Delphine's Family

Chapter 25- Dolphin

Nico's POV 

Opening my eyes I blink rapidly to adjust to the dark hospital room. I search around for what woke me up.

 My eyes land on Delphine. I can see her silhouette on the bed her hands and legs are jerking away from an unseen force. I can hear her whimpering but not in pain. In fear. 

Getting up I rush over to her. As I get closer her whimpers get louder and more terrifying. 

"Delphine." I try to just wake her up by saying her name a few times. When that doesn't work I move to grab her shoulders. Feeling her clammy skin it's cold but she's sweating. From this close up I can see how her eyes are clamped shut and her nose is crinkled in a pained expression. 

Grabbing her shoulders lightly she flinches under my touch but I start to shake her shoulders slowly and say her name. When her arms start to move around more I grab them and push the against the bed calling her name louder. 

"Delphine wake up. You're safe." Her arms are pushing against my hands trying to free them but if she does I'm gonna get hit or she's gonna hurt herself. Her whimpers turned into cries now. Her broken voice calls out for help as I continue saying her name. 

"Delphine!"  She shoots up almost hitting her head into my nose. I let go of her arms as she wraps her arms around her stomach. She looks around breathing heavily with tears rolling down her face. Her eyes fall on me her face calms down a little as she throws herself on me. 

Her arms are wrapped around my waist with her head buried in my neck. I can feel her tears still running down her face get stuck on my neck. Her sobs are muffled but I can feel her body moving. I wrap my arms around her pulling her closer to me. 

I start to rub her back her skin is sticky from sweat but it's colder than before. I can feel her sports bra through her thin shirt and the goosebumps on her arms. I feel her body stop moving and she pulls away from me. 

She wipes her eye and clears her throat. She's still sniffling a little but her tears have stopped. 

"Sorry" She mutters barely audible. I stare at her as she continues to stare at her hands in her lap. 

"Why are you sorry?"

"I woke you up and did that." She motions to me still looking at her lap. I grab her chin and pull it so we make eye contact. Shaking my head I let go of her chin. I can see the goosebumps grow on her skin. Rolling my eyes at Mina's choice of clothing I pull off my hoodie feeling the cold air against the lower part of my stomach. 

Handing it to Delphine she stares at me not making a move. I shake it giving her a silent command to take it. 

"What am I supposed with it?" Rolling my eyes. 

"Can you just not be stubborn for once and take the hoodie. I can tell you are cold." She finally grabs my hoodie and pulls it over her head. I see her struggle to pull her arms through the sleeves. I grab her arms and gently help her pull them through. 

I push her to lay back down and when I move to pull the blanket to cover her up again. 

"Can you lay with me?" Her voice has never sounded so weak. Nodding my head immediately I lay down next to her. I cover myself up laying next to her. I feel her shuffle closer to me and lay her head next to my shoulder. 

"Is Nico short for anything?" Her question is the most random one. 

"No, why?"

"Just curious."

"Is Delphine short for anything?"

"Yeah totally." I chuckle a little. 

"Why don't you have any nicknames?"

"What do mean?"

"Well, my mom calls everyone a nickname and your dad calls you Del. When we met you never introduced yourself with a shortened version of your name." 

"Just never had one."

"What? How have you never had a nickname?"

"When I was little my mom had a nickname for me but when she started using it went away. My dad is the first one to give me an actual nickname." I feel her shrug a little. Most kids when talking about dead parents they struggle through their words but she talks with a collected tone never breaking. 

I can't believe she never had a nickname. Growing up I went through hundreds of names. I can't imagine not having a name that only one person can call you that makes you special. 

"From now on you will be known as Dolphin"

"Why Dolphin?"

"It fits you. Remember I'm the only one allowed to call you it. It's the rules of nicknames."

"They are rules?"

"You have a lot to learn my Dolphin."