4: Soft Pajamas
Sergeant Carter grunted as he lugged a large suitcase over to a window. Corporal Kielholz was standing outside, keeping watch. Though they were in Colonel Klink's quarters, the commandant was distracted by the futile task of keeping General Burkhalter entertained. Luckily for everyone in camp, Klink hadn't taken out his violin yet.
"I got the suitcase," Carter whispered. "I didn't think it would be this heavy."
"Well, what size clothes do you think Burkhalter wears?" Kielholz asked. "Extra small?"
Carter grinned a little. "You got a point. Do you want me to get this out to you, or just find the pajamas?"
"Just find the pajamas. I imagine that suitcase might be a bit too heavy to get back to the barracks."
Nodding, Carter unbuckled the suitcase, which instantly popped open. A smile spread across his face when he saw the silky striped pair of nightclothes underneath a spare uniform. "Got 'em," he whispered. He then frowned when he picked up the pajamas. "Are you sure these aren't too big for Langenscheidt?"
"Honestly, the bigger, the better," Kielholz replied. "He has been complaining of chills all evening and he needs to be warmed up."
"If that's the case, let's take the robe, too." Carter handed the sloppily folded pajamas and robe to Kielholz. "I'll meet you outside in a minute."
Kielholz waited anxiously, his eyes darting around the compound. Oh, the things I do for you, Karl. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Carter jogging toward him, then began walking to the infirmary. "That was easier than I thought it would be."
Carter shrugged. "It wasn't the most difficult thing I've ever done."
"Right. I probably shouldn't ask anymore questions."
In the infirmary, Corporal Langenscheidt was sitting up in bed, making the best of his situation with thin, white sheets wrapped around himself. He smiled a little upon seeing Kielholz and Carter enter the room, but his smile was quickly cut off by a fit of dry coughing.
"I was just going to ask how you were doing," Carter said, a sympathetic look on his face. He glanced at Kielholz. "I guess not much better."
"The medics suspected pneumonia, so they started giving him medication for it. It will take time to work, but I'm just glad he will be alright," Kielholz replied.
"For heaven's sake, Erich—" Langenscheidt broke off coughing again. When he had a moment to breathe, he took a glass of water from the table next to him, and drank a little despite his hands shaking. Then he set the glass back down. "You worry too much."
"So, do you not want to see what we brought you?"
Langenscheidt sighed. "What did you bring?"
Kielholz held up the pajamas and robe. "Soft pajamas and a fluffy robe."
"Where did you get these?"
Carter gave Kielholz a look. "Should we tell him?"
Kielholz flushed red. "Um… we… may have stolen these from General Burkhalter."
"Are you mad, Erich?" Langenscheidt hunched over to cough again. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you will get into?"
"Yes, but you have very bad chills. I thought this would warm you up. They are freshly laundered, and did I mention they are soft?"
"Good grief, they are enormous, too." Langenscheidt sighed, hanging his head in defeat and exasperation. "Fine. I will wear them."
The pajamas were big enough that Langenscheidt could put them on over the clothes he already had on. He then got back in bed, completely bundled up. He was still shivering a little, but it was starting to subside.
"Do you feel better?" Kielholz asked.
"I do not want to admit I am, but… I am," Langenscheidt replied. "You were right, Erich, these are very soft."
"Are you still mad at me for stealing them?"
"A little, because Burkhalter will likely have a stroke if he finds out."
"We'll do our best to cover for you," Carter said. "Have a good night, you two."
"Thanks for the help, Carter," Kielholz replied. He dragged a chair over to sit next to Langenscheidt. "You look quite cozy, Karl, like the barn kittens whenever I took them inside to wrap them in blankets and hold them on the couch by the fireplace."
"Given the circumstances of how you acquired these, I really should not be enjoying this, but—" Langenscheidt made a contented sound, "rules be damned. General Burkhalter can get another pair."
"Actually, what I should do is find out where he got them, and find a more appropriate size for you."
"But these are… the perfect size, in a way, for an occasion like this."
"I find it amusing that you have referred to your pneumonia as an 'occasion.'"
For the first time that day, Langenscheidt smiled. "I appreciate this, Erich, just don't take that as an invitation to do it again."
"I would do it again if it helps you feel better. That's what friends do. You would do the same, wouldn't you?"
"I would choose a less risky option, such as actually finding out what brand these are and buying them myself."
Kielholz roughly tousled Langenscheidt's hair. "Just enjoy the pajamas, Karl."
Author's Note: I used one of the alternative prompts for this one. The original was "Hangover," and I didn't feel that fit Kielholz or Langenscheidt's character.
