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“Typhoid Mary,” Kodi supplied happily, leaning back, beer in hand, grinning at Dad. Yep, two could play this game.

Kodi had no recollection of what time he’d gotten home or how much beer he’d drunk, but the wooliness said it was late and considerable. Despite that, he reached under his pillow for the phone he had remembered to place there, having already set the alarm to vibrate and wake him before Lennon. Kodi stifled a groan, slipping out of the warm bed after untangling himself from Lennon, who liked to use him as his pillow.

He crept slowly towards the door, careful not to kick any furniture, still adjusting to the bedroom layout in the dark. In the hallway, he pulled the door closed before flicking on the light. He winced at the sudden brightness. Avoiding the creaking stair, not wanting to disturb Lennon, he headed downstairs. He went to the kitchen first, in search of Advil and a glass of juice. Although whether that was wise with what was about to happen when Lennon woke, he couldn’t say.

The morning sickness had started the week before. Kodi hadn’t told a soul last night how he retched right alongside Lennon while he’d tried to be helpful and rub his back. He didn’t need a rendition of every time he puked when his brothers got sick; they were etched into his memory banks. He had never been good with smells or exaggerated noises like vomiting. Lennon was exceptionally loud when he vomited, and Kodi was convinced those in the houses on either side of theirs could hear him, too. He kept that to himself.

It didn’t matter what remedies the internet suggested would help, nothing worked. That didn’t stop Kodi getting up early—even after a night drinking with his brothers and Dad—to prepare a piece of dry toast and a mint tea, in the hopes this morning would be different. These, at least, seemed to make Lennon feel better afterwards.

How long do you think this is going to last?

Why do you keep asking me? I’m not the human half of this equation.

Kodi ignored the snappy response. Then I’ll shift and you can cope with the vomit express Lennon has going.

I have no hands, stop being ridiculous.

The relief his animal felt about that was laughable.

A glass of chilled orange juice and two Advil later, Kodi walked through the house, switching on the Christmas lights that were strung up everywhere, so it seemed. Festive… that didn’t quite fit with the thousand lights illuminating the downstairs by the time he’d finished doing what Lennon wanted.

He stood in the living room and, regardless of the hangover, happiness flooded through him at how Lennon had made the house homely and welcoming. Home. He’d never expected to find that feeling outside of his childhood home. He’d been wrong. He was down to the bone happy with Lennon.

He was lucky and had a lot to be grateful for growing up. As an adult, he had everything anyone could wish for. He hadn’t known what was missing, not truly, until Lennon. Until they’d started building this life together. Every day that he got to wake up next to Lennon was a magical gift. Even the vomiting didn’t detract from those feelings.

He turned on the lights on the tree last. The thing sat in front of the windows, wide enough to block the light. Lennon hadn’t wanted him to trim it and despite it looking as tall as it was wide, he had fun watching Lennon fill it with baubles, some as old as him. Each one had a story and Lennon held Kodi captive as he’d told them, while he placed them on the tree.

Kodi had been inspired and bought several more, wrapping them for later. There was even one for the unborn baby. He was becoming a sentimental fool. He couldn’t stop and didn’t care one iota.

“Kodi,” Lennon called from above, right before he heard the dreaded retching start.

He ran for the stairs, taking several deep breaths, preparing not to breathe once he hit their bathroom.

Lennon was pale, his sleep pants and cream T-shirt washing him out further. He was hanging over the toilet bowl, his hair stuck up in several places. He had sheet creases down the cheek Kodi could see. Still, to Kodi, he was the most gorgeous creature.

Wordlessly, Kodi got down on his knees, the heated tiles the only consolation for what was about to happen. He rubbed Lennon’s shaking shoulders, keeping his lips pursed. The noises got louder when the vomit splattered the bowl.

Kodi’s mouth watered horribly at the ungodly smell wafting up, and he did his best to keep his head back, out of the line of fire. He’d once been hit with a splash of vomit and he didn’t want a repeat of that. His stomach tried to join in on the action, flipping the orange juice unpleasantly.

Let it be over fast.

Let it be over fast.

Fuck, where does it all come from?

His wolf was in hiding as they sat like that for what felt like an eternity but was probably ten minutes. His own eyes were watering from the smell, but he may also have been distressed for Lennon.

When Lennon finished, Kodi helped him to the double sinks and reached for his toothbrush to put the toothpaste on it. He offered it to Lennon who gave him a wan smile. Kodi noted the dark smudges under his watery eyes and the milky white skin. It would be another half-an-hour before he’d look more like himself.

Wordlessly, he watched over Lennon, guiding him back into the bedroom after he’d rinsed his face and dried it.

“Better?” he asked, settling Lennon on their queen-sized bed, fluffing the pillows behind him.

Lennon blew out his lips and nodded slowly. “Think so.”

“Are you up for tea and toast? I was just about to make them.” Fussing with the covers, he tucked them in around Lennon who always got cold after being ill regardless of how warm the thermoset was set.

“I can come down—”