A Mockingbird In The Crows Nest

I Think You're So Good (And I'm Nothing Like You)

-Allister

The card flutters out of his fingers as his brain finally remembers what happened.

He's stumbling out of bed not a second later, wincing only slightly as the IV is ripped from his arm. His legs shake as he stumbles over the gifts laying on the floor and he nearly falls 3 times before he manages to reach the wall and slump against it. He sucks in a desperate breath of air, then fumbles with the door before throwing it open and stumbling into the hall.

Several surprised shouts greet him, and he latches onto whoever's closest. It ends up being someone he vaguely recognizes in a white coat and medical mask.

"Erebus." He says, desperately clinging to them so he doesn't fall. "Where is he? I need to see him and Peleus."

"Mockingbird-" The doctor starts, their eyebrows dropping in concern. "You're not meant to be up yet! How're you even walking-"

Another door opens down the hall, and Tommy turns quickly to see a nurse stepping out of a doorway. A doorway with a plate beside it with Erebus scrawled on it. Ignoring the protests and the attempts to lead him back to his own room; he shoves away from the doctor and swiftly makes his way to the door- throwing it open without any kind of warning.

Wilbur's head whips to him when he enters, and Tommy struggles to take in the state he's in. He's laying in bed in a hospital gown and a shimmery, light blue cloth mask over his eyes to keep his identity safe. But Even with the mask, Tommy can tell he looks tired. There's a dark tint under his eyes he can barely make out in the gaps of the mask; and his skin is paler than normal. To the point the blue on the tips of his pointed ears and his nose are both far more obvious than they normally are.

His face crumples when he sees the clear relief in Wilbur's eyes; and he throws himself forward at his brother. He lands a little sloppily beside him on the bed, but Wilbur sits up and reaches out- dragging him closer and burying his face in Tommy's hair. He wraps his arms around him as best as he can, and hugs him as tightly as he dares. He can feel the bump of Wilbur's bandage-covered wings under his hands; so he's careful not to squeeze too hard.

Wilbur doesn't hold back, though. He digs his fingers into the spot between Tommy's wings and holds him tight; like he's afraid Tommy might disappear if he lets go.

He can hear Wilbur whispering in his hair; and he struggles to make out the repeated "You're ok"s and "You're safe"s that Wilbur's hushing into his hair.

Tommy opens his mouth to apologize. For worrying him. For scaring him. For getting him hurt. For not being fast enough. For putting him in danger. For blaming him for the fight at the docks.

For making Wilbur care about a parasite.

But before he can do any of that, Wilbur stops him.

"I'm so sorry." He whispers, and Tommy winces at the sheer amount of guilt in his voice. "G-Gods I'm so sorry..I-I thought you could handle the shadow realm for a couple hours but- B-But you-" His breathing stuttered and he shook his head; pressing his forehead down against the top of his head.