"I'm sorry Alois, sometimes these things happen and it isn't anyone's fault. I can't imagine how upset you must be, just understand that it wasn't anything you did." The Healer said softly.
"It was my body, how can it not be my fault?" Alois asked weakly.
"You had no control over it. You rest and when you're stronger-"
"I don't want to hear anymore. I want to be alone."
"Alright, I will leave your medicine with Hannah, take it as needed for the pain." Alois didn't reply. Naveen reached out to him only for him to pull away.
"It would be best if you went home Naveen, I need to be alone."
"Alois, that isn't fair, you aren't the only one that is hurt by this, It's my-"
"Go away."
"Listen to me, I want to be here for you, you're obviously angry and-'
"Didn't you hear what I said, go home, I need time to myself." Alois' voice was emotionless, he seemed detached from the situation. Naveen couldn't expect anything less.
"Please, let me-"
"I won't tell you again, I'm tired and I want you to leave."
"Alright, I will go, but should you need anything at all, I want you to know that I you can call me. I think you're going about this the wrong way though, after such a traumatic event it is usually best if mates support each other. I am hurt too, but as much as it pains me, I could never imagine what you feel. Remember that I love you." He leaned down to kiss Alois only to have him pull away.
"Don't, just go." Naveen nodded and left, once he was alone, the young boy began to cry uncontrollably. Hannah rushed in to check on him, she knelt down beside the bed.
"My dear one, I am so sorry that you're hurting, I know this pain, I wish I could say that it goes away and everything will be as it was. The best I can offer is that I will always be right here."
"It's not fair." He cried.
"No, it certainly is not. This is not something that you should go through alone."
"I just want to stay in here forever and never come out."
"You can do that, or you can get better for us, Luca is worried about you. I didn't tell him what happened,we don't have to."
"Hannah, will you stay with me?"
"Always. Try to rest, I'll call Claude to bring in some water and cloths, you have to get your fever down."
"I'm so tired Hannah."
"Then sleep, I will be here when you wake."
"Claude, do you know what's wrong with my brother, I'm scared."
"Yes, he's very ill. You must be patient with him, it will be a long recovery. I don't know how long, It's different for everyone." Claude said preventing Luca from asking for further answers.
"Will he be okay?"
"Eventually."
"Maybe he needs-"
"Right now, he needs Hannah, she knows what to do." The older demon said getting up from his chair as he heard Hannah's request for a bowl of water and several cloths.
"You're helping, you never do that." Luca said suspiciously.
"Under the circumstances, it is best for me to do so." He explained. Once he had the water and cloths, Claude made his way to his former master's room and gave the supplies to Hannah.
"Thank you." She muttered as she dipped one of the cloths in the water then placed it on Alois' head.
"How is he?" Claude asked to everyone's surprise.
"I'll live apparently." The boy said.
"I'm...sorry for what happened, no one deserves that."
"Thank you."
"I realize that our history is not pleasant, however, in light of recent events, if there is anything I can do, I will help as much as I can." Alois nodded.
"Claude?"
"Yes?"
"You won't tell Luca will you?"
"No.I've already been questioned, I told him you are ill."
"You need to rest now. Get some sleep and we will talk about this then if you want." Hannah offered, Alois closed his eyes and was soon asleep.
"My poor boy." The female demon whispered sorrowfully.
"Do you think he will be alright, obviously his body will heal but-"
"I don't know, after I lost mine, I changed, became less willing to go out, I haven't been the same. He wanted this so much. Can you imagine being told such a thing, that you may have had a child if not for the way it positioned itself and not only that it had no chance to survive but it was also causing a serious illness for you and even if you somehow found the courage to try again, you could never have a family, as if all of that is not terrible enough, to find out after losing it that it had been there all in one day."
"It had never occurred to me, I never planned to go through any of that. If that is the case, why would he have Naveen leave, the child belonged to him as well I presume."
"He may have felt that the affection from the father would be too much for him. Maybe Naveen'a initial lack of reaction got to him. There are many reasons to explain this behavior."
"Well, I suppose after something like this, a child needs their mother, I shall leave you to it. I won't far."
"I appreciate your help Claude."
"After all I have done, this is the very least I can do."
