#mphfpc

Claire piped up from the back, “It was the little music box he made. The one with the skeleton that dances.”

You groaned.

The kids exchanged quick glances, and before you could say anything else, Olive blurted, “We thought maybe you could tell him?”

“Why me?”

Bronwyn shuffled her feet. “Because, well, he doesn’t yell at you.”

“He yells at me all the time.”

“No, he doesn’t.” Hugh muttered under his breath.

You pointed a finger at them. “You’re all insane. This is Enoch we’re talking about. Enoch.”

Emma crossed her arms. “Exactly. Which is why we need you.”

It didn’t take long for you to realize there was no escaping this, not when all their guilty faces were practically pleading with you. So, with a deep breath, you headed down to Enoch’s workroom.

“Come in.” his voice drawled when you knocked. He was hunched over his workbench, fiddling with a doll’s porcelain face. He didn’t look up until you cleared your throat.

“Uh…so…” you began, rubbing the back of your neck, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

His eyes finally met yours. “Go on.”

You braced yourself. “The kids accidentally broke your music box. The one with the dancing skeleton.”

There was a long pause. You could almost see the moment his jaw tightened, his fingers stilling on the doll. Normally, this was where the storm would hit, but instead, he sighed softly and set the doll down.

“Was it an accident?” You nodded. “Then it’s fine.”

“...It’s fine?”

“Yes, Y/N. It’s fine.” He leaned back in his chair, shrugging like this was no big deal. “I can make another one.”

You waited for the sarcasm, the cutting remark, but it never came. Enoch just looked at you, eyes softer than you’d ever seen them, like the whole thing really was no trouble at all.

“Well, okay then,” you said slowly, still half in disbelief. “Uh, sorry anyway.”

He smirked faintly. “You don’t have to apologize. Just tell them to be more careful next time.”

You didn’t even make it to the kitchen before you were ambushed. “So?” Olive demanded.

You blinked. “So what?”

“He didn’t yell at you, did he?” Hugh pressed, buzzing faintly with bees as if they were in on the gossip.

“No…?”

Emma grinned like she’d just solved a mystery. “Told you. He’s got a crush on you.”

Your face heated instantly. “What? No. Absolutely not.”

Bronwyn tilted her head innocently. “Then why didn’t he get mad? He gets mad when I so much as move something an inch.”

“Because it was an accident!” you protested.

Door swinging open, slamming against the wall. A panting Millard in the doorway. He hurried inside, going over to Enoch. – “Up! Up! Up from your feathers!” – he called out, bouncing on his feet by the bed. Grabbing Enoch’s arm, he started shaking it. – “Up! Up! Last one has to do the dishes!” – he added to set an extra urge to it. He then hurried back out of the room with loud laughter.

Enoch groaned loud, letting himself fall back on his pillow. Pulling it from underneath his head, move over his head and sigh deeply. Whatever he tried to do, his muscles just wouldn’t follow his orders. Everything felt too much. Hearing Horace shout in the hallway for haste or Miss P will make them do the dishes, made him groan even louder. Simply roll over to the  side to… Boink. Falling out of bed made him whimper with annoyance.

Knuckles settling on the wooden flooring, he pushed himself up. Exhaling and sighing loud with each effort. Buttoning his shirt took him several minutes. Putting the sweater vest over it, took a toll of him. Exhaling deep as he barely had any strength to put on his shoes. So with one shoe on, he stumbled out of the room. Panting loudly for he suddenly felt hot. Tugging at his sweater vest he let some air underneath it.

Staggering into the hallway, he slowly made his way downstairs. Hand pressed against his chest, feeling his rapid beating heart. Needing to grab the railing tight for support. Foot slipping down from step to step. The lower he got, the louder the bustling of the pink house became. Several familiar voices speaking over each other. Each making their own conversations with another. Panting softly, he reached the door opening, resting his hand against it.

