“Oh I know who you are,” Lydia responded. “But no matter. That’s not what I came to talk to you about. I have informed your families of your current situation and I expect to be paid in full before the end of the week.”
Nick blanched as he stroked Cas’s hair. That was only a few days!
Cas nodded again. "Have they replied or did you just send them the message? Trust me, I hope you're right as much as you do…"
“They haven’t responded yet, and I’ll inform you if they do,” she said. “I don’t know what Leo has said about me, but while I may be a pirate, I am fair. As long as you don’t make me angry and your families pay up, you should both make it out in one piece. If not, well, that would be unfortunate for you.”
"Y-Yes, ma'am…" Cas said weakly, huddling closer to Nick. "Thanks for all your help…"
Lydia’s mouth quirked. “Don’t be so quick to thank me. I haven’t exactly done your favor, no matter what you think.”
"Well, thanks for entertaining our idea, even if it doesn't work." Cas shrugged. "Either way, you get an interesting story, I guess."
Lydia laughed. “I have plenty of interesting stories. I quite like you though.”
"Glad to hear it…" Cas yawned, still freezing. He couldn't figure out why, though. His skin was frigid to the touch.
“Well, I’m going to go. Leo, don’t be a dick,” Lydia said as her parting words as she walked away.
Cas waved tiredly, trying to get impossibly closer to Nick.
“You’re freezing,” Nick remarked, surprised by how cold Cas still was. “Are you okay?”
"I-I dunno…" Cas said weakly. "I think my powers must be acting up for some reason…"
“Do you know how I could help?” Nick asked. “Besides being a human heated blanket, that is.”
Cas shrugged. "I can't tell what's causing it, so I don't know how to stop it…"
“Oh, well in that case I guess that I’ll just have to try and warm you up and hope for the best,” he responded.
He nodded a bit, huddling close. After a bit, he sneezed and ice crystals shot up on the bench around them.
Nick glanced at him worriedly. “Are you okay?” he asked again. “Has this ever happened before?”
"I-I dunno… I… I don't remember this ever happening, but it might've when I was little…" Cas sneezed again, more ice appearing on the floor and wall.
(ack sorry it took so long, i’ve been crazy busy)
Nick was really beginning to worry now. “Do you have any idea what’s causing it? If we went onto the deck, would it help?”
(No problem!)
Cas shrugged. "Maybe it's the seasickness… or it could be general sickness, or stress, or… or…" He sneezed again. "I-I dunno…"
Nick bit his lip and glanced over at Leo. The other boy was backing away from Cas, eyes wide with fear. “Stop doing that, freak,” he spat, but it was clear he was terrified.
“Shut up, Leo,” snapped Nick. “You’re not helping.”
Cas whimpered quietly, huddling closer to Nick. Freak… He couldn't help but hear those words in his father's voice. The ice crystals on the ground slowly grew, sharpening into a wall of spikes separating Cas and Nick from Leo.
Leo’s eyes darted around, making him look like a caged animal. Nick tried to figure out how to help Cas, pressing his lips together. Clearly, Leo’s remark had made it worse. “Don’t listen to him,” Nick replied quietly, his lips brushing Cas’s ear. Despite this, he was a bit nervous for Cas as well as himself. Even with his natural warmth, he was beginning to feel a chill. “I’m right here,” he added, trying to comfort Cas.
He nodded weakly, shaking more violently. "I-I c… c-can't stop it…" He stammered, trying to move closer to Nick again despite there not being any farther to go.
Nick tried to make himself warmer, but it didn’t seem to be helping Cas at all. He held tightly to the other boy, trying not to let his budding fear show.