"Let me see it." Jon spoke in a low tone against my skin. It made me shiver.
"Its nothing," I muttered as I held my arm close.
Without moving away from me or being rough Jon managed to untangle my arms and was rolling my sleeve up. As he rolled, Joe was setting the plates around but his eyes kept flicking between me and Jon. The sleeve fully rolled up showed a bright red mark that would probably be a bruise in a few days. I heard three quick growls.
Joe left the plates and pulled me from Jon's arms, inspecting mine closely. "Another man put his hands on you. He marked you in a way you did not wish, so this is not nothing." Joe smoothed his thumb over the mark. "Jon the food id done, go pick your plate."
Jon moved quickly to the other side of the room. "I make swords Joe, I also use them. I've had worse injuries than this." I felt his thumb swipe over it again.
"Accidents are one thing, but someone else caused you pain, I don't like it, baby girl." Joe kissed my injury and lead me to the table.
I saw Jon's and Colby's eyes following me and sweeping down my body. I sat at the table in between Joe and Colby, and across from Jon. We made small talk over dinner and dessert, which the men raved over. After dinner Colby and Jon offered to do the dishes and I wasn't going to tell them no. I moved to the couch and curled up in the corner by the window, until Joe pulled me away to lean on him. Colby and Jon joined us and I lost track of time. I started to doze off a time or two. Joe eventually put me fully to sleep but pulling my hair out of its braid and playing with it.
The next few weeks were interesting. Colby, Jon, and Joe spoke to me daily. During one phone call, while I was sharpening one of the daggers for a client, I cut my hand. I think I gave them a heart attack because they showed up that Wednesday. Jow and Colby wouldn't let me do anything and used Jone to keep me off of my feet. Then there was the phone call eailier today, the background conversation was more interesting.
"We need to ask her,"
"Shut up, Jon."
I laughed as I heard Colby and Job argue in the background.
"I'm sorry about them Serafina," Joe chuckled.
"It's alright Joe."
"How do you know that she'd say yes?"
"Dude did you see that shiver, she was so close to falling into it."
"Hold on Serafina," Joe must have pulled the phone away because he was quieter. "Drop it Jon, we'll pick this back up later. I'm back, hows the hand?"
"It's fine," I pulled the phone away as I coughed loudly. "Are you alright, baby girl?" I heard Joe's worried voice and two echos.
"I woke up not feeling well, but there's work to do. I'll talk to you later." I trailed off as I started coughing again.
"Okay we'll talk to you soon baby girl."
"Bye, baby,"
"Bye Serafina."
I smiled as I disconnected. Then I started coughing again. I spent the next two hours doing light designs in leather scabbards but my body just didn't want to do anything. I know I told Joe I didn't feel well but I felt absolutely horrible. My throat was scratchy and I was tired and absolutely freezing.
I heard the bell on the door and Marie greeted the person who entered. I ignored it, too bothered by the buzzing in my ears and pounding in my head. I looked down toward the tribal design that I was slowly tracing out with a charcoal pencil. I was startled when a hand settled on my forehead. "You're running a fever." I heard Joe mutter. I just sat there, my brain to fogged to figure out how he was there, and listened to him go back out to Marie. I heard her gasp. Joe came back in with my bag, it already packed with my sketchbook and other things. "I told Marie to close up, I'm taking you home." Joe's tone had dropped and made me shiver like Jon's had that night at dinner.
"Where are Jon and Colby?" I asked
"They are at your apartment. I heard you coughing and we thought we should take care of you." Joe slung my bag over his shoulder and put one of his hands on the back of my neck. He surprised me by quickly bending down and quickly picked me up.
"They're probably making out in my bed." I grumbled as Joe put im in the front seat of his car. "I have my car."
"I'll send one of the boys to come get it." Joe buckled me in and went and started to drive to my apartment. "When we get to your place I want you to trust me, Colby, and Jon. I noticed that you shiver when Jon and I both used a more authoritative voice. That's what Jon keeps going on about, he thinks you have a submissive streak in you."