Bare Healing

It's been too long..

He was shivering when I entered the room. I could see how soaked his sheets were from sweating and I hesitated at the door, my fingers fidgeting around themselves. Reed didn't like me, that much I knew, it was obvious by the way he'd glare at me when I came into his vicinty.

I had heard that he was sick, which is why I came here in the first place, but his ever persisitent glare was keeping me at bay.

I sighed.

"Reed.." I began, taking a tentative step forward.

He watched me like a hawk, eyes wide with distaste, but he didn't move. Just.. laid there, body curled into itself as he shook from the fevered chills. Seeing this made me a little braver so I breathed in deeply and ventured in a little further never taking my eyes of his.

"What?" He barked, voice still strong through the pain.

"You don't like me," I mumbled and he scoffed. "But..I just- I..dammit!"

I couldn't look him in the eyes anymore, so I turned on my heel and decided to leave. I knew talking to him was impossible. I could barely get a hello out of him when we did see each other. So why did I think that I could actually do this?

"Wait," Reed called from behind me and I slowed to a stop, placing my hand along the door frame and squeezing hard as I waited and feared at what he was about to say.

I turned my head to look at him and noticed he wasn't glaring at me anymore, but rather trying to appear geniune, though on his face it looked like a grimace. My lips threatened to curl into a smile and I quickly turned my head back around to stare down the hallway. Before I knew it the words were tumbling out of my mouth and I don't think I could have stopped it even if I wanted to.

"I know you don't like me, really I do! But I wanted to see if you were alright and thank you for helping me and.. and allowing me to stay here last year when all that shit was going down with Parker and I. S-so, yeah.. thank you, Reed."

Silence came from behind me.

I continued to hold on the the frame for dear life, holding my breath until I was sure I was blue in the face. It was barely audible but I was able to hear it and my breathing returned to normal. With a nod I left the entrance of his bedroom and made my way out of his house, a small smile playing on my lips.

"...Thank you."