Chapter 4

Hours later, as the sun was making it's slow descent beneath the horizon, Sportacus bid goodnight to all the kids and headed for home. Scaling the ladder effortlessly, he climbed through the open hatch to be met by a pair of furious gray eyes.

"Where were you? I woke up over an hour ago! Even I can only sleep so much, you know." Robbie frowned. "Where's your TV, by the way?"

"What, a TV? I don't have one of those," Sportacus calmly replied. "What would I use it for?"

Robbie stared at Sportacus like he'd suddenly sprouted an extra head. "What would you use it for? What do you have for brains, that toe-foo stuff? You'd watch it, of course!"

"But Robbie, I don't really have time for that stuff! Besides, to watch something like that you would need to sit still. Sitting is hard to do." Sportacus strode over to the bedside as Robbie continued to glare irritably.

"Sitting still is not hard. I don't see how you can't manage it," he sniffed contemptuously. "At any rate, what else am I going to do when you're keeping me tied up like this all day? Even I get bored sleeping all day."

Sportacus paused and considered this. Truthfully, he had no idea what one did when you got sick. Other than the occasional accident with sugar, he had never been sick in his life. Puzzled, he looked back at Robbie. "I don't know. What do you normally do?"

"Sleep, watch movies, play video games, read, write…anything that involves sitting still," Robbie smirked.

"Well, I don't have a TV, but I bet I could find you books and paper! Then you could have something to do while I'm gone. Would that make you feel better?" Sportacus smiled.

"Sportadolt, you aren't getting it. I have everything I need at my place. It'd take you no more than ten minutes to grab everything." He frowned suddenly. "Wait, scratch that. I'm not sure even TV would be worth you messing around in my house."

"I won't mess around, I promise!" Sportacus squatted down, bringing himself to eye-level with his guest. "If it would make you happy, just tell me what you want and I'll bring it. I told the doctors I'd take care of you, and I will!"

"Alright already! Jeez…" Robbie muttered. "I'll make a list, okay? I want your word that you'll just get the stuff and leave. No poking your nose where it doesn't belong, and absolutely no touching anything near the workbench! That stuff's fragile enough without a clueless oaf tinkering with it."

"Sounds great! Let me know when your list is ready, and I'll go get your stuff as soon as I can," Sportacus said, gesturing with both arms for emphasis.

"Fine, I'll do that." Robbie tilted his head away slightly, breaking the eye contact. "Now, if you don't mind, untie me. I need to go."

Sportacus blinked in confusion. "Go? Go where? It's late and besides, you aren't supposed to leave the airship until your bones have healed more."

Robbie reddened, still refusing to meet his caretaker's gaze. "Go. To the bathroom, idiot. You do have one on board, don't you?"

"…oooooh. Why didn't you just say so?"

"I did just say so!"

Sportacus's hands moved deftly, releasing the ties one by one before he gingerly reached over and lifted his slender patient out from under the coverlet. Robbie's vehement protestations halted when he realized what he was wearing.

"…Sportakook. Tell me I'm not wearing what I think I am."

"Why? What's wrong? Sure, my clothes are a little short on you, but I can pick up some of yours tomorrow with the other stuff. It's not that bad."

Robbie just buried his face in his one good hand and moaned with the humiliation of it all.

I have never been so outraged in my life, Robbie thought bitterly. He didn't even ask for my opinion. Noooo. Just stripped me down and stuck me in his stupid sports gear. He sighed, pushing the resulting pain from his side away just as firmly as he stomped down on the fluttering feeling in his chest as he was cradled close.

Sportacus activated a wall sensor and a large white panel slid out in response, revealing a small walled space containing a toilet, sink, and shower stall, all blindingly white. He knelt inside, carefully setting Robbie down on his one good leg and steadying him. The villain tried to push him away, barely avoiding crashing to the floor before Sportacus caught him again.

"Do you mind?" Robbie asked sharply, finally regaining his balance and leaning against the wall with his good arm.

"Mind what?"

