Song: Red by Taylor Swift
~~~

Tom's p.o.v.

"Tilt his head up just a little."

I did as Dec said and tilted up Sparklez head a little more, so that his lips were partially open. Dec pressed the cup to his lips and slowly poured the steaming liquid in.

"He is gonna be okay, right?" I asked timidly.

"Of course he is. He just needs some intensive care and he should go back to normal very soon." He removed the cup and sat it down on the nightstand beside the bed. He next laid one of the cold towels over his head he'd wetted early, and laid another on his bare chest.

"...you couldn't help Helen?"

He sighed and rubbed his temple, obviously stressed at the question. "I am only a priest and a doctor, Tom. I cannot raise the dead."

"I'm sorry. I just...she was really good to Sparklez and me. I thought maybe there was something you could do."

"Unfortunately not. I do know that she was a good and kind hearted woman. I used to work with her. She was one of the few nurses who knew what they were doing in that damned place."

I nodded solemnly and sighed. She didn't deserve what happened to her. None of those doctors or nurses or patients deserved what happened to them. "Thirty two deaths," I muttered. "I can't believe it."

"There was nothing we could've done. Don't believe it was your fault."

"But if I hadn't dropped him off there, none of it would've-"

"You didn't know he was planning what he was planning. I didn't know either. Let's focus on forgetting and recovering, rather than dwelling on what we could have done, hm?" He unplugged the ends of the stethoscope from his ears and laid them down next to his bag of supplies. Champ, who was sitting in a chair next to us, silently handed him the thermometer so he could check Sparklez temperature. He hasn't said a word since he's been here, and I'm not really sure why.

"What do you think the meetings gonna be about?" I asked, attempting to change the subject. Matt and the other wizards are having a meeting at Mots house, and none of us were allowed to come. I suspected it was about us, so I didn't question it, though I am kinda offended they didn't want our opinions first.

"Most likely where you and your family will be moved to next. This city isn't safe for you all anymore."

I rolled my eyes. "It never was safe. I think we just ignored the fact that we were in danger for awhile for the sake of our sanity."

"Deep words from a Dianitee," Dec chuckled quietly. "When did you become so wise?"

"I guess that nerd is rubbing off on me." I nodded towards the sleeping Sparklez.

"Maybe it's also the fatherhood life that is making you so wise?"

"Oh yeah. That too I guess. Wait, you guys never got to properly meet Rosie, did you?"

"I wasn't even aware you had a child until I got here. When Mot brought her out I was very confused. Though when I saw the dimples on her, I knew she was yours." He grinned knowingly.

"My bad. We kinda had to leave in a hurry a few days after she was...created."

"I understand. How old is she?"

"Four months."

"Four months? She looks five years old. And she's so intellectual, she's got the mind of a twelve year old at least. Not to mention her bravery. I couldn't even stare that evil in the face and she slapped him," he laughed.

"She's amazing. I love her to death." I gazed over at the bed across from us, where she slept peacefully under the warm blankets. I wish I could get some sleep. Though I don't think I could even if I tried. Not when Sparklez is in such bad shape. Not when I know thirty two families are grieving over deaths that could've been prevented somehow.

"Maybe you should get some rest Tom. It's been a long day for you. And Champ and I will be right next door if anything happens."

"I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to Dec. Not when he's in such shit shape."

"Well he's fine now, I can assure you. His heart rates normal, and his temperature. The pill should take away the vomiting and the potion I gave him should make the bleeding subside. Really the worst thing right now are his knees." He glanced at Sparklez knees, which were covered in bruises and cuts, and they were really swelled for some reason.

"I wonder why they're like that..." I wondered.

"Well he was on the verge of collapsing when he came in, so he might've been crawling and falling a lot before hand."

I was surprised Champ had finally spoken up after being silent for so long. His voice sounded really scratchy and weak, like he was sick.

"I told you no talking until I got medicine for you." Dec narrowed his eyes at Champ, while he scoffed and rolled his.

"It's just strep throat-"

"And pneumonia," Dec interrupted him angrily. "Which is a deadly combination. Talking makes them both worse. So shut up."

"I was just joining in on conversation, you're acting like I murdered someone."

