Another Fate | Rebirth | BxB [Hiatus]

5: Clingy Patient

Imogen wakes up the next morning clean, warm, feeling surprisingly safe, though a little confused.

How did I get clean? 

He's dressed in a soft robe of an unknown material. Unai is next to him keeping him warm. Unai nuzzles him sleepily. Before Imogen wakes enough from his bleary half dream state to remember washing up he feels a warmth from the other side of him. He turns to find out why and bolts upright on the bed.

Who the hell is this gorgeous man? He stares at the man in a daze. Why am I in bed with him? Imogen scrambled away from Lenix as far as he can while still sitting on the bed. He relaxes as he remembers Unai is next to him and it was Unai that brought this man to help him. 

Lenix wakes up from all the movement. As he sits up, the blanket falls away from his bare chest. [Good morning Imogen, how are you feeling?] The voice in his mind tugs groggily at his consciousness. 

Imogen stares jealously at Lenix's well developed muscular body, "Safe and warm," he mumbles then remembers he's clean. "Did you wash me?" He's embarrassed and pulls the blankets to cover himself more. "Why are we all in bed together?"

[No, I didn't wash you kid. You washed yourself yesterday at the well in the backyard.] He's laughing while sending these thoughts to Imogen.

"I'm not a kid," Imogen is all indignant. "I'm 26, probably older than you. At least I was before I died. Even now this body isn't a kid, it's sixteen, though it looks like this."

[Yeah, I got a good look.] The thought has a playful teasing feel to it that makes Imogen feel warm. Lenix passes his fingertips over Imogen's prominent collarbone.  [You will have plenty of food from now on Imogen.] He hands Imogen a small purple and orange striped fruit as the thoughts enter Imogen's mind tinged with concern.

Imogen shivers from the physical touch and the mental warmth of the man's thoughts. Lenix assumes he is cold and wraps the blanket around Imogen drawing him close as they talk.

[We are in bed together because there are only two good beds in this place and I won't sleep on the floor. I like to be comfortable. Keeping one for myself while the rest of you cram onto the other seemed unreasonable. So, one for us and one for those other three. And Unai is here because he refuses to leave your side, afraid of anything happening to you.] 

"Thanks, Unai. I was able to wake up feeling safe because you are here." Unai whines a little and shuffles closer to Imogen. Imogen rubs his head and strokes the long fur on his back. It has been a long time since Imogen could sleep with Unai. Laconia didn't allow it.

"How come I'm not afraid of you, like when you first showed up? Why are you treating me like a kid still?" he asks in a pouting tone of voice as he munches on the juicy fruit. Imogen loves cuddles so he is actually happy being held by Lenix. He still thinks of himself as 26 though so he won't easily admit to being needy for attention.

[I was using my powers then. Partly for Arrival to this code and partly as a show of force to any hostiles. Best to Arrive strong into a new world. And I'm not treating you like a kid. I'm treating you like a patient, a very fragile one. You are pretty weak right now Imogen,] he says as he runs his hands over Imogen's body on the outside of the robe.

"Why are you touching me so much?" Imogen looks curiously at Lenix's hands that are emitting a glow.

[Medical exam.] Lenix holds his hands up for Imogen to inspect. There are glowing symbols moving across them. [The magic reads information from your body and interprets the data to me so I know what is wrong with you and how to treat it.]

Imogen finishes the fruit and reaches for another. Unai pushes the small bowl of fruits closer to him. He eats two more of the fruits as Lenix continues his exam. He's getting sleepy in Lenix's warm embrace but keeps asking questions in a comfortable daze as Lenix answers patiently.

"What's this fruit? It's really tasty. I've never seen anything like it before." He's licking the juice off his lips and fingers and wishing there was another one to eat.

[It's a magic medicinal food that's very high in nutrients and calories. It'll put you back to sleep soon but when you wake up you'll have recovered a great deal and be able to eat regular meals.]

"Oh. It's yummy. Is there more?"

[Take it slow. It's a potent magical fruit. You can have some more another day.] The thought is a mix of amusement and indulgence.

"Sometimes, when you send me thoughts I think I get some of your feelings with it. Not as strong as it is from Unai and not every thought. How come it's a bit different than with Unai?"

[I suppose that would be due to my not wanting you to know all my feelings. Whereas Unai is much closer to you and has no reason to hold anything back.]

He barely stifles a yawn and settles comfortably against Lenix."Oh, makes sense." 

Imogen eventually falls back asleep, leaning against Lenix's chest. A serious expression hardens Lenix's features as the exam comes to the end.

[I can see why you were so desperate Unai. In his already weak state, the contract formation damaged him immensely. He won't live more than a year without massive intervention. How did he survive last time?]

[He was accepted into a local academy for summoners and magicians after making the contract with me. The instructors and medical personnel there gave him medicines and special foods.]

Lenix nods, [I'll do something similar just more intensive.]

Unai is relieved, [So you will help him?]

[Of course. I already received the payment for that part of the deal. Nothing has changed from our original agreement. He'll be powerful and healthy when I'm done.] He tries to rest Imogen onto the bed but Imogen whines and holds onto Lenix's arm in his sleep. So Lenix just keeps holding him.

[Has he always been so clingy?] Lenix asks Unai, smirking at Imogen's childish behavior even in his sleep.

[Yes. He gets attached quickly since he was a lonely orphan for so long. Any time he is sick or stressed he gets extra clingy.]

[Have you told him one of his former friends is here with us?]

[Not yet.]