.Z-P: Mission 4_FINAL.+

A few days later…

Harmony Base/Medical Bay/Patients Room #1 (HECTOR’S POV)

Finally, I was going to get to see them. I had only caught the tail end of a conversation in the cafeteria that Riley and his bizarre friend Hyde were in the med bay. Well, I guess I couldn’t call Hyde strange, I didn’t really know the guy after all. Still hearing that he was injured, badly, and that he was a friend of Riley’s been enough to get me up and going for a visit. Plus, I’m sure Riley could use the support. I felt bad that it had taken me this long…

But only a few days ago I had been on one heck of a crazy mission. I couldn’t say it hadn’t been fun with the ladies, Nitzah and Cameron though; we sadly never did get to have that beach party. Then there was the fact of Lavvy’s ‘punishment’ training for my use of methods getting us away from some GG soldiers and a Tamed member.  I dragged a hand through my curly hair; I was going to end up in the medical bay my-self again when THAT happened. Not something to look forward too.

I sighed, I wouldn’t think about that now. I lifted the containers in my other hand; it was food for Riley and Hyde. It may not be such a big life choice for a lot of people, but I took it upon my-self to make sure members got well fed. I did however add in some sweets for Riley, he really enjoyed those. I also had drinks, but Pryde was carrying them and I lost the big guy back somewhere in this labyrinth of a base. I was sure though, he’d eventually show up at the med bay. …. I hope.

<<Finally!>> I heard Mattis say within my head. <<I’m getting so tired of that cafeteria. We barely get to go anywhere. How am I supposed to gain more input being in the same place every day?>>

‘Would hardly call this a field trip.’ I sent mentally back. I felt Mattis glare.

I stopped at the patients holding room marked number one. The patients’ rooms were rather large; I only guessed them to be at this one, we never usually had enough injured to use the other rooms… yet. I entered and stood in the doorway. It only took me a second to catch sight of Riley’s red hair.

He was lying on he’s stomach facing the end of the bed, head leaning in one hand while the other picked at the bed sheets and from the looks of it talking up a storm about something. I smiled. I considered Riley’s motor-mouth a small blessing, he could talk away on just about anything.  Next to him, Hyde, was sitting up against the base board with a book in his lap. He didn’t seem to be listening to a word Riley was saying. Had I not been observing, I would have thought Hyde really didn’t care, but I saw how the bright eyes would look up from the book sometimes, shining in amusement.

I find it funny that at one point I thought Riley and Hyde were… well, a ‘thing’. Just one mistaking scene can really make a person think the wrong things. But now that felt just ridiculous, it was too easy to stand here and see the true friendship they had for each other... Like brothers.

I watched as Hyde suddenly nudged Riley in the side with his knee, he looked first at the Brit then turned and catch sight of me. Quickly he pulled him-self up into a sitting position and waved me over, he looked really happy.

As I neared the bed I heard Riley call out in greetings,

“Hey, Hector! I haven’t seen you in some time. How have you been?”

He slid to the edge of the bed, legs swinging back and fore, looking up at me with interest.

“Hi Riley.” I considered for a second of telling him of about my mission, but it looked like the kid been through enough, seeing the shadows under his eyes. It made me wonder if he had been sleeping alright… So, I just lifted the containers into his vision. “I’m great, nothing exciting going on with me. I brought you both some food.” I said hastily handing them to Riley before he could ask anything else.

The orange-red eyes lit up in appreciation.

“What! Hector, you didn’t have to do this.”

“Oh, I didn’t? I guess I’ll just have to give Hyde all those cookies then.” I teased.
I saw a flicker of a smile from the wolf infected, though he still hadn’t look up from his book. Riley on the other hand gave me a pout as I reached back out for the containers.

“Noooo!” He protectively leaned over them. “You have to do this and bring me cookies every day.” He joked; I gave him a light chuckle.

I sat in the chair next to the bed as Riley pulled his legs back up onto the bed and started to go through the food, Hyde watching next to him. He opened the one that contained the cookies first and shoved a few in his mouth with gusto; I realized he must have been really hungry. Kid, don’t you ever take care of your-self? I wondered sadly. He continued to open lids, looked to Hyde, and then frowned.