“Enoch finally, you are late.” – Emma spoke whilst passing him with a bowl of bread. He didn’t answer, raising his gaze upwards to the table. Seeing Emma join the already full table. Fiona and Hugh exchanging some fruit from across the table. Olive looking back at him and patting the empty seat by her side for him. His gaze then went up to Miss Peregrine and you by her side.

You blinked confused. – “Enoch are you feeling well?” – Miss Peregrine asked with a curious glance. – “Y…yes…” – Enoch replied pushing himself off and taking a few steps before stumbling to the ground. Yelps erupted in the room. Along with chairs scraping back over the floor. You reached Enoch first, moving a hand against his cheek. – “He’s burning up.” – you said aloud. Miss Peregrine moving some little one’s aside to get a glimpse of herself.

Her eyes widening at a sweating Enoch. – “Y/n, Emma help him get up.” – she ordered. Emma and you nodded at each other, each grabbing an arm to lay over your shoulder. Helping Enoch up his feet, who could barely keep his eyes open. – “Off to bed with you O’Connor.” – Miss Peregrine pointed into the hallway.

“I…I…I’m fine…” – Enoch mumbled out trying to maintain his image. Miss Peregrine cleared his throat, making him fold easily. – “Yes, miss P.” – he answered dozily. – “Emma, Y/n please escort Enoch back to his room.” – she addressed the two of you. – “Yes miss Peregrine.” – both of you said in unison.

Turning around to help Enoch into the hallway and up the stairs. – “Come on Enoch, help us out a little.” – Emma groaned out already standing behind him. Hands up his back, forcing him to go up the steps. Enoch’s body leaning back on her hands. You stood in the front, tugging at his hand. Assisting him up in  every way possible. – “I’m helping…” – he groaned out, barely able to keep his eyes open.

Emma yelped soft when Enoch lost his strength and put his body weight on her. – “Y/n help.” – Emma shrieked out. Bending through her knees from his weight upon her. You came running over to her side, helping her push him up. – “Come on Enoch, help us a little.” – you groaned out pushing with all your might. He grabbed the railing tight, mumbling something. – “You take the back, I’ll take the front.” – Emma spoke, not wanting to risk a falling Enoch on her.

She hurried to the front. Grabbing him by his arms, laying them over her shoulders. With huffs and puffs she carried Enoch up the stairs with you making sure to carry some of the burden as well. In the hallway, both of you then pulled an arm over your shoulder. Dragging him back to his room. Coming to stand near his bed. Enoch looked at both of you with a sheepish smile. Eyes dozing off.

“You girls are too sweet.” – he spoke, leaning in closer with pouted lips. Wanting to kiss Emma on the cheek. She panicked, calling it out in disgust and tossing Enoch at you. Enoch fell with his weight against you, knocking you over. Crying loud, you fell backwards on his bed, his weight laying on you. – “Emma help!” – you cried out trying to shove him off. Enoch rubbed his cheek with delight against your chest. Humming satisfied.

“I like this pillow.” – he mumbled under his breath. – “Enoch!” – Emma called out, shoving him off you. He rolled over, flopping with his back on the matrass. Groaning softly. – “What has gotten into him?” – Emma questioned, helping you up.

You shrugged your shoulders. – “Fever dreams?” – you questioned, making Emma pull her shoulders up. Enoch laid half out of bed, his arm flopping over his head. Making Emma and you share a look. Knowing you couldn’t leave him like this. Sighing loud both of you got to it. Emma removed his shoe, setting it aside.

You pulled him up, keeping a hand on him so that he staid in position. Pulling his sweater vest from over his head for he was already burning enough. You gave him a little push so that he fell over. Emma and you each grabbed a leg, swinging it over onto the bed. – “Y/n where’s Y/n!” – he started calling out, swaying his arms around.

Head tossing and turning for he was restless. You took his hands, trying to calm him down. – “I’m here, I’m here Enoch.” – soothing him with slight annoyance that he was being so dramatic. Fighting with his hands, he kept pouting his lips, acting all feverish. Then he let go of you, making you fall forwards onto his chest.

