Gallus let out a moan, the pounding in his head making life in general a miserable affair.
“Oh you’re doing much better Gallus. No side effects of the vitamins and diet so far. All is going well. Yeah, thaaaaaaaaaanks Princess.” The gryphon grumbled in the dark room, laying on the bed stomach-down with a cold cloth over his brow.
“A migraine? Huh. I guess those might happen now and again; but these medications will take care of that! ”
Ok to her credit, they did help. At least I don’t feel like dying anymore. Maybe it takes more time to kick in?
The past few weeks of school had been pleasant to say the least. Then again, knowing someone cared about you was a surprisingly positive boost in Gallus’ life.
He had not anticipated how much happier he’d be. Then again, that was yet another rooted doubt. Every other day or so, he and Silverstream had gone on walks, flights, dinner dates, or just hanging out alone. It had been almost perfect.
Almost.
She knew something was bothering him, but hadn’t pushed. For that, Gallus respected her all the more. It had become most obvious last week, when he couldn’t help but be slightly unsettled by his own musings. She was a perfectly positive influence in his life; his own thoughts on the other hand…
How do you ask your special somegriff ‘why me?’
Why the homeless orphan?
Why the one gryphon who had nothing to offer her?
Gallus sighed, the wave of pain in his head subsiding for a moment. No money, no home, no family…just him.
Was that really enough for Silverstream? Her actions and words said yes, but that was going against everything Gallus had known in the past. ‘You’ weren’t worth something, your actions were.
Well. I’ll mention it to her soon enough. Just didn’t feel right.
Thankfully, it was the weekend, and Gallus had already gotten his homework done. His other friends were enjoying the brisk weather of autumn, while he was here being attacked by a migraine.
At least it was quiet, and the cold cloth on his forehead did seem to help.
With a soft squeak, the door creaked open, and Gallus heard the tell-tale footfalls of Silverstream.
“Hey Gallus, you doing ok?” She asked softly.
That alone was a blessing. If she had asked at full volume, his head might explode.
“Hey Silver…yeah, it just sucks. I’d like to hang out with you guys but this migraine is kicking my feathery butt.” He replied back, cracking his eyes open ever so slightly to see the concerned hippogriff standing at his bedside. “I thought you’d be out there with them, or are you just making sure I’m not dead?”
“Yeaaaaah that sounds about right. Everyone is splitting up for a late lunch, so I wanted to come see how you’re doing.”
Closing his eyes against the offending light, Gallus shrugged his wings slightly.
“I’ve been better. Apparently this can be a symptom of being healthier. Yaaaay.” His voice had about as much enthusiasm as the wet rag, prompting a soft giggle.
“Well at least you’re getting better. Everyone has been worried you know.”
Gallus sighed, resisting the urge to nod lest he awaken the migraine monster again.
“I’m still glad they don’t treat me any different.”
Silverstream let out a slight huff, padding a bit closer.
“We’ve been over this. Friends don’t do that.”
“Yeah. I know.”
The hippogriff was quiet for a bit, and suddenly Gallus felt a pleasant warmth against his cheek. Cracking open his eyes and looking up, the gryphon saw Silverstream sitting next to him, but resting her cheek against his. Her gaze moved to look him in the eye briefly, and Silverstream’s beak widened in a slight smile.
“This alright?” She asked, moving to nuzzle his neck briefly.
“…If I ever say this isn’t alright, assume I’m a changeling.” The gryphon mumbled, enjoying her close touch and pressing back against her cheek with a smile.
The hippogriff was being strangely quiet, and Gallus gave her cheek a brief nudge.
“Everything ok?” He asked, letting out a brief sigh of relief as the throbbing in his head lessened. “Oh than goodness. The meds are actually starting to work….”
Silverstream let out a happy hum, but then Gallus felt her nod ever so slightly.
“I’m glad. Just, I know something has been bothering you.”
Gallus took a deep breath and let it out slowly; it wouldn’t be fair to her to keep this up.
“Silver, remember when I- well, how I still think it’s crazy you haven’t been on a date before? The whole being a total catch and all? Funny, gorgeous…”
His cheeks instantly reddened; in terms of phrasing the gryphon hadn’t ever put it like that before.
I certainly haven’t said she was gorgeous before. Migraine losens my tongue apparently.
….I should tell her more though. She is after all.
Silverstream let out a squeak, trying to stammer out a response.
“I-I don’t think you’ve-erm, said it like that, but yeah?” Her touch against his cheek certainly had jumped a few degrees in heat.
“I guess it comes down to, why me?” Gallus finally said, letting out another sigh.
“I have no money, no home, no family in one sense; Nothing. I barely am healthy enough to be here. By pony and gryphon standards, and even hippogriff I guess, I’ve barely got anything to offer. Let alone to someone as incredible as you.”
“You really think that?” Silver asked, her tone not betraying much emotion.
“It’s what I’ve had to live by for my entire life. If you’re too nice, you get taken advantage of. If you don’t have anything to offer, then what good are you? It’s a hard thing to break, but the school has helped; you all have helped.” Gallus admitted.
To his surprise, Silverstream scooted her head underneath his to rest ever so slightly against his chest.
“You’re you. That means more to me than anything.” She whispered, letting out a happy sigh. “I mean where do I start? You make me happy. You actually like me. You’re just a nice and fun guy. You treat me like a friend-well, something more now, but not like a noble royal or anything. I can just be me with you. I guess you don’t realize how rare that is.”
Gallus didn’t miss how quiet Silverstream got as she pressed a bit closer, then pulled back to rest her cheek back against his.
“You also make me feel safe.”
He didn’t say anything for a time, just enjoyed Silverstream’s closeness and tried to process her words. It made sense, but went against everything he had grown up with.
Everything I think about myself.
“I think I understand it all.” He said slowly. “But, it’ll take some getting used to. Being worth something I mean.”
His words prompted an immediate gasp and a very tight hug. To Gallus’ surprise, he felt Silver take in a shaky breath, a determined and affectionate touch brushed across his cheek.
“You are worth something so many people. Your friends, professors.” Silver’s voice got a bit softer.
“And especially to me.”
Gallus felt the tell-tale warm lump rise into his throat, matched with a burning in his eyes. He didn’t know if he’d ever get used to it; knowing someone cared about him made the sarcastic gryphon want to cry.
It was such an alien and welcome feeling that on a good day it was almost overwhelming. On days like this, where he just hurt and felt cruddy?
He wanted nothing more than to just hug-oh why not?
Despite a throb of pain in his head in protest, Gallus took a shaky breath, reaching over to wrap his arms around the surprised hippogriff.
“Thank you Silverstream. Really.” He whispered, enjoying the feeling of security of her arms returning the gesture.
“Anytime. I love your hugs.” She chirped back happily.
“I’ll be sure to remind you by the way. How much you mean to me and everyone. Oh! Maybe a party-”
“N-not there yet Silver. I still am a mess if we hug in front of people.”
“I know. It’s adorable. You get so puffy and-”
Gallus simply chuckled as her voice drifted off, then giving her a final squeeze before returning to lying back on the bed.
“Thanks for checking in on me Silverstream. Hopefully this headache will be gone soon, and maybe can say hi to everyone in the evening.” He mused, putting the damp cloth back across his brow.
The hippogriff ran a set of claws through his headfeathers, then letting out a happy hum as she padded for a door.
“Ok! I hope you feel better soon Gallus. I’ll come and say hi either way!”
“I don’t doubt that.” He chuckled, closing his eyes with a happy sigh.
Not a bad migraine treatment. Medicine, and my special somegriff.