This made me sit up straighter.

“What is it? You don’t like any of it?” I asked, worried.

“No, no.” He shook his head hurriedly at my doubt. “It’s not that, looks amazing. Hmmm, Hyde can’t eat any of this.”

I blinked.

“His stomach was wounded. This will make him sick.” He explained, grabbing the plastic spoon I brought along and shoveling the beef stew into his mouth.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know-”

He waved off my apologize and told me in between bites of the roll his was consuming now, “Its fine. Mint will bring him something. He kind of on an all liquid diet at the moment…”

Before the conversation could go any farther, Pryde busted into the room nearly knocking the door off its hinges.

“MR. PEA! I got the drinks for Scarlet Fox and Hyde!” He bellowed making the other patients and members visiting them turn their head to stare at him. He held the tray of drinks up in the air with a triumph grin.

I joined in the staring for a moment.

Well… I guess I should be glad he made it at all-- Wait, why was Hyde the only name he got?

Harmony Base/Members Quarter/Riley’s Room (RILEY’S POV)

It had been a few more days spent in the medical bay before Mint released Hyde. Though he was still supposed to take it very easy and continue to get bed rest. I remember I had to argue with him to take my bed and not the large armchair that sat in the middle of my room; wouldn’t have helped the healing wounds to be in such an awkward position.

Hector came by nearly all those days with new foods to try and bundles of sweets. We even snuck Hyde some; it had been a fun day until he threw it back up. Mint was really mad at us that day too… Though, I still remember us laughing it off later. Hector would also stay for a bit to talk; they were always cut short by his duties to the cafeteria. I understood, he had A LOT of members he’d cook and feed daily. I just appreciated that he even made time to come by.  

Eve stopped by for a day. She brought us these gorgeous blue flowers; I didn’t even know flowers could be this blue and vivid. I took a moment to look at the vase of blossoms that now sat on my night stand. She told us that they made her think of Hyde’s eyes and that it seemed like the perfect gift. She also dropped a ‘great well’ card along with them. It had been signed by both her and Hiro. I was just glad they got back to the base alright. Though I feel it had been a whole lot easier for them than it had been for us.

Pryde came by every now and then during those days. He often brought along a lot of hand-held games. I played a few, but I never could win vs. against the big guy. Hyde stayed content with just watching no matter how much Pryde pleased at him to play. I found seeing a begging grown man too funny.

Then there was a visit that surprised me slightly, Zaine. He didn’t stay long, or even had a lot to say to us.  But, the thoughtfulness to visit was more than welcomed. He did leave some green tea, Hyde’s favorite. I wondered how he knew, but I figured he just asked Hector. By then, Hyde could actually enjoy it and it made me smile to see him take that first sip looking so delightfully happy.

Now, here we were finally alone in my room.

I sat at the edge of my bed facing my open room, it felt strangely dark and empty. Hyde laid on the other side of the bed, curled up beneath the covers with his back to me. I knew he wasn’t actually asleep yet. Sighing I fell back carefully, lying my head in the curve of his side taking in the sight of the celling. He was still overly warm with fever; Mint said that was normal for a couple more days. My thoughts went back into something deeper. Because of all the visits and the room always being filled of other members I hadn’t gotten to talk with him on a subject I didn’t really want to return to. Hyde shifted slightly under me; I knew he could sense my anxiety.

“Oi, what is it?” He mumbled sleepily into the pillow, the English accent sounding slightly thicker. He really was tired, I amused.

I turned my head enough to look into the half open eyes that side glanced at me. It only took a second for those bright orbs to search mine and see everything that only Hyde could read loud and clear. It kind of made me miss the ‘drugged’ Hyde who stayed so blissfully ignorant.

“Bloody hell…” He raised a hand from under the cover to rub drowsily at his face. “She told you, didn’t she?”

“Why did she have to?” I shot back and I knew I couldn’t hide the hurt that reflected in my eyes. “Why couldn’t you?”

He looked away to stare ahead at the wall.

“I didn’t want you to know.”

