10. Chapter 10: Sickness

(Quentin's POV)

Despite coming out the back end of the New Year, it wasn't actually at fault for the sadly repeating circumstance of waking up somewhere he didn't recognise in immense pain. Alas, this was a less bloody repeat of his arrival and instead of sand and dirt, he was on the other side of a snow-bank, legs buried underneath the frosty white.

'Fool me twice, shame on you.' Waking up twice in severe pain marked the limit of his tolerance for waking up this way. 'Oh, my god it is cold. I can barely feel my legs.'

Falling asleep in the open cold was a death sentence only narrowly avoided by his new and ever present snowy aptitude, regardless spending and ungodly amount of time blanketed under snow was not good for anyone. Dragging himself out of the snow-bank, he immediately tried to stand, only to fall face forward back into the thankfully fresh soft snow, but still causing his sensitive stomach to lurch. From bad to worse. They split his focus between desperately trying to warm up his numb legs and holding the nausea at bay as it brewed closer to eruption, like a green volcano.

'Alright ok *uergh* just one step after the other.' He started his walk looking more like a marionette than a person, only quickly ended by a team up of his headache and sickness tackling him back into the snow. This time they won, causing Quentin to empty his stomach into the snow, marring the snow with pale green and stomach acid as he did his best impression of a waterfall. Breathless and with pangs of pain now in his stomach as well, he considered sitting down for a while longer but glancing over at his sick and not wanting that to be his New Year's company. Spurred onward with the motivation of getting something to drink and somewhere to lie down, he clutched his stomach and slowly walked around looking for the nearest landmark unsteadily, as if walking on ice.

- Yesterday -

"A party?" Quentin asked, hoping to confirm his suspicions.

"Yeah, it'll be loads of fun. It's being hosted at my parents' place. You can't say you have something else planned~ It's pizza and drinks. It's a winning combination." Leo reeled off with his best sales pitch.

Quentin was right. It was a pretty standard New Year's festivities, so now he could chalk up to another event he could add onto his list of similarities to home. Now all he had to ask about was if people did the goofy-looking year sunglasses and it would be like he'd never left.

"You want to drag me to a party? Why? I could have pizza and drinks ordered to me and I wouldn't have to share. There better be a good bribe here~"

"The company wouldn't be as good."

"Nothing says a good time, like hanging out with one friend in a house full of strangers that I'll have to talk to and try not to embarrass myself in front of. Fun right. Also, I'm the best company, some pizza and talking to myself, really. There is nothing better." Quentin replied dryly.

"Cooooome oooon, it'll be fun."

Damn him to hell, damn them all. He's right, it would be more interesting to have something going on than sitting around doing nothing. "Okay, alright, yes, fine, I will go. Happy now?"

"Very."

- Last Night -

"You bastard," Quentin hissed.

"What?" Leo replied with almost convincing confusion.

It had turned out Leo silently invited him to a family New Year's party and no-one had been told that an outsider was being invited. It was abundantly clear when looking along the scene there were maybe five non-wolves across the room counting Quentin, looking far less uncomfortable and out of place likely thanks to forewarning that Quentin didn't get.

"You know exactly what the problem is."

"So maybe I left out some details you're here now, so no backing out. I promise it'll be fun."

"Fun would have been knowing what was going on and what to expect, but what do I know?" Quentin said, resting his hand on his brow, trying to massage the stress away. "Yeah, fine, it'll be fun and if it isn't, I'll have to make it fun."

"That's the spirit. Come on, I'll introduce you."

"What to everyone?"

Yes, it might as well be everyone as it felt like a lot of the evening Leo was introducing him to different cousins, sisters and brothers, with Leo having an absurdly large family that makes the McCallister's family from Home Alone look quaint in comparison. Contrary to his expectations, Quentin was having an excellent time and chatting with Leo's sisters made it well worth the visit, with them endlessly pouring out embarrassing stories that Quentin was more than willing to spur on. Revenge was so sweet. Eventually, with the pièce de résistance that was the story of Leo burning off exactly the rights side of his neck fluff lighting the fireplace back while he was in high school, Quentin got carted off with many hurried details and laughter from the sisters and lots of "uh huh" "thank you" and "mhm yup bye" from Leo he ended up back on the outskirts of the room.

"Having fun," Leo asked, grinning despite having an encyclopaedic amount of embarrassing revealed.

"Lots actually. So how does one catch their fur on fire but only on one side? Because that is a feat for the ages." Quentin says between chuckles.

"That information comes at a cost with a bundle deal of a photo for the right price."

"Oooo, a bartering tool, sly. What's the price?"

"We'll see," Leo brushed off, but looking somewhat suspicious. It didn't really matter, though.

With the evening closing out, everyone head out to the back garden to get ready for the turning of the year and all the organised firework shows going off. There was a distinct lack of amateur firework set-ups in the garden, which was definitely a plus. No need to end the year with someone losing fingers, but instead of common sense, it was professional qualifications or licencing needed to do it yourself. Still a net positive when people only have eight fingers to start with. There was only one issue that came to mind.

