So Flora finally got her way, and I'm sorta glad too. I felt a little bit mean keeping him out on the streets :L ~nellen :) x
Flora's home was fairly large compared to the other houses down Harkley Lane, but it was very cosy all the same.
"I hope you're not allergic to pets," she had frowned as she pushed open the door and the two were almost knocked off their feet by an overly-affectionate labradoodle.
"Get lost Bruno, no one wants your cuddles," she sighed, shoving the dog back inside. He sat in his bed looking somewhat disheartened, and Clive made sure to ruffle the poor thing's ears as he walked past. A love of animals was one of the characteristics of Luke that he didn't have to pretend to have, and dogs were one of his favourites. The living room was also occupied, this time by a pair of cats curled up on the sofa.
"That's Spring and Cogg," Flora whispered so as not to wake them, blushing a little as she explained why, "I didn't want to forget the adventures I've had, so I named my pets from them. Laugh if you want, I know it's weird."
"It's not weird, and I'm not laughing," he whispered in return, "I think it's rather sweet."
Spring and Cogg had been very good friends to him after the accident, and he was a little bit touched that the girl had chosen the names for her tabbies, even if it didn't have anything to do with him.
He followed her past the sleeping pair and into the kitchen, where he soon met some more of her furry friends. Well, perhaps feathered would be more appropriate. Mystere and Pandora, two brightly coloured little birds that flittered cheerfully around their cage.
"Don't do that!"
The lad jumped as Flora caught him sticking the end of his finger through the bars to stroke one of them, stuttering nervously, "s-sorry!"
"It's alright; it's for your sake more than anything. They're beautiful creatures, but they don't half hurt when they nip," she chuckled, holding out her hand to show some scars of her own.
"Oh," the lad laughed, quite glad she had stopped him, "I'll bear that in mind."
"Speaking of bears…" Flora groaned as the tall scruffy frame of Bruno lumbered into the room. "Bruno for God's sake, I didn't buy you anything in town today! What do you want?"
The dog threw her a dirty look, then ambled over to Clive and nuzzled into his leg. He was almost the same height as the table the lad leaned against, but he was reassured that the beast was a gentle giant.
"In fact, the only reason I talk to him like that is because he will limpet on to anything that treats him otherwise. I love him to pieces, but try watching a film with that fat git stretched across your body," she muttered. Clive laughed as the dog threw her yet another look and lay down, covering his feet entirely.
"Daft mutt," he grinned, tickling his fur. However, what had been cute and funny at first soon grew a little less so after a while, and he was kind of relieved when his friend shooed Bruno into another room.
"Begone, foul creature," she grinned, waving a biscuit in his face and throwing it into the hall. There was a skid and a thud as the dog found his treat, a hollow victory compared to being removed from the side of his new friend.
"Are you feeling better?" Flora asked quietly, sliding down into a seat and inviting Clive to do the same.
"A bit," he lied, a hand resting against his stomach beneath the table. He wasn't sure if he felt sick or hungry, or some kind of painful mix between the two. He felt it bubble dangerously, and knew immediately which it was.
"Um, could I use your bathroom for a sec?"
"Of course," the girl answered, concern in her eyes, "upstairs, first door on the left.
"Thanks," he sprinted away, one hand covering his mouth. He had only just reached the room when he collapsed to the floor, retching violently into the toilet. He was vaguely aware of a gentle hand rubbing the top of his back, gentler fingers scraping back the hair from his forehead.
"There there," someone whispered soothingly, "get it all out."
He tried to mumbled thanks but ended up heaving again, stomach lurching with each shaky breath. When he believed he was finished, he gingerly tried to stand up, falling straight back to his knees.
"Here."
He looked up, taking Flora's hand and pulling himself to his feet again.
"Get yourself cleaned up a bit love; I'll get you something else to wear."
She turned on her heel, leaving him to splash his clammy face with cold water as she fetched some pyjamas. He still felt a little bit queasy as he dried his hands, turning to find Flora in the doorway again.
"They belonged to a friend that used to live here. He was quite a lot bigger than you though so they'll be a poor fit."
"Thank you," he breathed, yanking off his sweat soaked shirt and beginning to pull on the new one he'd been given. If Flora hadn't been worried enough about how thin he looked with a shirt on, she was downright terrified for him when she saw him without.
"Jesus Clive!" She gasped, running a soft hand across his sticky-out ribs, "you need to eat something!"
"I've just been violently sick and you think I need to eat?" Even he was surprised at how quickly he returned to his natural sarcastic self, making sure to tone it down in future. "I mean, I don't know," he corrected, looking down at the floor.
"Yeah I know, but this is dangerous," she murmured, fingers tracing his chest. "Please, I won't force you, but at least try to eat something..."
"I'll try," he sighed, pulling the baggy T-shirt over his head. "Now um, were you gonna stay for the full strip show?" He laughed as her cheeks turned crimson, "I don't mind." He did his best pout-and-pose face, setting her off in a fit of giggles.
"No, I think I'll give it a miss tonight hun, I always liked my models with a little more meat," she smiled with a wink, skipping downstairs to make dinner.
Clive was a little hurt by the 'more meat' comment and he wasn't sure why. "Probably nothing," he frowned, ignoring the new ache in his stomach.
Also sorry if some of the chapters seem out of place or I've repeated one. I'm not sure what happened and I'm trying to fix it but it's confusing me . ~nellen x