.

“Love, I’m not dying.” You reminded her.

“You could have fooled me at the past few days.” She mumbled not sparing you a glance. She pulled the covers back. “Get in.”

“You Frye’s sure can be demanding.” You said but did as she said regardless.

“Because certain little assassins don’t like to listen to what we have to say.” She tutted and tucked you in tightly.

“Who are you calling little?!” You demanded, outraged at the comment.

Ever was spared when Jacob came in with hot soup and bread from the local pub.

“I come with food.” He said cheerfully.