I felt my face heat up, but he cut me off before I could say anything,

“I didn’t want anyone to know. I don’t want to be treated differently. I don’t want to see pity in their eyes, people to think I’m some kind of weakness.” I would never think that. Hyde paused to look back at me as if he heard the unspoken words. “I’ve acknowledged ever since I was infected with Copperfang, that I would only have a few years to live on. He told me from the start. But, I’ll be damned if I’m not going to enjoy the years I still have. This world may control my future, but it will never control how I choice to spend it. ”

We stared at each other and for once in my life I felt I couldn’t find the words to respond. He gave me a sad smile.

“I don’t imagine I was ever going to tell you, mate.” He told me solemnly. Then what were you going to do when…? I couldn’t ask. But I think he saw the question hang in my expression. “I would have just… disappeared. Create some mock trip. I couldn’t leave not knowing you were going to be alright first though. To make sure you had someone to watch your back when I’m gone.”

I shook my head in disbelieve, not wanting to hear this because it just made my heart want to break; at how astonishing of friend I truly and utterly had here that he would spend he’s dying years making sure I ended up safe. Only to know, I would be losing him. That I wouldn’t have this amazing person who’s done so much for me, that I just finally opened up to when I should have all along. He has only known me as the awful friend who has done nothing in return, I realized the few years this world was giving him was not enough time to return all the kindness he deserved. I threw my arm over my eyes as I felt the string of tears again, to hide them away. Would I even be able to live without you?

“Hyde… don’t disappear.” I whispered. Please, give me the chance to be a friend back... to make this all up to you.

“I’ll be right here.” He promised me easily. Of course he would stay now, because I asked him too.

I felt a tear slide down pass my defends. Quickly I wiped it away with the back of my hand as I reach my other arm over my head to ruffle the blonde locks fondly. He shoved my hand away and I looked over at him to see a shy smile. But a second later it was gone as his eyes were locked back on the wall ahead, his expression somber.
 
“Could we forget this and go back to the way things were…?” He asked softly.

I frowned. But I understood what he meant; back to not knowing and feeling this sadness inside.

<<For things to be normal again.>> Paul Dean added.

‘To keep moving forward…’

“Please?”

To hear the pleading in his voice was almost too painful to bear. I sat back up sliding more onto my side of the bed before lying on my back next to him, the celling grabbing my attention again. I don’t think I would ever stop thinking about it, stop counting every day and month that it would grow nearer. But, I could hold it in… I could pretend for a while, for Hyde.

“Go to sleep.” I told him; a silent promise that we would leave this subject alone for now.

Being the ever bright one, I knew he hear the unspoken message. He turned to look over his shoulder at me for a moment before relaxing his head back into the pillow and snuggling more into the blankets.  I hear the instant he went into a deep sleep, the soft even breathing. I admitted Hyde was probably the best person to share a bed with. He never snored or moved. I wondered if he even dreamed. I know I would jolt awake sometimes during the nights, sounds of gun fire and visions of blood. But Hyde seemed to sleep fine. I’m actually glad for that, if not a bit jealous.

<<Stop thinking so much and go to sleep your-self.>>

‘Yes, mother.’ I teased the fox; even though he was a boy.

I felt the parasite bristle.

<<I’m not. I’m female.>>

I blinked stupidly.

‘I’m sorry…. WHAT?’ I nearly mentally shouted. How had I not known this? The voice sounded neither gender really, though it held a slight softness. I think I just assumed; I almost wanted to slap my-self in the forehead. ‘No worry you don’t like me and I been calling you Paul Dean, ugh..’

<<I don’t dislike you. You’re just an idiot.>>

‘Was that supposed to make me feel better?... Never mind. Just tell me… what is your name? Or I could continue to call you Paul Dean.’

<<Ivory.>> 'She' said in a tone that the conversation was over and that she wanted me to go to sleep.

Ivory. It was a pretty name. I felt a little pride in learning something about the fox parasite.

I snuck another glance at Hyde who slept on like a statue. I took a moment to get off the bed and change into a comfy t-shirt and boxers before sliding under the covers as well. My eyes drifted shut as I felt the tiredness start to fall over me.

I won’t let you go so easily, Hyde.

We’ll find a way to beat this.


Together.

MISSION END