"…Turn around. I can do this by myself, and I do not want you watching."

"If you say so, Robbie." Sportacus looked doubtful, but he complied and turned to face the doorway.

Minutes passed as Robbie fumbled at the unfamiliar clothing without success, barely avoiding landing on his face a goodly number of times. He sighed in exasperation. Why does it even matter anymore at this point? He's already had to see what you look like from his little dress-up session. Humiliating as it is, there's no way around the fact that this isn't working by yourself. Without any options, Robbie lowered his head in defeat.

"Sportacus."

"Yes, Robbie?" he replied, unmoving.

"…your stupid outfit is impossible to undo with one arm. I…need…just get over here and help already. And keep your eyes closed!"

Sportacus smiled, nodding, and turned on his heel. Even lack of sight did nothing to hinder him.

I swear, if he ever tells anyone about this, I'll…I'll…bury him in sugar.

After more objections on Robbie's part and some awkward shuffling, they were finally free of the confined space. Robbie's slender form once again cradled in his arms, Sportacus lowered him onto the bed before glancing up at the clock.

It's almost 8:08! Time for…oh.

Yawning, Robbie noticed Sportacus's odd expression and quirked an eyebrow. "What is it, Sportakook? Didn't meet your absurd-number-of-stunts quota for the day?"

"Oh, er…no. It's nothing." Tucking Robbie back under the covers, he wandered over to the padded pilot's seat. He considered it for a moment before shouting "Lights!" and climbing into the chair. Stretching out as best he could, he peered around the headrest for once last glimpse of his irritable guest. "Good night, Robbie."

Not really expecting a reply, he almost missed the quiet whisper that emanated moments later.

"Good night, Sportacus."

A fond sort of warmth spread through his chest. Imagine that! I think Robbie has a better heart than he shows. Closing his eyes, he tried his best to sleep with his new arrangements.

Four and a half hours later, Sportacus was still tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Even as tired as he was from a day hard work rescuing and exercising, the pilot's seat just wasn't built for long periods of use. Truth be told, he'd always found any kind of sitting uncomfortable. Trying to sleep while in that position was impossible. Sighing, he shifted in his seat again, stretching aching muscles.

"…It's been hours. What's wrong with you? Are you like…some kind of monster that never sleeps?"

"I'm sorry, Robbie. I didn't mean to keep you up…" Stifling another yawn, Sportacus leaned sideways to peer at the bed through the gloom.

"…you really didn't think this through, did you? Just charged into things headfirst out of sheer impulse." A sound of rustling sheets came from the other side of the room. After a considerably long pause, he heard a muttered, "I'm gonna regret this."

"…what's that, Robbie?"

"Shortacus. Don't push your luck. Get over here before I change my mind."

Curious, Sportacus rose and padded across the room towards the lengthy shadow of the wall-bed. He could barely see a thing despite the starlight twinkling through the front windowpane. Another sigh, tinged with annoyance, floated to his ears.

"If you're careful and keep your hands to yourself, we can both fit on here."

"Robbie, are you alright? You're being awfully nice about thi-"

"Just-get-on-the-stupid-bed. Jeez…"

Removing the ties from the frame, Sportacus softly moved Robbie over. As soon as he settled on his side of the tiny cot, however, he had to quickly reach out and catch Robbie's arm, preventing him falling. This was so not a good idea, Robbie grumbled in his head as he was pulled back, only to start as he felt sudden warmth at his side and a gentle hand slip around his waist. Is he…?

"Can't have you falling off in the middle…of…th'night…" Sportacus mumbled into his shoulder, trailing off as he finally drifted into sleep. Robbie slowly forced himself to relax. Ridiculous as it was, the warm pressure at his side was oddly comforting, as was the hand protectively encircling his waist. Lulled to sleep by the soft, rhythmic breathing, Robbie dreamt. When Sportacus woke the next morning and quietly disentangled himself from the embrace, he was pleasantly surprised to find a faint smile haunting the corners of Robbie's mouth.