Ellisandre

They arrived early to the mall, but Sevastyan was already there.

He headed for the men’s bathroom as soon as Ellisandre turned down the corridor.

Ellisandre lengthened their stride and went in after him.

No one else was in the restroom. Sevastyan didn’t look back.

He kept walking and entered the handicap stall at the end.

Ellisandre followed, closing the door behind them. Sevastyan turned around. He was dressed for the cold. The wind had gotten to his unshaven cheeks, making him look rough.

Ellisandre held up the bag with the saline. “Convince me this isn’t for you.”

“It’s not.” Sevastyan shook his head. He pulled off his gloves and flexed his hand, turning his wrist over and showing Ellisandre his veins. “I’m fine.”

“Yesterday was rough.”

“Early this morning.” Sevastyan grimaced, then looked down. “I’m taking care of someone.”

“And you can’t take them to a hospital.” It wasn’t a question.

Sevastyan gave the barest shake of his head, confirming the statement.

Ellisandre handed over the bag. “Show me your chest.

Their boy took the bag, looked around, found nowhere to set it, and handed it back.

He tugged off his gloves and worked open the front of his coat.

There was a sweater and a shirt beneath that.

He pulled them up, showing the same bandaging Ellisandre had fixed on him less than twelve hours before.

Ellisandre laid their hand against his chest, feeling his temperature and the pulse of his heart. He felt healthy. Stressed but stable.

“You should be asleep.”

“I will. As soon as I get this started.”

Ellisandre nodded. “Text me this evening. If you don’t, I’ll hunt you down.”

Sevastyan’s eyes crinkled up at the edges, the barest amount of amusement. “I’ll text.”

There was nothing else to say. Even though keeping him here soothed something inside, it wasn’t soothing their boy.

“Go. Take care of what you have to. Then rest.”

Sevastyan bowed his head in acknowledgement and opened the stall, slipping out. Ellisandre waited a full two minutes and went out after. Sevastyan was already beyond sight by the time Ellisandre re-entered the corridor.