#ticktockclockwork

Everyone exchanged looks, and Bitty frowned at them.

Finally, Ransom speaks. “Bitty, bro, do you remember the game?”

“Head hurts too much to think.” Bitty tells them, quietly, and they all wince nearly in unison.

“That’s definitely a concussion.” Lardo announced, voice low and calm. Bitty looks to see her perched on a chair at his side, watching him carefully, a gentle smile appearing when he looked at her. “You took a wicked hit, Bits.”

Bitty winced at that.

“Fuckin’ dickwad beaters on the other team hit the bludger at you instead of the goddamn guy who had the ball-“ Shitty hissed, looking livid.

“They gave you some potions and herbs, but there’s literally nothing to fix a concussion, bro. Sorry.” Holster added.

“And because of that, the Healers want you to take it easy and not play for a while.” Ransom continued.

Bitty opened his mouth, about to say something in protest, but Jack cuts him off, rising a little from the other chair opposite Lardo.

“Bittle, you got hit in the head with a bludger. There is no way in hell I am letting you back in the air until the Healers give you the all-clear. It could’ve been so much worse, and if you play before you’ve rested enough, it will be-argh!” Jack ran his hands through his hair, making him look even more disheveled and furious, and Bitty shrank back into his pillows, closing his eyes for a long moment to remedy his dizziness and foggy mind before he speaks.

“You’re right, ‘m sorry.”

When he reopens his eyes, they settle on Jack, who has visibly deflated. “Eugh, no, it’s alright. Just-just…it was scary.” He meets Bitty’s eyes and reaches over to grab his hand gently. “I’m really glad they made sure you weren’t hurt worse, Bittle. But concussions are a big deal, so please don’t be upset.”

Bitty gave Jack a small smile as he told him, “It’s alright, Jack.”

Jack smiled back, and the team starts to chatter again, plotting revenge against the other team’s beaters.