**_Rayburn_**

I admit it. It was stupid to go along with this nonsense. Harvey and his crew have already shown, verbally and physically, how they feel about me. If they hadn’t touched my pride, I wouldn’t be in this situation.

Because of that, I’m cold, waist deep in the icy waters of the forest lake, and alone, surrounded by the thick oak trees that probably have all sorts of critters inside them.

I know I may get hypothermia from staying in this lake for too long, but really, I think it’s better than someone random body seeing me in the nude.

As though I summoned someone such as that, a twig snaps to my right. I slink deeper into the water, leaving only my nose and my eyes above the surface.

A man steps out of the forest, eyes darting around, most of his face covered by the thick, fluffy coat shielding him from the sharp blows wind. There’s two dog looking ear things on the hood of his coat, and he seems to be carrying a bag stuffed to the brim and bulging from whatever he’s carrying. He spots me and waves.

_Dear everything that is holy, thank you for giving life to this amazing boy!_

I lift myself out of the lake, not coming fully out for obvious reasons. “Is that a coat in you bag, Oswald?”Oswald nods and beckons me closer. I shake my head. “As you can tell, I don’t have anything on.”

His eyebrows go down, then he takes off the bag from his back and pulls out some trousers, a white shirt, and a homemade jacket. The same one as his actually. Mrs. Burtrom liked to have us matching like a set of twins.

I let out a thankful sigh. Of course, I don’t express my gratitude, for that would be too much asking of me. Oswald understands by now and places the clothing at the shore of the lake, just out of reach of the water.

He stands there still, staring at me, and I stare at him back. I clear my throat, loudly, but he still stands there. I frown. “Turn around, Oswald.”

Oswald’s eyes go down in disappointment, but he does as I say. Sometimes he really is too much.

I quickly step out the lake, my steps slowed by the water. I shake off most of the water from my skin, and the cold air honestly makes it worse as my body shivers as I pull the shirt over my head and my trousers up my legs. For last is the coat, and I have a hard trouble getting my arms through the stuffed sleeves, but when I do, and button it up, my body is warm. I sigh and smile a bit. “How wonderful.”

Oswald is peeking from behind himself and sees that I’m done. He holds out a hand for me to take. I accept it and he twists our fingers together. There are creases at the corner of his eyes which tell me that he’s smiling, his mouth is covered by the front of his coat.

I roll my eyes, but feel my cheeks warm. _Truly wonderful and good hearted is he._

***

**Extra Because I Got Nothing To Do**

**_Oswald_**

Rayburn sneezes and snot shoots out from his red nose. His eyes are bagged and heavy-lidded; he’s tucked underneath his comforter, a wet-hot cloth on his head.

I stroke his cheek with a finger, causing him to look at me and frown. I laugh. Even through sickness, my Ray has strength to always be in a bad mood.

“Don’t touch me,” he says, voice strange because of his plugged nose, “You’ll get sick.”

I kiss his nose softly. He responds by butting my head. “Hey!”

“I said don’t touch me, you idiot!” Rayburn groans, tired from his outburst, and lays back down. “That hurt. Feed me some more soup.”

I peek at the door to see if his aunt, Miss Florence, has returned back with his food. She hasn’t. “Your aunt isn’t back yet, and the bowl you have is already empty.”

“But I want foood,” he moans. Rayburn coughs then and I move to grab a tissue. I bring it to his mouth right on time as he hacks up more mucus. I roll the tissue into a ball and put it in the nearby trash can.

Rayburn’s eyes are closed when I look back, his mouth open and breathing softly.

“That was quick,” I mutter.

He frowns in his sleep and mutters, “Go wash your dirty hands,” before his face slacks and relaxes once more.

When Miss Florence makes it back upstairs, I’m on the floor in laughter.

“Huh,” she says, as she looks at my shaking body with concern and Rayburn’s sleeping form, “What did I miss?”