The clouds were a dark, rolling, angry gray, rain pelted down, and white-hot lightning illuminated the scene in quick flashes.
It was much like William's mood at the current moment.
He abandoned his post by the windowsill and stalked from his room in the Institute, ignoring a flustered Jessamine, who he accidentally bumped into. He even ignored the familiar polished wood door, the closed portal into his parabatai's room. He did slow, however, and his brows wrinkled together as he listened.
No sound from the room.
Hopefully it meant Jem was asleep. He needed that more than anything else at the moment.
Will shook his head forcefully and banished the thoughts from his head. No good would come from his worrying, especially not now.
Head bent sulkily, Will walked a few more paces before he heard a series of soft noises from behind the door. Will stopped to listen. He could hear, faintly, the bed creaking as Jem shifted in it. The wooden sound of things being moved across a table, the clink of metal as he opened a box. The box. By now, Will recognized the sound of it.
A quiet curse mumbled in Chinese- or, Will assumed it was a curse, because he didn't really understand what was said. Jem heaved a few wet, gurgling, muffled coughs. Worried now, Will lifted his fist to knock on the door.
"Come in, William." Jem said with a tired voice.
Will drew his hand back (he hadn't even touched the door!) and hesitantly turned the knob.
"Can I help you with something?" Jem offered once Will had entered, expertly hiding the contents of his yin fen box. Will knew it was empty.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." Will replied. His eyes were on the box, and he suddenly hated it, hated it for taking away his Jem.
Jem smiled wearily. "Yes, well. You always seem to know what's happening with me. I hate to ask you, but-"
Will cut him off. "Of course. I will buy you more."
Jem lifted himself out of bed carefully, walking toward the dresser on the far wall.
"What are you doing?" Will demanded.
Jem brushed him off, opening a drawer and pulling out his purse. "You cannot expect me to let you pay for it yourself. It has gotten rather expensive of late." Jem held out the purse to Will.
Will rolled his eyes. "My money is your money, it is no trouble."
"Precisely why you will take mine. I insist."
Will knew his parabatai well enough by now to know that this was something Jem would be stubborn about. With a sigh, Will took the purse and left.
Outside, it had stopped raining so hard, though the sky was still swallowed by irate clouds. Will trudged along, hands tucked in his coat pockets for warmth. The place was far, but not far enough for Will to waste money on a carriage. As usual, it was dark inside, and smelled of opium. Will made the transaction quickly, wanting to hurry back to the Institute before the rain began to really fall again.
Five minutes later, Will came to the conclusion that he hadn't been fast enough. Damn his luck, of course this would happen. Droplets of water heavily pelted his back and blinded him partially. Will blinked, trying to make out the road ahead. Why hadn't he thought to bring an umbrella?
"Will!" The familiar voice was accompanied by a slight figure. Jem was running in the rain, the idiot. Why hadn't he stayed home, in his condition?
"Jem, you fool, why would you come after me in this weather?" The insult was grudgingly amiable.
The white-haired boy smiled, breathing heavily. "I came…because of…the weather." he panted.
He handed something to Will- an umbrella. Will shook his head. Jem never ceased to amaze him.
"Are you quite alright?" Will inquired, seeing Jem resting against a streetlamp, breath still labored.
Jem grinned. "Perfectly fine."
"Good."
Will opened the umbrella and held it above his head, holding out his hand to Jem. Jem took it and huddled close to his parabatai as the chill pressed against them. So they walked back home, and Will wondered if the rain was such a bad thing, after all.