"Won't this hurt everyone's ears?" He'd been around long enough to know hearing was a token wolf thing, with Leo calling him out on his muttering several times before. That and dogs didn't like it, but no-one needed to know that part.

"A little but they shoot up far enough it's not too bad." Leo replied staring up and down at his watch before a conniving smile cropped up, "say my family like lots of other wolves like to howl with the fireworks, how would you like to join in?"

Quentin choked on his drink, getting a passing pat on the back from another guest. "Are you nuts! There is no way I'd embarrass myself like that just for the hell of it."

"Everyone embarrasses themselves. That's how stories get made. How about this? Would a certain photo that was alluded to earlier change your mind?"

At that moment, Quentin became incredibly torn. Who was to say it was as funny a photo as he hoped? Everyone made it out to be and there was no way Leo had got lots of others in on this. It just wasn't him. After heavy consideration, he decided. "Hmmm. Deal. So long as I get to keep a copy of it and this isn't a onetime viewing because this howling thing will keep me up at night."

"I could send it your way, but no sharing it with everyone you know."

"Can I use it as your caller ID?"

"Sure"

"Wallpaper?"

"Really?" Leo replied deadpan.

"No, but you have yourself a deal." Quentin replied and on that they shook to seal the deal with each of them, embarrassing themselves in different ways, all for the benefit of getting something out of the situation so everyone would be happy. Quentin was getting a little giddy since he'd actually be able to see the photo properly on the third or fourth hand smartphone he'd got cheap with his Christmas bonus. The photo was a bonus as being in such high spirits. He might have done it anyway, for the hell of it. Then, with a sharp, slightly painful whistle, the fireworks shot up into the air and, as promised, went at least twice as high as regular fireworks, giving everyone time to shout "Happy New Year" right before they went off. Following the bang, all the cheers and clinking of glasses, howls cropped up on the horizon, with all the guests joining in. With a last gulp of his drink, Quentin shook off the nerves and joined into the cacophony of noise with the best howl that he could throw into the mix while turning red enough that he felt like he was glowing with the accompanying heat. At the end, he got a grin and pat on the back from Leo before he moved to fiddle with his phone. Leo's brothers followed it up with some cheering and hurried chatter with high fives for Quentin before wandering off in high spirits.

All was great, especially upon receiving the photo of a younger Leo dishevelled and shaken up with his darker skin underneath, completely contrasting the off-white fur right next to its very singer or just gone with really minor amounts of smoke coming off it. Oh, it was so worth it. When Quentin was turning to poke fun at it, his phone chimed a second time with a video attachment.

"You sneaky bastard," Quentin lightly shoulder barged a cackling Leo. He'd sneakily held his phone down to record so he could forever immortalise Quentin's best attempt at howling with the wolves and the red tinge on his face. Maybe it was just the night's atmosphere or just the good mood, but it wasn't really that big a deal. "Alright, you got me," he chuckled. "Do as you wish with it, Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

He was finally back home, having to keep a tight stranglehold on whatever was left in his stomach while walking like a zombie into the woods. If there were any left to hold on to. And as unflattering as he looked, he was sure it matched how he felt, so he could hardly find cause to care. It must have been something from the party and despite how he felt ready to be lowered into a grave and buried, it was the best time he'd had since he got here, so he couldn't really begrudge it. Unwilling to cover his home in sick, he moved to dig out a pile of snow a short distance, so he had somewhere to throw up and cover it up. He is civilised, after all. He then meandered over to his pseudo igloo to bundle up and protect himself from the much more severe cold that had rolled in. Unless it was the fever. The inside of the igloo was much better than before and was actually a decent place to get better, given the fairy lights mounted to the ceiling. Sure, it was still outdoors so could very much could be the reason he was ill now and it was still no serene log cabin, but it was the best that could get done without permits. Thankfully, with the upgrades, there was the growing range of t-shirts and other clothing from charity shops from unknown bands and generic designs. The biggest issue was sizing , but regardless.

This had to be the worst Quentin had felt in a long time in the sickness department and whatever this was, it was local and clearly he'd never had this before if his stomach doing cartwheels was any indicator. Still, it was better that it had happened before work started up again, as after doing a small New Year's party there were a couple of celebratory days off. Conveniently enough, he hadn't been sick during any of the very important set-ups for the events or when he needed money the most. Small blessings, at least. Maybe desperation wards of sickness? Quentin hardly felt the illness was undeserved as he had it coming after laying on the side of the road because he was too tired to walk back and the fireworks and stars looked nice. The worst part. The snow could have suffocated him and clearly he slept through the snowplough cruising through, which was not helping. Not a good start to the year.

'Happy New Year Quentin! Here is *royal fanfare* sickness!.'

It was a pretty shitty way to start off January like this, but what could be done? Other than chuck up his stomach over and over.

'Note to self, don't complain.'

It was a constant Yo-Yo of hot and cold with the ever mounting nausea. Was he cooking alive or freezing to death? In slight delirium he grabbed his phone and find the only qualified person to help. Even if they might be reluctant.

"Hello?"

"Hiiii Kellannn," Quentin lazily slurred.

"Are you drunk?" Kellan replied, tone still flat.

"Nooooo. But I don't feel well."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Me too. Can you help?" Quentin forced out as pitifully as possible.

