☆after Keys to the Demon Prison☆
★brackendra & some Seth★
☆ Sick Kendra Part One ☆
★fluff★
Sniffles and coughs invaded the workspace Kendra had set up earlier. Sunlight shined through the windows onto a table filled with papers. The nipsies have requested a new area as their population had grown many times over and the kingdoms wished to have more space.
Kendra and Seth had spent the better part of the day scouring maps for any place to put them. They had asked to be more involved and this was Grandpa's way of doing so. A sneeze scattered the papers again.
"Bless you," Seth took a sip of water.
"Thank you," Kendra picked up the papers.
"If you're sick, you should go back to bed."
"I'm only sick until I throw up repeatedly. I feel fine."
"Wait, repeatedly? Have you thrown up already?"
"Maybe. But I felt better afterward so it doesn't count."
"You're insane."
"I just have a strong work ethic and a good immune system."
"You're going to die and I'm not going to be sorry because I told you to rest already."
"I'm fine. What about next to the southeastern brook for the nipsies? They'd have plenty of resources."
"Perfect. We'll scout it out tomorrow or whenever you're feeling better."
Kendra rolled her eyes. Someone knocked on the door. "I got it."
Kendra opened the door. "Bracken. What are you doing here?" She winced at how congested her voice sounded.
"Just dropping off some stuff for your grandfather. Where is he?" Bracken smiled at Kendra.
"Getting groceries and Grandma is meeting with a contact. Dale is here, but he's in the corners of Fablehaven doing maintenance."
"Oh. Well, can I come in?"
"Sure."
Seth came up beside Kendra. "Bracken, tell Kendra to go and rest."
"I'm fine."
"Let me feel." Bracken put his hand on her forehead. Kendra blushed. "You feel pretty warm. I'd lay down."
Kendra felt caught in a net. If she lied down, Seth would win. But if she didn't, it'd seem like she was directly not listening to Bracken and that would seem rude.
"I assure you, I—"
Pain suddenly stabbed Kendra's head. With her nose scrunched up, her eyes closed, and her head throbbing, she put her hand to her head. "Ow."
Without even noticing it, she began to sway. Hurt racked her whole body. Hands on her back guided her to the couch. Before long, she could feel nothing.
When she opened her eyes, so many people surrounded her. Grandma had her hand on Kendra's forehead. Grandpa was on the seat beside her. Bracken was next to her on the couch.
"What?" Her mind was groggy.
"You passed out Kendra," Seth reclined on the sofa opposite her. "For hours."
"We were worried," Bracken said.
"I thought you just needed to drop something off," Kendra looked at Bracken, pushing herself into a sitting position.
"And have a chat with your grandfather. But I didn't have anything else to do and I didn't want to leave you alone like this."
Despite the sickness, Kendra felt happy that Bracken was here for her. "Thank you."
Her grandmother came back with multiple pills and a cup of water. "Take these."
Kendra downed them and then scrunched her face. "It still hurts."
"It won't happen immediately," Grandpa Sorenson took her water and set it down.
"I could help." From the corner of her eye, she could maybe see Bracken blushing. She could definitely see Seth grinning like the devil. Bracken clasped her hand.
"Thank you so much, that feels so good," Kendra lied her head against the couch. "Please don't let go."
"Well, your grandfather, Seth, and I must go check on the preserve," Grandma Sorenson started walking. Grandpa followed and soon Seth did too, if with a little reluctance.
Once they were gone, Kendra turned to Bracken. "Thank you, really. It hurt so much. Now I think I could fall asleep without passing out."
"Let's hope so," Bracken grinned.
Kendra laid her head against his shoulder. He felt comfy and soon she slipped beneath reality to the haven of dreamless sleep.
Darkness still had its hold on the world when Kendra woke up.
As she shrugged Bracken’s head off of hers, she took inventory of the world around her. It was still her living room, as it had been when she had fallen asleep, but the calmness of the morning betrayed the usual chaotic nature of the house.
Her throat burned and prompted her to run to the kitchen.
Socked feet slid towards the cabinets. She took a cup out, quickly filled it, and guzzled the water down.
Cough drops were what she really needed. She dug through the drawers until she found some.
Plopping one in her mouth, she took a moment to breathe.
“Are you okay?” Bracken stood in the doorway.
Opening her mouth to speak, she sucked in air and consequently her cough drop. As soon as she began to cough and choke, Bracken immediately ran to her and tilted her head up.
She coughed it back up. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”
Once it was over, Kendra closed her eyes because when she opened them she’d have to confront how embarrassing the whole situation was.
Bracken tilted her head up. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. My throat was just sore and I needed a cough drop.” She looked at clock. “What are you doing up?”
“I heard you choking in here.”
“Oh. When are you leaving?”
“Well, I don’t have anything to do anymore. The overhaul part for the unicorns is all done now. I’d thought I’d take a vacation and visit you and your family.”
“Oh. How long till you go?”
“Have I overstayed my welcome already?”
“No, but—”
“Am i that much of a burden?” Bracken grinned from ear to ear.
Kendra laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. “No, you know I didn’t say that!”
Laughing and grinning, they held a long gaze.
“You’re so devious for a unicorn,” Kendra broke out into a genuine smile as she gazed at him.
(reuploaded, last post broke)
Brackendra, fluffy angst, setting: end of MotPI
No place was more dangerous to be solo than on this humid preserve. But, none of this mattered to Kendra. She needed to be alone.
Breezes tugged at her jacket, attempting to usher her off her seat upon the rock, and into the wonders of the ocean. Hair fluttered around her face and sea mist dusted her face. This serene spot was Kendra's escape. She loved her family and her friends—she really did—but privacy was practically nonexistent in the crowded treehouse.
That's why this place was so special.
Now that Kendra has claimed her spot upon the rock, the tears didn't seem to be so eminent now. It felt like she had been holding the whole world together by tons of tiny little strings that only now she could safely let go of. Illumination for Kendra to gaze into the sea slowly retreated.
Her mind kept clear and she was zoned out. Which was great—because then she didn't have to dwell on Seth, or dragons, or Ronodin, or—or...god, it was happening again.
A pressure built in Kendra's chest. Her next gasp of air let it all loose, and soon a torrential downpour of worry and sorrow flooded down her cheeks.
She muted her cries and screams in her jacket. No one wanted the sea monsters to wake up.
Ragged breathing ravaged her chest as tears clogged her throat. As horrible as a physical experience as sobbing is, Kendra already felt lighter.
Sand squished behind her and the click of a flashlight illuminated her silhouette.
Swiftly composing her face and stopping the flood of tears, she knew her puffy eyes and congested voice would give her away to whoever was behind her anyway.
"Kendra?" It was Bracken. Thank god, she really didn't want to have to explain herself to the caretaker or some of the other acquaintances on the sanctuary. "Are you okay?"
Was that really a question? She patted the stone beside her, not trusting herself to speak. Her gaze was downward as he climbed up. He leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. "Beautiful view."
She nodded and didn't stop until she had burst into tears again. Bracken wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. This time, she didn't have to muffle herself with her jacket. Now she had Bracken to bury her head into and sniffle.
"Sorry for getting your shirt all wet," Kendra said. His shirt felt insanely soft after having to wipe her tears away with her sandy hands. Looking up at Bracken, she laughed sheerly out of the cathartic feeling that had just settled over her. It felt good to let all her emotions out. "I'm really sorry."
He smiled at her. "It is such a beautiful view, isn't it?"
