Toy Soldier {ManxManxMan}

CHAPTER 12

Being confined not only to my room, but strictly to my bed, was boring as shit. I will admit that not forcing myself to walk around while pretending it didn't hurt was kind of nice, I hadn't put weight on my left leg in a whole day, and the medicine Arthur had insisted I take was a lot better than the shit from the Jeep's first aid kit. That meant it actually worked, the pain was basically non-existent, and I was able to sleep through the night without screaming from the nightmares.

When I woke up the next morning I was half expecting Demi to be sitting beside my bed, last time something like this happened he didn't leave my side, but I wasn't surprised when I found myself alone. There were more important things he had to do, like sleep, and keep an eye on Kailas so he did the same thing. I had to be happy that they were together again, they kept each other grounded, and I cared way too much about both to resent their relationship. If anything, I admired it.

I could understand it, too, especially the fact that for right now, what Demi needed the most was to be with Kailas, wrapped in his embrace so he could hear the heartbeat under his ear. To hear that sound was proof Kailas was alive, and those arms wrapped around Demi would help him relax and understand that he was safe now, away from those monsters, and that he was never going back again, not if Kailas, or I, had any say.

Kailas needed that physical touch right now just as much as Demi did. He was such a wreck losing Demi for a second time, seeing him when I got back was so shocking because he looked like a corpse. What he needed was rest, a lot of rest and good food, but immediately all he needed was to know Demi was with him again.

Still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. I knew Demi had to stay with Kailas until both were a little more secure after all that had happened, but that didn't stop me from pouting. They had each other to take comfort in, but I was bored and alone and forbidden from walking around, so I couldn't go hang out with anyone or spar.

I was considering what the consequences would be if I decided to disregard everything Arthur had said and just get up, when someone knocked on the door. I rolled my head to the side and squinted my eyes in suspicion.

"I didn't order a pizza!" I called out, and the door was pushed open to reveal Orion, who was giving me a goofy look.

"Good, because we don't have pizza," he held up the platter of food he probably got from Arthur and took a few steps into me room, propping the platter against his hip and reaching behind him to shut the door, the smile falling away and his eyes widening as they panned over my room in surprise.

I frowned heavily at the expression, sitting up a bit and leaning against the head of my bed, "What's the matter? Should I repaint the walls?"

"Oh, no," Orion tore his eyes from the walls to gape at me, "It, ah, all the posters, and there are glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling,"

My eyes widened in shock, looking up, "Shit, you can see those? Don't fucking tell anyone, they'll laugh at me!"

Orion snorted and chuckled a little, carrying the platter of food closer, "Arthur is busy this morning, so he gave me bandages, medicine, and breakfast to bring to you. One of my many new jobs as second assistant is keeping you alive and fed while you're healing."

I cringed a little at that, "Can I turn you back into the office for a replacement nurse?"

Orion just rolled his eyes at me and sat down in the same armchair beside my bed that Demi had taken the last time I was stuck like this, "Funny. Just eat, I didn't make it so you know it's good."

"You can't cook?" I set the platter on my lap to see the array of food, and Orion hummed.

"Not even a little. Here," he set a few pills beside my plate, "Arthur sent those too."