"I don't know how I could help."

"You're the doctor."

"I'm not a-" There was a deep sigh over the phone and a mile long pause, almost convincing Quentin that he'd hung up. "I can come over and perform a check-up. Have you... Have... Have you thrown up?" The bracing on the answer was strong.

"Yeah, maybe twice now." Quentin could hear him heave slightly over the phone before quickly asking him to send him to Quentin's location. Help was coming. Reluctant help, but help.

'Good. Wait. Good, no, not good! Help is coming. Coming here. Oh, no. Fucking fever brain. Quentin, you fucking idiot, you just called for him to wander off into the woods so he can find out you're god-damn homeless living in the snow.'

In a moment of clarity, his mind straightened out for a moment, allowing him to think clearly enough to ricochet between whether to let it happen or to cancel and cope on his own with whatever it was.

'Kellan didn't want to be here, anyway. Why drag him out here? He didn't want to be a doctor, as he was too squeamish.'

It didn't take long for guilt to overcome the frenzy. But he is still coming out here. To help, even though he loathes anything gross, he was still willing to help. It felt stupid now. He'd read that people in this sort of situation often denied help due to pride and it always seemed silly from the outside looking in, but now being here and in the exact situation, now he understood. It was terrible, like revealing the worst to those around you. It was too late. The phone was ringing, and it was probably for the best.

"There aren't any buildings here. Are you sure you've got the right place?"

"Yeah... yeah, I'm in the woods."

"Why are you in the woods?" Kellan asked, words laced with suspicion.

"It's not really I'm just- campi- Homeless. I'm homeless and I promise I won't steal your kidneys, that I'm not a kidnapper or axe murderer, just homeless."

"Oh."

'Yeah "oh" sounds just about right'

"Which way do I take?"

"Straight ahead till you see a tree with a red ribbon tied to it and then take a left. I'll sit outside."

That sucked really badly. The situation was definitely a crawl into bed and die moment. It didn't take long to see a... ridiculous sight heading his way. It had to be the fever. There was Kellan decked out with a medical mask, face shield, disposable coveralls, surgical gloves and a large first aid bag with accompanying shopping bag. He looked serious and uncomfortable in equal measures about this whole sickness thing. Anyone would assume Quentin had the plague. Unless he did, which would explain why he felt so awful and why Kellan dressed like he was about to deal with patient zero.

"Hi."

"Hello, are you doing alright- wait, no nevermind? So. You live out here?"

"Yup, the housing market it a racket and I protest it. Home adverse, not homeless."

"Right... well. I need to take your temperature first." He held out an expensive looking digital thermometer gun while still keeping nearly three meters back, "Ah, you have a fever."

"You bet," Quentin responded before just laying down on the snow, trying to cool down regardless of whether it would change anything.

"From what I can assume, this is just a simple stomach flue or viral gastroenteritis, a simple illness. Fluids, rest and Tylenol will help immensely and beyond that there isn't anything that can be done."

"Not the plague?"

"Not the plague." Kellan assured with a light chuckle.

"Sorry for dragging you out here for something so simple. Thank you for your help. Regardless, I know this isn't really your thing."

"My pleasure. There's some tea and chicken soup in this bag. Get better soon." Kellan said softly, with great sincerity.

'Chicken soup? Chicken. Don't ask right now. It'd be weird.'

"I'll see you later in better health. Thanks once again for all this. I'll try not to spread this around. Stay safe."

It wasn't exactly the most surprising knowing that it was just a stomach bug, but there was no way he could to stagger his way to the nearest pharmacy, which likely wasn't even open yet given it was only just after sunrise. He had some good food and Tylenol, which he quickly found to just be Paracetamol. Now was just the question about chicken soup. Chickens didn't get the evolutionary middle finger last time he checked. After putting on said soup and taking some pills, he carefully sat shaking from the switch from molten to polar, typing out just chicken meat before searching.

The answer was mundane but also eye-opening. Turns out in all this time, Quentin had ignored the fact that vegetarian alternatives to regular meat were available and out on the market for a small variety to transition from natural instincts to working together back when the city was founding. It just stuck around. Much easier to find an alternative to the problem compared to getting eaten by your neighbour or hunting for centipedes under the largest rock you can find. Along with regular "donate your body to science" decades ago, there was a "donate your body to culinary science" which was hardly the most popular death wish but made things more accurate. Allegedly, he'd be the judge of that. Now the biggest issue is whether this is a gateway to join the people eating crazies outside in the woods outside the city. So it's a contentious subject still. A bacon sandwich isn't the same when you are eating an exact mimic of the person sitting two tables over while they stare judgementally. Chicken was fine, apparently due to the lack of avian residents in the city. Double standards much. Who knew food could be so complex? As well as accurate and tasty enough to be the best canned chicken soup he'd ever had. Now it was time to rest, recover and call in sick.

(15/01/23)

Guess who's back! Me! So why was I gone so long? I don't really know. I just got wrapped up in things playing games and college work. Short note as there really isn't much to say other than sorry. Things should be back on track now so it's all good. Thank you for reading and reviewing everyone. Happy 2023 everyone.

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