Repeatedly Passing Out

Zoe sat by the invalid's bed, holding his remaining hand in hers. Once in a while she carded fingers through his bangs. He looked so pale, was the thing. Granted, that was kind of the baseline for vamps like them, but he'd always been so proud of that spell he'd invented, the sunlight walking one. Because he was a weirdo who liked bright, cheery things. So he'd always been just a touch darker than your run-of-the-mill vampire. A touch warmer, too, in so many different ways.

"He'll be all right," Archie said from the other side of the bed, where he was nestled up against Douxie's side. "He's strong."

"Strong enough to level an entire secret government facility," she grumbled, but her heart wasn't in it. She ran her fingers through Douxie's hair again, scratching lightly at his scalp. "Didn't they cut your hair once, Casperan? It's stupid long now."

"You just want to braid it," Archie accused.

She glared at him, but did not deny the accusation.

Beyond Archie, above Douxie's head, stood an IV stand. A dark red bag was hooked to it, attached to a line that was slowly putting blood back inside Douxie's body, where it belonged. Below that, another bag, with a painkiller in it. The doctor, who at least seemed to know her stuff, had cleaned Douxie's wound and bandaged it. His severed hand had received similar treatment, and been put on ice, but from the doctor's narrowed mouth and grim look... well, Zoe consoled herself, it wasn't like a hospital stay was ever in a vampire's best interests anyway.

Shit, how was Douxie going to play the guitar with only one hand?

"Mmm..." he breathed now, turning toward her hand. Stretching into the skritches, the way Archie did sometimes. She couldn't breathe. "Feels nice," Douxie slurred, not opening his eyes.

"Douxie?" Zoe managed.

His eyes cracked a slit, and he smiled at her. "Hey, Zo..."

She sniffed and had to brush her arm across her suddenly watering eyes. "What'd you have to go get your hand bitten off for, dumbass?" she asked, voice shaky. "We're already down a guitarist."

Douxie considered the question for far longer than it warranted, blinking slowly. "Seemed like a good idea at the time...?" he finally offered.

She had to laugh. "The doc's got you on the good stuff, doesn't she?"

"Mm-hmm." He nodded, smiling wide.

"Well, better that than the alternative," Archie said briskly, standing.

Douxie turned his head and blinked at his familiar. He was definitely operating a few steps behind reality; it took him several seconds before he broke into a broad grin and reached for Archie. "Arch!"

The dragon allowed himself to be grabbed and cuddled. "I only put up with this indignity because I haven't seen you for fourteen years, you realize," he said to Douxie, who was apparently too happy to heed him.

"Mmm," Douxie agreed. His eyes closed and his shoulders relaxed; he seemed to drift off again, cuddling his familiar to himself like Archie was a favorite plushie.

At least until Merlin came striding into the room like he owned the place. "Hisirdoux!" he barked, and Douxie's eyes shot open. Zoe thought he might have sat up entirely, if not for the weight of the dragon on his chest.

The movement took effort; Douxie coughed into his absent fist, not even seeming to notice it was gone, as he swayed. Zoe steadied him and glared at Merlin; if her gaze had been knives, he would have been several kebabs.

"Yes, Master?" Douxie gasped as soon as he was done with his coughing fit.

Merlin waved something about. Zoe's eyes widened as she saw that it was Douxie's hand. "Why did you bring this thing back with you? We had to prise it from your remaining grasp."

Douxie blinked several times, clearly trying to catch up. "Um. The bracelet's a magic nullifier...?"

"And why did you wish to keep it?" Merlin pressed.

"Thought it might... might be useful, for the crystal. The one in Jim's chest."

Merlin hummed, then narrowed his eyes. "And for that, it had to be bitten off?"

"Needed my magic back." Douxie's mouth moved several times before he crooked his fingers like they were digging into something. "An' it's clawed, inside. Healed into my flesh. Couldn't remove it."

"What," Zoe whispered. She and Archie exchanged horrified glances.

Douxie yawned. "And I thought you might need a wizard's hand to reforge the Amulet," he said, seriously blinking now. "'Coz you did last time, and I don't think even you could fix the one in Jim's chest..."

Merlin's eyes were wide now, surprise across his expression. "You were thinking that far ahead?"

Douxie gave a dopey smile. "He'zza Trollhunter."

And then he passed out again.