"Captain…Captain!"
He woke startled, in a mess of covers and pillows; someone was shaking him.
"Blistering…What…what?"
He sat in the bed, still confused. The room was in a middle darkness, only illuminated by the moonlight. Haddock rubbed his eyes and saw a thin figure by his bed.
"Cap…cough!"
"Tintin? What are you doing here?"
"Sorry…I didn't want to disturb you…but I'm feeling so cold…"
The lad's voice was weak and hoarse. Violent coughs shook his body. The Captains heart tightened with concern. He had suspected his lad was coming down with something and his fears had confirmed. Haddock extended his arms to him.
"Come here, m´a boy. You're not well."
To his astonishment the young man climbed into bed beside him.
"I was thinking…if I could sleep here with you…maybe it could warm me up…cough!"
Sleep here with you
Haddock tried to ignore the awkwardness caused by those words; the poor boy wasn't feeling well. It wasn't the time for silly thoughts. Sucking hard, he reached for Tintin in the middle darkness and pulled him towards his body. The boy leaned his head on the Captain's neck and put his lithe arms around him, breath hot and quick against his skin. The petite frame shivered in his arms. The older man became frightened at the intense heat he felt coming from Tintin. His hand touched the silk cheek.
The youth was burning up with fever.
"Mille sabords…pauvre petit."
He rolled to his side of the bed, despite Tintin's weak complaints and reached for the lamp by his bedside. The diffuse light revealed the flushed cheeks, the dark bright eyes and how sweat-soaked his pajamas was. A cough broke free from his mouth again. That was the first time he had ever seen Tintin ill- and he couldn't imagine how bad he felt to see his Tintin like this.
"Capitaine…síl vous plait…j'ai froid"
Haddock's heart melted at the pleading expression of Tintin's eyes. He couldn't stop himself to reach his hand and stroke the boy's hair. He never thought Tintin was that sensible when he was ill.
"You're very ill mon petit. Wait, I'll prepare a bath for you."
The Captain pulled the covers and managed to get out of bed, only to have his pajamas pulled by the boy.
"I don't need a bath. I need you. Please."
I need you.
Haddock took a deep breath and hugged the sick lad. He kissed Tintin's forehead almost involuntary.
"You need it, Tintin. I have to bring your temperature down. I want you to get well…mon chér.
The Captain laid Tintin back in the bed and pulled the covers up until his neck. He headed towards the bathroom and half-filled the tub with warm water. He remembered having read in a medical book that cold water could cause shivers and raise the temperature, contrary to what was believed. Once he was done, he returned to the room and picked up Tintin in his arms.