Embers || Ikemen Revolution || Sirius

Chapter 24 ~ New Plans

Later that afternoon, I was checking in on the snapdragons, all the other plants taken care of. They were starting to sprout now. Even as saplings, their protection rang strong and true. I'm so glad I did what I did.

Suddenly, I heard cries of the soldiers.

"Hm? What's happening," I asked one of the Black soldiers that came running in.

"Emberlynn! We're just carrying the wounded inside."

"Oh!" This is my chance to help! Even if I'm not fond of gore, or blood, this is the least I can do! "Where are they, maybe I can help!"

The soldier smiled at me gratefully before pointing me in the right direction. I went running, mentally preparing myself for all the blood I was about to face. I need to stop being a baby and start acting like an adult. I am one, after all. Come on, Emberlynn. So what if there's a little bit of blood, you'll be fine. Geez, what a spoiled little brat you are.

As I reached the infirmary, I took a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Before I could change my mind, I barged right in and made myself at home.

*~*

"So, reports," Ray asked that night as we gathered in the office to chat and plan our next move.

It felt so empty now, without Seth, Luka, or Fenrir around. It felt so bland without any of their constant joking or chattering. Without their lighthearted bickering. It just felt so boring and dull.

I wanted to bring the mood up somehow, but what was I supposed to do? This is war, not time for immature fights, right?

I barely paid any attention to Ray and Sirius as they discussed battle strategy, only tuning in from time to time to keep myself from being bored, or falling asleep. I was on my, what, sixth cup of coffee? I now understand what my dad had meant about coffee being addictive.

Placing my cheek on my knees, I rocked back and forth, side to side, my mind thinking, yet blank at the same time. I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep. To wake up. Only to find my friends there, happy. Laughing together, as usual.

Is this what Sirius was trying to prevent in stopping the news of the war declaration from getting to me? If so, then I guess I can understand his will to protect me from the bad news.

Suddenly, there was a big, warm hand on my shoulder, gently shaking me awake.

I looked up to see Sirius. He pointed to Ray, who was fast asleep on the couch opposite to me. They probably decided that when I was busy thinking, I guess. So I forced myself up, pinching myself to stay away as I followed Sirius out the door.

"What's the matter," I asked, once we were out in the hallway. I leaned my head against the wall, too tired to stand up properly. Only now does all the all-nighters really get to me, draining me to my core.

"Go to bed," Sirius said, ruffling my hair gently. "I mean it this time. You really look like you need it."

I rolled my eyes, playfully swatting the older man's hand away. "I'm fine, Sirius. You don't need to worry about me. You've got other things to worry about, afterall."

"If you don't take care of yourself, I'm going to inevitably worry about you," Sirius frowned. "You didn't get any sleep last night, did you?"

"No, I got sleep," I said, looking off to the side.

Sirius was silent, knowing that it wasn't the full story. He was waiting for me to reveal something that he already knew. What a jerk.

"I got a few minutes," I mumbled after a long silence. "But the question is, did you get any sleep last night?" I stuck my finger at Sirius' chest accusingly.

"Oh, I slept," he smirked. "For three hours."

I nodded my head, leaning back against the wall again. God, my head really was pounding. Everything's so blurry, and it hurts to try and focus.

Sirius let out a long sigh, crouching down and placing a hand behind my knees, swiftly swooping me up, bridal style.

"Hm," I asked as I rubbed my eyes. "What're you doing, Star? I'm fine. You should go to sleep."

"I'm not sleeping until you're asleep," Sirius said as he carefully carried me back to my own room. He didn't even look a slight bit tired. I'm sure I'm heavy as heck.

"Yeah, but," I protested, only to interrupt myself with a yawn.

Sirius smirked at me as he opened the door and gently laid me down in my bed. He started taking my shoes and socks off, and I was tempted to kick him to get him to leave me alone. I felt even more like a child now, being pampered and taken care of like this.

"Good night," Sirius murmured gently into my hair.

I nodded my head slightly, even as I started to drift off. But before he could leave, I grabbed Sirius' big warm hand in mine. I was tempted to just hug it to my chest and not let go right here, right now, but I knew I couldn't keep him for longer.

"Make sure to sleep early too," I mumbled.

Sirius smiled at me, ruffling my hair as he left. He didn't answer my question. He's probably gonna stay up late again tonight. That can't be good for his health. It's obviously not good for mine.

Dammit, body. Why can't you stay awake just a little longer? Why can't you nag Sirius just a little bit longer. Why can't you do anything right today? You even messed up slightly when you were bandaging the soldier's wounds, tying it too tight, or too loose.

Did I spend all my luck on the lucky charms I handed out to Luka, Seth, and Fenrir? Dang it!

Change of plans. Tomorrow, I'm gonna get Sirius to sleep, no matter what. I'll slip sleeping pills into his food if I have to! I'll put a spell on him if I have to. He needs sleep as much as I do. He might think that people don't notice the dark circles under his eyes, but I do. And I will make him fall asleep.

Tomorrow. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~* 

A/N: 

A bit of a shorter chapter compared to the other one I updated today. It was supposed to have been uploaded on Monday but, well, I don't always have the best upload streak. At least I'm uploading this on time! Welp, I'm speedrunning through this A/N cause school is ending soon and if I don't post this now I'll forget until tomorrow or Saturday or something. So yeah, hope you enjoyed. 

Word Count (not including A/N): 1060 

2021/10/13