bsumone | ❝ You give me an education ❞

After a few minutes of the comforting, he was able to relax again. Feeling that cool hand on his skin, he sighed softly then looked up at the man. It took longer than normal for him to process the words and even then he didn't seem to be all there. Still, Sky nodded to say he was hungry despite the fact that he really wasn't. To be honest he wasn't even sure why he nodded at all.

Breathing a little heavy still from the fever, he lost what little energy he'd had before and slumped in the man's arms. He was still awake but only barely, dazed with his eyes open.

"Water..."

It was a mumbling that started Thai and finished in English making it sound strange to say the least. Like he'd only remembered he wasn't in Thailand right now halfway through.

There'd been times, very long ago, when his daughter had been sick like this: burning up and nearly delirious with fever. It was frightening then, but he learned how to handle it in case it happened again. Now, James was determined to help Sky. He didn't have any family here in the US and, unless the situation required him to be admitted to the hospital, James had no mind to worry the boy's family a world away.

When Sky's weight slumped in his arms, James carefully laid him back against the pillow. "I have to go to the kitchen for more water, okay? I'll just be gone for a moment." Maybe he'll get the boy some crackers or something light to try to eat, too. Once Sky falls asleep again, James can make him some broth for later.

"I'll be right back," he murmured again, speaking slowly and clearly.

And, as promised, he was only gone a moment. Just long enough to get a fresh glass of ice water and bring it back.

Sky drifted off while the man was gone, not really asleep but not really awake either. Eyes partway open as he watched the figure go through the door and then come back through it. Looking up at him he blinked several times as he tried to remember who this figure was.

Oh. It was Mr. Cooper? Why was he in his room? That made no sense...

That water looked so good though...

James was pleased to find Sky looked a smidge more lucid when he returned. Just a smidge. The boy seemed to recognize him, at least, which was a step further than they'd been a few moments before. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, James offered a soft smile and held the water out to Sky.

"Hi. How are you feeling?"

There was no telling how long this would last. Lucidity was here and there for him. Enough so that he didn't notice how much the hand he reached out was shaking. Or how it was a struggle to sit up to drink the water even if he got it.

"Where...?" Had they had this conversation? He couldn't remember...

"You're at my house. You weren't in any shape to tell me which dorm you live in," James explained in a gentle tone. "You passed out, do you remember that?"

As he spoke, James helped Sky to sit up and brought the glass of water to his lips. "You have quite a fever."

He was at Mr. Cooper's house? He passed out... That part he sort of remembered. Very distantly. It was almost so blurry he wasn't sure what it was anymore.

Sky took a few sips of the water before looking to the man who was taking care of him. Why was he doing that? He didn't have to do that. It went beyond his duties as a teacher. Yet here he was going so far out of his way. Did he have an agenda?

It was so hard to think right now.

James realized it was probably hard for Sky to think clearly. He was still burning up. It had to be even harder to try to translate in his head. So, he'd just have to make sure to convey as much meaning through his tone as possible.

"Just try to rest a little longer." If the fever didn't break by night, James would take the young man to the hospital. He knew from his experience as a father that these things sometimes took a little time to sort themselves out. No sense in being overly anxious about it.

Rest. He nodded as he shifted to lay back down, curling on his side this time. Mainly so he could watch the man taking care of him, confused by his actions and not understanding his motivations. Not at all. Licking his lips, he looked away and finally decided to speak. Just one word.

"...why?"

James blinks, canting his head. A confused look flickers over his face briefly. Was Sky asking why he should rest or... why James was looking after him? Well, thankfully, his answer to both questions is the same.

"Because you're sick."

Sick and mostly alone. A kid halfway around the world with no family to be by his side. None of the friends he probably knew for years and years. James didn't even know if Sky has a roommate. So the task fell to him.

Not the he minds one bit. He offers Sky a gentle smile.

"Someone should look out for you."

❝ You give me an education ❞

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