✔️An Adventure of a Lifetime (ReaderxVarious)

The Blanket

We made it back to camp in the dead of night. I wasn't ready to face the nightmares yet, though, so I went to the tent where we kept the injured soldiers. The doctor already did everything he could, so I just went to check on them and visit with them, and hopefully put a smile on their faces.

Despite it being late and everyone exhausted, the majority of them couldn't sleep due to the pain.

"Hello everyone," I whispered as I entered their tent. "Would anyone like anything? Water, more food, an extra blanket?"

They all asked for water, so I made a few trips for that. One of the soldiers on the skinnier side requested a blanket, so I walked back to my tent and grabbed mine.

"Whatcha doing?" Hercules asked as I was leaving with it. The boys decided to stay up and mess around in their tent, too.

"Someone else wanted a blanket. I'll be back in a little bit. You guys, please try to go to sleep. We're facing the unknown each morning."

"You're giving up your blanket?" Alex raised his eyebrows.

"Like I said."

"Gosh, Y/N, it's February. Take mine for the time being, then."

"Alex, I couldn't," I told him.

"Too bad," he stuck his tongue out.

"Rude," I muttered.

"What are you, my mother?" He shot back.

Ooooh boy, that was a mistake.

"I certainly do have to keep an eye on you and keep you out of trouble," I rolled my eyes.

"OOOOH, BURNNNN," the other boys howled.

"SHHH!" I hissed at them. "Do you guys even know what time it is?!"

"Showtime," Hercules whispered.

I facepalmed and sighed. "I gotta go. I'll be back in a second."

I returned to the soldier and gave him my blanket - he thanked me graciously. I came back to my tent to find everyone asleep except John, who was sitting on his cot staring at the floor with his head resting in his hands. When he heard me come in, he looked up and smiled.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey?" I responded with a crooked smile. "What's up with you?"

"Just waiting for you to get back," he replied lazily. He got under his blanket. "Y'know, in case something happened."

"Really? You're too kind, sir," I joked.

"The best you'll ever find," he sang.

"Hmmm, there'll be plenty of options to choose from at the ball."

"I thought you were going with me?"

"I am. However, what is your definition of 'going with'?" I asked honestly.

He thought hard for a moment.

"Well, we're not in a relationship, so it wouldn't be fair to you for me to ask you to not dance with anyone else. However, may I be your first dance?" He looked me in the eye.

"Of course, John," I said as I laid on my cot. I wrapped myself up with my blanket - well, Alexander's blanket.

Poor guy, he must be freezing. He was scrawny to begin with, too. I don't know why I even accepted this.

I sat up abruptly but quietly.

"Hmmm?" John noticed.

"Nothing, go to sleep."

I got up and went over to Alexander and placed the blanket back on him.

Even though he was asleep, he looked more content at that moment.

It was freezing the rest of the night, and I didn't get much sleep, but it was worth it to know my friends weren't suffering. 

I tried to think happy thoughts to take my mind off of the stinging pain.

The Winter Ball is the day after tomorrow - moved from tomorrow to Sunday due to our dilemma earlier today. That should be pretty fun. And I'll get to see Eliza and her sisters again!