Edited by: maple-the-wacky tree 3
Open doors SEVEN
"A son?"
At the sound of Alek's voice, Bovril's large nocturnal eyes flickered open. It looked over to Alek and as curled into a spot on Alek's pillow.
"A son?" Alek repeated, sincerely puzzled. "What would I name my son?" He made sure to whisper, as to not disturb Dylan and his healing process. Guilt crept into Alek's stomach. This was his fault. Rather than being topside on the engines, preventing any accidents, he'd been listening to Volger babbling about Dylan and his friendship. And a piece of the engine had shot out into Dylan's chest.
"A son?" Bovril's paw patted Alek's cheek, taking him from his thoughts. "I suppose I could name him Franz, after my father and Granduncle. A noble name for an heir of Austria-Hungary."
Bovril seemed displeased and giggled, "Daughter?"
"A girl?" Alek furrowed his brow. Truthfully, he hadn't made any plans if his first child would be a girl. He always pictured it to be a son, one resembled him strongly. "Sophie, after my mother. Sophie-Marie," he sighed, closing his eyes. The name of his mother soothed Alek, but then the emptiness seeped into his heart. He had to hold down his emotions or risk having to face Dylan when he awoke from sounds of crying.
"Sophie," repeated Bovril, his eyes large again.
Alek scratched the Loris' soft furry head. "Yeah, she was a wonderful mother. Kind and gentle, but tough as nails with a wild temper. Not that I saw her incredibly angry that often. She almost never got made at me." The bitter thoughts flooded him, but Alek bit his tounge. He loved his mother deeply and missed her will all his heart, but this was no time for tears. He'd grieve after the war, maybe even visit his parent's graves once he wasn't being hunted.
Some light fell in through the crack in the door, Alek sighed and rested his head on his hands. "The sun is up. Better get ready." Alek stretched his arms over his head. He'd been awake all night with no sleep, just listening to Bovril and his cryptic words.
"Mr. Sharp." It piped happily, scurrying onto Alek's shoulder.
"Oh." He looked over to a slumbering Dylan, wrapped tightly in sheets. That's when it something caught Alek's eye; he got up and walked over to the other cot, standing above Dylan. Some of Dylan's bandages were visible though a small open flap of the sheet. A deep blue vein guided Alek's eyes from the base of Dylan's throat to where the bandages began. Curious to see Dylan's stiches, Alek slowly reached for the sheet.
"Mr.Sharp!" Shouted Bovril, tipping Alek on his feet to land on Dylan's chest. "Barking spiders!" Dylan shot up, only to hit Alek in the forehead. Alek stumbled back onto his own cot, watching the silver stars cloud his vision. "Are you barking mad or something?" Dylan was wrapping the sheet around his body franticly, face red and blue eyes wide. Alek tried to shake away the confusion from his head and looked to the sound of hysterical laughter. Bovril seemed to be enjoying the incident. "Dylan are you alright? I-I, Bovril tripped me!" He pointed an accusing finger to the beastie, Bovril sending him a puzzled look.
"I don't care!" Deryn hollered, blushing for some reason. "Coulda . . . you coulda pulled one of my stiches!"
"I . . . wait, what?" Alek said at the lame excuse.
Dylan kept himself covered as he got out of bed and began shooing Alek away. "Go on, go on! Go and play with the engines." The boy laughed as he shoved Alek and the beastie out of the medical wing.
"But Dylan—"
"Good day, Alek. I trust you're not giving my patient trouble this early are you?" Chipped a too familiar voice.
"Dr. Barlow, not at all ma'am, I just . . ." Alek was to dazed to find his words, whatever had happened, whirled by him it a second. "Good, then excuse me as I exsam him." She pushed Alek to the side and entered the room, Dylan's shouts of her barging in and what not.
Alek composed himself and headed to his stateroom, a fresh pair of clothes and he's got to the engines.
But the scene played over in his mind. Why had Dylan reacted the way he did, rather it was rude of Alek to do what he did, the boy responded in an odd way. Bovril nuzzled his furry head into Alek's neck, tickling him with a giggle. "What are you trying to do, have me killed?"
The creature simply purred like engines and spoke softly, "Coulda... you coulda pulled one of my stiches!" And ended with a mischivious snicker. Alek sighed and entered his room, going to a dresser to retrive trousers and suspenders. "I wish you wouldn't be so...so"
"Precocious!" Sang Bovril as it hummed a tone. Alek only sighed and sat on the bed. "Stop it! I'm tired of puzzles, tell me what is going on with you!"
Alek took Bovril in his hands, holding him like a puppy who'd puddled on the floor. "Tell me what you are speaking of! Or who?"
Bovril just smirked and gave on word. "Mr.Sharp"