50
When water-breathing dragons aren't flying in your skies, you make do. You work hard. You adjust to your new caretaker and try to remain determined. You visit your new friend and sometimes you go out to the rehab centre's yard together.

You dedicate more time to convincing your mother to come over often and to bring along as many friends as she can.
You're not ashamed and know that you were before.

Your days are good, even though they're far from blissful.

At night, you remember some things clearly, others less.
But you're craving and you're pretty sure that so is he.

51
His new caretaker's name is Scott and he's alright. Orlando gets along with him, even though he has no blue cushions and he doesn't bring over movies and books. It's alright, they're not needed for motivation anymore, but he still misses the atmosphere they helped create.

When Scott touches him, it's not the same touch.

In the pool, Orlando doesn't let himself think too long of the fingers that burnt his skin not that long ago.

52
He doesn't understand why they trust him with Scott.

Surely they know of the kiss, even if Andrew hasn't heard about it.

They could have assumed part of the mess with the American caretaker was his fault. They must have blamed it all on Viggo. He doesn't shout at any of them, the doctors that come for an inspection ever so often to appraise his progress. That Dr. Peter is always among them. He looks away and doesn't scold the Delishoons for giving the doctors the finger.

53
The pool seems deeper and he looks down for the first time. He could easily drown. He can imagine, in black and white, the waters covering his head and him, kicking his legs and struggling but only being able to flinch at best.

"You're coming along great," Scott beams at him.

Even though he understands, Orlando's furious with Viggo. He could have struggled for them.

54
And then the fear that after all, it wasn't for Viggo what it was for him.

55
Safi grins at him.
"What's so funny?" He doesn't notice it, but he's smiling simply from looking at her.

"You're funny. You sulk and you pout like that, with your lower lip stuck out."

"I don't!" But he knows that she's right and he's pouting.

"You miss him?"

He reminds himself it's a more innocent question than he's used to. "You mean Viggo? Yes. You miss him?"

She nods and when he doesn't say anything else, she walks over to his wheelchair, makes an effort and raises her hurt arm to hold his hand. "He misses us too."

56
Instinctively, he cuddles up in the fetal position and Andrew rushes over.

"Nothing hurts", he assures the night orderly. "I'm just letting go of some anger."

Andrew's eyes clearly exclaim that the man before him is losing his mind without the painkillers, but Orlando knows that sometimes worthy men are wrong, need to be forgiven as well as understood, and unworthy ones should be tolerated.

To be continued...