Prince of Ruin

Chapter Twenty-Two: Theodore

I've never liked hospitals.

That's not a new or interesting take on the matter- almost no one likes hospitals. However, that was all I could think of as I opened my eyes with a groan and was greeted by the stark white ceiling of St Mungos, as well as the feel of the terrible, scratchy sheets under my body. You'd think, being a magical hospital, they'd be able to magically soften their sheets, and yet...

There was a steady beeping sound- which was a big reason why I could not stand the hospital. When I'd been admitted the night of my wedding, that damned noise, as well as, admittedly, my rage, had kept me up all night long.

But at least then I had known why I was there, I found myself struggling to figure out what the hell had happened. I groaned and turned my head, Coco sat to my left and when she registered that I was awake- she lit up.

"Theodore!" She hopped up and then paused as if unsure of where to go next. Finally, she processed and leaned down, kissing my head. "Don't move."

"Coco- what." I didn't get anything else out because she hurried out of the room. She came back a minute or so later with a healer behind her.

"Mr. Nott?" The healer walked over and took a seat in the chair Coco had abandoned.

"Yes? What happened- Coco-"

"The present." She answered. I frowned, my wheels turning. We picked a house- we got home... there was a gift in the foyer with her name on it. I opened it and-

I tried to sit up but was jerked back down, damn magic beds

"Theodore!" Coco admonished me.

"Someone tried to hurt you."

"But they hurt you instead, lay down you moron." She snapped at me, finally moving to where I could properly see her.

"Why can't I-"

"Move? Because you were injured, dumbass. You can't get up yet." I looked to the Healer for help but he simply nodded in agreement with Coco.

"Cordelia-" I stopped when I saw the tears in her eyes and the mascara tracks down her cheeks. She really was upset. "Okay... Okay. So the present-"

"It exploded, I ran back to the foyer and you were out cold. I couldn't get you to wake up I thought-" Her voice caught and she turned her head so I couldn't see her face, or her tears, before turning back. "Um- I sent for help and we got you to St Mungos as quickly as possible-"

"How long has it been?" My heart started racing- if I missed my first day...

"Just a couple of hours." She answered. "They said you would wake up when you were ready to."

"And I did- can I please sit up properly now?" That was directed at the Healer.

"In a moment." He did a couple of tests, mostly checking my eyes' ability to track, asking a few questions about if I had a headache (yes) or any body aches (no). Then he declared I was okay to sit up and we got everything adjusted for me to do so. Then the Healer promised to be back in a little bit with a potion to help me with the headache.

"How bad was it?" I asked. "Or is it- was it fiery?"

"I'm going to strangle you." She laugh out a choked laugh, sitting in the chair by my bed again. "There was no fire- It was apparently a magnified exploding snap explosion. It knocked you out but other than a bump on your head that's already gone away."

"And who sent it?"

"I have no idea, Theodore. You told me the thing was smudged and I wasn't actually worried about it while we were trying to get you here. You are so much heavier than you look by the way. Especially when you are completely dead weight."