Page 135 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Draco

Draco lifted his head from the back of the chair where he’d rested it after hours of holding vigil at Sawyer’s bedside. The others had taken turns as well, but Draco hadn’t been able to leave for long. He was even breathing with the same tempo as Sawyer.

In…out…in…out.

It was soothing in its own way. Henry had been falling asleep on his feet hours before so Draco had convinced him to lay down beside Sawyer. They didn’t know if Henry’s magic was still doing something to help, but if it was, he should be close. Besides the fact that Draco found himself not wanting to let Henry out of his sight either.

It hadn’t taken long for Henry’s sleeping body to curl up against Sawyer. He had his head on Sawyer’s chest and a leg thrown possessively over Sawyer’s. It was a pretty sight, and under other circumstances, Draco could imagine having both of them curled up beside him, their wicked and talented mouths teasing his skin as much as they did with words.

Sawyer’s breathing changed and Draco turned his attention to his face. He had Sawyer’s hand in his and Sawyer squeezed it instinctively as his eyes fluttered open. His gaze was unfocused for a moment, then he glanced to Draco.

“It’s about time,” Draco whispered. “You had me worried.”

Sawyer squeezed his hand, then looked down at his chest. “Henry?”

“Yep. Using you as a body pillow.”

He released his hold on Draco’s hand and then lifted his own to his face, tugging the oxygen tube from his nose and giving it a disgusted look. “What happened?”

“We don’t know. Someone attacked you and you called me. We got you back here and called Henry’s dad. He seemed to think you would wake up on your own, but thought you needed a little extra oxygen.”

“Yeah,” Sawyer said quietly. He dropped his hand back into Draco’s and held it tight. “It felt like he set me on fire.”

“Tell me what he looked like.” Draco would be sure he knew exactly what fire felt like once he found the attacker. And he knew how to make it last.

Sawyer frowned and his breath caught. “I…I’m not sure.”

“You don’t remember?”

He shook his head. “No. I mean. I remember, but… I…he wasn’t…he like blinked or something. Like, have you ever seen one of those projections where they fade in and out? I don’t know, maybe a hologram or something but not that because I’m pretty sure he was real.”

“Okay. What else?”

“He said…” Sawyer paused, his attention turning back to Henry. “He asked me if I knew Henry. Then he blew this powder in my face and told me to tell Henry he said hello. Then he just walked away.”

Draco leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Sawyer’s lips. “You’re safe now. We’ve got you and you aren’t going anywhere without one of us by your side until we catch this asshole.”

“Sawyer!” Henry jerked and came awake, raising his head from Sawyer’s chest and smiling at him. Then he leaned in and kissed Sawyer, before pulling away with an embarrassed squawk. “Oh my goddess, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean… but you’re awake… and I just… you’re awake!”

Sawyer grinned and pulled Henry against him in a hug. “I’m awake. You helped me, didn’t you?”

Henry nodded, untangling himself from the sheets and sitting up the rest of the way. “Yeah, it was like when you helped me. I just touched you and you calmed and… yeah. It was good.”

“Thanks, Henry.”

“Of course. Did you see—”

Draco cleared his throat. “Henry, why don’t you go see if you can find Cecil. Sawyer hasn’t eaten all day and I can guarantee he’s hungry.”

“Oh! Yeah, of course. And I’ll tell Eduard and Andvari that he’s awake, too.”

He practically ran from the room and Draco couldn’t help smiling as he watched him go. He reached over and turned off the oxygen tank, before returning his full attention to Sawyer.

“You liked that, didn’t you?” Sawyer asked.

“What?”

“Seeing him wrapped up against me like that. I saw the way you were looking at him.”