Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(105) TMotDS: Clean, Ominous Feeling!

His head was throbbing when he finally regained consciousness. Slowly opening his eyes, he groaned at the light that hit the corner of his eyes. Throwing his arm over his eyes for a moment, he could finally make sense of his surroundings. He was back in the infirmary in his usual bed near the window, the moon was shining down at him. He moved slowly, just in case the dizziness came back, sitting up on his bed and scrunching his eyes. He heard footsteps coming toward him and a hand on his shoulder, keeping him steady.

"Jonah?" That was... Grim, right?

"Glad you're awake, Captain." And that was... Ace...

Wait... Ace and Grim is here... The moon is shining...

"NO!" Jonah scooted back quickly, panics filled his face as he stretched out his hand, pushing the cat away by the face. Grim grunted as he was pushed away with the sudden strength. He didn't register when he was at the edge of the bed- "Wha-!"

"Jonah!"

Ace didn't get to reach for the captain when he fell out of the bed Jonah scooted back until his back hit the wall behind him. When Ace and Grim tried to get close to him, Jonah shook his head and screwed his eyes shut, whining loudly as his hand reached for his face, squeezing his mouth and nose together. Is he drowning again? He felt pain in his chest. The air was trying to get out of his lung again. No no no no! He can't die! Not yet! Not Now!

"What's going on?"

"I don't- We don't- He just starts screaming-"

"Jonah, you have to breathe!"

Why is everything sound so muffled? Is he underwater? Is he really going to die like this?! Someone-! Anyone-!

"Out! OUT! ALL OF YOU!"

Who... Who is that this time? Another anemone? He'll die surely-

A gentle gloved hand suddenly brushed his bangs aside, followed by a deep, yet soft voice. "Shh... Shh... You're safe. You're safe."

Is he really? No, no. He's not in his room. He's not safe. An anemone will see him and he'll drown-

"You're not going to drown, Mister Argentum," the voice said again, cutting through the heavy headache. "It's okay to breathe."

He felt a hand reached for his hand on his face. He shook his head wildly, but the hand was gentle enough to pry his fingers. The hand guided his own to someone's chest, pressing it until Jonah could feel the heartbeat under the three pieces of suit.

"That's right, My Boy. Breath. Follow me and feel my chest. You can do it."

Breathing felt like the most difficult job in the world. He was choking in tiny mouthfuls for the next few minutes until, finally, his chest started to loosen and he was able to gulp in more air. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The headmaster was kneeling in front of him, one hand on his shoulder while the other is pressing his own left one on his chest. They stayed there until Jonah's panic finally left his body. He was still shaking and exhaustion started to settle in. He couldn't help but let his forehead fall on Crowley's chest as the headmaster's hands moved to cradle him closer.

"I'm sorry..." Jonah whispered.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Mister Argentum." The headmaster ran his hand gently behind his head to calm him down. "Tired?"

Jonah nodded weakly. The headmaster let out a low, but harmless, chuckle. "Let's tuck you in, Little Pirate."

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