Without you
The breeze warms
The girl smiles
The cloud moves

Though most of the Newsies found solace outside during the warmer spring days, Blaze continued to hide inside the lodging house after she had completed selling. She sat by the window of the girls' room, eyes focused on the blue sky. She used to make Bumlets watch the clouds from the sickroom with her everyday. He'd chuckle at her attempt to declare that some were shaped like objects around the city, and participate when she asked him to.

It didn't matter that his days were numbered or that at times he had trouble breathing and would have to stop talking when a rage of coughs overcame his lungs. He didn't focus on what would happen to him, but instead his life day by day. He wasn't dying as he saw it. Bumlets kept telling Blaze that he was just living faster than the rest of them - that they were just jealous because he was having twenty times the amount fun they would have each day, since his life was moving quicker.

~~~~

"Now what do ya think yer doin'?" Bumlets asked. He sat up from the bed, and watched Blaze prance around the room.

"What's it look like? Yer a pig! I gotta clean up after ya!" she exclaimed with a smirk on her face. She went about dusting the small room, and tidying up the few items that lingered in her path. Once she reached the window, Blaze pushed it up, and smiled at the warm summer breeze.

"It's a nice day out, ya should keep da window open," she instructed. "It ain't even dat humid for once."

"Boy, if I knew ya was gonna act like dis when I was sick, I would have pretended ta be sick all da time, just for da special treatment," he grinned.

Gasping, Blaze plopped down on the bed and poked his nose. "You would not," she replied confidently.

"Would too," he answered and grabbed Blaze around the waist before pulling her towards him.

Blaze slipped her hands through his hair and smiled. "If ya acted like dis all da time, especially wid da whinin' like a baby act, I would have dumped a bucket of water on ya and left ya to fend for yerself."

"Well dat wouldn't be very nice," he pouted.

"Neither would pretendin' ta be sick," she pointed out.

Bumlets leaned towards her, placing kisses up her neck. "But you'd get ta take care of me, and listen ta me whine, and bring me food, and stay wid me all da time," he muttered against her skin.

Closing her eyes, Blaze felt shivers run up her spine. "Well, I like da stayin' wid you part, but I'll pass on da rest," she whispered.

Bumlets pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Maybe I can convince ya dat takin' care of me has its benefits," he smiled.

Blaze raised a brow questioningly. "Oh?"

Nodding, Bumlets kissed her nose. "But first, ya gotta do one thing for me."

"What's dat?"

Bumlets smirked and motioned towards the other side of the room. "Lock da door."

~~

Lying on her stomach, Blaze opened her eyes and looked towards the window. Ever since Blaze caught on that physical encounters exhausted him, she had made sure to nap for awhile with him afterwards, claiming that he just wore her out. Bumlets knew it was because he was the one worn out, but he played along with her, knowing he desperately needed the rest.

"Bums, look at how fast dose clouds are movin' across da sky. Ya think a storm's comin' or somethin'?"

"Could be, or dey got tired of ya tryin' ta figure out what dey look like, so dey're movin' real fast ta annoy ya," he chuckled.

Blaze turned to him and stuck her tongue out, then returned to look out the window. "Very funny."

"I thought so," he mused. Bumlets propped himself up on one elbow and pushed the thin sheet away from Blaze's back before he trailed his fingers over her bare skin.

"Yer gonna make me fall asleep again," she mumbled, sighing contently. She loved his gentle touch, and she knew Bumlets was well aware of that. He could always calm her down or make her drowsy by slipping his hands through her hair, or tracing his fingers over her skin.

"I might just take dat risk," he answered and continued his fingers on their path.

Feeling her eyes start to close, Blaze turned on her side, facing him. "At least let me have me Bumlets pillow foist," she smiled and rested her head against his chest.

Bumlets kissed her forehead. "I need ta start chargin' for me services," he teased and ran his hands over her back again, enjoying the feel of her body so close to his.

~~~~

"Blaze. hey Blaze." Autumn waved her hand in front of Blaze's face.

"Huh?" Blinking several times, Blaze looked up to see Autumn standing by her chair.

"It's time fer dinner. Ya wanna come ta Tibby's wid me and Jack?" she asked.

"I. I ain't so hungry," Blaze answered, shaking her head.

"Well, ain't so hungry and not hungry are two different things." Helping her out of the chair, Autumn led a quiet Blaze towards the door.

I promised Bumlets I would make sure she ate, and dat's what I intend ta do, Autumn thought. She knew it seemed rough to make Blaze go out with her, but if she didn't eat, she'd turn even thinner than she had already managed to become.