What are you?

Chapter 19: playing hookie

Leo awoke the next morning, feeling like he was inside of an oven. D emit heat like a furnace. Leo kissed her awake, smiling at her as she began to toss and turn. D's eyes fluttered open and she rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning Darling.." D said smiling.

"Mornin' sleepy head. What's the plan for today?" Leo asked.

"I'm gonna help you trigger your blood fever. But you have to play the part. We have to get out of this concert tonight." D explained.

"Oh, you were serious about it?" Leo asked.

"Yes and I need you to help me pull this off ok?" D asked.

"Alright. What do I do first?" Leo asked.

"It's a complicated process. But I have made it to where all you have to do, is to hold this rock from the cave under your tongue." D explained.

"How is it complicated?" Leo asked.

"Diction. That's the hard part. Try not to talk and if you do, articulate slowly." D explained.

"Alright.." Leo said nervously.

"Now this rock is a bit different ok? What happens is you get the symptoms, but you can control yourself. All I need you to do is get to your dragonoid form and we should be able to pull it off." D said putting the rock in his mouth.

Leo swathed the rock under his tongue and was instantly hit by the first wave. D smiled and gave Leo a thumbs up.

"I'll be right back ok?" D asked.

Leo nodded.

D stomped through the house, pulling the three from their morning routines. She led them into Leo's room and they all stared.

Leo's lips quivered as sweat ran down his body. The second wave hit and his dragonoid from was showing. He lay as if he was in pain and couldn't move an inch.

"What happened to you Leo?" Adam asked.

D shot Daniel their secret look. He rolled his eyes and sigh.

"Guys.. what if Leo can do the same things D can because of the bite? Maybe it's like the vampire thing.." Ace explained.

"I foresee them needing to stay home..." Daniel began.

"What are we gonna tell the fans?" Ace asked.

"Tell them we are sick, I can't leave him like this.." D reasoned. Leo felt the third wave rush over him, his clothes felt tighter and tighter as he lay.

Without another word the three left, leaving Leo and D all by themselves.

"You did great Leo.. let me see the rock." D said smiling. Leo took the rock out from under his tongue and wiped it off, handing it back to D. She watched Leo as his form stayed. She looked around frantically wondering why he hadn't changed back yet.

"D, when will it go away? I can't take it anymore. My stomach is killing me.." Leo whined.

"It should have gone away by now.." d began. She held her head.

"The cave, let's go to the cave and see if I can find something to help.." D said walking towards the door.

Leo drug himself behind her, the two hurrying through the rift. Leo fell to the ground, emitting flames from his mouth and nose. D held her mouth. She rushed to her piles of random treasures, shoveling through it with her hands, looking for the right one. She extracted a rose quartz from the pile and ran to Leo, rubbing his back as the fire forced itself out of him.

"I don't know if this will work. You've already got the fourth wave.." D explained.

Leo fell to his side and laid in the floor, trembling.

"Why can't I control it anymore? What's happening to me?" Leo asked.

"Here, hold out your hand.." d began.

Leo held his hand up limply.

"I take this hand to hold and to pray. Let this precious soul find its way. Through the dark and through the night, please let him stay so he can fight." D recited. She looked down to see Leo in the same state as before.

"D.. just leave me here. You go do your own thing. I don't want you to feel obligated to take care of me." Leo ordered.

"It's my fault in the first place that you are in your fever again! God I should have just told them why I didn't want to go but no.. I messed with magic and now you have to pay for it. I'm staying with you." D argued.

"D.. I love you so much. But I'm not going to burden you.." Leo said softly.

"I'm not leaving Leo.." d said trying to pick Leo up.

"What are you doing?" Leo asked.

"You need to get to the nest.." d said putting Leo on her back. She toppled over, almost hitting her face. Leo stood and snatched her up, licking his lips with clouded eyes. He shook his head before collapsing to the floor again, his legs shook as he began quivering.

"Leo, work with me here. The nest will help, come on." She said helping Leo to his feet. Leo walked with D down the stairs and to the nest where D paced the floor. She watched as Leo's body contorted and shifted from skin to scales, half and half, his horns would shrink and his tail would grow. He lay in desertion as he restrained himself. Leo tried sleeping but couldn't. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily.

D looked at Leo with sympathetic eyes. Her heart aches as she watched.

"Leo, please let me help. It's just me ok?" D asked.

"You're in danger D.. I'm dangerous.." he groaned, holding his stomach.

"Dammit Leo just let me help you! For once in your life put yourself first dammit!" D screamed.

Leo felt himself sweat profusely. D crawled into the nest and watched Leo stretch out. D watched closer, seeing that he was growing in size. She blinked a few times and watched Leo as he twitched.

"No D.. I'm not going to burden you any more than I already have.." Leo said between gasps for air.

"Leo.. please, just let me help you.." d begged.