"You're murdering yourself just by speaking, shut up."

"You shut up! I've been shut up for a week and you still haven't gotten me any medicine!"

"Because I've been kept hostage in a snowy death trap with you for six weeks, shut up Ryley."

Oh shit.

If I've learned anything in the past three years I've known Champ and Nade, it's that you don't use their real names. They will go ape shit on your ass and they will hold a grudge on you for months. Especially Champ. It's the one thing that sets him off more than anything else, and I still don't understand why.

Champ stared him dead in the eyes with his red piercing ones, glaring at him like at any moment he'd pull out a knife and kill the guy. "Don't. Call me that." His tone alone was enough to send chills down my spine, and not the good kind either. Champ is not pleasant when he's angry.

I swallowed nervously as I watched the two exchange challenging glares, until finally Dec gave out a long sigh and tore away from Champs eyes. "I'm sorry. Please be quiet. I don't want to see you suffer any more than you absolutely have to."

"Shut up," the other spat venomously. He stood from his chair and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. At this point, I couldn't believe Sparklez or Rosie hadn't woken up yet. The arguing was loud enough to wake up somebody three buildings down from us.

"...so there's been some tension between you and him, eh?" I chuckled awkwardly.

He shook his head and let out another exhausted sigh. "Too much tension for my liking. I don't try to rile him up, really I don't, but it eventually happens anyway. And it isn't my fault he was being stubborn...is it?" He looked up to me for an answer, but I held my hands up in equal confusion. He could've gone without calling Champ by his real name, that's for sure, but they were both being pretty stubborn.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have called him that. Do you think I was too hard on him?" He asked timidly. I shrugged, not really knowing what to say. Why does he care so much anyway? It was just a little argument. They'll probably make up tomorrow. They always do. At least in my world they did.

"Oh I shouldn't have called him Ryley...I'm so ignorant." He groaned and buried his face in his hands. I raised an eyebrow at his weird behavior. Wasn't he just telling me a minute ago that I shouldn't be dwelling on the past? Wow, hypocrite.

"I'm sure he'll get over it sooner or later."

"No, no he won't. Not if I don't apologize over and over again for it. If not, he holds grudges and they last for days."

"Why do you care?"

"Because he refuses to talk to me when he's in a grudge mood, or do much of anything with me. He refuses to come out of his room and look at me, so he will literally stay there for days without eating or drinking anything just to avoid me. It's so...infuriating! It's infuriating that he's so stubborn and unaware of everything!"

"Like unaware of your feelings for him?"

"I-...what?"

"Nothing, forget I said anything."

"...are you suggesting something Tom? Because if you're suggesting what I think you are-"

"Oh I'm not suggesting anything." I smirked, watching as his face went from slightly flushed to completely tomato red.

"Well it isn't true. Whatever you were commenting on a moment ago."

"So you're denying it?"

"Denying what?"

"You know what I'm talking about. You're denying that?"

"Of course I am. It's ridiculous to even consider it."

We both jumped simultaneously when a voice interrupted our stared down. "Well I love you too Declan," I heard him hiss. The door slammed shut again.

I looked back to Dec, who was staring at the door with wide eyes and a gaped mouth. Oh shit. This just got real and personal.

Woah wait a second, are everyone one of my friends gay now? No, Sonja and Tucker are straight. And Nade along with the Modesteps of course. But at least two thirds of my friends are gay, so there's that.

"I think you should go apologize now," I snickered.

"What? I have nothing to apologize about!"

"I think you do. You hurt his feelings. And crushed his hopes and dreams. And maybe his possible feelings about you. If I were you, I'd go apologize."

"I did nothing wrong-"

A small sob sounded through the thin walls of the room, presumably it came from the hallway, and the defensive glare Dec had worked so hard on vanished completely. There's nothing more heartbreaking than hearing somebody you love's crying, especially if you were the one who caused them to cry. I know that heartbreaking look when I see it and Dec was definitely wearing it.

"I...will be right back." He practically sprinted out of the room at lightening speed, and as soon as he was gone, I broke out into a fit of laughter. I heard a few quiet giggly laughs beside me, and I laughed even harder knowing it was Sparklez and he'd most definitely heard everything that just went on.

