Forget Me Not (Sapphire's end)

Sickness

Sapphire coughs for the umpteenth time as they wade through the place. The place they were in was different from the town, it was louder yet strangly peaceful. Another cough. Maria looks at her worriedly.
"Let's stop a minute!" She calls and everyone agrees. Sapphire sits to rest her tired legs and gives another cough.
“You okay?” Maria asks.
"I've been better, I'm a little sick, kinda cold too but that's in result of being sick, I guess" There’s a rustle of cloth and then there’s a weight on Sapphires shoulders.
“Here,” Surge's voice says. Sapphire turns her head towards him. He’s not looking at her. He’s pointedly not looking at her. Sapphire puts her arms through the sleeves and brings his jacket closer.
“Thank you.” They cough again and miss the smile that graces Surge's face, however briefly. Maria looks between the two. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on in between the two. She doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Most of the Slarians that they encounter around stare at the group for a few seconds before they scurry off once they register Surge’s presence. The demon hedgehog himself says nothing and walks on, Sapphire's hand clasped in his and occasionally stopping to let her catch her breath. She's been breathing heavily for a while now. Now and again one of the girls will come by Sapphire and talk to them, it makes her smile, but Surge can't hear what they say as to him it's just babble.
“Wait,” Jackie says at one point. Surge stops and Sapphire groans and she closes her eyes and falls back. Surge catches her with his free hand.
“You okay, darlin'?” he asks, brushing hair out of her eyes.
“They’re heating up,” Jackie says at the same time Sapphire nods and then slowly sinks to the ground to sit. Surge waits for the girl to explain.
"She's ill, it's the poison,” she says. On cue, Sapphire coughs.
“Sorry,” she says. Calistas expression falls.
"It’s not your fault, Sapph,” she says. Surge scans their surroundings for a minute before taking a seat beside Sapphire and leaning back, weight supported by his arms.
“Let’s stay here for a while, yeah?” he offers. The group gives him a thankful look. Sapphire nods again. As the others shuffle around and chatter Sapphire's head tips to the side and their head lands on Surge's shoulder. He jolts in surprise but Sapphire groans.
"Keep still please"  He pauses. Then chuckles.
“It’s okay, darlin'. We’ll be here a while.” Sapphire soon enough falls asleep.

Sapphire doesn't wake up.