"Just for a little while, Vicky, then you need to shift, okay?" Sean murmured.
The little girl nodded against Sean's ribcage and Declan could see sweat bead along Sean's forehead. He stepped forward to intervene and Sean's gaze whipped to his. Sean gave him a shake of his head, telling him silently to stay back. Declan stopped, but it wasn't easy, his mouth firming into a thin line. After several breaths, Vicky finally lightened her grip and pulled back, her face scrunched up. She released Sean and moved to the end of the bed, crawling into Tara's lap. Sean smiled wearily and wiped at his forehead, giving Declan another look of thanks.
"I think Sean has had enough excitement for now," Declan said. "He needs his rest."
There was no protest from anyone, not even Sean, as the three girls climbed off the bed. Sean sank back amongst the pillows, his breathing a bit thready. Declan frowned, ignoring the others exit, and he helped Sean straighten out the sheets. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Sean said, smiling tiredly.
Declan pursed his lips. "I should have the streak’s doctor come back and look at you again."
"I just need to rest. That's all." Sean yawned, covering his mouth with his good hand.
Reaching out, Declan brushed away a strand of hair from Sean's forehead, still worried. "If you're sure..."
Sean hummed at him, eyes closed. "'M used to it."
Declan's heart froze and his stomach clenched. God, to hear something said so casually, it annihilated him, left him breathless and fighting the desire to tear something apart with his bare hands. "You shouldn't be," he murmured.
"'S okay," Sean sighed, slipping into sleep.
Declan wanted to rage at the heavens, but kept his mouth shut and settled his long length beside his mate, back against the headboard, arm resting on the pillow above Sean's head and just watched over Sean. Never again, he vowed, never again.
5
Sean
When Sean woke again, the first thing he noticed was the twilight bathing the room. The second thing he noticed was a heavy warmth next to him. He didn't react to the strange sensation of someone beside him immediately, merely yawned and blinked, burrowing closer to the warm body. Had Sam crawled onto his mattress with him? Wait, he frowned. That wasn't right. Events came back to him slowly. They were no longer in the basement. Sean opened his eyes wide, a small gasp escaping him as heat flooded his cheeks. He scrambled backward a bit, almost falling off the bed, and causing his body to protest the harsh movements. He couldn't quite contain a cry of agony which disturbed the sleeping giant beside him.
Declan moved with a preternatural speed Sean could only hope to have. "What's wrong?" Declan demanded, eyes searching every corner of the room for a hidden enemy, claws extended and body tensed to fight.
Sean clutched his ribs with one arm, sweat beading along his forehead as he clenched his jaw. His body throbbed with the intensity of the torture pouring through him. "I'm so-sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," Sean managed.
Declan seemed to understand what had happened because he sheathed his claws and the dangerous look softened. He flicked on the lamp on the nightstand and then came around to Sean's side of the bed. "Are you all right?" Declan asked, sliding a couple of pillows behind Sean's back to help support him.
"Ye-yeah, ju-just moved too fast," Sean gasped.
A frown marred Declan's handsome face. "Did something scare you?"
Sean almost snorted, but held it back. He wondered if Declan would think him pathetic if he admitted the truth of just how surprised he'd been to find himself cuddling with a huge alpha such as Declan. "N-no. I tried to sit up too quick is all."
Declan hummed, but didn't press. "Do you need the restroom again? Are you hungry? Is there anything you need?"
It baffled Sean why Declan seemed so focused on him. He knew he'd saved Declan's nephew, but it surely didn't warrant the personal attention and care Declan was lavishing on him. Before he could formulate an answer, Sean's stomach growled and he couldn't contain his blush. Declan chuckled. "How does a sandwich and some soup sound?"
"I'm not picky," Sean murmured.
Declan brushed his fingers over Sean's cheek. "Don't move, okay? I'll be back in a few minutes."
Sean nodded and watched Declan leave the room. He touched his cheek where Declan had and wondered at the way his skin had tingled from the brief caress. He frowned and then winced as it pulled at the bruises on his face. Maybe the skin had reacted to being touched because of the beating. It made sense. He could tell he was healing at a faster rate than ever before and he didn't understand it. Since he could remember his injuries had always taken the same amount of time as a human to heal. He could already see fully out of the eye which had been entirely swollen shut just that morning. Something had changed and he didn't know what.
He didn't get the chance to think further into it before Declan returned with a tray of food which he set across Sean's lap. "I hope you don't mind if I eat here with you," Declan said as he took a second plate from the tray.
"No, I don't mind," Sean said. He picked up the two-tiered sandwich with two types of meat and cheese on it. The white bread with seeds in it wasn't like any he'd ever seen. He had never eaten anything like it and he eyed it uncertainly. How was he supposed to fit that in his mouth? He pulled it apart into a half sandwich and began to eat. Amazing flavors exploded across his tongue and he closed his eyes, moaning at such decadence. "Oh," he whimpered in pleasure.
His stomach grumbled loudly in the silence as he devoured the entire sandwich in what felt like seconds, loving the different textures of the bread, the crunch of the seeds, the tang of the mustard, and sweetness of the mayo. The turkey tasted smoky and divine while the ham seemed to have a bit of sugar on it. Sean would have licked the plate if Declan hadn't been in the room with him. He blushed when he realized Declan was staring at him, his own sandwich untouched. Sean dropped his gaze to the tray, nervously grabbing the spoon.
Steam rose off the bowl of soup and Sean ladled some out carefully, blowing on it to cool it off some before taking the scoop into his mouth. Again, the taste was so unlike anything Sean had ever eaten. Whenever Carl would allow Sean or the others to eat, they were lucky to get cold leftovers or things from a can. He'd never let them have something so exquisite or flavorful before. Sean managed to keep his moans to himself this time, but he couldn't quite contain his happy smile as he enjoyed the food. To his disappointment, the bowl emptied before he was ready for it to be. He wanted to ask for more, but felt it would be rude and didn't know if it were right to do so. Instead he set the spoon down on the tray.
Declan surprised him by placing half of his sandwich on Sean's plate. "I'm full already. Why don't you go ahead and finish that for me?"
Sean looked at Declan, hesitant but hopeful. "Are you sure?"
He gave Sean an encouraging smile. "I'm sure. Go ahead."
"Thanks!" Sean dug into the sandwich wholeheartedly. His stomach gave a pained protest when he finished, but Sean couldn't have been happier. He sank back into the pillows with a tired, but full, sigh. He'd eaten so much his belly even looked a bit distended. He couldn't remember ever feeling so satiated before. "That was the best thing I've ever eaten," he said, his voice slurring with sleepiness.