Of Footy Pyjamas, Stuffed Otters, and Heterosexual Hand-Holding

by whitchry9

Written for a prompt that basically wanted very sick Martin with pneumonia in a country that didn't speak English. While in a tiny town in Norway, Martin's cold progresses into something far worse. He seems to think he's fine, but Douglas can tell otherwise. 28 chapters. Gen. I'd love someone to do some art.

27. Chapter 27

Carolyn and Arthur showed up shortly after Martin fell asleep, but stayed for a while so Douglas could run back to the hotel, shower, and wash his clothes.

He slept next to Martin's bed again that night.

This continued for a fifth day, then a sixth day, then a seventh day before the doctor decided Martin was well enough to leave.

And so on the eighth day, Martin was discharged from the hospital, dressed in a change of clothes they'd brought for him from the hotel, his various personal items in a bag on his lap, most of which was the pair of footy pyjamas he'd worn to the hospital. Douglas got the honour of pushing Martin out in a wheelchair, although Arthur really wanted to. (The other three unanimously agreed it would be a bad idea, but Arthur was still upset.)

Martin slept most of that day, and all night, which made Arthur rather disappointed, since he'd wanted to talk to him about the air museum and otters and polar bears and O's with lines and giraffes, and basically anything that came to mind.

So instead, Douglas had to listen to it. It wasn't all bad, but he tuned most of it out, nodding when he felt it was appropriate and occasionally making facial expression while trying to figure out how to keep Martin from flying. He could fly Gerti on his own, but he knew Martin would be insistent on 'helping'. He wondered if he could drug him, but decided Carolyn wouldn't approve.

"Douglas, are you even listening?"

"No," he said firmly. "I'm going to bed now. Good night Arthur."

Arthur sighed. "Night..."

Martin was still sleeping when Douglas slipped into their room and Douglas was hoping he stayed that way. It was why he insisted Arthur stay in his mother's room rather then bunking with them and waking Martin up early with his inane chatter.

Douglas fell into a dreamless sleep that night, sleeping in a real bed for the first time in more than a week.

---

They went to the air museum the next day, Martin still exhausted, so it was only a short visit.

Douglas hadn't really wanted to go at all, concerned for Martin's well-being, but Carolyn was insistent they would be flying out the next morning, and Martin was insistent on going.

He threatened Martin with a wheelchair, which he gave into about halfway through their tour.

Feeling rather pleased with himself, Douglas even let Arthur push.

Only for a little while.