…hh— …hhuhh—nnn—

Ah—heh— s’orry—juhs’—gimme a se’c—

breath fogs thick, clinging heavy ‘round him

Name’s Void. Yea—s’ick an’ sn’rrfy t’day.

snff—

hh—hh’TSCHU!—! snrrfff— oh—‘scuse be— s’orry—

rubs at his nose; nostrils twitching, cheeks flushed from fever

I soun’… bad— ‘m conges’ed… i’ geds like thid when th’ bug jus’ gets in by ches’.

hhuhh… hhh’RRSHHHuhh!! snrfff— ah— see?—thad—

breath hitches, fog spilling faster

Sick makes me hib hard. Fast. It jus’— hhuhh— hhh’KTSHHuh!! —come ou’ of nowhere.

snff—snrrf—

I’b nod dyi’g— jus’ feel like me lungs are fulla slush.

small, tired laugh that turns into another hitch

hh—HH’RRSSHuhh!! snrrfff—

…okay—thad’s a fi’.

I don’ always talk like thid— this cold makes me dizzy, makes me quiet— buh when I’m sick? I jus’… s’uffs up an’ lets it loose.

hhuhh… hhh’Gnn’TSCHuh!! snfff—‘scuse be—

presses sleeve to his nose; fog of breath swirling soft, clogged snorfs

I don’ wanna… bother… anyone… but I… jus’… need… a lil’ care. I’m still… a swee’hear’, promise.

snrk—snff—

You c’n… stay… jus’… near me… be patient… if I sound like I’ve got a sn’wb’all stuck in me face…

…hhuhh…

nostrils twitch, flushed cheeks faintly sparkling

…I’m… really glad you’re here.