Finally we both quieted down for a moment, long enough for him to choke out a hilarious statement. "They make a cute pair," he snorted, and I died of laughter.

"They do, definitely. So how long you been awake, you adorable sausage?" I hopped in bed beside him and nuzzled into his neck, way too excited that he was finally awake.

"Since you said I was in shit shape. I actually don't feel that bad. At least I can still feel my face, right?" He asked sarcastically and I started laughing again.

"Must be nice Sparkley dick, I can't ever feel my face when I'm with you so..."

"Cheese ball..." He muttered, playfully punching me in the arm.

"Ow! You're gonna give me a bruise, you abuser!" I stuck my tongue out at him and he rolled his eyes.

"Stop being a baby, I barely touched you."

"Still hurt...and speaking of bruises, what's up with your knees babe? They're all gross and swollen."

"First of all, don't call me babe. Second of all, how dare you insult my knees, I actually like those. And to answer your question, I fell a lot trying to crawl and run away from Botan. I'm just glad I didn't break them."

"Botans a dick, let's not say his name anymore."

"Why? Do you want to give him the satisfaction of him knowing he's scared us enough to where we won't say his name?"

"No, he's a dick and his name makes you sad. Be happy again."

"How?"

"...I think your knees are very sexy."

He laughed. "Yeah, because complimenting my knees makes me very happy. Thanks Tom."

Silence fell over the room. Every so often I could hear quiet murmuring coming from the hallway, comforting words being used to calm down a broken hearted Champwan. Seriously, I had no clue the guy was gay. He's never mentioned liking guys before. Then again, he's never mentioned liking women either.
Oh crap, now I feel guilty for calling him the priests bitch all the time.

"Did you know Champ was gay?" I asked Sparklez, leaning my head on his shoulder as we both stared at the ceiling together. He shook his head and furrowed his brows, making the cutest clueless face I've ever seen.

"No. I never suspected anything when he hung out with Dec, I just thought they were really good friends. Even back on Mianite they were inseparable and I didn't notice."

"...that worries me, Sparklez."

"What worries you?"

"Well...this Dec is different from the one we knew back on Mianite, right? So even if Champ somehow does get the guys heart, he'll have to leave him behind when we go back home. We can't have two Decs."

"Why can't we? We could use the extra doctor," he laughed. I rolled my eyes, but I had to laugh too. Two Decs, that'd just be weird.

We went silent again when the talking in the hallway got a little louder, loud enough to where we could hear it through the walls.

"You know I didn't mean it."

"Then why'd you say it?"

"What did you want me to say?"

"Forget it! God you're so dense, I can't stand it." I heard loud angry footsteps follow, along with a door slamming shut.

I looked at Sparklez and he at me, and I groaned as I saw that look on his face, that look of pity and the want to help.

"I am not playing matchmaker again."

"But Tooom!" He whined, sticking his bottom lip out. "Look at how miserable they are!"

"I don't give a damn!"

"Thomas!"

"Jordan!"

"We helped Gaines and Mianite, why can't we help-"

"Look, Champ is different from Gaines. He's the complete opposite. I've known him for years and I know this for a fact, he doesn't want help, no matter how much he needs it."

"Maybe if we talk to him-"

"It won't do any good Sparklez. Now go back to sleep. You need it."

"But I want to help! There's gotta be something we can do for them!"

"Shh. Sleep. Now. You're too injured and sick to be worrying about this stuff. Sleep."

"Not until you do something. Please?"

"What do you want me to do?!"

"Do what you were doing five minutes ago!"

"What?!"

"That thing-the thing where you force people to admit their feelings!"

"I don't do that!"

"Yes you do, you do it all the time! Just go talk to them, please? I'll go to bed when you get back, I promise."

"Fine if you'll shut up about it," I grumbled. I crawled out of the bed, shivering at the sudden cold air hitting my skin. It's too late and too cold for this crap.

"Thank you Tommy~" he cooed from the bed.

