In Sickness, Health, and Full moons

Chapter Nine [Tanner]

 Numbness has its benefits. It made for a safe drive and easy climb up the hotel stairs with first-aid kit in hand. Tanner almost felt calm when he knocked on the door to room 403, only the slightest flutter in his heart when he heard Azrael moving inside. He wasn't prepared to be hit by a wave of butterflies in his gut when she opened the door an inch. Like she did when answering the door for unexpected strangers.

Numbness, while beneficial, proved to be temporary and fleeting when he needed it most.

Tanner only raised the first-aid kit in place of a greeting. He kept his gaze aimed down, unable to look her in the eye. Maybe unable to look at her all but he would have to eventually. For now, he was putting off the inevitable as long as possible.

Azrael opened the door a few more inches, still huddled behind it like it was a barrier, just enough space for him to squeeze through. She made some sort of humming sound, something so vague but Tanner knew so well. 'Well come on', it said.

He squeezed through the gap into the dark hotel room. It reeked of moisture trapped under dingy carpets, weak cleaning supplies used by housekeeping, and something sharp that burned the back of his throat. The furniture and rumpled bedding was outdated by at least three decades, and he didn't dare look too close at floor, certain the busy pattern was intended to distract from any stains. Azrael deserved better than this. Speaking of, he still couldn't bring himself to look at her. Part of him was glad he'd thrown up everything he had earlier. He wasn't sure he could manage to keep it down now, the butterflies turning to writhing worms in his stomach.

"Have you ever sutured a wound before?" she asked from her spot behind the door.

"Yes." Several times. "Will you be more comfortable in the bathroom or on the bed?" His voice didn't sound right to his own ears.

"Bed. Bathroom's dirty and small."

God, you deserve so much better than this.

Azrael shuffled past him and he finally managed to bring himself to look at her, to watch her move, her tiny frame engulfed in an off-white sheet she'd probably removed from the bed. Her hair was balled up on top of her head in the messiest bun he'd ever seen and it was... adorable. She was adorable. It took every bit of restraint he had to not reach out and hold his wife.

With one arm, she started swatting and shoving the rumpled blankets on the bed, trying to clear a space for them. Eventually, she just tore the blanket off. Something went flying and landed on top of the dresser next to an ice-bucket full of the flowers he picked for her.

The little plushy wolf stared at them with its big glassy eyes, lying on its side. A little bandaid was plastered to its forehead, exactly where Tanner's own cut was. His gift had been in with the blankets, on the bed. She slept with it. Warmth flooded his chest.

"Not a word," Azrael warned, snatching up the wolf and stuffing it into her purse.

"I wasn't going to say anything." Tanner couldn't help the grin. When he dared a glance at Azrael's face, he thought he saw the corners of her lips quirked up too. "Did you like it?"

"I said not a word!"

"It was a question, not commentary." Technically, there were words in questions, but details.

"No questions either, then." She said it with such finality, but the tightness in her lips wasn't all anger. There was something about this, the way they were bickering, it felt so damn normal. God, he loved her.

Tanner clenched his jaw against the smile, shrugged and mumbled, "I thought the wolf was funny."

The corner of an off-white sheet whacked his elbow.