His arms immediately locking around you. He opened his eyes a bit to see if he had caught the right one. – “Y/n?” – he asked. – “Yes!” – you answered with a groan trying to pull yourself free from him. Enoch pulled you closer to him, nuzzling his cheek against you. – “Can you stay here? Stay here… in my arms…” – muttering out.

“Emma help!” – you called out as getting free was no use. Enoch rolled over to the side with you. Pressing you against his chest. – “I like this…I like you.” – he breathed out satisfied. – “What?” – you blurted out surprised, eyes widening. Emma gasped loud, then giggled loud.

“I like you, I like you, I like you.” – he kept calling out in a feverish bliss. Emma decided to taunt him a bit more. – “Who do you like Enoch?” – she asked with a mischievous smile. – “Y/n! Y/n! Y/n!” – he cried out with happiness. – “I like beautiful Y/n!” – shouting it loud. Emma laughed loud, having the time of her life.

Enoch started leaving kisses on your cheek. Over and over. It took him not even a minute before passing out. – “A little help here.” – you called out to Emma, waving your hand behind you. She took it, freeing you from his grip. She couldn’t stop laughing as you glared at her. – “Stop that.” – making clear to her.

She tried to stop herself, but failed miserably. Making you sigh, hearing Enoch snore soft. – “You must admit Y/n it was funny.” – she spoke. Clasping her hands together and blowing air kisses at you. – “I like you Y/n.” – she mimicked Enoch in an attempt to make you smile. You cracked a little, giving her a shove to stop being so foolish.

Emma and you went downstairs. Coming back with supplies to tend to him. Remaining by his side and making sure his fever went down. Near the evening Enoch slowly woke up, feeling less feverish. Yet still groggy. He slowly got up, wiping a hand over his face.

Blinking surprised with Emma sitting on the bed with him. Dipping a cloth into a bowl of water. – “Oh good you are awake.” – she spoke, squeezing the water out. Enoch blinked a few times with surprise at her. His gaze then wandered around the room. – “Y/n is getting some medicine.” – she told him. Curling up a smile.

“Or would you prefer Y/n to cool you down?” – showing him the wet cloth. Enoch quirked his eyebrow up. Trying to follow her teasing. Emma’s eyes widened with delight. – “Oh! You don’t remember?” – she asked. – “Remember what?” – Enoch answered with a groan. Emma cleared her throat, preparing herself for the role of her life.

“Oh Y/n I like you, I like you, I like you.” – she acted out, a bit too dramatically. Enoch’s eyes widened. – “I… I did not say that!” – he stated. Emma laughing soft. – “Oh you did, O’Connor.” – making it clear to him. Enoch swallowed nervously, pressing a hand against his forehead. – “I’m not feeling well.” – ushering out.

Emma slapped his hand away, placing the wet cloth against his forehead. He settled deeper against his pillow, but shot up straight at the sight of you. The cloth falling down onto his lap. – “Y/n.” – he let out, seeing a snickering Emma in the corner of his eye. He slapped his hand at her to stop. – “I shall leave you lovebirds alone.” – she jabbed at Enoch with a laugh.

Enoch glared at her, wanting to throw the cloth at her. If it was not for you approaching him. Clearing his throat, he settled with a normal gaze. Emma waving at him teasingly before departing. – “How are you feeling?” – you asked. – “Y/n whatever I said, don’t take it to heart.” – he flapped out.

“Oh.” – you responded, pausing. – “Pity for I kind of like you too.” – adding casually. Turning away from him, Enoch grabbed your hand, keeping you in place. – “I lied!” – he called out. – “When? Before or now?” – you supressed a smile, wanting to toy with him a bit more. – “Now… now!” – Enoch breathed out. – “I… like you Y/n!” – blurting out making you laugh.

“I know Enoch, you told me about a million times.” – placing your hand against his chest. You leaned down to leave a kiss against his cheek. He grinned from ear to ear, turning hot red within seconds. – “Oh dear, you are burning up again.” – you exclaimed, dipping the cloth in the bowl once more. Enoch kept smiling, knowing this time it wasn’t from the fever. Rather from being bashful.

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