"You better be knocked out by the time I get back, you demanding sausage." I shot him a stern look, before leaving the room and going out into the hallway. Dec sat in the middle of it, his head in his hands with his posture slouched. I'll talk to him later, right now I'm gonna smack some sense into Champ.

I gave a small knock on the door that I assumed was their rooms, and waited for it to open.

"What?" I heard someone hiss from inside.

"It's Tom, open the door."

"Go away."

"Either you open the damn door or I kick it down and you pay for it. Open it Champ."

A few long seconds later, eventually the door swung open. Champ didn't even look at me, he immediately went rushing back to the bed at the back of the room. Their hotel room actually looked pretty similar to ours, except there was only one bed instead of two, and there was a smaller TV. They only had one bed? I wonder if they asked for that...

"What do you want?" He grumbled, pulling his hoodie further over his eyes and curling up underneath the covers.

"I want to talk. What's up with you and Dec?"

"It's none of your damn business," he snapped. I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes, trying to suppress and force down the anger that was making its way through me.

"It is my damn business if it's involving you, Champ."

The covers flew off and he raised up, his red eyes piercing into mine. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I care about you dude, and I wanna know what's going on with you."

"I don't want help. I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone."

"Fine, I'll leave. But it's your own fault for being miserable since you won't let me help you."

"I don't care. And what makes you think you're so wise and mighty anyway? Last time I checked you were just as dense as the rest of those Dianitee assholes."

"I'm not a damn genius, but I know a thing or two about relationships."

"Like what?"

"Like the definite signs of when two people are in love with eachother."

"I am not in love with him," he almost snarled.

"Funny, I heard you say the exact opposite five minutes ago."

"Get. Out."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Good. I'll leave."

"Great, go ahead."

"Bye." I stormed out of the room and slammed the door shut behind me, marching straight to my room and forgetting all about Dec. I told Sparklez from the start, he wasn't going to accept my help. He's too independent and stubborn. He's just like me before I started going out with Sparklez.

Sparklez head snapped up as soon as I entered, a confused expression on it because of how fast I came back. "So? What happened?" He sat up on his knees with an interested stare in his eyes.

I laid back down on the bed and huffed. "He was being a smart ass so I left. I'm going to bed. Night love." I kissed his cheek and turned over before he could scold me for the nickname, forcing my lids closed and blanking out everything in my mind. Who cares about Dec and Champ? Let them be miserable, I shouldn't care. I shouldn't care about anything but my family, because caring about anything else just gets me hurt or angry.

"Maybe I should try."

I let out a dramatic sigh of anger and snapped my heavy eyelids open. "No, I'm not letting you leave this bed. Botan attacked you, you need to rest Sparklez." How can he think about helping others when he's in the worst shape ever? His knees looked awful and the bags under his eyes showed clearly just how tired he was. And he's still probably sick from earlier today. If I was in that bad of shape, I wouldn't even think of helping anyone but myself.

But he is an Ianitee. He helps people no matter how horrible he feels. He's selfless as hell.

"I feel much better, if I could just talk to him for-"

tap tap tap

"I'll get it," Sparklez announced. He was already half way across the room before I could tell him no, so I ended up just following him to the door. I rushed to open it first, but he swatted my hand away before I could do it. I hissed and made a rude gesture at him, to which he slapped me on the cheek for, and then he opened the door himself.

I don't know what I expected to be on the other side of the door, but it definitely wasn't Champ, hoodless and scarfless, with tears pouring down his cheeks. He looked Sparklez directly in the eyes and said the one sentence I would've never expected him to admit.

"I'm in love with him."
~~~
Okay look I couldn't help myself don't judge me xD PRIESTWAN FOR LYFE!

Also watched pinof 7 today.

I NEED TO WRITE PHAN BOOKS, I NEED TO DO IT NOW. DID YOU SEE HOW CUTE THEY WERE? THEY DID A TRUST FALL AND THEY HELD HANDS, OH MY GOD SAVE ME.

But all fangirling aside, PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT OR A FAVORITE! ILL LOVE YOU FOREVER IF YOU DO!

P.s. ...here is my twitter in case you'd like to stalk me sometime... zune_bug32 (I have plenty of fangirling there just so ya know :3)

Bye now!

- Lee